Our first few days in Spain

Hola, familias! Welcome to our blog! I will try to update this every few days to help give you an idea of how we're doing, what we're learning, what we're experiencing, etc., during our stay here in Caceres. I will also try to upload pictures that I take so you can actually see some of these things, as well. The kids will also add to this from time to time so you can have personal accounts from each of your children. However, be advised: since they are here to learn Spanish and experience the Spanish culture, their posts will be in Spanish. Not to worry, though - I will do my best to summarize their posts for you so that you can understand if you don't speak Spanish.

The past few days have been very full of activity, to say the least! Our flights to Frankfurt and Madrid were really nice (and since I hate to fly, that's saying a lot! :) ) and the bus ride from Madrid to Caceres was interesting. We stopped at a gas station half-way there and had a snack at the "bar" that was connected. Bars here in Spain are not like bars in the US. They are more family-oriented and friendly (everyone in Spain is friendly!) and serve basic food items like candy, chips, Spanish omlettes (omlettes made with eggs and potatoes), coffee, tea, soda, etc., but from behind what looks like a swanky bar. Also, people eat a lot of ham or "jamon" (pronounced "ha-MOHN") and it's sold as a cured leg of pig hanging from it's spot in a glass case. There was an entire display case with about 10 entire legs of ham and wheels of cheese in this bar. It was an odd sight as we sat and sipped Portuguese coffee on barstools at a rest stop in the middle of the desert. I have pictures and will upload them a little later.

Everyone has been situated with their families and seem to be doing really well. All the families were SO excited to have us come, almost to the point of being nervous! Everyone is staying in houses or apartments close to the school and to downtown Caceres and so far, they've each had individual experiences with local food and locations. All the kids are being treated as if they are members of each family and it's very cool to see. I'm sure they will have even more to tell you as the days go by!

We've started school and our school day is divided into two halves: from 10am to about noon, we study Spanish vocabulary, grammar, culture, and conversation. At about noon, the kids go out and play sports or talk with the Spanish students studying English down the hall. The Spanish kids are a little younger than ours (average age is probably 11 or 12), but all seem to really enjoy hanging out with our kids. Charlie in particular has made a good friend in 10 year old Alvaro, who is a total goofball.

After recess, we return to class and do activites as a group with the younger kids. So far, we've heard the Spanish kids introduce themselves in English, and we've also played Bingo and Telephone with them. Next week we plan to put together scavenger hunts for each other: our clues are in Spanish and theirs are in English. Based on the clues we receive, we have to find hidden letters around the school to help us spell a word or words in our respective forgein languages. Should be fun!

This weekend, we are planning a trip to Merida, the former capital of the Iberian Penninsula during the Roman Empire. This (as well as Caceres) has the distinction of being a UN World Heritage City because of it's incredible history and well-preserved ruins. Not many cities in the world have this distinction and it will be exciting to see what we learn when we're there. More details after our trip.

For now, that's about it. We're settling into a nice routine and learning a lot. I will try to update this every few days so you all know what's going on. Until then, hasta luego!

Liz Plemmons
Chaperone