Getting used to normal life

Hello!
There's for 3 days I'm back home after 15 days in the UK and there are some things that seem strange to me and I still have some reservations finding those common as usual.
Let me explain myself:
First, there's the weather, it is known that England is rainy and Spain sunny and hot. But now in Catalonia we're having the weirdest July ever: cloudy, rainy and low temperatures. So, that made me feel a bit confuse when getting back home because I was expecting for sunny days on the pool instead of the same weather I had for a week in England.

Second, housing and cleaning is hard and boring. During a fortnight, I had gentle ladies who gave me good food 3 times a day, but now my fridge is almost empty (and we don't want to fill it because we're leaving again in 3 days) and I don't feel like planning meals or cooking. Though yesterday I cooked a risotto and it turned up so tasty and I've already did the laundry and I fold my clothes. But I don't either want to iron...

Third, my car. Even if it could seem incomprehensible, I didn't miss my car and driving again made me realize that it's a dangerous action...But since I need it to move around, I guess that I'll be used to it in a few days!

Despite all, I'm happy to be back home and last evening I shared a great tapas dinner with my in-laws, which I really enjoyed!

Love and tapas!

It's over: missing Lancaster

Last two days in Lancaster were OK but a bit sad!
We went bowling on Friday evening, we visited Manchester and went shopping on Saturday and students had their last disco at campus! But we spent most of the time saying goodbye to all the people we've met and shared plenty of experiencies with for almost 2 weeks. We've echanged email addresses and facebook to keep in touch.

We said bye to the Italians first, then to Jon, Monika, and Susan and the Japanese and finally it was time to say goodbye to all the people who was leaving later than us, the Russians and Spanish, who woke up at 3 in the morning to say goodbye to us for the last time.
We also said bye to the teachers staying for one more week: Niall, Tom, Annie and Emil! Hope you enjoy last days!

How sad is to think that a fornight went by so fast! I'll keep in my mind lots of great moments in Lancaster!
Missing you all!!

The seaside full of gambling machines

Yesterday we went to Blackpool: one of the so-called "famous summer destination" of North West England. It is on the seaside, but in fact, it doesn't have sand on the beach, there's a kind of stairs and promenade of cement beside the sea instead. There are a couple of quite nice piers, one with an eye too. Blackpool has a tower opened in 1894 which is similar to the Eiffel Tower.

Above all, the most important thing in Blackpool are the centers where people can play with gambling machines. There are plenty of them and you cannot imagine how many people spend great amounts of money there!

Later in the evening, we had a late dinner at teacher's flat and we ate all the food that Clelia left for us: salami, prosciutto, speck...

Another nice day in the UK! There are only two left!

Bella Italia...

This evening has been so exciting. Clelia's group, one of young Italians, is leaving tomorrow morning, so we've had a farewell party: dance and diplomas first and then private dinner for teachers and all the Italian cooks. That is Clelia, la mamma, who cooked pasta with tomato sauce for everyone and invited us to take it at her kitchen.
What a surprise!!
I've seen a completely different kitchen than the one I have in my flat (when both are supposed to be the same).
There were flowers, posters on the walls, plenty of food, a laid table with tablecloth, napkins, laces on the corner, plates, forks, knives, glasses, everything needed and above all a warm and friendly atomphere around!!!! All the Italian people were around welcoming us, cooking and smiling!

12 teachers were there and 4 Italian women were cooking for us! They offered us toast with cheese, prosciutto, salame, speck, farfalle with tomato, spaghetti with basile and a home-made limoncello. Everything delicious!!
La mamma even gave some spices to a teacher to let him prepare his own sauce at home.

The most incredible thing is that la mamma has been cooking every night since they arrived at the campus. So, most of our students went there some days to have their pasta dinner!!

Evenings won't be the same after this warm Italian dinner!
Good night!

Heavy rain at Lake district (missing 2)

This Tuesday has been a very long and tough day!

In the morning British Council was at campus to assess MLI, so all the language teachers were pretty busy with classes and meetings and group leaders had a meeting with them too.
During classes break, we found out that two students were sick, (sorethroat, runny nose, temperature like a cold) and we've decided to take them to bed. Then, I rushed down to the city to get some pills and a present for one of our students who turned 16 today.
I was back for lunch and at 1.10p.m. we left again to go the train station. (Silvia and the two sick boys stayed at campus).
The Catalans and the Russians went to Windermere, Lake District to enjoy one of the best landscapes in Cumbria. By the time we arrived there, it was cloudy but when we were just walking around the lake there's been a storm and we all got completely wet, even our raincoats and umbrellas.
Luckily it was sunny back at Lancaster. We changed clothes, we went for dinner and we played games at the Social bar. I've played Jenga again with some of the Japanese.

Later, Silvia and I took all the wet clothes and wet shoes to the drier machines, the shoes are still there!
By 10.30p.m. we've set our kitchen lounge with many chairs for the Isa's birthday party. We've got pizzas, biscuits, lollipops and a funny jumping ball as a present that everyone has enjoyed by catching and throwing it.

That's all for now!

PoundLand + Treasure hunt

Despite the rain, this morning Sílvia and I went to the city center with Maite, the Spanish group teacher, who showed us the great shops that are downtown. We've discovered PoundLand, Homebargain and PoundWorld. They are only 1 pound shops where you can find and buy anything. Such us chips, sauce jars, powder, strips, candles or anything you'd find at any regular supermarket. It's incredible to buy a packet of chocolate and almond cookies or ten felt-tip pen for only 1pound!!! We would buy everything! Luckily or unfortunately everything would not fit on the suitcase, so this is what stops us... Even though we can allow some whim for 1 pound, can't we?

In the evening, the MLI staff have organized a "Treasure Hunt". It's been so exciting!! There were 6 mixed nationalities groups which had to answer different questions and had to find some information about the campus to discover where the treasure was hidden.
I think I'll prepare a Treasure Hunt to be played at my house! It might be great!!

I'm going to bed to read my Hello for a while...Good night!!

Wet Roman ruins in Chester

Today it's been another long day under the rain, in fact, it was drizzle but we've been able to do a tour around the city with the great explanations by Tom and Mark, some of the teachers at campus.

Chester is a nice and friendly city full of old Roman steps!
I've visited the amphitheater, walked around the Roman walls, seen the castle and the cathedral, went up the clock and relaxed at the gardens.

I've been amazed with the old typical houses that can be found in each street in the city center. They've got two levels shops, on the ground floor and on the first floor with arcades. Besides, they all kept the old medieval style: black and white wood lines to design the front!

I'm a bit tired, so next time I'll write longer!

...I M A G I N E...

The beatles story Museum

I don't know how to start this post. I've got so much feelings after the visit in this museum...
I've been there for one hour and a half, I wish I could have spent more time, I'm sure I'll be back!

It is full of images, objects, instruments, music, LP records. tour posters, music contracts...Unimaginable!!
But the best thing are the incredible sets and scenery that recreate Beatles life:
The cavern, Mathew Street, Yellow Submarine, Nems Discography, displays about each member and so on!!

As I was going ahead the exhibitions, the museum became more thrilling, last rooms were impressive! There is one only dedicated to Imagine: you could see white walls, a piano exhibited next to a guitar, the lyrics posted on the wall and the song could be heart! I've almost cried! Mum, you'd love it!

Beatles forever!!

Liverpool under the rain

I've been under the English weather today: light rain early in the morning, heavy rain in Liverpool, partly sunny at midday, cloudy and windy in the afternoon, and rain again...

I've seen Liverpool FC Stadium, I've walked down the docks and at Liverpool One Mall.

I had eaten my packlunch in Starbucks and then I have had a great cup of tea on the top of Maritime and Slavery Museum enjoying the nice views of the docks!

The worst thing is travelling with a 70-seats coach! Can you imagine it? People is packed like sardines. There are 5 seats in each row and just a few room to place your legs between the rows! Besides, some students spend time listening to music using their cell phones without headphones, just thinking that everyone likes their music; some others just shout instead of talk while the most try to rest for a while...

Oh!! I have to add that today we've succeed in uploading some videos at the school blog about Lancaster. Silvia and I are so happy, we're improving on blogging so fast!! ; )

Common daily actions even away

In the morning we did the laundry, what a great idea! All our students gave us bags full of their dirty clothes and we had to use 3 wahing machines and driers to get all them washed. Then, we spread t-shirts, trousers, shorts, underwear and sock in the kitchen lounge and everyone collected their own clothes. In fact, we had fun!

Unfortunately this evening have rained! But we could still play football outdoors on the sun!

After dinner, we went to the cinema to the Harry Potter last film release! I enjoyed it together with a pop corn box!

Just before sleeping, Silvia and I have prepared a little bag containing some sweets for Arnau, whose tooth fell out! We put it in his bedroom from the Tooth Fairy, shhhhh!!!

Shopping + football, what a long day!

Can you guess what I've done today by just looking at the pictures?

This morning we've been downtown with Silvia, we came across a shoe shop on sales and each of us bought a new pair of shoes! Then we went to a book shop which offered 3 for 2, so we got 3 books each.

After lunch, we had our half-day trip with the rest of groups in the campus, that was a tour at the famous Old Trafford, Manchester United Football Stadium.
Even I am not really fond of football, the visit is quite impressive, thanks to our guide who explained us a lot about stadium history and showed us many of the rooms and places behind the pitch. The tour lasted for almost 2 hours, so we got back for dinner a bit late.

Then we had sports evening, I played football, I even scored a goal and I played volleyball with the Italians students as well.

To relax a bit, I went for a drink with some teachers at the nearest pub.

Spending time at the campus

Today we have made a very useful meeting with Tom, the person in charge of logistica and accommodation of the campus, and the rest of group leaders.
We have made up our minds on the visit to Chester on Sunday and some caves next Tuesday, where we will also go with the Russians.

After this, we have found out a grocery with a very kind salesman. There we have seen a magazine of sports that dedicated 10 pages to the most famous football coach in the world.

After having salad and rice with bolognesa for lunch, the fire alarm rang!! What a noisy bell!! We have had to come out quickly of the flats and lined up for countries!! Luckily, it has been only a simulation. Check the pic!

Next, we have changed of clothes and went to do some sport! Sílvia and I have attempted to play tennis, but we couldn't even serve the ball. We went running in the park instead and we chatted for a while with Nail, Maite, Olga and some of the other teachers. Nice time to get to know other cultures!

Before dinner I did a great thing I wouldn't have ever imagined I could do here: I've taken a bath, yeah, not a shower! Since I share the bathroom with 5 girls, we have to set times to use the shower and today after sports, we all wanted to take one. So, I could only choose the bath... ; )

Then, some more food, a film and a bit of chocolate. Another nice day in Lancaster. Good night!

Lancaster is a real city up from now!

It's just my second full day in Lancaster and I've already done so many things!
In the morning I had some trouble again with the coffee machine, so I took a tea intead!
After checking with Giuseppe, one of the teachers in charge of journeys, and Silvia what are the possibilities for next Sat plan, we went running in the park with Maite. Exciting but tiring, we need to get fit again!

In the afternoon we went downtown to see the Castle, Roman Ruins, a Church and we also did a tour and some window-shopping.
But the best thing it's been to discover that Lancaster has got a Starbucks! Great, so up from now you can find me there in my free time! ; )

After dinner Silvia and I disguised a little bit for the "bad taste disco" and we went to the social room to dance with the rest of groups! It's been surprising, the Russians are great dancers!

Before going to bed, we've had some pizzas in our kitchen lounge!

I'm feeling so good because as days go on I'm knowing more and more about my students and we're having fun together!

Mastermind and Jenga before sleeping

Today we've discovered many new things!

After some toasts and some trouble to get my morning coffee, our students got their level tests and we had a brief meeting with Thomas and other leaders to exchange first impressions. He showed us the IT rooms, the library and some broucheres to help us to choose a journey for Sat.
Around 11 we went to discover the nearby park, it's great: two little lakes, tall trees, narrow paths, a historical building, some benches in the shadow and the best: a café with a terrace on top -we got a cappucino there (and we'll repeat again when possible!)

Salad and pasta for lunch together with other teachers and leaders and then sports time. Students enjoyed it a lot: badminton, football and volleyball together with the Spanish students, the Italian ones and all the English teachers!!
So, that time let us some extra time to set Silvia's room again and to create a new blog for students to comment on the trip in Lancaster.

After some soup and a piece of salmon, students played a friendly football tournament on the grass and we went for the first time down in town. So far, it looks nice, quiet and interesting. Tomorrow we'll have our official tour there!

Back at the campus, we've discovered the social bar: a kind of pub with table tennis, pools and a big room to talk or play . So, while our students were playing Twister and other games, some teachers played Masterming and Jenga. Uaohhh, there was for a long time I didn't play these games, but I enjoyed them a lot!

I'm not Slovenian!

I woke up early in the morning and my mate drove me to airport. Once we've checked in, I started meeting the students!
Flight and trip by coach fine, but tiring! Around 3 p.m. we got at University of Cumbria after passing by great wide green fields!
Pack lunch, unpacking and tour discovering the new place. Old stone buildings, green fields and 21st century students, that sounds great! As the afternoon went by, we had a leaders meeting, a great dinner together with other teachers and leaders. A nice film with a chocolate snack was perfect to finish the day, everything got better! Hum, it's 11 already, time for silence and relax.

PS. I'm no Slovenian, even my check-in card said that and I needed to go the Passport Control to prove it!