The Departure - Day 22

I don't know if there's a point to making this last entry but I thought I should.

I'm all packed and ready to go but we won't be leaving for another few hours. I'm looking forward to being home despite only having the one day before being back in college again, I'm sure having a schedule again will help though.

I've enjoyed my time here for the most part, as I mentioned before the teaching was the best. Madrid was so different to Dublin but I found humour in some of their similarities, mainly seeing how people are the same for the most part regardless of where you go. I'm proud of the work I got done here with the kids and of how even though I didn't learn the entire language, I managed to get by without any major issues.

I can see myself coming back in a few years maybe, I appreciate the opportunity I've been given and I think I made the best of it in my own way. I feel like I'm getting repetitive now.

I'm very happy with the feedback I received from the students and staff alike. I'll admit it's made me consider a path to teaching of some kind but I don't think it would be for me.

The town has been lovely and the people I have interacted with also. The staff at the local restaurant, the florist, all were very nice and helpful.

It's been an experience to say the least and one I won't forget. The time I spent in Alpedrete has helped me grow as a person in several ways. I'm not the same as I was when I arrived, which is good.

Thank you to everyone who helped me get here and during my stay. Its been an exciting chapter in my life.

I think a quote would sum this up nicely.
"A thing isn't beautiful because it lasts".

For the final time, thank you.

-Reece

The final picture I took Madrid. 

The Night Before - Day 21

Today was a recovery day for me, spent a lot of it just trying to relax after walking do much yesterday and just being pretty tired.

Done some laundry and called some of my family to talk. I'm pretty much packed and ready to go so that's good. After a few hours I went for one last walk around Alpedrete, for old times sake I suppose. Took some pictures and just took it all in one more time. 

I went to a local restaurant for dinner as I planned, they basically know me there I'd say in the case of some of the staff. Food was good enough, generally just enjoyed the moment of it. 

Came home and continued to try and just relax before tomorrow, while I can't wait to get home I am not looking forward to the airport. I have very few problems with flying, airports are a whole different thing. 

I think I made the best of the time here, while I didn't go out exploring every day I did do what I wanted to do for the most part. The teaching was the best part but seeing Madrid was an experience, particularly yesterday on my own. 

Ava (the homeowner) told me I'll always be welcome here and that if I'm ever coming back over to just reach out so I can stay here, even with friends. We agreed that if she comes back to Ireland and has time we'd try meet up which is nice, it's good to have global contacts and connections.

She loved the flowers thankfully and so did her cat. I popped back into the florist to tell her how much the flowers were appreciated and she was very happy about that. 

Well, tomorrow's the big day. 

Until the final installment. 

- Reece

Some flower appreciation. 

I don't know how it got like this but I wasn't missing the photo op. 

Gotta have a nice sky picture of course. 

Free Roam Unlocked - Day 20

Today I spent the majority of my time walking all over Madrid, went to a few different comic shops and even got some badges and a magnet as souvenirs.

The day was great for walking, lovely weather and very warm. I made my way all across the city and back. Took so many photos that my phone didn't want to let me open the camera for a while (not even joking).

Spending the day in Madrid by myself was very freeing, doing whatever I want without having to deal with other people. I hope the others had as good a day as I did.

I booked some flowers for Ava as a thank you for letting us stay here and for being so kind. I'll pick them up tomorrow.

Until the next installment.
-Reece

Some of the man

i love the james joyce bar - day 20

It’s weird being in Madrid and having it start to finally feel like a holiday after so long, since we’re finally done school. Today I met with Laura in Madrid and we did some shopping, and later met up with Eloah for dinner in the James Joyce bar near Retiro Park. The food there is soooo goooood!!

We had been trying to plan to go to an escape room today, something to make the most of our last couple days but all the slots were booked up. We’ll probably go back to Retiro Park tomorrow just to have something to do. I’ve got lots of assignments to do in the morning before we go anywhere though :/

This morning I packed my suitcase, cleaned up my room and the kitchen a little bit and threw out all my rubbish to get ready for leaving on Sunday. Still can’t wait to go home, and get into my own bed!!!! Proper cup of tea !!!! Dying for it. 

I had a really nice time today in Madrid with the girls. While we were walking to the pub for dinner we passed this huge building which is just so pretty. I think it’s a hotel, but most of the buildings in Madrid have this really old timey parliament-esque look about them. 

Until I catch u again tomorrow,

Ciara

brains left in the carlos sainz centre - day 19

Well, that’s a wrap folks. Our work here is done. Today we had our final two classes with the year 7s and 8s. They presented their stories to the class by having one kid from each group to stand at the top of the class and present the result of all their hard work the last 2 weeks. 

The quality of their stories was incredible and I’m super happy with the outcome of their work! It was an incredible experience to be a part of. I brought in sweets for the kids and their faces lit up more than they ever did during our lessons but either way, I know they enjoyed our company. At the end of both classes the kids had loads of questions for us about ourselves and what Ireland is like, and asking us to speak some Irish which of course I was only delighted to do, but it does have you on the spot trying to remember anything at all. 

After school, I dropped the rest of the kids worksheets back to Felicity and Andrew so they can continue the lessons if they want to. Laura and I went back to the gokart centre we went to last week and I crashed really hard into one of the barriers, never ever ever let me drive a car it was absolute carnage hahaha, but I’m fine... I think.... I also grabbed a t shirt from the centre too which is a nice little

memory :))

I’m just on the bus home now, and super tired. I can’t wait to get home into bed and conk out. We’ve no set plan for tomorrow but you’ll eventually see what we get up to !!

Talkche later,

Ciara

School's Out - Day 19

The day has come and gone, the final visit to the students here in Alpedrete.

We had them read out their group stories and the rest of the class reviewed it, giving comments and asking questions. Both teachers got involved but in different ways. The year 7 teacher was very good at complimenting each story and getting involved with the class. The darkest story was the most popular surprisingly. The year 8s teacher was more involved through constructive criticism and making sure that everyone was involved.

We gave the teachers and students sweets and chocolates as a thank you for having us, some key chains too. They were all very thankful for us being there and the kids wished for us to come back. Admittedly I was a bit sad to go, having gotten used to being in that environment.

We gave the groups time to ask us questions. Some were about writing (they asked me to go through the rest of the Arrival in summary, the stories I wrote and more), some were about Spain, others about Ireland and even a few were a too personal to answer (if ciara and I are related, since we're not then are we dating. Those were questions I was not expecting to say the least but I laughed it off and the teacher told them to stop).

The staff were very grateful to us and gave us tremendous feedback about how well we've done and how much the kids have opened up to the experience. I said my thank you's and goodbyes, dropped in my visitors ID and walked out.

The rest of the day was uneventful but how can you follow that? The others went go karting and I was going to go but I had an issue come up that I had to deal with. I think tomorrow I'm gonna try go into Madrid by myself, visit a few places and maybe let myself buy something. Should be fun and as long as the trains and buses are working I'll know what I'm doing.

Almost at the end now...

Until the next installment.
- Reece

iiiiiiiiii forgot last night - day 18 (but it’s actually 19)

Ooooooooops I forgot to update this last night as I got home a little late. Wednesday we had the day off as the kids had finished their stories and we didn’t end up needing to take them for extra classes. I went into Madrid in the morning for a little while, just for a stroll around and came back home and worked on a bit of an assignment I have due when I’m back. 

When Laura finished school, we went to a nearby shopping centre in Villalba but it was quite underwhelming and didn’t have all that much in it, mostly food places and a big cinema. We ended up just going to the supermarket beside it and picking up some stuff for our last day in school - sweets for the teachers and kids. 

Apart from that, nothing else really happened. At least nothing that I can remember as I’m writing from memory soooo... :/ I was keeping up such a good streak with the blogs too:( 

Aaaaaanyways, as today is our last day in school I’ll have plenty to update on when I write tonight’s blog!! 

See you in about 10 hours or so!

Ciara