I think I'm finally settled...

I realized recently that I am basically settled here in Spain.  How do I know that?  Because I am currently making plans to travel elsewhere--that is usually my style.  Once I get settled in a place, I am free to explore the outside world--or in this case, the entire European Union.  I have a break from Dec 2nd-12th, and I am contemplating a country tour of Italy--ahhhhhh!!  I am thinking of going to places such as: Rome (duh!), Venice, Verona, Torino, Florence, Pisa, Milan, some small towns along the way....I could go on and on, but the thought of taking this trip makes me so happy! I am trying to be fruegal and save up money...although this weekend my friends and I are going to Toledo :).  

I'm super excited for Toledo though! I had so much fun hanging out with my Cuenca friends a few weekends ago, and I just know that this weekend is going to be a blast.  I am really looking forward to seeing the landscape that El Greco painted (and seeing his museum!), and being immersed in Toledo's history.  I have heard that it is beautiful and one of the best places to go in Spain.  Barcelona is next on my list!

Oh, for a tortilla de patata update, our neighbor showed us how to make a proper one, and I'm really looking forward to making one the right way next time :).  

Today was the first Monday that I had been to school in a few weeks, due to Dia de los Santos last Monday, and my attempt to get my NIE the Monday before.  It was good to be back and to hang out with the classes that I haven't been with in the past couple of weeks.  The job is getting a little bit more comfortable for me, which is really nice.  I think most of the kids enjoy having me there, I get lots of hugs, and they usually shout "MEHWEE" when I enter the room.  No, my name is not Mawee in Spanish, but it's how they pronounce it.  So funny.  Either that or "Mehreee".  It's pretty cute :).  Anyway, as I was saying, I love hanging out with the kids, but sometimes I feel like I don't really know how to do my job the right way...if there even is a right way?  Basically my job is to speak in English to them, and to teach the topics of their science books.   Science is def. not my favorite subject, but it's all pretty easy stuff.  No chemistry or anything...yet. ;)

On Mondays all of the teachers go out to lunch to El Quixote, a nearby restaurant where, like many Spanish restaurants, they serve a Menu Del Dia for 10 Euros.  It comes with 2 courses, wine, dessert, and any type of coffee you want afterwards (I usually get cafe con leche :D).  Today I was the first one to arrive at the restaurant and I knew that everyone else would be a few minutes, so I grabbed my camera and took some pictures of the Rio Zancara that runs through El Provencio.  It looks kind of dirty, but when you walk by it you can't help but breathe better--water just has that effect, as you all probably know.  Here are some of the pictures I took:

There’s also a multicultural Mercado going on this week in the Plaza right outside of the Church I go to (Iglesia de San Blas), and Krista and I stopped by there with some friends.  I am definitely going back to check out some of the great scarves that they had there J.  Hopefully we'll be going back later for some good deals on scarves!

Well, that's about it for now!  I'm continuing to look for good deals on flights to different places in Europe.  

Any suggestions?  Feedback appreciated :)

Love,

Mary