The last two days have been a whirlwind of activities, but I'm beginning to feel more comfortable here. Solete keeps insisting that I sleep, but since I don't have an alarm, I'm sure she's wishing she had never suggested that I wake up "whenever I want."

Yesterday, Alberto took the kids and I to their sports club. Even with the economic crisis, the family can't seem to part with their 40-year membership here because it's so full of memories (everything from their wedding reception to the kids' baptism parties). Alejandra (still battling the alergies and asthma) and I watched as Sergio and Alvaro had their swim lessons. In typical Spanish fashion, we stopped for a soda and snack at one of the bars before meeting the boys for lunch. We ate at the main cafe in the club so that Solete could finish shopping for our special dinner later that evening. Here, I was thankful for some guspacho, salad (oh how I had missed those random mixtures that Spaniards call "salad"), and croquetas! (fried rolls filled with cheese and ham). I will NOT get fat!

What I'm quickly learning is that my experience in Salamanca was not the ultimate Spanish way...apparently not everyone takes a siesta, which honestly is a little disappointing. Maybe not staying out until 7am as before will help my energy level here.

While Alvaro napped, Ale and I started making bracelets from a book I brought her. Oh and then I was forced into the "classroom" to practice my multiplication tables and Spanish dictation, which was a little upsetting considering I've been in the summer mindset for several weeks now. Finally I was able to nap for a bit, but almost didn't wake up in time for Ale's dance competition (I really need an alarm!) Again, we headed to the club to watch routines of nearly 20 different dance groups from the Madrid region. Poor Ale forgot her black costume shoes, but with the sassy attitude she has when she dances, her gold shoes seemed pretty appropriate.

Alejandra's group

The amphitheater

The dance concluded and everyone set up picnics on tables in the surrounding field. This is where we met the Bowmans and Solete showcased her impressive spread. She really outdid herself. There were three different types of sandwiches, salad with corn, cheese, apple, and yogurt sauce, ham (a must), tomatoes, cheese puffs, sangria, at least 3 types of cookies, and tons more.

I love the Spanish meal because it takes forever. All the kids were running around playing and the adults sat and talked for hours around a full table of delicious food. I must admit there have been a few times like this where I don't know exactly what to do. I played with Alvaro for a while and also sat and listened to the adults talk. I understand everything, but sometimes I have a harder time adding something myself, especially when I'm around adults. Maybe I should just stick with the kids.

And of course our Spanish feast wouldn't have been complete without stopping for coffee, so we met again in the club (where we had eaten lunch) for poleo (mint tea) and cafe con leche. Sitting outside on the patio was so relaxing. I loved hearing stories of how both couples met and the funny things they did when they were younger. I joined the kids on the playground until we finally left around midnight, which really isn't that abnormal even for baby Alvaro. I'm so far from home.

Solete let me sleep in late again this morning and after a quick breakfast we all headed off to Catholic mass. Although I've never been to mass before even in the states, this service was especially interesting since the "choir" was made up of twenty or so clad in traditional Flamenco attire. I felt especially foreign here since I don't even know the Catholic customs in English, much less in Spanish. I tried to copy those around me, but was happy just to sit and listen to the pastoral prayers and responses from the congregation.

After mass, I helped Solete set up a delicious lunch outside on the patio. We ate salad with potato, green olive, tuna, egg, and olive oil (hey, don't knock it 'til you've tried it--so delicious), deviled eggs, bread, and more guspacho. Yum! After lunch, the kids and I spent much of the afternoon in the attic (their third level and play room). Two small windows and a very weak breeze helped us fight through the heat a little, but spending last summer in Honduras has made me a stronger woman I think.

Tonight, we'll eat dinner with the cousins who live here in the gated community and Tuesday I begin my official schedule. Hasta luego!

looking out the kitchen window

from the back of the living room

the kitchen

Not too bad to spend 2 and a half months here, huh?

Here is a peek into my new home...

back porch

living room

basement (and entrance to my room on the right)

my closets

my bed

Beginning My Adventure

Well, it’s clear I just couldn’t stay away because one year later I’m back in the Motherland. From May 27, 2010 until August 7^th, I will be a live-in nanny for a Spanish family in a community called Boadilla del Monte, 20km outside Madrid, Spain. Solete and Alberto Sanchez are parents to three beautiful children: Alejandra (9), Sergio (5), and Alvaro (almost 3). Actually the entire family is extremely attractive and 4 out of 5 are BLONDE (this is an attribute of northern Spain).

I arrived in Madrid on Thursday with a smooth transition from customs to baggage. Since I had already seen pictures of the family on Facebook, I thought I would have no trouble recognizing them when they picked me up on the other side, but this was not the case. Solete wore a huge smile and picked me out right away, and even though my first reaction was to check behind me to make sure I was the one she wanted, I resisted. We drove the 30 minutes home and I was thankful that Solete was so talkative to compensate for my delirium. I am also so grateful that I can understand the vast majority of what she says. After showing me my bedroom (about the size of the one I had in Salamanca, except without the roommate) and bathroom in the basement, she was sweet enough to let me sleep. Waking up no sooner than four hours later, Alejandra (home from school due to allergies) gave me a tour of the house and started telling me anything and everything, a 180-turn from her reserved demeanor in the car. I think we’ll be fast friends. Once Solete returned home from running errands, the three of us girls stopped for lunch. Solete made me pasta with chorizo and con tomate for Alejandra. We also had meat patties that reminded me a bit like hamburgers, bread, fruit, and coffee. With full bellies, Ale and I went to visit Liz Bowman across the way. Liz and her family live in Madrid as American missionaries and are one of the fundamental connections I have to the Sanchez family.

When the two younger boys came home from school, all three kids and I hopped on bikes and rode to the park. At this point, I still hadn’t heard Alvaro, the youngest, speak. He was very timid and refused to give me a Spanish kiss when I met him. Almost immediately after we starting playing on the colorful train and the see-saw at the park, however, I caught a glimpse at what a bright, giggly boy he truly is.

We continued further down the street on our bikes to meet Solete. Loading up the bikes just as it began to rain, the five of us enjoyed a short, however cramped, ride to Alberto’s office. The kids and I colored and played on the computers while the adults had a meeting and finished up a few things. Before returning home, Solete, Ale (Al-lay), and I stopped by a local store to buy a birthday present for a neighborhood friend. The party was already waiting for us when we arrived. Swarms of children romped on a moon-bounce and played soccer in the street while parents talked. Already to me it seems this peaceful community is full of dear friends.

Dinner reminded me much of those my Salamantino madre made....fried. In this respect, Spain is both the life and death of me. I refuse to get chubs again! Of course I had no trouble gobbling down the fried calamari, guspacho, and ham and cheese empanadas, however, Solete doesn't seem to force-feed me as Ascencion did, which is a huge relief. The evening concluded by watching a movie with the kids in their very comfortable living room. Alberto's brother and his kids, who also live two houses down, joined us a little later--it was great to meet them too until the exhaustion from Spanish overload and my 38 hour day finally hit. Already, I feel at home. The Sanchez family has been so incredibly welcoming, especially considering they only "knew" me through emails. God is good!