Guns are Illegal in Spain

One of the people I give conversation lessons to, is an older man, a friend of one of my teachers. While speaking and getting to know each other a bit, he was telling me his travels which he did when he was about my age. He told me of an incident that happened while he was in California. He had just taken out a chunk of money out of ATM for his stay in the United States, middle of the day. Then all of a sudden two guys came up to him and held him at gun point, demanding him to empty his pockets. Thankfully, a cop drove by and the two guys scattered. Listening to him tell the story and how surprised he was that it was even a possibility to be held up at gun point on the streets, made me realize some cultural differences. Here, I feel more safe than I do in my hometown, usually I should say. I wondered why walking down the streets people feel safe and without worry. (Apart from if you are an obvious tourist in Madrid or Barcelona, then keep an eye out for pickpockets) When he told me he was so surprised because guns here are illegal, it made sense. Policemen can't even carry guns when off duty, they have to leave all firearms in the police station before going home. Makes me think about back home. People here are generally a lot less hostile and aggressive. Which brings me to another thing.

Today I did my class on Thanksgiving to my older students in high school. All the teachers have told me from day 1 that I have the "good" groups. Today I was able to experience the other groups, the "bad" groups. I don't really like labeling students like that, because I feel it's my responsibility as the teacher to make them all "good" students. Plus, a student may be good in one subject and bad in another. Also, school is so specifically structured already it's obvious it doesn't meet the needs of everyone. It was obvious the class was louder, and less "well behaved". In the end though, they just wanted to talk. Literally, they yelled over each other to try and be the one heard. The first thing they asked me is if I was China. Another opportunity to explain the difference!  There are lots of students with Moroccan origins. We went over all the material that I wanted, and had everyone participate saying "I am thankful for..." So it wasn't bad, and I really wanted to work with them. I like working with the students who really need help and extra work and attention. 

This summer I spoke with the dad of a friend who works at Oakland High School teaching chemistry. He's a big italian man, and says that the kids there are not afraid to fight you. Imagine with a big guy like him? And with me? I better learn more self defense! Not to mention, in high school I remember kids bringing weapons to school, mostly knifes, but guns on a couple occasions. So to think about how here the "bad" kids are just the groups that don't listen and like to talk, it's not so bad. I want to teach in Oakland. 

Travel updates. Went to Granada, for two nights, which was not enough, will probably go back in May if money allows it. But it was amazing, extremely cold, but I loved the mountains, the people, the (free) food/tapas, and overall environment of the city. This weekend is a "puente" weekend, literally meaning a "bridge" weekend, it is what they call extended weekends. I'll go to Sevilla with a couple of people for 3 nights, should be nice traveling in a smaller group. We were a small group in Granada too. Still have to look up exactly all the amazing things to do in Sevilla, besides have a cup of cafe con leche at one of the local cafes. It is apparently filled with free flamenco shows on the streets.

We celebrated Thanksgiving last Saturday! With a real turkey! Can't remember the last time I actually ate turkey on Thanksgiving, we usually just do chicken. After doing a million presentations about the history and present Thanksgiving (with lots of photos of food), I was ready to eat some cranberry sauce and cornbread. Unfortunately, we couldn't find corn meal. So no corn bread.  My good friend Rio came down from Madrid for the weekend! So that was a nice piece of home. Although it rained most of the weekend, we still had fun.

2 more weeks until REAL break!!! And I get to see my parents and little brobros!!!!!!!!

News about Thailand politics just came on the T.V. of the cafe I'm in. Talk about coincidence.