For the last few weeks I have spent most of my time away from the classroom in either a) countless Caja Madrid (bank) or Orange (cell phone) offices or b) in a plaza drinking one Euro beers. Nothing overly exciting, hence the lack of posts over the past couple weeks. Spain has an interesting policy when it comes to contracts, bills and payments. Well, that is to say, they do not really believe in any of the above. My bank neglected to inform me that I needed to pay for my debit card before I received it while my mobile phone provider does not provide me with a bill denoting charges but in fact just debits my account (as is standard throughout the country). Needless to say it took a few trips, it does not help that nothing is really open after 4, but everything is now handled. Although with the prospects of a move insight, everything may once again get complicated for a bit.
The real good news is, however, that my temporary residence card papers have been processed so that I can legally stay here to see out the end of my contract…if not longer. My private lessons schedule has also been solidified. It is amazing how badly Spaniards want to speak English (Riding home on the night bus and speaking English to a friend, the Spanish will stop and move closer to listen). I teach 5 hours a week and pocket about 100 euros doing so, more than enough to spend Thursday-Saturday. My students range from a 7 year old beginners to a colleague of mine at the school who is practicing vocabulary and conversation (I do a lot of color by number with the former). It has taken a while to finally say that I am 100% settled in but so would be the case with any big move, domestically or internationally. I am just happy to be done with it.
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