Whirlwind Week's End

It always seems so strange for the week at VT to start winding down on Wednesday night, but it does. After that, it's all seriousness while they prepare their presentations.  They get their topics on Thursday morning after breakfast, and the presentations take place before dinner Thursday night.  So the phrasal verbs and idioms kind of get pushed to the side in favor of helping them with structure and ideas.  "My" Spaniard this year was Enrique, who had to talk about something he does differently than other people. He came up with a very cute talk about skinnydipping.  He kind of led them along, talking about his "first time" and how nervous he was, etc. etc.  And then said, "And of course, I am talking about swimming naked (he forgot the word).  It was very funny.

Enrique, the skinnydipping Spaniard.

With the pressure of the presentations finished, it was time to celebrate.  After dinner, we gathered a group to go down to a local pub in the village.  They had said it was being opened only for us, but there was a bar full of locals there when we got there around 11:30.  The little pub was actually quite nice and had a sizable dance floor, with disco lights and all.  There were about 20 of us, out of 28, there, and we all danced and had a great time.  I learned a couple of new variations of the macarena, and we got to watch Alfonso and Alba do some of their flamenco moves.  Spanish contemporary music always has a salsa beat, so even if you couldn't salsa, you could dance to it.  It was fun to see another side of the oh-so-serious Spaniards once the pressure of the week was over. Six or so of us headed back to the hotel around 1:00.  The young Spaniards got in at about 4:00.

Leaving for the pub.

Alba and Alfonso

This morning, we had to check out of the hotel, then we had two one-to-ones.  I only had one, so Carolyn and I sat in the bar and had a Coke Light and a coffee and talked about the week.  Then it was time for the group photo and the certificate ceremony. The Anglos were presented with small travel coffee mugs, as well.  Each of the Anglos got to say a few words, and we welcomed the newbies into the Vaughantown Addicts Support Group.

We had lunch at a single long table (a Vaughantown tradition), and there was cava (Spanish "champagne"), a couple of speeches, and a chance to thank our cooks and servers.  Martin, one of the Master students, who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, stood up and announced that it was Peter's birthday. Alba and Carmen looked a little shocked, because they hadn't known about it, and they like to have a cake for the person. We all sang Happy Birthday, then Martin said it wasn't really Peter's birthday, he just wanted to see if we would go along with him.  Then we made the Spaniards sing Happy Birthday in Spanish, just for the heck of it.

Many people slept on the way back.  When we got to the building, we were very surprised that the great Richard Vaughan himself met the bus!  We all had a chance to speak with him, and he thanked us for our participation.  We got checked in to the hotel, then Karen, Maria, and I went down the block to VIPS, intending to just get a drink and some snacks to have in our rooms, but ended up ordering sandwiches.  We were later joined by John, and apparently there were four or so others inside the restaurant (we were outside), but we didn't know they were there.  We spent about 2.5 hours at VIPS, then stood around outside for another 30 minutes or so (like we haven't had enough talking this week).  It was just so nice to have nowhere we had to be, the weather was perfectly pleasant, and we enjoy each other's company.

Richard Vaughan is not a myth!

My room this time is smaller but much nicer.  If I stay here again, I will do as Karen does and request a room on the 8th floor because they are better - I even have a balcony spanning the bedroom and living room.

Jorge and I had a video call a bit ago.  I got to see their new kitchen, and I also see that Paula now has contacts!  It was good to see their faces, even if the call quality wasn't the best. I blame the Eurobuilding's wifi.

Off to Valencia in the morning.  Part II of Spain 2017 is about to begin!