Well it's hard to believe it but I'm back at it again. After being back in California for almost three months then making a wedding trip out to Washington DC and a short jaunt to New York City, I'm back in Spain. In some ways it feels like I never left Spain. Upon arriving in Spain, I traveled directly to my old home Cuenca. In Cuenca, I was able to pick up right where I left off with my friends. It was very easy to get comfortable being in Spain again. Coinciding with my arrival in Spain was the Catholic celebration of San Mateo or Saint Matthew. San Mateo happens to be the Patron Saint of Cuenca. If you have read any of my previous entrees then you might expect a such a celebration might entail...a big fiesta! San Mateo is a four day celebration where pretty much the whole city of Cuenca and many outsiders head up the hill to the historic old town to celebrate. The Plaza Mayor, the main plaza in old town, was completely packed with people by night fall (see picture below). At about midnight each night some musical group would start playing a set and the music wouldn't stop until about four in the morning. Another important aspect was the vaquilla. This is a tradition that is somewhat similar to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. One part of Old Town including the Plaza Mayor was fenced off. For a couple hours at a time, a cow would pass through this area. It was not quite as intense the Running of the Bulls because there was only one cow and it had to ropes tied to its horns which were held by two big men. The men did not have complete control over the cow but they definitely could slow it down. The first time I went up to Old Town, I almost got myself in trouble when I unknowingly walked into the area where the cow was. I soon figured things out when a large pack of people started running down the towards me yelling "Viene la vaca." I did not wait around to see the animal and got out of there quick!
Although I'm going to be doing the same program this year that I did last year, there are many things that are different this year. After having a one of the best times of my life living in Cuenca last year, I decided that it would be a good idea to return since I had an option to spend a second year in the Auxiliares de Conversación program. This plan was upended soon by the massive cuts that have been made to education this year in Spain, especially in Castilla La Mancha. The government of the Autonomous Community decided to discard the Auxiliares program as a way to cut costs. Luckily, not all regions had decided to completely toss-out the program and Andulucía quickly accepted me to their program. Instead of Cuenca, I'm now living and working in Siles, Jaén. Siles is a very small town of about 2500 inhabitants located in the beautiful Sierra de Segura mountain range and right next to the Cazorla National Park. I was initially disappointed with not getting the opportunity to return to Cuenca this year. It was hard knowing that I would not again be living with all the friends I had made in Cuenca. These friends, along with my work colleagues had become my big Spanish family and took great care of me. I am slowly warming up to the idea of living in Siles. I have been in the town for only two days but I'm already starting to like the town. It is extremely picturesque and completely surrounded by mountains and nature. I have only met a few Sileños but they've all been kind and welcoming. I'm coming to realize that my placement in Siles is just another way for me to get the most out of this unique opportunity that has been given to me. It be will just the newest chapter in this grand adventure that I have been living. I'll continue to keep you all informed along the way! I send you happiness and good thoughts to wherever you might be reading this from!
Buenas noches
The San Mateo celebration in Cuenca, Spain
