Guess What Time it is?

Yes! Catalan time!
Shall I admit that I have not studied at all during 2011? I suffered a total lack of motivation. My honeymoon stage had worn off and I was left wondering what I had got myself into, studying this language.
2012 is the year to pick up the fragments of what I learnt before and begin again.
Jett is doing great. He's even getting an appropriate accent.
Cheers for a great learning year!

After Lunch Nap

Summer in Plaza Corona

It's almost lunch time here. But people are feeling lazy. Summer is truly here. Flies are dancing in the air. It's also market day in Granollers, so there are many more people on the street. There's a breeze, but it's warm.
 I came out to drink Tiger's Nut milk (orxata) but felt so lazy I decided to take a boost of caffeine instead. I'm cleaning the apartment and preparing for our month long road trip to Norway. We leave on Sunday. I can't afford to be lazy this afternoon.
 I'm also strongly aware that when we return it will be to the Festa Major. A week long (loud) party centred 50 metres from our building block.
And my brother arrives. It will be his first visit to Granollers.
Ah, the cafe amb llet is kicking in. It was my emergency coffee for work purposes! Is it me, or is everyone suddenly walking faster?
 Oh, and remember, the sales start here twice a year. The 7th of January and the 1st of July. So if you plan to come for shopping, those are the best days.
My friend Kate said she was feeling in love with this place lately. I guess it's contagious. Arrogant women, lazy appreciative men, hot sun, lots of bars with terraces, people milling about. It's not the Spain of the south, as I have read about, but it's plenty for me.

My Pastry Compromise

Hello Kate! Well, this is the chat we didn't have this week since you were away.
You can see where I am, and I've decided to allow myself a SMALL pastry. Not the normal one.
I went for a 90 minute walk this morning and then 40 mins of asana practice. Now my coffee. It's ok. My body is still recovering from the Montserrat walk. Especially in the supportive tendons in the lower legs. Albert was brave and carried the bag with our things. He's now 32. Suffered no birthday blues. :)
It's seriously hot here. 30 already.
Today I'm taking Jett to the doctors. He's had some troube with his ears for a while and it's time to do something about it.
How's things there? What have you been eating? I've sent a few students your e mail. I've cut back my English classes so I can spend more time with energy healing/qigong/yoga. It means an immediate drop in income, but for me there isn't a choice. It's time. We can talk about it when you get back.
When we were walking to Montserrat I was thinking about the movement into darkness, the womb, the mountain, and the connection between human 'spiritual drive' and the black Madonna and the virgin birth. The new being that arises from the void.
And I was watching The Matrix last night and had the whole latex fantasy as a fashion option for a moment. Luckily it's summer or I might even buy something stupid in a fit of movie madness. :)
I like these slow hot afternoons. I have three classes this afternoon. All lovely people.
Ok then. Got to meet Jett. Let me know all your news! Hug and smile

Canovelles Fruit and Veg Market

It's a beautiful day. It's crazy in the market. The fruit smells delicious. I even bought custard apples. Yum. And without thinking about it, I'm matching my trolley! In black and white.

Finally! We arrive at Montserrat

We arrived in time to take the last bus home. It was a bit cold and we were happy to sit in the bus. Albert even fell asleep on the way home and was in bed, on his birthday on a Saturday night, by 12!!!  (What kind of  party animal has he become?!)

My Bank Experience

There is one man serving and 18 people waiting. Actually, the queue is moving. The man serving is fast, efficient and in friendly! I'm here to pick up my bank card. Remember the queue system here begins when you enter the shop and ask 'who is the last one?' Then someone says 'I am'. Then you need to watch that person until it's your turn because if they leave, it will never be your turn. What confusion! But some people like the social interaction.

Today is Sant Jordi

Take a look at last years post on the Symbolism of St Jordi.  It's very unusual this year as it falls on the Easter Weekend. The people I have spoken to about it are unhappy about it. They say it doesn't feel right and somehow ruins the day for them. 

My Work?

These days of fine weather I've been having my English conversation classes outside on a terrace. It really doesn't feel like work at all. More like I'm working on my tan. Well, it's hard, but someone has to do it.

The Last Calçotada of the Season

I think this will be our last one. Jett's a total pro these days and unabashedly showed our visitors how it was done. The restaurant even gave us shots on the house. Afterwards we walked by our river and visited Palou Church! It was actually very pleasant. Beautiful day and very green.

Our New Car!

We paid for it today and we'll pick it up on Tuesday. Picasso C3. Isn't it lovely!

Ashtrays in the Restaurant!

Of course it hasn't been long since Spain changed its laws, but it's still a suprise to see people still smoking here in Andorra. It's 31 degrees.

My Aussie Talk Notes

I didn't realise how messy my notes were until the head teacher wanted to take a look at my 'plan'. I like to 'wing it', or at least feel like I'm winging it. It helps keep me interested in what I'm saying if there is an impulsive feel to the talk. I have rough notes to glance at if I need to in moments of silence, otherwise its just 'Tiffy Talking'.

Preparing Speeches in English

Well, here I am, in between presentations, thinking over each yawn and considering how I contributed to them and how to avoid them in the next class. I've never had to talk about Australia before, as if being Australian makes me an authority on the subject. I was looking online for Australian qualities and I was surprised by how much I identified with their descriptions. The sense of 'fair go', and 'no worries' along with 'have a go' seem to sum up my philosophical outlook pretty neatly. I didn't realise I was such an Aussie at heart.

Beers 'n' Barça in a Bar

What more could you ask for on your first night in Catalonia?

Recognition of Happy Times - Let's Give Thanks

As I said earlier, we've been here 18 months. The last two weeks have been amazing. At every turn, Albert and Jett have expressed happiness on all levels. My house is tidy and I'm doing what I like to do, and getting paid for it. 

Pause.  And wow.  Let's just sit down for a moment and look around and say thanks. 

I don't know what's around the corner. I'm not looking. I'm happy right here and now and that's more than enough for me.  

Thanks to Albert for being so thoughtful, kind and sporty! Thanks to Jett for being a sweetie and brushing himself off quickly to get back on the horse time and time again. 

Trash or Treasure?

Since I've lived here, I've seen some African men going through the bins and taking out scrap metal, old electrical equipment and other interesting bits and pieces. Other people seem to ignore them. There isn't a big second hand mentality here. I think the economical climate maybe changing people's attitude. In Australia there is a big push to sell our old things. One person's trash is another's treasure.

Kate's Blog

Hello!

Have met (cyberly) a lovely woman doing almost exactly the same as me. Her name is Kate and this is her blog - check it out! :)

Kate's Blog - The Catalan Way 

Protocol for Casual Meetings in Catalan

There isn't any.

What typically happens in my experience, is that we will be approached in the street by someone I don't know, and that someone will barely look at me, and will talk to my Catalan partner. Then, after 2 -10 minutes of pretending I don't exist, the person leaves, and may or may not throw a glance my way as a 'goodbye'.

The first time this happened, I took it personally. Now I see its just a cultural atrocity, I mean, difference.

In English speaking countries, and I'm going to generalize (forgive me), if I was the person greeted, then it would be my duty to introduce my friend/parter to the other person. Especially after the 2/3 minute mark of conversation. I would feel uncomfortable for my friend, standing silently beside me, not knowing who the other person was.

In Norway, you throw your hand out and say your name. Its that simple. And they are not even that friendly.

I am going to study the situation in more detail and discover a way that is a positive solution to both parties. That is, one that will not offend the reticent Catalan, and will not provoke rudeness in myself.

Photo: Montserrat, the meeting of the elephant and the sphinx, Tiffany Jones

Honk Away

I don't know if it was the cortado taking immediate effect, or the too full glass of wine I had for lunch dousing my sensitivity, but I just had an about turn.

I was standing at the lights, waiting to cross when an old woman in a car was hesitating to turn. Another car behind her, beeped loudly and insistently, and I laughed. Well, inside. When the 'beeper' went past, and I saw the look of cool disregard on her face, I laughed a bit more.

Maybe my British heritage is finally loosing up here, as it turns into spring time, melting away as the last of the snow.

However, it could just be the first beep of many to come in the warmer weather. Honking does seem to increase in the warmer weather. Could be a cool statistic to learn and quote at appropriate moments in conversation.  Or not.

Photo taken from C's