Second week

Well I am feeling much more settled now, and referring to the apartment as going home! The weekend gave me time to reorganise myself with the hindsight of how the week's routine was to be. So I now have one rucksack packed for school and work and another for outings and a list to check so I no longer leave anything vital behind.

On reflection it probably wasn't surprising I felt at sea, as there were absolutely no constants other than me! New country, new climate, different shopping, different home, school and work both in a different language, and finding my way around a new area on foot! I have fallen into a pattern of having a running shopping list and when I pass one of the shops I buy a few things as they have to go in my rucksack. I have got to know which shop sells good things and which sells normal things at a lower price. And if I want variety I have to go to Santa Elena. So last Saturday I bought beetroot and water melon there. I have also decided to eat at school on my afternoons off as we can order a take away meal for about £4 which saves cooking a couple of nights.

I had a funny experience at the apartment the other afternoon when I thought I heard knocking. I went to my door and no one was there so returned to the balcony. The knocking continued so I went to the garden door and found a couple who were booked in and didn't know what to do. So in my best Spanish I had to send a text to the school and get instructions.  I have only had 'passing' neighbours so far. Fortunately I have not had the visitors that one of the other couples had in their ground floor apartment at the school. The lady moved her shoe to find a snake, apparently harmless but nevertheless gave her a shock. I am glad I am not on the ground floor. The only amusing thing that has happened is that the new cleaner got confused and used one of my laundry capsules in the dishwasher- needless to say it didn't work, so I have now written a label in Spanish and put in the packet.

We have a new teacher at school this week, it appears we move on each week. Yesterday we had to do a presentation in Spanish on a topic of our choice for at least 10 minutes. I spoke about my hobbies. We also have a new student in our group so three now, but both go this weekend, so I may have someone new next week.

I have had a couple of interesting conversations, one with a chap I bumped into on my way to volunteering. He just decided to engage in conversation and made no allowances for it not being my own language. It was an interesting interlude before I told him I mustn't be late! Then today someone came into the shop and asked me to go to a vigil in Santa Elena at the weekend and bring a candle with me. It's to do with the environment and world peace.  Also at work today when the filing was done I was invited to sit and sew with the ladies and when I mentioned I had run out of a coloured silk they were able to sell me some from their stock for the artists.

This is Maria Elena who gives me my instructions.

The arts cooperative.

My route to work!

The weather has been dryer this week until this afternoon when we had light rain. However the wind is very strong , but there have been some lovely views. Yesterday I went to the Cheese factory started by a group of Quakers who settled here; tomorrow I am going into Santa Elena to return my watch that worked for just over 48hours. Now that's going to test my Spanish! I am going with a German student who is here this week.

Sunsets from my window.

Clearest view so far!