The difference between Beach and B**ch....

Hello friends. After just sharing a warm chocolate croissant with the bestie, I am now fully capable of telling you about my wonderful findings. Turns out the neighborhood we are staying in houses movie stars and famous soccer players. This, I am ok with, and also explains why everything feels so safe. So this week we have had several adventures. From getting totally confused on the subway, to finding a much needed tea store - Brianne and I have a serious addiction - and a whirlwind of school experiences, we are still on our feet and ready for more. While we haven't had much time to see all the "it" places in Barca yet, there are many events which need to be explained. The subway system: Now I know I briefly wrote about this before... but a more thorough explanation is necessary. Now I say subway system... because there is a set of train lines called the "metro," a second set of trains that are called the "Funacular" a third set we don't even know what it's called, the symbol is two circles, kind of like the american target store logo, and  a fourth set of trains we have yet to encounter. You can see how a sister can get confused. That being said, I am starting to get the hang of it, and have not yet gotten lost. Brianne says this is all in my hands as her lack of directional skills put me in charge of navigation. So to get to the school, I wish I could draw you a picture. Sadly an explanation will have to do. We  walk down the long drive way from our house and through our gate. Turn left down the 168 steps followed by another block to Carre Balmes. Turn left and walk three blocks to the El Putxet Funacular station. Hop on the L7 train to Placa Catalunya, BUT this train doesn't go to Placa Catalunya, so we get off two stops later at Placa Molina. Walk up three flights of stairs, down a corridor, and down another three sets of stairs to another train platform, Saint Gervasi. From here, depending on the time of day, we can hop on the S55 or S5. But if one wishes to travel between 9 am and 4 pm, you're out of luck and therefore need to hop on the L6 to Reina Elisanda for one stop. Get off at Muntaner and then you can transfer to the S1 to Terrassa. After about 15 minutes you get off at the second last stop Hospital General. We are almost there!! Kind of. From station Hospital General you turn left and begin walking along the train line on a lovely gravel path. Past a trailer/ old carnival ride/ gypsie occupation, turn left to cross the bridge, and continue walking through an industrial area.... although the industrial activities could be labled.... questionable? this takes about 7 minutes until you get to a little pathway through some trees that eventually take you to a garden shop. Continue walking past the garden center about 3 minutes, and you'll come to a set of steep stairs. Be brave, go down. From here you will see the school. Walk towards the gate entrance and get yourself buzzed in. Like I said before. Riding the subway like a boss. The school: IES Leonardo Da Vinci Secondary school is an interesting one. It is by no means a poor school, however some things are very different from public schools in Calgary, while others are very similar. For example, they have their own version of SMART boards in each room. Not quite as advanced but definitely not basic. On the other hand, the desks are older than the oldest of teachers teaching at the school. They use Moodle just as we do, but the teachers travel to each homeroom class for each lesson. Therefore teachers do not have their own classroom and congregate in their department lounges between classes. These lounges is also where they do their marking, keep their resources, things like that. When we informed them of how classes work in Canada, they were jealous. School is very casual at IES. Teachers and students dress casually, and teachers are adressed by their first name. While I have and plan to always be a first name teacher, this concept in Spain shocked me. Funny story, turns out it's harder for students to say Brianne then Bryndan. Although I'm pretty sure some of them think my name is Brenda.... The students are very excited for us to be working with them, and of course this feeling is reciprocated by Brianne and myself. Some things we have noticed while observing/ talking/ working with our kids this week; classroom management is kind of a non idea here... the kids talk whenever they want, and loudly, although it doesn't seem to be disrespectful. The students seem to really like their teachers, and when work is to be done, even what we would call the most unengaging of lessons have students focused and on track. Who knew reading from the text book still worked... Now to get to the most interesting part of my day. While speaking with and ESO 4 class today - grade 10 by our standards, however in the last year of compulsory education, grade 11 and 12 are optional if you choose to go to university - some interesting questions came up. You know, the standard, where are you from? What are your names? How old are you? What do you study? Do you have a boyfriend? Do you like Spanish boys? Do you smoke weed? and Have you been to the bitch? While these are not questions i was commonly asked while teaching in Canada, the context in which they were asked of Brianne and I was not alarming or seemingly inappropriate. Some of these questions were to be expected... others... well... not. However, according to our partner teacher, the use of marijuana is legal for personal use in Spain... We simply said "No, that's illegal in Canada" and they were shocked... I'm not sure by the fact that it's illegal, or that we choose not to partake in that life choice. But about the Bitch... I know that is what you really want to hear about. Well the question the student meant to ask was "Have you been to the beach(in Barcelona)" however, her pronounciation was... well... exactly how we say that other word. I'm assuming when my face went that weird squishy way it does when I don't know how to react, she immediately tried to retracther statement. This allowed for a teachable moment I never could have predicted. While teaching pronounciation is totally valid and necessary for these students, spelling out and sounding out that not so nice word, as instructed to by the associate teacher, is an experience that will be hard to forget. I'm sure the laughter from our classroom could be heard the next building over. On a side note... Brianne and I did not get the tin foil wrapped sub like sandwich memo for Spain. EVERYBODY eats and wraps these sandwiches the same. Adults, children, seniors... tin foild wrapped baguette sandwich. Note to self, go buy tin foil, no cool kids use seran wrap. I guess this one was a bit of a mouthful. Not necessarily full of important information, but I hope you got a taste for my last couple of days. Xoxo B