Settling in

So since I last blogged things have got a lot lot better and I am finally starting to warm to Madrid again. 

Very much appreciated English treats from Sarah!

I have now done two weeks working as a language assistant - I was super lucky to get on the programme half way through the year due to someone dropping out. After a few days on the job I was definitely craving my comparatively relaxing office job, but have now come round to the idea and I see it as an opportunity to gain a completely different skill set. I have been given two schools; one in the north west of the city and one in the south east! A slight logistical nightmare but it is doable and am looking at the commute as an opportunity to read lots of novels that I have been meaning to get round to for ages. 

The two schools couldn't really be more different. The first is in the north of the city, which on the whole tends to be better off than the south. It's very small, I am the only language assistant and although it's not by any means an academic hothouse, it seems a happy place and the children, in general, are well behaved!

The school in the south is a different story (maybe it is why the girl before me dropped out?!)... It is situated in an area called Vallecas, the neighbourhood with the lowest average income in Madrid and since the credit crunch unemployment has soared. Many of the kids come from broken homes and have all sorts of behavioural problems. There are also a large number of gypsy children, often who are practically illiterate and only attend school as it is the condition for their parents to receive benefits. There is an armed guard at the gate, the school is so covered with graffiti that you can't even see out of the windows and during my first class a boy lobbed a pencil at me!! The school is tough and, without wanting to sound dramatic, I find it quite emotionally draining. The teaching I have witnessed in the school is some of the worst I have ever seen, it seems like most of the teachers have completely given up which is so sad for the children that do want to learn. It's going to be a challenge but I am determined to show them that learning english can be fun if taught well! It's going to be a long 5 months I feel!

Apart from the job situation nothing has really changed here... I went to my best school friend, Rozzy's, 21st birthday last weekend which was so much fun. I have finally signed up to a gym which has definitely cheered me up, I'm looking forward to my first spin class in this amazing room with 300 bikes. Also still enjoying running club, last night we all went in carnival themed fancy dress which was fun, if not the most comfortable experience! Am also going to attempt a 10k this weekend in preparation for the race in April which I signed up for in a moment of craziness. 

The spin room at the gym

Apart from that not much else to report really, think I am going to start to do some blogs on specific topics as my life is pretty uninteresting here and I feel doesn't make great blogging material! 

Better head off to my Spanish class, have a great weekend, Helena x

The 21st birthday girl, Rozzy!!

Meticulous creation of the all important gin and tonics by DJ Jaime!

1 month down...

I can't really believe that it was a month today that I arrived in São Paulo, time has gone SO fast. I can honestly say that it has been the most amazing month. 

I was very prepared when I left that it was going to be tough and that it would take time to adapt. I am all too aware that very big cities can be lonely places and I thought I would feel a definite sense of culture shock. However, I haven't once had a moment when I've wanted to be at home and haven't really missed anything to be honest (well except Cadbury's maybe!). This has got to be down to the people I've met that have made it so easy to settle in; from my lovely Brazilian flatmates, the office that already feels like family, to the guy that hands me a free paper on my walk to work, I have been stunned with the kindness I have experienced.

To be honest it still hasn't really sunk in that this counts as part of my degree, it still feels like I'm on holiday, especially when this is the view I wake up and go to sleep to every morning and night!

Thank you so much to everyone I have met so far for making my first month so much fun and bring on the next four!!

Here are a few things about Brazil that have surprised me during my first month, nothing very deep I'm afraid!

1. Brazilians are very concerned with dental hygiene! It is totally normal to bring your toothbrush and toothpaste to work. After we come back from lunch we all go to the bathroom to brush our teeth together. I think it's a very sociable habit and something that the UK should adopt!

2. The bureaucracy is AWFUL. Even worst than I imagined. However, like everything else, you get used to it and after a while queuing for 15 minutes to pay in the supermarket or having to commit identity fraud in order to sign up for the gym just becomes normal!

3. Brazilians must be the most hospitable people in the world. Never have I been made to feel so welcome by complete strangers. I keep thinking why is she doing this? What's in it for her? But this is just me being a cynical Brit. and I am gradually getting used to people being so generous!

4. Most apartments don't have hot water(apart from the electric shower). This was a bit of a shock, I kind of assumed that there would be. We have it seriously easy in the UK, things like dishwashers pretty much don't exist here. Washing dishes with cold water takes a lot more effort and my clothes are definitely beginning to feel grubbier each week! I have got used to it now and know that I will appreciate washing my face with warm water to look forward to when I return home!

5. At my gym you get a personal trainer!!! Sorry really not interesting, but I have always wanted one for some reason!! And my gym is not expensive. Whether this means I will come home weighing less, especially on the Brazilian diet is another matter, but it's definitely encouraging me to go more!

I have a very busy weekend ahead of me so better go and get ready! Out tonight, training for my new teaching job tomorrow morning, flatmates birthday party tomorrow night and then a day in the countryside playing tennis on Sunday!