I´m in Spain...FINALLY!

After two months of waiting and 12 hours of traveling I finally made it to Spain! I am living in the southern region of Andulucia in the province of Almeria. I was picked up from the airport in Almeria by two of the three English teachers at the school, Celia and Virginia. The took me for a drive through Almeria and took me to get tapas and cervezas (beer)...a traditional Spanish late afternoon snack. The scenery is amazing!! Almeria is right on the Mediterranean coast and directly behind it are miles of mountains. It is a striking contrast!

When we arrived to the small town, Santa Maria del Águila, where I will be living and working, we went straight to the school to have a look and meet some of the other teachers. The name of the school is CEIP, Colegio de educacion infantil y primaria (School of Infant and Primary Education). Many of the teachers are young and enjoy spending time together outside of work. Last night I was able to meet many of the teachers and some of us went out to a local bar for drinks. Other than the English teachers, most of the other teachers do not know much English and I am the only native English speaker. At the school I am only allowed to speak in English so the teachers and the students can improve their skills. I will be working about 16 hours per week and possibly tutoring some adults outside of the school. Other than that I am completely immersed in Spanish. Fluency here I come...FINALLY! It has only taken me 8 years of studies, a Spanish minor, studying abroad in Argentina, and roughing it in Honduras to get there! Haha!

I am going to be permanently living with a girl named Laura in one of her family´s houses. She is my age and a teacher at the school. She knows quite a bit of English, but what she lacks I am able to make up with my little bit of Spanish...basically in one language or the other we are able to complete each other´s sentences. She is really nice and friendly. Everyone has been so welcoming and everthing is working out more smoothly than I ever imagined. It is amazing how God provides times of uncertainty, "fun employment," and transitions to lead us into that next moment in life that exceeds one´s expectations in its perfection.