Bewilderment and Contentment in Barcelona
Trip Start
Apr 18, 2007
1
53
54
Trip End
Ongoing
Barcelona,
Spain
Thursday, November 8, 2007
I have been in Barcelona almost 2 weeks and I have a job working in the local Lindy studio which I am starting today. No I am not teaching. Its mostly secretarial duties and it pays shit (I haven't been paid this poorly since I was in my teens. But I try to see in a positive light by focusing on the fact that when you convert it to American Dollars its not so bad) Anyway, I think its a good start, its has flexible hours and it will allow me to connect to the dance community and go dancing a lot. : )
The dancing so far has been mediocre at best with the all too common problem of many Followers and not enough leads, but I have met some dancers and struck up a conversation with some of the swing band members and we might also meet later this week. Its tough having been away from Lindy so long. I can feel how out of practice I am and it s frustrating to remember how much better I was when I left Herrang. But "Poco a poco" as they say here. I hope I can get it all back, plus some!
Currently, I am living with my friend's friend's Ex-boyfriend. Sounds like a Jerry Springer episode, I know. (The big bald bouncer is going to have to stop one of us from hitting the other over the head with flowers or a folding chair.) No, but really, its quite a felicitous set up. Calle, bless him, for the millionth time, has introduced me to practically everyone he knows in Barcelona via the Internet and those connections have been priceless for me. He introduced me to Paca who met me for coffee then gave me a place to stay and rides to out-of-town dances last weekend, then set me up with Jordi, her ex-boyfriend. He is a professional bassist by night and teaches people how to use home music writing, recording,and mixing programs during during the day. He is a very sweet slightly older guy maybe in his 40's and has made me feel like "su casa es mi casa" right away. I will stay here for the next 2 weeks or until I find my own place which ever comes first. And that is where I a now.
I placed an add in loquo.com (the local Craigs List) saying I was willing to practice English with someone who was willing to give me a place to stay. I figured nothing would come of it, but thought "nothing ventured, nothing gained" so tried my luck anyway. I actually received several replies and a few days ago met with a nice woman who seems like she wants to do it. I will visit her flat tomorrow and hopefully take it. If that works out, then I will not have to worry about rent and my meager salary at the dance studio should maintain me without dipping into the rest of my savings.
I tell you, the exchange rate is killing me!!!! Its basically 1.5 dollars to the euro. OUCH!!!! I feel like a Canadian back in the early 90`s. Oh, dear friends, we are witnessing the fall of the great beast - the mighty mighty US of A. I would celebrate with the rest of the world if only I weren't part of that beast. I guess that is part of what I am doing here: seeing if I can give up my beast status for something better.
Anyway, returning from the rant, I have also been working on and procrastinating from (mostly the latter) creating a CV that will eventually be in English and in Spanish to hand out to the local Irish bars and other job opportunities. I am hoping to find a better salary in this work, though the thought dealing with drunken Britts makes me slightly homicidal..... Perhaps this is not the best career choice for me, but it seems like I have few other options.
Other than that, I have been making a few friends and hanging out. My favorite being, Ellen (another Calle introduction) who is a 25 y/o student from Sweden. We spent my first week plus some together almost every day for one reason or another. She is nice and funny and fun and shares my foreigner status and general bewilderment of these proud, hot-blooded people; Spaniards.
Anyway, life has been an adventure, though sometimes a lonely and bewildering one, but with so many lessons learned. I feel I have matured years since I left. Its strange to look in the mirror and still see a 20-something, when my inner self is sits knitting peacefully in her rocking chair with a wrinkled little smile that says 'I have dreamed, I have seen, I have been and I am content.'
