Monday, September 21, 2009
Imagine your 3 year old has just been enrolled for PRE-preschool and you are told that you will need to pay $200 for books. When your child is 4, and enrolled in pre-school you will need to pay $240. I was shocked when I found out how much it costs to buy books for young kids. At those ages they do not need 10-12 work books, etc. It will be too overwhelming for them. When I was that age I remember playing and learning my ABcs… I don’t remember having to spend hours hovering over workbooks and doing homework!!! I was also informed that English is taught in grade school as a second language. I found that surprising since majority of Spaniards cant speak English. Earlier this year my husband and I met with a translator who was translating some of my documents into Spanish. She has a degree in English studies and is supposed to be fluent in English, since she is translating my document from English to Spanish. However when I met with her she was unable to communicate with me and had to use my husband as a interpreter, lol. My husband told me that most translators use software that does the job for them
Thursday, I attended a poetry reading that my husband was giving along with other organizations for minorities. Representatives from the Polish, Arab, and South American organizations recited poetry in their native language and then translated it into Spanish. Coming from a Polish-German background I asked my husband to talk to the polish women and find out if they speak English. As with everyone else I’ve met, they didn’t. Each organization was given 10 categories to read from, lullabies, riddles, wedding songs, romance, etc. I would have enjoyed it more had I known Spanish! The local newspaper and radio was there to take pictures and interview the members. I would have enjoyed it more had I known Spanish! The audience consisted mostly of senior citizens (women). Surprising, since the seniors here tend to be close minded and judgmental. Afterward they all approached my husband and patted him on the shoulder and chatted with him about what a great job he did.
Earlier that day, while out walking, I noticed the main street blocked off. 30 minutes later, looking out the window of our flat, I heard clapping and whistling from the street below. Curious, I looked down and a few seconds later a group of bicyclists rode by, along with cars with bikes on top. Police officers on motorcycles followed suit. A few minutes later more bicyclists followed. My husband than informed me that this was the Spanish equivalent to Tour De France. I’m sure everyone is familiar with Lance Armstrong, who has won the French title several times. Here in Spain, the competition is very big and they take it very seriously.
I came across an interesting article today on Camels Milk. It is being sold here in Europe, and the health benefits are numerous. However, for 1 liter of milk, you will need $15. 2 ounces of cheese will set you back $100. I can’t imagine paying that much for milk or cheese!!! I do miss goat’s milk. I have not been able to find any here in Spain. At my local health store I used to buy it weekly, along with goat cheese. For those of you familiar with Whole Foods, you know what I’m talking about! The food there is amazing.
A new law has been passed in Spain (Friday) in reference to illegal immigrants. Officers will now be questioning anyone that looks like a foreigner (Muslims especially) and checking their legal documents. That means I need to carry my Passport with me everywhere. Such a hassle. I don’t feel comfortable carrying my passport in my purse with me every time I leave the apartment, what if someone steals my purse? What if my passport falls out of my purse or I forget my purse somewhere and my passport gets stolen? I’m afraid that the one day I´ll forget to put my passport in my purse and I will be stopped and taken into custody until I can provide my passport. Had I not been wearing a hijab I am almost positive I would not be approached. I would blend in with the rest of Spaniards. The police will be focusing on Muslims and South Americans. A large percentage of immigrants who are here illegally, are South Americans.
My husband informed me that one of the reasons the law was passed was because of a mafia of Corrupt Moroccans who were bringing other Moroccans here illegally. The asking price was 10,000 and with that money the Corrupt Moroccans would provide paperwork and work permits. What happened was the people who paid the asking price would get here and not be able to find a job. With no job, they would be forced to go back to Morocco. The Moroccan traffickers therefore told them to pay them an additional amount each month to keep them here in Spain. I can understand the desperation of the Moroccans who want to come to Spain, to start over and find work. They are similar to the Mexicans who flock to the U.S. in search for jobs and a new life. The reality is there are no jobs here in Spain. The people who work for this corrupt organization go to morocco and spread the word that there are lots of jobs in Spain and make Spain look like paradise. Sad.
Thursday, I attended a poetry reading that my husband was giving along with other organizations for minorities. Representatives from the Polish, Arab, and South American organizations recited poetry in their native language and then translated it into Spanish. Coming from a Polish-German background I asked my husband to talk to the polish women and find out if they speak English. As with everyone else I’ve met, they didn’t. Each organization was given 10 categories to read from, lullabies, riddles, wedding songs, romance, etc. I would have enjoyed it more had I known Spanish! The local newspaper and radio was there to take pictures and interview the members. I would have enjoyed it more had I known Spanish! The audience consisted mostly of senior citizens (women). Surprising, since the seniors here tend to be close minded and judgmental. Afterward they all approached my husband and patted him on the shoulder and chatted with him about what a great job he did.
Earlier that day, while out walking, I noticed the main street blocked off. 30 minutes later, looking out the window of our flat, I heard clapping and whistling from the street below. Curious, I looked down and a few seconds later a group of bicyclists rode by, along with cars with bikes on top. Police officers on motorcycles followed suit. A few minutes later more bicyclists followed. My husband than informed me that this was the Spanish equivalent to Tour De France. I’m sure everyone is familiar with Lance Armstrong, who has won the French title several times. Here in Spain, the competition is very big and they take it very seriously.
I came across an interesting article today on Camels Milk. It is being sold here in Europe, and the health benefits are numerous. However, for 1 liter of milk, you will need $15. 2 ounces of cheese will set you back $100. I can’t imagine paying that much for milk or cheese!!! I do miss goat’s milk. I have not been able to find any here in Spain. At my local health store I used to buy it weekly, along with goat cheese. For those of you familiar with Whole Foods, you know what I’m talking about! The food there is amazing.
A new law has been passed in Spain (Friday) in reference to illegal immigrants. Officers will now be questioning anyone that looks like a foreigner (Muslims especially) and checking their legal documents. That means I need to carry my Passport with me everywhere. Such a hassle. I don’t feel comfortable carrying my passport in my purse with me every time I leave the apartment, what if someone steals my purse? What if my passport falls out of my purse or I forget my purse somewhere and my passport gets stolen? I’m afraid that the one day I´ll forget to put my passport in my purse and I will be stopped and taken into custody until I can provide my passport. Had I not been wearing a hijab I am almost positive I would not be approached. I would blend in with the rest of Spaniards. The police will be focusing on Muslims and South Americans. A large percentage of immigrants who are here illegally, are South Americans.
My husband informed me that one of the reasons the law was passed was because of a mafia of Corrupt Moroccans who were bringing other Moroccans here illegally. The asking price was 10,000 and with that money the Corrupt Moroccans would provide paperwork and work permits. What happened was the people who paid the asking price would get here and not be able to find a job. With no job, they would be forced to go back to Morocco. The Moroccan traffickers therefore told them to pay them an additional amount each month to keep them here in Spain. I can understand the desperation of the Moroccans who want to come to Spain, to start over and find work. They are similar to the Mexicans who flock to the U.S. in search for jobs and a new life. The reality is there are no jobs here in Spain. The people who work for this corrupt organization go to morocco and spread the word that there are lots of jobs in Spain and make Spain look like paradise. Sad.
On a happier note, my spanish classes start next monday. Its about time!!! Ive been so lazy studying on my own, now i will have some motivation to study! Cross your fingers i meet some people who speak english!
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