Spanish visitors.

I couldn’t write last week because I was very busy and the main reason is the title.

Enrique (one of them) was living in the house, working as kitchen porter (as many other) while he was improving his English. He was almost four months and then he returned to Spain but he has been maintaining the contact with the family. So, he came back but not alone. Antonio was a fellow from Enrique’s village, Valenzuela de Calatrava (Ciudad Real, Spain) but he didn’t say anything about to bring a friend.

Anyway, I enjoyed so much with the meals they prepared: caldereta, chorizo, lomo, pisto, manchego cheese, wines from Valdepeñas, … (what can I say more of this?). And they were good guys: I went with them to visit Dublin (for example the Jameson Distillery) and to do shopping in Penneys or Carroll’s (gift shops). Summing up: good people!

In the other hand, I have some incidents with the “natives” (it could be the best word for this people). Last Sunday I went to see the Ryder with David and the porter didn’t want me to go into. The “reasons”: I wore sport shoes (stupid reason when almost everybody wore them inside). So I phoned David who was inside and with him I could enter. I have never felt the racism such strong and it was quite humiliating. David didn’t believe what I was telling by phone. But besides, yesterday, I went to do some shopping and to go for a walk with Pedro (the boy from Barcelona) and his two Italian girlfriends, and when we had diner the waitress asked for the ID cards!!! How can a person be so stupid to require the ID to a people with 30, 27 and 21! Some times I don’t understand this country. And the worst is when you meet with scumbags (marginal Irish people) overcome by the foreigners. They speak a unshaped English, very difficult to understand, their level of studies are very low (or less than the minimum) and a lot of times they don’t have job because they can’t compete with the foreigners, more skilled and motivated. So, when you meet with them, they often show their anger with sights or comments. Some times it’s not easy to live like an emigrant.

And finally, I can only say that I am counting the days for my back. My experience here, in this controversial country, has been interesting and I have learned a lot of things, not only English. I think, in general and getting the balance, that I can’t regret of my decision absolutely and it’s going to be very positive in my future but I had some sour experiences (well, it hasn’t got anything of particular because I could suffer another ones in Spain). I will have to improve my English more, polishing it, but now I think I can defend myself with my current level in a job or travelling. Just I arrive to Spain, I want to join a course up to get the First Certificate and I want to start another language but I don’t know which one: French, Italian or Portuguese. In any case, these plans are for the next future and my actual concern is to close this chapter of my life starting a new and hopeful one.

Well, I hope see you soon. Cheerio!

Elgaine de Balliers.