las calles

Las calles. The streets. I love the streets of Alcalá. Today, I stepped out my front gate to go meet the student I was going to tutor for the first time. I realized that this was the very first time that I was walking to the plaza (about 20 minute walk) alone. It wasn't dark out, I wasn't going to get lost, and the streets of Alcalá are extremely safe, but I still felt like I was going on a scary new adventure! I love watching the many people on the streets- little old men in coats and plaid hats, kids coming from school, telling their parents about their day, young couples with babies in strollers. Everyone is super bundled up today because its freezing for Alcalá (high-30s I'm guessing!). It's funny when we try to tell them how much snow we have where we live!

The girl I tutor, Paula, is 14 and soooo funny. She's so cute, has big dimples, a raspy voice, and I fell in love with her immediately. She really wants to learn English from an American, as many here do! But not everyone can afford a private tutor like she can. Tomorrow for my service learning class I'm starting as an English teacher's aide, which will be more at the other end of the socio-economic status- these kids are more lower SES, from what Susana tells us. I'm really excited to meet my teacher tomorrow!

I'm still waiting to hit the "I just wanna go home" wall! I haven't yet... maybe I won't? I had a few moments of it the first week, but I feel so at home in my piso and at my school now.

Besitos, mi dulcitos! (kisses my darlings!)
Ana