Woohoo hoo. I’ve been moved up a class. The thing is, I was a move or two ahead of my fellow student. In my new class, I’m two weeks behind. Better that way. Our teacher forces us to dig about till we find a way to express ourselves. I found myself casting about for a way to describe the plot of Colm Tóibin’s ‘Brooklyn’. However did I – sort of – do it? With some help from a fellow student is how. But I’m shattered, truly shattered.
The way forward is to have a long lazy drink and a bit of lunch in a friendly little bar I’ve found in a rather down-at-heel (for ‘down-at-heel’ read ‘picturesque’) square.
Back to school to do my homework, then maybe a bit of culture. I’m not really capable of giving any museum my best shot at the moment, but it was still good today to mooch round the Baroque sumptuousness of the National Museum of Ceramics and Art, once the palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas, and still recognisable as an aristocratic home.
Home to Carmen’s flat. A chat, TV, a meal. That’s it really. Nights on the town need not apply. Exhausted. But in a good way. And I’m beginning to learn that less is more. Mañana.
Sounds brilliant – you must be making excellent progress! And the cafe/bar/scenery looks brilliant too! And sunshine too! I’m off to bed soon. Tired. Packed. Ready for the 9.22 into Ripon tomorrow…. Love xxx
Malcolm Lawrenson
The Old Grange North Stainley RIPON HG4 3HX
*01765 635 246* 0784 88 11 979
On 14 November 2017 at 21:10, From Pyrenees to Pennines wrote:
> margaret21 posted: “Woohoo hoo. I’ve been moved up a class. The thing is, > I was a move or two ahead of my fellow student. In my new class, I’m two > weeks behind. Better that way. Our teacher forces us to dig about till we > find a way to express ourselves. I found myself castin” >
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It sounds better than it is, in that I am talking gibberish most of the time. Brilliant teacher, who also lectures in English Lit at the University. He just sits there patiently till you get something out. I’ll send a quick email xx
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I didn’t know you were going to Uni as well as having total immersion by being the guest of a non English speaker. Dios mio! Fantastic. But if Uni teaches you to embrace maňana (hooray I could do the thing over the n – is it called a tilde?) then I’m all for it. And your photos are lovely.
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I’m not going to the University. That’s my teacher. But it does feel a bit like a very difficult PhD marathon …..
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Love the updates! As always I am interested in the local food – are you lunches delicious? And is Carmen a good cook?
Christmas decoration making at FASR for me today!
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I’ll email you …. X
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Sounds like you’re having a great time. You’ll be far more advanced than me when you get back! Hope Malcolm is keeping up!
Joyce X
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No, he’s gone to Germany!
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Well done for taking on the challenge of a harder class, I admire you.
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Thank you. But if I spend all this money I need to challenge myself to make it worthwhile.
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They say this total immersion is the only way to learn a new language! You’re a trouper!!
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And an exhausted one! Currently sitting in a town square, in a bar, doing ……. nothing.
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How exhausting! I see you like to rise to a challenge! The ceramics museum photos are lovely.
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Thanks. All my photos at the moment are from my phone, so I’m never sure how they’ll turn out as my smartphone isn’t state-of-the-art.
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Brava! Couldn’t post yesterday, don’t know why – also have probs with ‘likes’…. only you and dear Clay!
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You seem to be doing alright to me!
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Brilliant and very daring and ‘muy impresionante’ (according to Google!).
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Good old Google. What would we do without it?
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Sounds like all your senses are on ‘high alert’, so it must be exhausting but also rewarding. I speak/understand only one other language very badly, and find trying to follow it requires such a high level of concentration it can be hard to persevere. But the breakthroughs you are making sound to be exciting. I love the contrast between the bar and the baroque …
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High alert describes it perfectly. It’s quite hard to relax. I know I’ll be done in by the end of this week. Then it’s my first test,as I’ll be off to go and see Emily and her Spanish boyfriend. He’s looking forward to being the one who doesn’t have to make the effort.
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Best of luck with the ‘test’ – should be fun. I hope you have gleaned a few elegant colloquialisms to show off 🙂
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