First Day of School

The last of the two major stresses of my initiation to Madrid are past. The first was seeing an apartment I'd rented sight unseen: done, the apartment is great. The second major item was seeing the language school and meeting the staff for the first time: done, the school is nice/modern, the staff is professional, and the other participants are friendly.

There are two major themes I picked up on today that are best captured by two expressions. One expression I've made up, the other I heard for the first time only today. Can you guess which is which?

-Mira donde andas o pisar en la mierda  [Watch where you walk or tread in shit]
-Allá donde fueres, haz lo que vieres  [Wherever you may go, do what you may see]

You guessed right, I fabricated expression #1, the cruder of the two expressions. Because it's true, in Madrid you really must watch your step, especially as the day progresses. Most mornings the streets have been hosed down and are relatively clean. The second expression has an obvious English equivalent: When in Rome, do as the Romans. The first expression is practical and to be heeded literally; the second elegant and to be put into practice with some discretion lest ye forget the messages of Heart of Darkness.

[geek moment] Not only does the second expression makes use of the Spanish subjunctive, something we don't really have in English, but it is future subjunctive - something rarely used in Spanish, if ever. The use of may in the English translation is a weak attempt to capture the elegant mood expressed in this old saying.

About the course: there are about 45 people in the group - after testing and interviewing each of us we have been split up into levels. I apparently have no one else at my level. I have 3 weeks with 2 excellent instructors (Carla & Espe) in private instruction and drill sessions from 9am to 2pm each day. So, since it is just me with my "program manager" disposition, I'm working with them on customized reading lists and practice sessions for writing and speaking. I am also working on a section to improve my understanding of major differences between Castilian Spanish and variations in the Americas. From 7pm to 8pm each evening we have a literature and culture lecture all together as a group. This evening we have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Late night anyone?

¡Hasta la próxima entrada!