Segovia + farewell CTY

It took an hour to arrive in Segovia, a small beautiful town outside of Madrid. Quaint narrow winding streets, with small electric busses shuttling the elderly around. Most of the shops were closed of course, being Sunday. It was a lot more tourist driven than Brunetta, but still very nice. We started by looking at a small Romanesque church, and then headed in to see the aquaducts.

Seeing the aquaducts makes an engineer proud of his or her profession, even an electrical engineer looking at a civil masterwork. We climbed up into the city after pausing for some photos, and headed to Plaza Juan Bravo, and then the Plaza Mayor. After pausing for photographs, the group continued to the Cathedral which was very very large. It was nice inside, but because of poor timing, we weren't able to get in to see anything beyond the main room, which was still huge, as services were starting.

Onwards to Alcazar, which was a beautiful castle situated on an isthmus of land jutting out into a sea of air overlooking valleys and quaint towns beneath. The place was very well preserved, with beautiful rooms, and vine covered courtyards.

Back towards the Plaza Mayor, where Alex and I split a small cake and I had an eclair thing. I was hoping for a more filling lunch, but so be it. I took the longer route to arrive there, walking in a few different littly barrios (neighborhoods) and seeing something off the beaten, well beaten that is, path between Alcazar and the Plaza.

We spent more time taking photographs back at the Aquaduct - I only wish we had a guide who could have made it come alive for us, describe what history considered were the working conditions, how many gave their lives, unwillingly, for this Roman structure.

Back at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, we gave the students ice cream and time to pack or come down and hang out. After dinner, I instructed the kids on my hall to dress up. It was mostly to match Slash who had run out of clothes. Turns out, it was a good decision. I wore my linen shirt. We went down and had passionfruit, a ritual of drinking juice and toasting CTY and friends. Each toast ends, "I love CTY and I love passionfruit" (I may have the order mixed up). Nevermores (and maybe nomores, those old enough who will not be returning), students who have outgrown CTY, speak about their experiences, times that they broke the rules, and share their thoughts. I was ready to speak about my experience, but the option never arose.

Two students thanked me in their speech during the event, one for just being awesome, and a really amazing RA. The other for treating her as an adult. It was actually very funny as she phrased it, thanks for everything, especially at the pool... and well... you know. I was very touched by both.

Afterwards, we sang Ryan's RA rap, which was posted last night.

I put the kids to bed, and came down to sit with Jean and Rachael. Alexandra and her sister came upstairs, they were hyper from drinking to much soda while at the movies, I think they went to see Harry Potter. Jean, Rachael and I talked for a while, said our farewells, and headed to bed.

Afterwards, I made some skype calls and turned in around 2AM. I woke up at 6AM this morning to bid farewell, loaded some luggage on the bus, and comforted the students as much as I could as they left this safe nerd haven, in the suburbs of Madrid.

Ryan and I stayed out while the quarantined sat in their windows, and we all watched the sun rise over the 4 towers in the Madrid skyline. Eventually we came in, and I started to write this post.

When will then be now? not soon.

now.

A day in Madrid, a last party, and some good conversation

It was cold this morning. After a late start, and one of the better breakfasts (chocolate croissant), I headed into Madrid along with the students. Our first stop was the Palace, where I became the personal banker for CTY. They weren´t equipped with currency, and so I lent them the necessary funds to cover the entry for most of the students - thus leaving me broke.

I already had seen the Palace last week with Ryan, and so I meandered through not paying as close attention, instead focusing more on not losing anyone. Success on that front, and we moved on to the park where the kids had lunch.

I feel like I learned such good manners in Morocco. When I sat on the bench, there was already someone there. I offered him the bag of chips that came in the lunch, similar to how you always shared food on the train in Morocco. It creates a nice community atmosphere. He declined, and I ate my sandwich.

I then asked Jenn if we could do the churros, and she seemed fine with it, but wanted to know if we could be accomodated. I grabbed Ryan, and we quickly walked to the place we had been last week, and set it up with them.

Classic CTY, no previous planning.

We brought the kids in, and frankly, the churros were not their best. Not quite hot enough, but still tasty. When the bill came I reasoned with him in my broken spanish, and he picked up the bill for two of us since we just brought them a bunch of business. I attempted to get them to cover the whole staff, but as I was covered (good since I had no money after lending it all to CTY), I wasn´t going to keep attempting since the others aren´t as confrontational or as willing to ask for things as I am.

Then it was some shopping in the Plaza Mayor. One of our students almost had her stuff broken into, apparently the other students grabbed the woman´s arm - but the two women working the scam made off down a street. We ''shopped'' there, not much as it is a tourist trap for about 20 minutes, and then headed to La Reina Sophia. On the way, we stopped in Plaza Del Sol, and the kids were able to shop a bit more. It was a waste of time, to much time to just hang out, to little to actually look at more than a single store.

Moving on we went in a very circular route to La Reina Sophia. The temporary exhibition was not thrilling at all. Guernica was pretty huge, and pretty cool, and the dali collection wasn´t to shabby, but also not particularly thrilling. I finished what I wanted to see, found three students down in the courtyard who were thirsty, and agreed to take them to Starbucks. I thought it was by the book. They were accompanied, we were back in time, I made the executive decision that we could make this small move without casuing harm, putting anyone in danger, and make it a better experience for a few students. I thought it was all about the students...

I took the students across the plaza (we didn´t even cross any streets) and returned before the meeting time. I was told much later when we returned to campus that it was not ok. Apparently there were students roaming the plaza in front of La Reina Sophia. I am not sure how those roaming students were my responsibility, as I was only required to be at the meeting place not guarding the doors. It was a very stressful day for some of the staff, but I found that if I just rolled with things, it was fine.

Got back, and met the Nick replacement.

I was missing a student at dinner, and on the way got sidetracked for about ten minutes with origami. I made a quick crane, and saw a really cool ball that I want to learn how to do.

Dinner was undescribable. I really have no idea what I ate. I sat with Alexandra, and another CTY Espana student who was from the states. Alexandra I found out is Swedish and Peruvian and heading to Oxford. The conversation was really nice. One mentioned wanting to be a banker, and so I told them both about Mergers and Inquisitions and later showed her the Damn it Feels Good to be a Banker video on youtube. She seemed to enjoy them both, hopefully they are helpful. If I remember, I will have to recommend the book as well.

Afterwards we had a party, inviting the kids to donate their food they had purchased in anticipation of the coming week. Music was not great, mostly because of a poor quality sound system set up. Kristin, another RA, explained some of the traditions of CTY with regard to the final song, American Pie. It´s apparently an integral part of every CTY dance, and epitomizes the whole experience.

For a camp being shut down because of an H1N1 epidemic, things are reasonably calm here and the students are in surprisingly good spirits.

Final day of classes at CTY

As of this past Friday (July 17), the program is no longer officially running. Except, of course, the field trips tomorrow and our responsibilities of staying with the sick kids. Last night we met with Jenn to discuss the lack of communication. I was out all day on trips, and so I wasn't there for the meeting that I later found out never happened. We were able to corner her this evening however in hope of getting some answers. Sadly, none.

The questions are straightforward: what kind of personal liability are we taking on by working with sick students for the next week? Are we going to be cared for by CTY, or upon the program ending no matter our health status, will we be tossed out. It seems to be leaning towards the latter. It begs the question, why keep working.

I also addressed the harassing and bullying work conditions with regard to the lack of choice in working with the sick students. The "we can fire you for anything" clause in our contract has placed us all on a precarious ledge.

As usual, I was the only vocal one in the meeting. I guess I don't mind. I think that speaking my mind is important, and that sitting there doesn't accomplish anything both in the moment and long term growth of the program. I could wait until we are behind closed doors, but I hope that my decision to step forth and speak on what I believe is wrong will help others also take the sometimes difficult step of confrontation.

Dinner wasn't set when we were there, so I went off and found Jenna playing piano in the gimnasio (don't ask). It was nice and peaceful momentarily, until lots of CTY Espana kids showed up. They disregarded the music, spoke loudly, and were quite rude.

After dinner, there was a Spa Activity (face masks from oats and honey and stuff) followed by capture the fascist (flag) of the republic vs the nationals. Not sure who won since I spent most of it in my RA meeting.

One of my kids who left has been confirmed with H1N1, the first case on our hall. I hope it isn't the beginning of a trend.

This morning, I was on a field trip. Abysmal. Disaster.

The first site, Calle de lost Caidos, or something like that, was closed due to a local holiday. (Actual first site was a field, which is just there, where a pivotal battle occurs. Pure frustration since I was looking forward to this supposedly amazing and fascinating monument to Franco. Second place was also closed. First had a nice hand written scribbled note that because of a local festival, it's closed. The graveyard or memory site was also closed. No reason given.

Lunch off, pool duty, funny things

I had a lunch off today, and after the meeting this morning - I headed to Madrid. I ended up catching a bus with Kristin and Ryan and the Students going on a field trip. I decided to join them for their first stop, a monastery that previously was very connected with the Palace. The next place, we missed, and I split off and headed to the Paella place I had been recommended and read about.

Terrible. Paella was edible, but was nothing special. In conclusion, after all the hype, it was terrible. I should have known when I saw the quality of the bread that came out.

I came back, and headed with 7 campers to the pool. The CTY espana group arrived, and the RA asked me if I minded if she left for a few minutes to get something to eat. I said it would be alright, and so she rounded up all her kids, and disappeared for an hour and a half. I stayed with my kids, one of which swam, and chatted with the rest in addition to peppering a bit with the beach volleyball. I had a good time, and hope to get back to the pool later this week - especially after spending an entire day preparing for the activity the other day, the academic team decathlon which actually got very good reviews.

I learned upon returning that at least one of our campers has been confirmed with H1N1. By nightfall, a few more were also sick. Quite a few students are quarantined.

Shit.

We inquired, but haven't gotten any new information. This evening, while talking with Maureen and Jenn, we asked about protocol and possibility of shutting down the camp. We heard that another camp in the states was shutdown when 60 of 300 became sick. Ryan inquired if similar percentages would be used for us, asking if ten would close us down. Apparently, there are already 10 sick - not all H1N1 confirmed though, so as of now, no. I just plan on washing my hands a lot.

On the funnier side, we saw a CTY Espana camper being marched down the hall followed by a Monitora (spanish RA) carrying what remained of a six pack of what looked like beer. I asked Gabi, "que haces?" and he responded. Cerveza... Sin Alcohol... Manzana flavored.

What kid has developed a taste for non alcoholic apple flavored beer!!!