31-08-2012
Well I finally made it folks. Four years after returning from Cambodia and deciding that I would like to leave the country again as soon as possible I have arrived (29/08/12) in España for what hopefully will be a constructive year of study and a very real chance of becoming fluent in a second language.
I had arranged one night’s accommodation with a hostel and agreed to text two Spaniards with the view to securing lodgings for the year with one of them. Through the power of Google Earth I had already worked out how to get to the hostel from the bus station. So with my map in hand, my backpack on my back, my smaller suitcase in one hand and the larger suitcase dragging behind me I proceeded to get lost. nil desperandum. Drenched in sweat I eventually came across the hostel and checked in, dumping everything on the floor I headed straight for the shower; it was 4.00pm and I had been on the go since 3.00am.
Feeling refreshed and armed with a map of the city obtained from reception I strolled back to the bus station, taking care to note landmarks so that I could find my way back. I sat outside a café and ordered a beer and then sent texts to my two Spanish contacts, Aurora (age unknown) and Moises (44 yrs). I explained where I was and asked could we meet up soon so that I may see the flat. Aurora sent me the address and basically implied it was up to me to find it and knock on her door. Moises said he would come and meet me at the café and walk me back to his flat. Score one to Moises. After the waiter and I pondered over the map, searching for the location of Aurora’s flat, he assured me it would take no more than 15 minutes to walk there. I text her again to make sure I was going in the right direction, her reply was a curt ‘Sí’, no more. I eventually found the general area but couldn’t locate the actual building. It is on the fringe of the town with new buildings still under construction, some of which served as a canvas for the local graffiti aficionados. ‘Sod this’, I thought. I sent her a text thanking her for her time but that I felt it was too far away as I was looking for something more central. Back to the café to meet Moises.
Moises approached me at the café and after staring at each other for a few seconds he enquired, ‘Colin?’ I had not described myself to him, so he had no idea how to recognize me. I obviously just looked like a foreigner, squinting against the strong sunlight (I had left my sunglasses in the hostel) trying to look cool and sophisticated while actually appearing a bit lost and excited at the same time. We shook hands and he sat down at the table to allow me to finish my beer and sandwich. Up until now we had only communicated through emails and text messages. I explained to him that I could write Spanish better than I could speak it. ‘No te preocupes’, he said, ‘no hay ningun problema’. As he has no English he assured me that he would speak slowly if need be. The flat is only a few minutes walk from the train station. Unfortunately it is on the fourth floor and there is no lift; sure don’t I need the exercise. I had forgotten that he had told me about his dog and when we first entered the flat I was greeted by a large black scary monster, a Belgian Shepherd; basically a German Shepherd but jet-black. After my heart and mouth had finished embracing each other and my bowels regained control of my sphincter and my stomach settled back down I could see that ‘Rocco’ was a lamb in wolf’s clothing. I petted him tentatively and scratched him behind his ear; he in return didn’t rip my arm from its socket. We were getting off to a good start.
The flat is quite small and compact but it has everything, including a TV and DVD player in my bedroom; they have crap on TV like we do but in a different language. We talked money, rent, bills etc. I explained I would need to get to an ATM before I could give him any money. He explained this wasn’t necessary and handing me the spare keys he said I could move my stuff in as soon as I liked and that payment would start from the 1st of September. I stayed that night in the hostel and the next morning I carried all my stuff to my new lodgings. The town is surrounded by hills and there are steep inclines on many of the streets. My barrio is like a kind of European San Francisco but with much narrower roads. Four flights up, sweating profusely, I managed to get the door open and Rocco watched me passively as I pushed all my bags into the flat while the sweat dripping from my forehead stung my eyes.
That first day Moises was very helpful and he walked me around the local ‘barrio’ (neighbourhood) showing me where the internet café is, the supermarket and the local bric-a-brac shop where I could buy coat-hangers (perchas). He came with me to buy food and helped me to carry my groceries back to the flat. Sound guy.
This morning, my first morning in the flat, I actually had a breakfast that consisted of more than three cigarettes and a cup of tea! I had a large bowl of chopped apples and watermelon. The watermelon was especially tasty; its flavour being much more authentic than the watermelon flavour sweets I have eaten in the past. I sat by the open window in the kitchen feeling quite continental with my bowl of fruit and strong black coffee as I watched the inhabitants of Oviedo go about their daily business four flights below me.
Regarding employment, Moises gets it where he can, he does a bit of painting and decorating when possible and gets two or three days work, on and off, as a waiter. He is due to work again on Saturday. From what I have observed so far, when he is not working, his day consists of lying on his bed watching TV and bringing the dog for a walk every morning and every evening. I asked him if he had a girlfriend: he smiled and said he had friends who are girls. I’m very aware of how small the apartment is and he is right in saying that it would be intolerable if three people were living here. Thankfully he is very clean and between us we will keep the flat respectable. This is a welcome change from the nightmare I endured when sharing a house with three others in Maynooth. When college eventually starts in two weeks time I should be spending most of my days there and only be at the flat for evening meals and sleeping, giving Moises plenty of space for himself and Rocco.
Thankfully I have managed to sort myself very quickly here regarding accommodation and I have walked to the University campus and it takes no more than 20 minutes. The next step is to turn up for registration. I feel quite secure in my surroundings; I haven’t spoken a word of English since I arrived and I have been chatting on gmail with my friend Emma who lives in Tarragona. She was kind enough to source mobile phones for me and she tells me my best bet is to go to Movistar and get a mobile costing 19 euros with 6 euro free credit. Thank you Emma.
Before I post this entry to the blog I will attempt to take one or two photos of the flat and Rocco. I am just wondering how quickly Moises can stop the dog from ripping out my throat if the flash from the camera were to spook him…
Moises did not want his photo to be taken. He suggested that I take it someday if I come out with him and Rocco for a walk in the park.
It’s good to be back blogging.
P.S. Should anyone want to send me money (hard currency only please) my address is C/ Fernandez de Oviedo Nº6, Piso 4º, Puerte 16, Oviedo, España.
Hasta luego.
