La Alberca, Spain
Have I ever told you I’m not a friendly person?
I’m not. I’m open here in the Bacon World but if you meet me sober I have a terrible shyness that I don’t even understand. I hate meeting people and somehow my insecurity with people not liking me manifests into a bitchy exterior.
It’s true.
I like to blame it on my favourite author, Hemingway – observer to all, close to none. I like to get a feel for people before I decide I want to open up to them. I just don’t want to end up like him…gun to the head and all.
I have improved the last 17 months because I no longer have the luxury traveling but it is agonizing to go into a situation where I don’t know people.
But I decided it is exactly what I need to do.
Dylan Lowe, from my hitchhiking days told me I had to attend Pueblo Ingles (English Village) while in Spain. It’s free? Done.
I didn’t ask much about it, all I knew was that I would head to some resort and hang out with Spaniards all day. I imagined some kind of Cancun resort that happened to be in English.
Well it wasn’t quite lke that at all.
It was so much better.
Twenty-two Spaniards and 25 Anglos work together, 12 hours a day for one week simply by choosing to only speak English. As soon as the Spaniards arrive they cannot speak Spanish.
In the beginning it is like a prepubescent school dance. The Spaniards are on one side feeling awkward and the Anglos have no idea what to say. As a group we are this bizarre mix of ages, backgrounds, interests. In no other situation would we come together.
Most of them have the same level of English as I have in Spanish – enough to get around and communicate but also to be completely aware and insecurity of all of the mistakes.
It’s language hell.
I was skeptical, I really didn’t think the Spaniards would only speak English and I wasn’t sure they would improve that much. Sure Benny from Fluent in 3 Months swears by this method, but really?
Within a few days I saw two things happen:
1) People breaking through a language barrier, starting to think in English rather than translate
2) People losing all insecurities and inhibitions about speaking in English and sharinng intimate details about their lives
I would not call this a vacation but an opportunity for an amazing experience. In a series of 1-on-1, 2-on-2 or group activities I started to learn about people, their secrets, regrets, advice on having kids. There was no time for small talk, people asked big questions and shared deep answers.
No one blinked at asking my age, why I hadn’t married, why I felt like I was so closed. They shared they didn’t necessary want their children but were glad they had them, or maybe they shouldn’t have had the last one or they felt alone in the world.
This is a universal feeling.
I can never explain how incredible this week was, being surrounded by amazing people who I would not have had the chance to meet. In any of circumstance language, gender or age would have prevented us.
It really inspired me to push through my own insecurities in speaking Spanish and more personal aspects.
The last day I held it together until one of the Spaniards who struggled the most and touched my heart the first day was the one chosen to thank the Anglos. I don’t even cry in front of people I know, it’s just not my thing. But as soon as he stepped forward my eyes welled with tears.
In some ways I wish I could have been that open the entire week. But everyone has their own progression and let’s face it, I’ve learned a lot in the last 17 months, I probably would never have done this. Plus I’m a bit behind from being emotionally stunted for so many years.
Maybe I could have given more. I don’t know. I do know I feel really lucky to have met them and also feel low that it’s all over.
It is difficult to explain Pueblo Ingles because so much emotion is wrapped up in people learning a language and I cannot tell the story without sharing my own vulnerability. It was long and tiring and completely worth it and they’ll have me back I’d love to do it again.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
Yay! I’ve been dying to know about your experience with PI. I did VaughanTown, twice, and they were both amazing. I’m so glad you had this experience!!
dtravelsround recently posted..Travel Bloggers Give Back: The Elephant Nature Park
Love this post! It sounds like such an amazing experience. I tend to be pretty shy and insecure too around people I don’t know. Although I’m actually a very emotional person, so I imagine if I went to this place, I’d be crying the whole time! I’m glad you had such a good experience!
Ali recently posted..Brunei – Land of Mosques and Inedible Goo
Very cool. People are amazing in all languages.
stay adventurous, Craig
craig zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – Sunset at Houston Airport (IAH)
This sounds like such an amazing experience! I’m adding it to my things to do.
I can initially be pretty shy around people too and it’s often interpreted as bitchy. Frustrating because that’s so not who I am. I’m working on it and hoping my upcoming travels kind of force me to get more comfortable with it too.
I’m glad this was such an incredible experience for you!
Peggy McPartland recently posted..The World Beyond your Headphones
Before I left to travel I just accepted it as one of my eccentricities and when you got to know me we could laugh at it but it’s always been a sore spot for me.
Hey Ayng!
This post is hands down being bookmarked. I’m planning a move to Spain come the summer after a stint in Thailand. This is right up my alley and sounds like something I’d love!
I’d love to do something like this where I’m on the other end as well so I can keep improving my Spanish!!!
Oh and I love Hemingway… A Moveable Feast is one of my favorite books of all time!:)
It’s one of mine as well.
Spain is amazing and I really recommend doing it in the beginning because you meet a lot of people that you then see afterwards when you are in their hometown.
I actually am a bit of a misanthrope some of the time, but I too plan to bookmark this and investigate it as part of a summer project in 2013 (I know – that’s 18 months from now…)
You can apply well in advance. I have been told that in the application to really tell them EVERYTHING. A lot of people are too brief on the questionnaire and because they receive so many applications they jus move onto someone else.
The week was definitely one never to be forgotten. I couldn´t tell you were shy, you hide it well. I found you a very open and lovely young woman and a pleasure to meet. The mix of people, gender and ages worked well in our group and I´d be happy to meet any of them again.
Good luck with the next chapter of your life.
I must be getting better at hiding it!
Hi, just to let you know you could have a similar experience with MovingOn Courses. The differences are that we have international students and we give you the opportunity to enjoy some tourism in the afternoons. Indeed not only the local city but also the major tourist attractions. We offer courses in Spain, Cork, Ireland and Belfast. See you soon
I think the only difference here is that we weren’t teachers, just native English speakers who volunteered to spend time with them. They did not take any classes.
This sounds awesome-we tried this in the house I was living in this past summer in Nicaragua, except it was all Spanish. It didn’t quite work out, because we all just comfortably lapsed into our native language after an hour or so. Nothing was quite pushing us to press past the comfort levels.
Claire recently posted..This Spring, the Ultimate Journey Begins
I can see how that would happen.
Sometimes we Anglos would not correct them because they were explaining something difficult and we didn’t want to hurt their feelings but the program director kept reminding us that was why they were there.
So happy you got to have an experience like this! It sounds like a wonderful place.
The Travel Chica recently posted..An Evening of Luxury in Buenos Aires
You would love it, it really inspires you not to be so self conscious of your own Spanish and just get out there and speak it.
Sounds like a wonderful experience! It’s hard to break through the wall of language but once you do there is so much scope to learn!
Anji recently posted..South Africa: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Totally understand because I’m the same way about the shy and crying things. Sounds like a really neat experience. You make a good sales person for the program or at least to me.
Cat recently posted..Weekend Trip to Wrightsville Beach, NC
You know everyone who does it has so many good things to say, its so hard to explain to others but you just have to see for yourself.
Heard about this awhile ago, and have always wanted to try it! Glad you enjoyed it so much…
And for having just spent some time with you offline…just have to say that I saw no hint of the bitchiness. I think you are too hard on yourself…
Dalene recently posted..Postcards from Croatia
Perhaps you don’t remember we drank 4 bottles of wine that night..
Breaking through language barriers is very emotional – sounds like an amazing experience though. I now have to see if they have similar places for learning Norwegian (doubt it, but a girl can hope).
I agree with Dalene; you must have left your old self far behind.
Thanks for sharing the great story! P.S. were you drunk when we met?
Haha. I was really nervous about TBEX because I knew people would think I was nicer than I really am. Alas, I do tend to drink too much in social situations when I’m nervous to hide my insecurities.
What an experience! I’m sure the Spaniards must have been so grateful to you all for helping them with their English.
Emily in Chile recently posted..Saturday in Santiago: Aquí Está Coco
I would love to do the same thing in Spanish but they had to give speeches and do so much more, it had to be exhausting for them.
This is one of my favorite blog posts you’ve written! Sounds like an amazing experience. So glad that you had a great time there.
And how I identify with them .. learning German has really been an adventure to say in the least! I think I’d love to try this to help someone else learn English! How does one sign up?
Cheryl recently posted..A Foggy Day At Heroes Square in Budapest.
Well you will be happy to know that they are starting their first programs in Germany. I’m not sure if it would be the same as Spaniards in my experience are a bit more open than Germans but I would try it. You can find more info here: http://www.morethanenglish.com/anglos/index.asp
I thought you were very friendly when we met at TBEX!! But I love the opening line of this post! made me giggle!
jade recently posted..The New “It” Dessert in Los Angeles
TBEX was a huge effort for me, I had to really make sure I was so much more friendlier than I wanted to be.
I’m okay after one night with people, but the first is agonizing.
Lisa Lubin told me about something like this in Spain. I wonder if its the same place? hmmm Definitely sounds like an awesome experience and like something I would love to do
cailin recently posted..Wales was a pleasant surprise
It probably is, I know Diana did a different but similar one. I would definitely do it again.
Glad you enjoyed it. My friend of mine was an employee of Pueblo Ingles like 6 years ago and I’ve been referring people to them for a while – but could never fit it into my schedule to attend myself!
Roy Marvelous recently posted..An End To Social Experiments
Ayngelina,
It sounds like a life-changer experience! If you are in this move maybe you could try vipassana. It is a meditation technique that I call my moveable feast.
Taking a meditation course is definitely on my list but seems impossibly difficult.
When you feel that it is time you will find a way. You can find vipassana in any where in the world, it is a ten-day-course, only meditating (no speaking is allowed). It is free, you donate if you feel like.
Ayngelina, Our experience was truly magical and you told the story extremely well. However, as you know we Anglos spent very little time together.I remember how warm and friendly you were, when you and I had our two on two with Veronica and Virginia sitting in lounge chairs at the pool. I even was able interject a few words in conversations with you 3 woman. Maybe shy at first, but but never cold.
I love this article. I am so glad you went and opened up a little. It sounds like an amazing experience.
Rease recently posted..One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, peanuts!
Wow, what a week. I’ve been thinking of doing this one day… sounds intense but great! Wish they did something like this for people wanting to learn Spanish
Rebecca recently posted..Angkor Thom in pictures
I heard they do but it’s really quite expensive. I think 1700 Euros for the week.
What a great idea. I wish there was something like this in Mexico where you could only speak Spanish. A perfect way to learn a new language and really connect with people.
Ceri recently posted..Caribbean Life
Dylan from your hitchhiking days -I think you mean DAY? :p
Great write up, really glad to have made the right recommendation! My Pueblo Ingles experience was certainly life-changing – and you’re right, the tears were difficult to suppress towards the end!
I’ve gone on to write up an article about my own account of my week in La Alberca: http://www.studenttravelog.com/2012/04/the-english-village-volunteer/
P.S. Thanks again for bestowing Ari upon us London travel bloggers!
Dylan recently posted..Photogenic You: Mongkok, Hong Kong
Thank you so much for this post. It has really inspired me. I am now going on a week at Pueblo Ingles next month!
So happy to hear this, please let me know how it goes!
I don’t know how I missed this post before.
It made cry. One of my favorites.
Thanks Katie
and congratulations on your new little girl! Should we call her Orangette?