Teaching, Toes, and General Splendor

There are so many things about which I could write… but which are worthy of the minimal time I have?

Last time I wrote I was very nervous because I was to begin teaching the next morning.  Except, I was wrong.  Surprise, surprise.  I didn’t have the schedule correct in my head and MY first day of teaching is not until tomorrow.  I also found out that the lessons I planned are far too advanced for the level of English that the children know.  This, though throwing a bit of a wrench in my plans, does make my life a bit easier.  The missionaries told us today (as opposed to months and months ago, when we started planning…. Ah, flexability) that they really only wanted us to teach some vocabulary and to entertain the kids.  Not exactly as I planned, but we’ll go with it!  [If anyone has any brilliant ideas for group games to do with kids that don’t speak English, I’d be much obliged.]

I love the city of Alcoy.  Spain is so beautiful.  I can see mountains past the appartment buildings!  I think of my sister every time I see the mountains because she loves them so.  (I just posted pictures on facebook!) There are parks everywhere and lots of people walking down street with no signs.  My madre is certain that I can find my way about, walking and riding the bus, but all of the buildings and stores look the same to me!  I’ve only been here for three days, and I am sure that I would be hopelessly lost without a guide and without street signs!

As I said, there are tons of people walking everywhere.  My family and I are no exception.  I like to walk, but I am NOT used to walking this much!  I expect that I will soon adapt.  The sidewalks here are shiny… and very slick, especially when wet.  I had surgery on my toe on my left foot the week before I left for Spain.  Walking about in in the rain, wearing flipflops with a very tender toe on the slipperiest sidewalks every made is not the brightest or safest of ideas.  As it so happens, I managed to slip off the curb and injure a toe on my right foot, instead.  A splintered nail stuck in my toe and a great deal of blood later, and I was hobbling up and down the steep sidewalks of Alcoy like a regular anciana! (old woman)  My freshly injured toe is quite healed now, but later I slipped again and stubbed the toe that had the operation, and it is fairing poorly.  As I do a great deal of walking, your prayers in this regard are appreciated.

I have written far more than is acceptable, and I hope you will forgive me!  I also hope you will forgive my grammar, as this is hastily written and not (cringe) proof-read.