The Cast

So, my suitcases have officially been emptied at 543 Jose Clave Anselmo…wait, no 345 Jose Anselmo Clave… something like that. I don’t actually know my address but I have it written down somewhere, and I always manage to find the house. I guess street signs aren’t that important when you live on a small island and you don’t have a car. But yes, I decided to move into the house with three other girls: Zipi, Aimee and Natasha (a Spaniard, a Brit/Spaniard, and a Brit, respectively), and thus far I think it’s working out pretty well. I do enjoy a more social living environment, and being natives, Zipi and Aimee seem to know everybody on the island. In fact, one of the more entertaining things about living on Menorca is access to the island gossip.

Like for example… Zipi went out with a doctor from the main hospital here, who’s actually the husband’s brother of one of Aimee’s best friends, so Aimee can’t know she’s still in love with him, and this doctor is buddies with one of the nurses from the hospital who goes out with Belen (one of the English teachers from my school) but they broke up Friday because apparently he’s a big manwhore (well she called him “enfermero caliente” or “horny male nurse”), although Eva doesn’t trust Belen too much these days because she’s ditched her sister Meribel ever since Meribel got illegitimately impregnated by the brother of Belen’s ex-boyfriend.

You just can’t make up stuff like this.

So since I seem to be in soap opera mode, I thought I would make a cast list of the important players in my life on Menorca:

THE HOUSEMATES

Aimee: If Menorca were high school, Aimee would be the prom queen. She grew up on Menorca, but her parents are from England, and thus she speaks both perfect English and Spanish. Everyone here seems to know and love her, and she’s been really nice and fun to live with. She was living with her boyfriend, but they separated because he’s a (insert British accent) “stupid ass,” and so she inherited a fairly large house and four crazy dogs that live in the backyard. On Friday night I went with the girls to an art exhibit in Ciutadella (the sister city to Mahon on the other side of the island) where Aimee was actually the featured model. Apparently a local artist had spotted her, and paid her a ton of money just to pose for him for an hour. How cool is that?

Natasha: Natasha is also an English teacher in the same program as me, although she’s from England, and she certainly fits the bill as the true Brit of the house; quiet, dainty, polite, but with an underlying typical British dry sense of humor popping up every so often. She’s my ally of the house, also being a foreigner and also years younger than Aimee and Zipi, so it’s a comfort to have her here. One thing I've noticed about spending time with Natasha is that my English has become more proper. I think it might only be a matter of time before I start using phrases like "Do you fancy him?" or "I'm going to have a wee" (which sounds much less crude when Natasha says it).

Zipi: Zipi is the mother figure of the house, probably because she’s the oldest (about 30). She took me and Natasha to the movies on Sunday, and it was obvious that her maternal instincts were kicking in (“Natalie, you have to eat a sandwich before we go because you only ate crackers today.” “Natasha, make sure you bring a sweater because it’s cold in the theater.”) When it comes to foreigners it seems there’s a presumed sense of vulnerability, so I think she feels responsible for my and Natasha’s comfort and safety, which I appreciate in all honesty. And Zipi is so SPANISH; loud, emotional, dramatic, expressive, but at the same time so warm and funny. All in all, a good person to be connected with on Menorca.


FRIENDS

Eva: Eva was the girl I was living with before I moved into the casa. Eva was so sweet right off the bat, but I wasn’t 100% comfortable in her apartment at first, so I searched for other options. However, by the end of the week I got attached to her, and ended up second-guessing my decision to move out. I think I learned a lesson: in a new living environment it’s best not to judge it until after at least a week. In the end I think it worked out well however, because I’ve met more people, yet Eva and I are still good friends. She told me that I should try things out at the new house, and if I don’t like it I’m always welcome to come back and live with her.

Maribel: Maribel is Eva’s sister who’s 6-months pregnant, yet in true “only in Spain” fashion went out dancing with us on Saturday night until 4am. She’s lively and funny, and proceeded to hit on every attractive guy in the bar (I guess when you’re 6 months pregnant inhibition is not an option). Her boyfriend left her after he found out she was pregnant, and she expresses fears about being a single mom (understandably so). But she’s a strong woman, and with Eva’s help she knows she’ll be okay.

Carlos: Carlos is the headmaster at LaSalle and probably one of the nicest people I have ever met (any guy who says his children are beautiful and refers to his wedding day as the happiest day of his life automatically wins my heart). In one week, Carlos has shown me around LaSalle, helped me plan activities for the students, given me a bicycle, invited me to go with his family on Sunday to a pretty site on the island (which I’m so excited for), and recruited me for his running group (which has been really great so far). He and his wife are determined to make sure I enjoy my time on Menorca, and I’m not going to lie, I’m loving the personal attention.

So that’s a description of some of the people I’ve met so far on the island, and there are plenty more to meet. I feel much more adjusted to the life here now then I have over the past two weeks, and I’m really starting to enjoy it. Most of all, I love my job at the elementary school. The teachers are now helping me develop my own projects with the students – they might even have me organize a short Christmas play with some of the older kids, which I’m really excited for. I have a lot more I want to say about my job, but I’ll save it for next time. Hasta luego…