mi pueblo inglés

I have to say, this week was one of the best weeks of my entire life.

The past three summers, I have worked as a monitor for the Pueblo Inglés summer camps. I had heard about the adult programs, but I had never put much thought into them. I am so glad I decided to go ahead and finally volunteer to do an adult program.

It was a week full of constant activity and a whirlwind of positive energy and emotion and too much food. About a kilometre from La Alberca in Salamanca exists an amazing resort that has a village for an English-immersion program. From the arrival and lunch on Friday afternoon until the departure lunch today, it was non-stop English for the poor Spanish and me. (Prefiero castellano como todos ya sabéis.)

After the icebreakers on Friday, we had a brief overview of the basic schedule and what we would be doing. Speaking English all day and all night.

A typical day started at 8.15 with the wake up call. Breakfast was at 9, and at 9.50 began the one to ones, where a Spaniard and Anglo were paired up to discuss whatever. Being me, I had to ask tons of questions about Spanish history and government. The Spanish had to do presentations in English, which we could be assigned to be part of the audience of. At 13.00, there was a 2 to 2, which is what it sounds like. 2 Anglos, 2 Spaniards. Lunch was at 14.00, and after lunch there was a siesta until 5. 5 was a group activity which were all discussion based, and then two more one to ones before meeting room at 8. During meeting room, there were performances and theatre acts. I was asked to volunteer to be a part of one of the theatre, an X-Factor parody in which I ended up being a famous porn-star judge. I had so much fun doing it (and I included him quitting at the end to go work with Mariah and Nicki Minaj a troix).

Monday night was a party that went on all night with too much alcohol (the favourite drink was black vodka). So much music and dancing, and then on Tuesday we had a tour of the pueblo La Alberca.

La Alberca is a historical village of about 1200 people and a pig. The pig is taken care of by the town. If he decides to stop at your door at sunset, you have to take him in and feed him and give him a place for the night. During the day, he is allowed to roam the village as he sees fit. At the end of the year, they raffle off the pig which is usually then turned into jamón serrano.

La Alberca also has the place where the world's first cheques were made for soldiers on their way to fight the crusades.

Wednesday I taught a Body Combat presentation to some of the Spanish girls, which was fun. I was basically out and the only gay boy, but no one had a problem with it or me. One of the older British women commented on how she loved how I lived my life how I wanted and asked me if I were gay. We're being accepted, people.

Thursday was the last day, last chance for everything. Lots of tears were shed. There was a fancy dinner at the castle hotel and another party. What happens at Pueblo Inglés stays at Pueblo Inglés.

And today, I am sad but grateful for this amazing week I have had. I cannot wait until next August when I can volunteer again, and I hope to see some of the Spanish friends again. Trust me.

Save tonight, fight the break of dawn. Come tomorrow, tomorrow I'll be gone.