DayTown

Whilst I was in Egypt I received an email from Vaughan Systems outlining a one day course to be held in Madrid on the Saturday after we finish VaughanTown. As I didn't have anything confirmed until I fly out on Tuesday night, I volunteered. After-all we were offered a room in a hotel in Madrid for the Friday night, dinner and breakfast and we were lured by the words SPA.

At some stage during the week Marissa established that there were eight of us willing to do another day. Only downside - we had to find our own way from the Eurobuilding where we would get off the bus to NH La Tablas. Sandra and I agreed we would share a taxi - she is wearing a moonboot and I have a heavy suitcase and a cabin bag full of shopping, so I didn't want to struggle with the metro. The others decided they would take the metro.

So we all made our way to this very nice hotel - it was certainly very nice, contrary to comments made on TripAdvisor. We all met for dinner at 9pm - and met the other volunteers. Dinner was delicious - if Gredos was 4 star then this dinner was 7 star. And again we all ate way too much, but there was so much choice and the wait staff kept bringing out plates of food, and of course the wine. OMG this is becoming a habit. Wine at lunch and dinner.

We learned that we were to meet for breakfast at 9am,and so next morning the volunteers gathered outside the dining room. And there was the group of Spaniards - all looking at us and eager to start talking.

Today there were two Spaniards to every Anglo and so we had to go in to the dining room and sit at tables for six - two Anglos, four Spaniards. And then the talking began. And this is how the day continued. The first exercise in groups of between two and four, we had to introduce the others in our group - using their name and the same name as a famous person - (mine was easy Heather Graham the actress - and I chose Luis (pasteur) and describe their super power. Next came the two on ones, and in the afternoon another group activity - In a group of six we had to create a new product (the sillier or funnier the better) and then develop an advertising campaign - a slogan and a jingle. We came up with a pill that disolved the calories as you ate them - others included a superpower generator (that was good) and crash padding, a lipstick that allowed you to speak any language and an app that let you understand women!! These were all so funny and extremely clever.

And then it was time to finish up - another certificate ceremony and this time the Anglos were presented with our certificate and a Vaughan coffee cup. I forgot to mention that on the final day at VaughanTown we got a certificate and a spanish apron. So goodbyes all round - most of the Anglos were heading off to cheaper accommodation, but I had decided to stay here at La Tablas one more night. After all it was only E69 and it was very comfortable.

I have booked my last couple of nights at Ibis in the city so I can explore the city some more, but for tonight I am happy just to stay here. It's been a long day - 9 hours of non-stop talking.

I wandered over to the department store I could see from my hotel room - that meant a walk down the road ond across an over-bridge - 8 lanes of traffic going each way with other roads leading into them. What an incredible amount of traffic. The store had a huge 'Black Friday" sale in progress, but it was just like any department store anywhere in the world. Same clothes, same shoes, same handbags and although on sale, most things were still rather expensive. I bought a kids book for the boys, but that was all. Will wait until I get back to the city tomorrow and hopefully will find some bargains.