Life: Idiotropic

So we've lived here a year and I've done as much as I can as far as "participating" in local culture.  And, yes, I'm a foreigner and thus an outsider, but I have attended festivals, talked to locals, and tried my best to learn and understand this place I currently call "home."

The one thing that I knew I should do is the one thing that I wouldn't "because of the language."  But then, how are you supposed to learn the language if you don't delve in?

So today, in my crazy day of running to and fro, I did what I've never been able to do here in Spain.

1) Through careful logistical planning taking into consideration business, bank, and lunch hours, I was able to accomplish everything on my long list of things to do.  This included both almuerzo, business, bank, and lunch.  Amazing.

2) I signed up my middle girls for guitar lessons at Casa de Cultura and met a woman there who was extremely friendly and helpful.  Wow.  I'm now paying just 10 Euros/month for two classes/week.  Truly phenomenal.

3)  For 15 euros/year, I will now be attending Spanish for foreigners classes 3 hours each week at the adult school in Puzol where a teacher will teach the class as a whole, but also go around and give assignments individually to meet the educational levels of the students.

This is the most "integrated" I've felt.  It's fun and excited to not only have these opportunities, but to meet so many helpful people who are not treating me as an outsider. 

So, the obvious.  If you want to truly integrate, go local.  Utilize the services in the town.  The city halls and cultural and education centers.  The sports centers.  The open air markets.  If you act like an outsider, you'll forever be one.  If you go local... well, you may just start to be local.