First Opportunity

Enjoying Madrid

An Aussie Girl in Madrid by Kate N. - Post # 3.

I have woken up this morning with a 'slight' headache from the deliciously lethal Sangria and Chupitos (shots) I endured last night in Madrid.  Sangria nowdays is a typical tourist drink - the locals tend to only drink it on a special occasion.  It is a red-wine punch that Spanish people from all walks of life enjoy.  Sangria is created from red wine, fruit juices, soda water/lemonade, fruit and whatever spirit you would like to add. The fruit is the best part as it soaks up all the alcohol, so don´t leave it at the end!

I had a great introduction to Madrid via the locals. I have been to Madrid twice now and each time I go my experiences just keep getting better and better! My first time last year in Madrid was spent wondering the streets and exploring the Jardin Botanico (Royal Botanical Gardens) and the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace).  My favourite place though where I spent most of my time  was the Reina Sofia Museum.  I enjoyed the exhibitions on display and I was blown away by the famous artworks on display by Pablo Picasso -  my favourite Spanish artists!  Picasso was one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century.  

Throughout his long career, Picasso was a painter, sculpture, ceramist, set designer, poet, playwright and director of the Prado Museum (one of the most prestigious art museums in the world that holds masterpieces from the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools) during the Spanish war.  He was a Classicist, Primitivist and Cubist fascinated by myths, the circus and bullfighting.  One of his most influential artworks hangs in the Reina Sofia El Gurnica - a mural that displays the pain of the victims that were bombed in Guernica on April 27, 1937 when the German air force bombed the town of Guernica during the Spanish civil war (1936-1939).

I was also lucky enough to enjoy the best known 'Tablao Flamenco' dancing in the world at Corral de la Morería.  Flamenco dancing (baile) is so stern and emotive – the dancer's dance from all the sorrows and joys of life. The costumes, combined with handclaps (palmas), echoing singing (cante) and guitar playing (toque) gives you goosbumps.

Earlier this year when I came to Madrid for the second time, I spent some time in the Prado Museum and discovered the 'Temple of Gastronomy', the Mercado de San Miguel; a market that is home to 33-stalls selling mouth-watering tapas, wine, and products to take home!  Brilliant!

This trip to Madrid made my third time and it felt so good to be back.  I jumped on the back on David´s motorbike despite my short skirt...oops!  The weather has been so hot, summer arriving early with the heat coming from the Sahara.  
David, Andrea and I spent the next few hours bar hoping with Rachel "improving" her spanish with all the promoters walking the streets trying to get as many people into their bars.  It was great; we got a free drink in every bar and didn’t pay a cent all night! Apparently girl’s don´t pay for their nights out in Madrid so make the most of Madrid girls!
The two most important new Spanish words I learnt yesterday were:

CHUPITO: SHOT & RESACA: HUNGOVER...

The host Family I am staying with are very warm, welcoming and willing to teach me about their language and culture.  Last week Julian´s (Almudena ´s husband) Mother was here to stay and I was lucky enough to learn how to make a Tortilla - a delicious Spanish potato based omelet. The perfect "resaca" remedy...

'15-M movement'

An Aussie Girl in Madrid by Kate N. - Post # 2.

Through conversations with Irene, one of the monitors at the first Summer Camp, and with Almudena and her husband Julian, I am learning more and more about the history and current events happening in Spain.  I have heard stories about the corruption and the economical problems presents within the Governments and how it has greatly affected the employment rate throughout Spain.  Touching on more recent news within Spain, while the Spanish are suffering one of the highest unemployment rate in Europe of 24%, the country's royal family has been enjoying exotic hunting trips, one of which resulted in King Juan Carlos ending up in hospital.  The King's hunting trip has caused uproar and disappointment within the Spanish people because of the in-human and financial benefits.  An official apology was released to the public by the King Juan Carlos himself.

I have met a lot of people touched on Spanish Protests that began on the 15th of May ('15- M movement') last year.  Those new friends (most of them students) were  part of the demonstrations, whereby a series of protests demanded a radical change in Spanish poltitics.  The corruption within the Government was the main reason the protests occurred in attempts to change the current crisis.  The protesters talked of themselves, and other Spaniards, suffering from high unemployment and welfare cuts; the current two-party system between the ´Spanish Socialist Workers Party and the People´s Party; capitalism; banks and bankers; and firmly called for support of what they call basic rights: to have a home, culture, adequate healthcare and education. 

When I spent some time in Madrid last summer I was present for some demonstrations.  I had followed the protesters around the streets of Madrid and watched them try and enter Puerta del Sol where the police had barricaded off the entire Square.  Uproar was heard as Protesters  managed to get themselves inside the Square.  I captured an excellent image with the Police all lined up in the Puerta del Sol with the Protesters lined up parallel outside.   I have a strong interest in the history and current status of Spain and these experiences have inspired me to research more about key events and people significant to Spain.  I had the opportunity to briefly study Spanish history for a previous job I was going to peruse which has given me knowledge and a starting point for my writing.

To finish, I have to say: Spain is an incredible country having incredible problems, and is the people who are suffering them. 

My first English Camp

An Aussie Girl in Madrid by Kate N. - Post # 1.

I arrived at the airport in Madrid to be greeted by Andrea holding a sign with my name written in bold!  A great start to my time as a Camp Monitor with Greenbee Town Summer Camps.  Andrea was a coordinator and was friendly and ready to answer any questions I had regarding the Summer Camps.  


I met Joanne, a girl from Northern Ireland and Rachel a girl from England who were the other two native English speakers chosen to work within the Summer Camps. We were all taken to Lunch with Andrea and David, a member of First Opportunity who works closely with Greenbee Town. We all had the opportunity to try some authentic Spanish Tapas in Madrid that included Patas Bravas (mini potatoes with a chili mayonnaise sauce), Croquetas (fried food roll with bechamel, meat or fish covered in breadcrumbs) and Huevos rotos (fried eggs with mini sausages and mini peppers) followed by a Coffee.  It was delicious!  During this time we were informed about extra details of the Summer Camps to come.

Each of us was then escorted to our Host Family who would be providing us with accommodation in exchange for us to teach English to their children or do some babysitting. I am very lucky to be staying with Almudena and her husband who have two young boys Pablo 8 years and Jorge 6 years. I am staying in Boadilla del Monte, a small town not far from Madrid.

The first summer camp consisted of 8-year old Spanish speaking students who have been learning English as a second language at their school. The purpose of the camp was to have the children speak English the entire duration of the camp so they could put their language lessons into practice.  Each day consisted of activities that involved learning new English words or providing fun and exciting activities to keep the children interested and learning new skills. The kind of activities we did with the children were: cooking cookies; paper mache; dying t-shirts; talent shows and lots of sports such as Ultimate Frisbee, Giant Volleyball, Hockey, Archery, Football.

Each room where the children would sleep at night had two monitors to assist them to wake up in the morning, get themselves dressed, have their showers, meals and then to put them to bed. The monitors also slept in the room with the children to be there in case they woke up during the night. This provided comfort, security and stability for the children during the camp.

A typical day consisted of music to wake up the children followed by an aerobic warm up before breakfast, two activities before lunch, some free time after lunch, followed by 2 more activities before dinner. The children were then to have a shower and put on some clean clothes. Dinner was at 8pm followed by another activity before bed. Each day was well structured that provided a good routine for the children. Throughout the camp there was an energetic vibe from all the Camp monitors and improvisation was what got us through the camp. 

All the games I played during childhood or with the children I have worked with throughout my nanny experience all came to into play. The last night we had a Talent Show which was a huge success. The children had a ball dressing up and dancing. I was lucky enough to be one of the judges. I was ´Madam Butterfly the 'nice judge' dressed as a green alian.  Issac was the neutral judge from Hawaii wearing a flowery necklace and giant red sunglasses. David was the mean judge dressed as a dorky professor. It felt like a party with dancing, soft drink and the children running about the grass until bedtime; probably the best part of the day for the staff. Once the children were all tucked in bed and the monitors had a meeting to discuss any issues we had throughout the day and to organise the activities for the next day. It was a chance to hear the monitors speak in Spanish and spend time with other young people. A lot of translation was done for me to make me feel included which was greatly appreciated. 

I am thoroughly looking forward to the next English camp!!!

Buscadores de experiencias.

Es un blog dedicado a todos aquellos buscadores de primeras oportunidades,  no sólo en el ámbito profesional o comercial, sino para la vida en general.

FIRST OPPORTUNITY  es un grupo joven con experiencias vividas y muchas otras por vivir, por lo que estamos encantados de compartir todas ellas contigo; ya sean viajes, iniciativas empresariales, marketing, guías de ciudades, información sobre becas, vuelos, gastronomía, concursos, publicidad, universidades… En definitiva, aventuras en primera persona y testimonios reales.

ANDES - CHILE

Todo lo que rodea al equipo de FIRST OPPORTUNITY, en su día a día, queremos hacerlo tuyo, advirtiéndote de los errores y descifrándote las posibles claves del éxito. Siendo el receptor final quien saque el máximo partido de cada una de nuestras informaciones.

No pretendemos que utilices este blog a modo de gurú. No creemos que podamos aconsejarte, ni siquiera como un hermano mayor, aunque sí queremos ser ese pequeño farolito guía que toda mente inquieta, o aventurero en potencia, necesita en algún momento.

LOMBOK - INDONESIA

Pero LOOKING FOR A FIRST OPPORTUNITY  no sólo tiene boca, también ojos y oídos, por lo que estamos encantados de recibir y compartir con el resto del mundo todo el material que nos queráis hacer llegar, bien sean relatos de viajes, fotos maravillosas o  cualquier tipo de información que creas puede ser útil para gente como tú.

Porque para todo hay una primera vez y es más fácil enfrentarse a ella cuando una mano amiga te sostiene. Y si por casualidad no encuentras lo que quieres, al menos estamos convencidos de que pasarán un buen rato con sus informaciones y liberarás la mente leyendo nuestros relatos.

IGUAZU - BRASIL

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This blog is dedicated to all those searching for a first opportunity, not only in the professional and commercial fields, but in life in general.

FIRST OPPORTUNITY is a team of young professional who have lived many experiences and have yet more to live through, which is why it is a pleasure for us to share all of them with you, whether they be trips, business ventures, marketing knowledge, city recommendations, information about scholarships and internships, flights, food, publicity, universities... just real adventures and honest testimonials.

ALGARVE - PORTUGAL

We want to share with you everything that surrounds and makes up FIRST OPPORTUNITY’s day-to-day life. We want to help you avoid possible missteps and help you find the key to success. We want you to get the most out of all our information.

It is not our intention for this blog to be used as a provider of infinite wisdom. We don’t think we can lead you in life, or counsel you as an older brother would; we just want to be that shining beacon that all curious and potentially adventurous people need to guide their way every once in a while.

PATAGONIA - ARGENTINA

But LOOKING FOR A FIRST OPPORTUNITY not only has a mouth; it has eyes and ears as well, which is why we would be delighted to receive and share with everyone whatever you’d like to send us, whether it be tales of your travels, beautiful pictures, or any and all information you believe might be useful for others like you.

Because there’s a first time for everything, and it’s easier to face new challenges when a friendly helping hand offers some support. And if for some reason you don’t find what you’re looking for, we are at least certain that you will have an enjoyable time with the information you find here and when reading all of our stories.

SAHARA - TUNEZ