Thursday 3^rd May

It’s been a bit of a strange week in Moncada, so far, and it’s only Thursday. In school it has been ‘Culture Week’, which has entailed the pupils taking part in activities related to the United Nations declarations about sustainability. The school is really coming alive, blossoming, indeed, with both real and artificial flowers appearing throughout. I have been running workshops about water, as well as helping to decorate corridors, designing and printing posters, and taking part in dance sessions (a most unlikely activity for me.). All this in a week that has lasted, so far, two school days, as the school took Monday off prior to the Labour Day holiday on Tuesday.

I guess I must be getting known around the school, as the Headteacher is now sharing her Earl Grey tea with me, although clearly not everyone is fully aware of my position, as amongst the friendly ‘Good morning,’ greetings I receive from parents as well as children as they wait outside the school each morning, I clearly heard a ‘Bonjour!’ followed by a chorus of ‘No! English!’ from the other mums.

The extra time off allowed us the opportunity to visit the Oceanographie – I believe this to be the biggest aquarium in the world. It was certainly impressive, although the cold wind saw us cutting our visit a little short and shopping in Carrefour instead. We are getting to know the central park in Valencia pretty well now. There always seems to be something of interest going on; we stopped at the Flamenco festival this week. There was a tremendous atmosphere there, with people dancing wherever and whenever the fancy took them – and very well, too. Some people whom we did not know shared our table and offered to share their plate of shark with us. As committed vegetarians we politely declined.

Friday morning: Open afternoon today, to show off the school and raise its profile. This evening, beginning at 9.30pm, a meal in the school (outside, I think) for staff and parents. That will be interesting.

Nigel