Paul Healy Erasmus

Erasmus 2023- Paul Healy

Wednesday, September 27th:

We arrived in Bilbao in the afternoon, collected our luggage, and got on the bus. It was a 2-hour bus ride to Logrono, and we took pictures of the scenery along the way. We were greeted at the bus station by Marina’s mother and little brother, who looked exactly like me. We walked back to their apartment, which was on the seventh floor and had amazing views. I met Marina’s father and we all had dinner (around 10:30pm). Finally, I unpacked and went to bed. New word learned: Encantado/Nice to meet you.

Thursday, September 28th:

This was my first day of school. We got up around 7:30am and walked to school, where we met the principal, and the head of Erasmus, Pilar. She gave us a map, and let us pick choice subjects for our stay. I picked Latin, economics, art and music. School was fun and I met lots of new people. After school the Spanish gave us a tour of Logrono, and we all got ice-cream. We went back to the apartment, and I chatted with the family. New word learned: Tarrina/ice-cream tub.

Friday, September 29th:

Today we had an excursion to Riojaventura adventure park. First, we went on a zipline frame, that was 3 stories high. I fell off. Then me and Eimear went on a Donut ring slide a few times. The excursion was very fun, especially the bus rides there and back. That night I had to pack because in the morning I was going to Corera with Marina’s family. A lot of Spanish people go to a village at the weekend, often where their grandparents live. New word learned: Hacer la maleta/packing.

Saturday, September 30th:

We went to Corera around 11am. It was about 30 minutes from Logrono. On the way we stopped at Ausejo, Marina’s father’s village. There they showed me a wine factory where the whole family works. I watched grapes being crushed, and they gave me a bottle to bring back to my parents. Then we went to Corera and we got settled in. They owned a house there and it was very nice. New word learned: Renovada/renovated.

Sunday, October 1st:

Today we had a big family dinner, with Marina’s grandparents, aunt and cousins, as well as her family. They did a barbecue of different meats, including lamb, burgers, and the mouth of a pig (complete with beard hairs lightly signed from the barbecue). When dinner was over me and Marina went to her friend, Alba, ‘s house. Inez and Miguel, her other friends, were there too. We chatted and they took me on a tour of Corera, and out to the grape farms. We left back to Logrono that night. New word learned: Barba/beard.

Monday, October 2nd:

We had the first class in school before another excursion out to Logrono city. We went to see the ministry of education and the Town Hall, and a helicopter landed in the square while we were waiting for the tour. After school we wandered about to explore more of the city beyond the main

street. We were also on the lookout for a piercing parlour where we could get a piercing as a souvenir. New word learned: Perforacíon/Piercing.

Tuesday, October 3rd:

After school me, Jade, Eimear and Laura went to get a piercing. I got my tragus done in a parlour in the old town. It was nice and didn’t hurt too much. That night Marina’s parents took me to Calle Laurel, a famous tapas street. The food was incredible and the place was very vibey. They took me to see the river and an old park as well. New word learned: Ricisima/delicious.

Wednesday, October 4th:

We had first class in school before going to the Wurth Museum on the outskirts of Logrono. The museum was beside a factory, as the founder of the museums believed art was for everyone. That is why he chose the outskirts of small cities, and factories as locations, as he felt places like Barcelona and Paris got all the attention. Walking back from school, we went through a courtyard with artsy graffiti and high-rise all around. Then Naroa, Orla’s student had us at her apartment to make pancakes with some other Spanish. New word learned: Fábrica/factory.

Thursday, October 5th:

Today was our daytrip to Bilbao. We got on the bus, which took about 2 hours, and arrived outside the Guggenheim Museum. We saw a huge statue of a dog made out of flowers, and took pictures outside. We headed in and saw the exhibits. I bought a few bits in the gift shop before going out into the city. We went down a shopping street to Penney’s and Lush, before going to a park and a corner shop for snacks. We got lost but made it back to the bus in time. New word learned: Tarde/late.

Friday, October 6th:

Me and Jade went to a Shopping Centre called Berceo, to get stuff for a party tomorrow, as well as presents for family and friends. That night Marina and other Spanish took me to a village party in Lardero, a short bus from Logrono. It was very fun, even being the only Irish there. We returned home late and got to sleep. New word learned: Fiesta/party.

Saturday, October 7th:

We didn’t do much for most of the day, just relaxed and I was reading on the balcony in the sun. We had a party that night for the Erasmus students. We didn’t come back too late, so the whole family had a game of cards called Cuarto Cuadrado. You were partnered up and had to collect cards. Once you collected full set (4 threes, 4 queens, etc.), you made a sign that your partner had to notice to win. If the other team noticed first, they won. New word learned: Tramposo/cheater.

Sunday, October 8th:

We travelled to Nestares, a village high up in the mountains, for Amber’s 15th birthday. Her family and some friends came, as well as me, Orla and Ellen. It was very fun, especially a competitive game of Frontón tennis (squash). I met Amber’s older sister, Inea, who had done the exchange last year

with Sophie Collins. New word learned: Ganador/winner.

Monday, October 9th:

We had a scavenger hunt for the last three classes of school. That took us to the old town, where we were chatting for most of it. That night Eimear and Laura came over to the apartment to help pack. We mostly chatted and no packing got done. New word learned: Rapido/Hurry

Tuesday, October 10th:

This was my last full day in school. We took pictures on the way, and said goodbye to some people we wouldn’t see again. I hadn’t planned to go out that night, but I met people while I was getting souvenirs and went shopping with them. I went home and finished my suitcase. Marina’s mam gave me designer slippers, as she works in fashion, and I said goodbye to her as she was leaving too early the next day. New word learned: Recuerdo/souvenir.

Wednesday, October 11th:

I was sad to say bye to everyone. Marina’s little brother ran down 7 flights of stairs to say bye. We left the school after 3rd class during lunch, and they all ran after the bus as we were going away. It was 2 hours to Bilbao, and on the plane back I was beside to Phil and Bridie, a lovely couple from Portmarnock. New word learned: Adios/goodbye.