While I have nothing else to add… August 24, 2007
Posted by Luke in Music.add a comment
why don’t you watch this video? August 28th is the day this album drops.
Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
Lavapies August 7, 2007
Posted by Luke in Music, Spain, Travel.add a comment
In two months, I’d like to live here, I think. Lavapies. I stumbled across it some days ago now. I’d never heard of it, but the description of it really grabbed me. Then I read someone else describingit as ‘dangerous’. And it grabbed me even more.
Wikipedia provide this article:
Lavapiés is a barrio of the city of Madrid, centred on Plaza de Lavapiés.It was the Jewish quarter of the city until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, the church of San Lorenzo being built on the former site of the synagogue. The name literally means “wash feet”, and seems to refer to the ritual washing of one’s feet before entering the temple, possibly in the fountain in Plaza de Lavapiés.
It has long been a neglected area of the city. An inscription on a fountain in Plaza de Cabestreros is the only monument to the Spanish Republic in Madrid, such mentions having been systematically removed elsewhere during the Franco regime. The ruins of Escuelas Pías, a religious school, were left to stand for many years after it was burned down by supporters of the Popular Front in 1936, only being demolished in 2002.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, Lavapiés had acquired a reputation as a “vertical slum”, with its tenement blocks either empty or occupied by older people paying low rents. As a result, it became the most important location for okupación, or squatting, in Madrid.
More recently, it has become the focal point for immigrant populations, particularly Chinese, Arabs and people from the Indian subcontinent. It has been estimated that around 50% of the population is of foreign origin.
I’m keen to live here. Extremely keen. If anyone who stumbles across this page has any knowledge of Lavapies, a room for rent, or any other useful/less tidbits of factoids, please get in touch.
On another note:
Jumping the Gun July 10, 2007
Posted by Luke in Music, Spain, Teaching English, Travel, Work.1 comment so far
I have a feeling I may have jumped the gun somewhat in deciding to do another TEFL course. Two months ago, I kept getting knocked back in my applications. I didn’t want to purchase a ticket until I had a definite job, so I went with the training… hey, they guaranteed a job.
But in the last week, I’ve had two schools tell me they’re interested in interviewing me, and a third give me their number to call as soon as I arrive. Maybe if I’d waited, I could have had jobs falling all over for me.
The problem is the car accident left a nasty dent in my finances. And the course will also do that. If I can work without more training, then that solves some finance issues. I mean, I’ll work sixty hours if I have to. I’ll work more. I’ll work less.
What to do? What to do? I think the best option is apply for everything. I can always say no. At least I’ll get practice that way.
Two months today left in this job!
Meanwhile – listen to Daedelus – exquisite corpse. I know I am.
** July 11 – I received an email today that further confirms I jumped the gun. I was offered an interview over the phone by a Polish school in a small town in Central Poland. I must admit I was surprised. I’ve declined their offer – my heart’s set on Espana – but maybe I really should have held off on the Canterbury offer.
