The reality of living in a foreign country alone vs the everlasting optimism that things will get better. I’ll be honest and actually say it out loud; my year abroad is not living up to the hype. The amount of times I’ve heard the phrase “a year abroad is the best year of your life” […]
ERASMUS
Spain’s beautiful little hidden gem: Guadalest
Today, Beth and I went for a day trip to Guadalest. Guadalest is a tiny village in a valley, just over an hours coach journey from Beth’s flat in Benidorm. I’ve been before when I came to Alicante on holiday in 2010 with my family but I didn’t remember it at all until I got […]
Spanish Festivals in Spring
Festivals in Spain Obviously, there are a lot of festivals in Spain and I have already mentioned Halloween and Christmas in previous blog posts. Spain loves a good party and if there’s the opportunity to drink in the streets then Spain does it – and they do it well! This term I have seen two […]
Say Hello to the new English teacher!
Recently I breached my contract as a conversation assistant. No, I did not turn up to work drunk nor did I wear a bikini, teach the children swear words or sleep through my morning classes. Actually, it states in my contract that I am not allowed to be a teacher and actually give the classes […]
Tour Guide Anna – Uni girls visit!
Last weekend I had 3 of my best friends from university come to visit me for 3 nights and I think it’s safe to say we had a very busy weekend!! Lilly, Fiona, Zoe and I (respective to the first picture) all met when we moved into the same block in student halls in our […]
Not so blue January! Notts, home and my first weeks back.
New year, new me. Yes, it’s a cliché however it is totally true. I have gone from being just a regular Anna to Princess Anna and celebrity Anna. January has been fabulous. After a lovely 2 weeks at home in Bucks, seeing friends and all my family, I packed my life up again and headed […]
The life and times of an English teacher in Spain. Term 1.
Well, I’m officially 1/3 of my way through my year abroad in Alicante, Spain and it’s been an experience to say the least. I’ll try not to use clichés such as ‘a roller coaster of a ride’ or how I’m telling you about all the ‘highs and lows’ I’ve had or the massive ‘learning curve’. […]
Ana and Bez travel diaries – Part 1
Apparently our names are pretty hard for Spaniards. Ana is a Spanish name which obviously sounds the same as Anna and in Spanish; ‘th’ is pronounced like a ‘z’, hence Ana and Bez. One day they’ll learn! Beth also goes to Nottingham Trent University and we both normally go out on pole dance socials together. […]
Feliz Navidad Anna!
Feliz Navidad Anna! Last Saturday I was wondering why I was struggling so much to get in the Christmas spirit. All my friends at home were in the Christmas spirit. So much so that I knew they were all either lying in bed hungover or having a hungover train/car journey home. I love Christmas, I […]
We all get lazy on holiday but a 9 month holiday…??
Health and fitness A year in Spain, what do I want to do? Go to the beach, drink beer and cocktails, eat every kind of tapas that’s available and eat every kind of chocolate and sweets! Clearly I’m doing all of these (currently eating English chocolate!) But at the same time I like to do […]