Día de la Cultura

The time is fairly zipping along now. I found September difficult as I got used to being on my own. But you get a new routine, and other people become used to the fact that you’re now more available and so remember to invite you along to things, and little by little your social life is on the up again. Also, I’m now finished my five week Saturday rotation. I don’t know where that went! I don’t think I’m back on until the end of November, and then there are only three Saturdays until the Christmas break.

Not to be
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I dashed home from Spanish class on Wednesday just in time for the kick-off of the Irish match, which was 12.45 lunchtime over here. I hoped that I’d pick it up on one of the cable channels. Alas no. I could get England / Poland, Italy / Moldova, Netherlands / Macedonia, and France / Cyprus, but no Ireland / Switzerland.

I had to settle for something called ‘Matchcast’ on the FIFA website. I had all the information at my fingertips. I had the weather in Lansdowne Road, and the temperature, as well as the history of previous encounters, updates on other matches, match trivia and a fan poll. I was promised live commentary in 4 languages, which seemed a bit excessive, but alas the only sound I had was the whistle at kick-off and at the end of the match. I had a minute by minute update in text though. So I knew what was happening.

37’ Ireland pile on the pressure and R Cabinas (SUI) saves his side with a crucial clearing header from a K Kilbane (IRL) cross.
39’ Ireland keep flooding forwards down both flanks, but lack the guile to match their endeavour.

I watched the France / Cyprus match on cable at the same time, and from time to time I’d get a little glimpse of Lansdowne on a little TV in the French dugout.

I was really sorry that they didn’t get through, but I’d felt we were fighting an uphill battle since losing the four points against Israel. So it’s ‘come on ye boys in Red and Blue’ for me next year.

Día de la Cultura
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Another week, another bank holiday. Or so it seems. Día de la Cultura is the anniversary of the October 12, 1492 discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. It celebrates the joining together of the European and indigenous people of the Caribbean and Central America. With disastrous consequences for the latter.

The English department had a day off, but I was in the school in the morning in my role as Spanish student. All the classes had to make a presentation to the whole school on an aspect of indigenous culture. I presented on the artisan crafts of the Guaymies tribe, who live between here and Panama. Some unlucky students had to play tribal instruments.

Difficult student
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I got a surprise this week when a new student signed up for my English Horizons class on the internet. His name was Osama. But although he signed up, he never attended class. This was a relief really, as I had visions of him making an English video for Al Jazeera, and then all hell would break loose.

Well that’s it for another week. I’m off to sleep now. I’ve an easier week ahead because I’m not taking Spanish and don’t have Saturday classes.

Pura Vida,

Éamon