Le sigh...

So in the past few months this happened.

As well as...

Walking to the grocery store I came across a group of boys probably 13 years old and as they caught a glimpse of me me the usual phrases came out "hostia", "madre mia" then... "ahi va Moby Dick. Proceed to try to ignore along same road come across another group of boys a familiar routine essentially since middle school "oh there goes your girlfriend" "ugh hell no" Finally make it to the grocery store and then another probably about 10 years old is following me trying to sneakily take pictures from afar. When I finally notice that's what he's doing I stop look him in the eyes with a "what are you doing/what do you want" look and he goes away.

On my way to another grocery store trip I pass a group of kids that say "ahi va la gorda de ingles" (there goes the fat English teacher) and while waiting in line to pay for my groceries an elderly woman whispers to her husband "look she's actually eating salad"

 Let's not leave all of the fat shaming to the small town Spaniards...  While standing in front of a restaurant in London (shout out to the English speakers!) deciding if my friend and I should have dinner there, a complete stranger passing by said "Stop eating!!" While looking at some clothes in a store in Rome, the old lady that worked there made a point to come up and tell me "Those are one size only!!" (y que?!)

Walking home behind a group teenage boys...when rounding the corner one catches a glimpse of me and mumbles something to his friends. Then like dominoes they each turn around to take a look at me as I turn left and they carry on I hear the word 'enorme'

Walking home from the grocery store two little girls roughly 8 or 9 years old at the first glimpse of me burst into hysterical laughter (cackling that could be heard all along the empty streets of the main road during lunch time) pulling out there phones to take pictures, when I stopped and said "que pasa" they just looked at me like I'm far too busy being out of breath from continuing to laugh and snap pictures of you face.

Walking home about a block from my house a little boy is walking this dog with his mom just a few steps ahead of me. the boy gets a glimpse of me and tells his mom nervously "There's a monster following us" The only thing the mom says to the boy is "Don't worry, just keep walking"

I am not going to say that I have been unaffected by this because that would be a lie. After all of these incidences I still can't gain the understanding of how people can be like that. My child wasn't even that cruel and I had the nickname Caty-Faty (oh gotta love family) And some people might say well Cathy if you lost some weight then you could avoid unpleasant encounters such as the ones you are telling us about. But that is besides the point. I'm never going to be "supermodel" skinny and even then I'm sure mean people will find other things to be mean about. So being bullied into losing weight is not really my style.

I am not blind to the fact that I'm overweight, but I am totally mostly sometimes comfortable in my own skin, but however i decide to go about that is no one's concern much less their entertainment. There are definite days where i feel like I'm a circus animal, not cause of me but cause of them. It's me versus them . They started a game but on most days I feel like it's one where everybody loses. :-/

Adventures of the Past ... and Future.

Yesterday marked one month of my arrival back home to California, after being gone almost 2 years teaching in Spain.

My journey in Madrid was a remarkable experience that not only taught me so much about myself and the world, but also allowed me to have meaningful friendships with people all over the globe.

Madrid Players allowed me to have a niche in a world capital, and allowed me to do things I'd never thought possible. (Performing in front of audiences of 700+, doing a radio interview, being a pampered actress for makeup and hair, working with people who are truly stars and professionals on an off stage). This group was what made letting go of el sueño de Madrid (the Madrid dream) extremely heartbreaking.

Leaving the fantastic house that saved me from La Casa de Las Brujas, as also a sentimental venture. I went from having no brothers to having four :)

I wouldn't have thought that I would create such strong bonds as those that I have created with the people I have met in such a short time, but I am absolutely grateful for the hilarious and soulful moments. And the chance to continue to nurture these relationships for a long time.

All of the rushing home was due to my baby sister getting married!! It was hit the ground running as soon as I got home and even though we were hit with some huge curve balls (I'll ask if I can publish that story later) it all came out a nice day.

So what's next?....

So even though I am extremely sad that I can't continue on with the Madrid dream. Life has taken me to be placed in Extremadura, Spain. A region on the west side bordering Portugal. I will work in a pueblo of 6,000 people, and I will be able to use this extra year to cross off other destinations off of my to see list.

As my chapters evolve as will this blog and the stories shared in it. I'm sure I will have lots to say about pueblo life come October. So stay tuned, and Keep in touch!!

Besos,

CathyArely