Boldly Go Solo

Spain has won the world soccer championship and I have faces of Spaniards in my mind rejoicing. Not from the television. Not because I was in South Africa (I wasn't)

But from a week I spent in Spain teaching English to Spaniards, in a little town several hours from Madrid. Which I did on my own. (And wrote about in "Sports brings solo travelers together with locals.")

2010 FIFA World Cup. Soccer. Futbol. Spain. The Netherlands. The countries and the sport blend in a rosy, nostalgic blur in my mind because I've been to these places and met some of the people and it all has a deeper meaning than a game on TV. Ah, the richness of travel.

I've written about my week in Barco de Avila, where I stayed free at a four-star hotel. And was served three meals a day. Free. Just for spending time speaking to Spaniards in English.

I got to see a championship soccer match on TV in the little village with the students from the school and the local townspeople. At the same time I learned how to order beers and tapas. The food comes in small portions on little plates and the beers also come in little glasses. I love the variety that provides and the ability to eat a little of many things.

I think of those avid Spanish soccer fans today. I was with them when Real Madrid won a national tournament. I can only picture their ecstasy upon seeing their country's team win the whole shebang.

So, to Pedro and the rest of the gang I met that June, congratulations! And I hope some of those English lessons stuck.

Photo: Ellen Perlman. Television in restaurant in Barco de Avila, Spain.