Misperception!

Hola,

my name is David Hitze (24) and I work as a System Integrator at the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research.

I was lucky to get the opportunity to take part in this exchange. Although I did not get into a local company, but into I.E.S. Campanillas, I learned a lot about Spain and its ways. I want to tell you something about the first perception I had and how it changed, nearly instantly. If you want to know what I worked on, read at Christians entry :)

When we arrived at I.E.S. Campanillas, I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. The fence around the school was a bit intimidating. The sign in front of the school showed us the reality of Spain in an instant:

The white board says: "I am not responsible for the crisis"

I immediately remembered the things I read prior to the trip, about Spain and its struggle with the crisis and particular how hard it hit the young generation . My spirits were down at this point. Four weeks in this prison, I asked myself.

But no need to worry, we met Sergio. The teacher responsible for this exchange. A friendly guy, and not the only one in this place. Turns this is no prison in any way. The bell rang and the schoolyard was swept with pupils laughing, smiling and playing.

In the time I worked here I met many of students curiously questioning what we do and where we are from. Though we had some language barriers to overcome, we managed to communicate. They were very patient with me and my little Spanish skills.

But I had some trouble with the guy who opens the door. Sadly for him, he was rooting for Málaga to defeat Dortmund in the Champions League. We all know how that ended :) . Even Sergio was not able to speak the day after.

At this point I really should recommend going to the schools cafeteria. I have seen some and they were never as good as this one. The orange juice was fresh made and very delicious. The women serving were also very friendly. It seems that this school cares about the health of their pupils.

Ultimately I can say that I have met many interesting and funny people, including the guys I arrived with. I made some interesting observations on the human sleeping behaviour during our stay. Especially on a subject called Valerji. He slept this much, but still got outwitted by a monkey ;)

Goodbye Málaga and Campaillas!

David and Gerrit on a Motorbiketrip

Well it all started with the idea to rent some motorbikes to make a trip through the mountains of andalusia.
David has a license for 125ccm bikes and I have one for bigger motorbikes.
We visited the rentstation at the harbour of Málaga and asked for the bikes on Saturday evening.
The guy told us, that we could come on sunday to get the bikes for 24h.

What a difference :D

But on sunday the rentstation had a little problem with the bike, i was supposed to rent (a honda 250ccm). The gear made some problems and so i had to take the BMW GS 800. What a pitty :D.
After i got the bike at the rentstation we had to drive to Torremolinos to get the 125cm scooter for David. But when we arrived at the second rentstation we were really supprised that the scooter was smaller then expected.

First comparative of the bikes at our first brake.

We started the trip in Torremolinos and went to Fuengirola. From Fuengirola we went to Mijas through the mountains and followed very nice roads. Most of them were well built but on the mountains were streets which were bad to ride a Motorbike on it. The view we had from the spot, we made our first break on, was incredible.

First brake in the Hills 

We had good luck with the weather and could enjoy the whole ride.

From the mountains we went back down hill through little villages with really small streets. 

We had no navigation system and always had to orientade on signs and had to decide intuitively where to drive.
We went back to Málaga to make a little break in the Hostel, to eat something and to ask the others, if someone wants to join us. But everyone went out that day.

David on his Scooter

After our brake in Málaga we went to the east to visit Nerja. Mr. Fischer told us from that town in the east of Málaga and that the streets are good for a biketrip. But in my eyes it was a bit boring to ride through the straight streets in the small towns we passed. The roads on the coast instead were really good. and the view of the sea and the landscape was very enjoyable. We made some short breaks in Rincón de la Victoria and Torre del Mar, to see the beaches and to make a small walk.

Torre del Mar

From Torre del Mar it was only a few minutes to Nerja and we arrived in the early evening. 

We went to the beach and were amazed and surprised of the beatiful view. 

The sundown at the beach was wonderful and we climbed up on some rocks to make photos and to rest a little. 

David in Nerja

We got a little hungry and sat down in a beach café to eat and drink something.
When suddenly we heared some guitar-music, and wondered where it came from. 

When we left, we saw a guy sitting under a palmtree with his guitar, making music. We sat down on a bench near to him to listen to the music and to enjoy the view and everything.

Dundown in Nerja

Guitar-Guy

Sundown in Nerja

Nerja-Beach

Nerja-Beach

We went back to the bikes to get to the Hostel in Málaga again. It was getting cold and i was lucky to have heatable handles on the bike. Round about 1 and a half hour later we arrived at the Hostel and were happy to finish the trip without any accidents.

The day after we had to get to work in Campanillas with the bikes, because we had the return them at 1pm at the harbour. The way to Campanillas was quite faster then with the bus ;) 

The bikes in front of IES Campanillas

It was hard to return them, because we had so much fun with the bikes. We are very happy, that we made this experience and i hope, that i can return to Málaga some day to make a trip through the mountains of andalusia with my own bike.

The good-bye

My own Bike

-Gerrit 

Welcome to Málaga

Welcome to Málaga

We arrived at the Airport in Málaga at 9am and Mr. Fischer was already there waiting for us.

We took the Bus to the center of Málaga and went to the Patio 19 Hostel. 

Right on the first day, after we went out to eat something and were able to get our room, we climbed up the hill in the center of Málaga to visit the Fortress, located on top of the Hill. We all really enjoyed the view and the first really warm temperatures for us this year (except Valerij, he was asleep in our room).

 In the evening we visited the german bar, near to our hostel, where we drank our first caña. 

After that exhausting day, everybody went to bed early (Valerij too, but nobody understood why he was tired again).

The next day (Monday) we went with Mr. Fischer to the IES Campanillas to get to our companies. Because one teacher had to give lessons, 5 of us could go early to see their companys the next day. 

So we 4 made a trip to carrefour to buy some food and other stuff. We bought one of the most important things for the mealtimes: an electrical barbecue grill.

Best investment ever! :D

Now two weeks are over and we already have experienced much things.

Some of us rented Motorbikes and made a trip, some made a tour through the hills with Mr. Fischer and some were in Benalmádena and watched a wildlife birdshow. Maybe there will be more detailed posts about that.

-Gerrit