TEFLees in Spain

What do you get when a Floridian takes weather advice from a Brit? A freezing Madrileño! Unfortunately, when it comes to cold weather, I’m not exactly an Eskimo. Having never lived in a place with more than 2 seasons (Florida=hot for 8 months, warm for 4), this should put an interesting spin on my first year abroad. At least I’m not in Russia…
I have found the weather to be quite pleasant thus far though. Yes, I have awoken on a few mornings, confused by the October chill (it’s still hitting 90 in Florida). But it’s a nice change for me. Hey, we all come here to experience new things, and cold weather is definitely new to me.
Some people might think it’s crazy to leave the Floridian sunshine behind. Personally, I’m not missing it too much. The humidity of central Florida (central means no sea breeze) is enough to steam a whole bushel of oysters on an August afternoon. A sauna is a place you’re supposed to go to, not live in. When I arrived in Madrid at the beginning of August (which is supposed to be the hottest month of the year here) I heard people complaining about the heat for about four weeks straight, but I could never understand it. There’s no humidity here!
Okay, so the summer and fall have been great so far, but what about winter? No, I can’t write from experience, but from what I’ve heard from the two dozen or so people who I’ve asked, is that it only dips below freezing every now and then, and it snows maybe every couple of years in the city, but never enough to stick. The days are always bright and clear - perfect for an afternoon stroll to show off your fashionable European shades; and the only precaution one must take to keep Jack Frost from nipping at your nose is to wear something thick enough to block the swirling gusts of wind whipping through the narrow streets.
As for me, keeping in mind the baggage weight limit situation, I naively decided that cold weather gear would not be a necessity in Spain. After all, I guess I may as well live up to at least one American stereotype, and pay for my horrible lack of geographical knowledge. I honestly thought Spain was somewhere near Floridian latitudes! Oh well, sometimes lessons have to be learned the hard way, but at least now I get to buy some new, hip, and trendy European threads to keep me warm for the winter.
All in all though, the weather has rocked so far. I love the crisp nights and the cool, breezy afternoons. I love waking up to a chilly morning under a warm blanket and taking a hot shower. Café solo’s are so much better in cold weather! It’s refreshing and it’s different and I’m trying to learn to love it as much as I already love this wonderful city.