I first heard about Pueblo Inglés while building a train bridge on the side of a volcano.  Two of the volunteers were signed up for La Alberca and they convinced me to go.  I arrived in Madrid a few days early so I could do some sightseeing before the program.  This year was my 5th Pueblo Inglés and I always arrive early to visit the countryside.

The truth, however, is that I could always get a postcard of any tourist attraction.  The best thing about Pueblo Inglés is that I get to meet real natives and develop real friendships with them.  Besides we talk about all kinds of things way beyond the suggested idioms and phrasals.  We talk about the economy, labor relations, families, house prices, their employment and even space aliens!  The conversations are free wheeling and can go anywhere.  My job is to keep them talking, help with pronunciation and expression, and build their confidence.

I’ve treasured the friends I’ve met at Pueblo Inglés – both at Englischhausen and Pueblo Ingles.  I met a friend at my first program at La Alberca and she invited me to stay with her and her family for a few days.  We’ve visited twice now and I loved meeting her extended family and seeing Spain through their eyes.  I met another friend in Germany and we went wine tasting through Franconia.  These personal experiences you don’t get on a tour!

I write travel stories about my adventures and share them with friends in the USA.  Several of them have asked for the Pueblo Inglés website because the program appealed to them as well.  I hope they do!