Right now, in Europe, it is difficult for teachers to obtain a working permit and/or residency. I know many Americans here who have done so, but most of them have done it with the help of a Irish or Italian grandparent and obtained an EU passport. Well, I just found another way. It´s different, that´s for sure.

I have said before Spain is a laid back country. Anyone who has been here knows that. For example, I arrived 20 minutes late for my first class ever because I took the wrong bus. I got there, sweating and apologized. The student (a 40 year old woman) says to me, "Don´t worry about it, you´re on Madrid time." Then, about 3 minutes later, 2 more students arrived for class. We´ve got 2 hour lunches, siestas and an overall leisurely attitude towards time.

The other day I met someone in a cafe from New Jersey and started talking to him. He´s been here since May of 2001. Except, in all that time, he´s been in prison. After a certain period of time, you are offered "leave" time, just like in the military. They are allowed to simply leave and return on their own. He was telling me all this and I couldn´t believe it. They have a pool for god´s sake. Starting soon, he moves to "weeknights only". Basically, he is allowed out all day and all weekend, but has to sleep in the prison on weeknights. But, that´s not even the best part. This man was arrested with cocaine at the airport, coming from Ecuador. He has been in jail for 4 years. Now, when he is released, he will have legal residence in Spain!

Can you imagine the US telling some Haitian immigrant who just did a 7 year stint at Leavenworth, "Ok buddy, we like what you showed us on the inside, now get out there and make something of yourself."

After I heard this story, the bartender was telling me about another guy in the same boat. He´s been in jail for roughly the same time. Only, his parents don´t know he is in jail. He´s just been telling them he is living here. They talk and he´s like, "Oh yeah, today I went swimming, played some cards, lifted weights and smoked some cigarettes."

Unbelievable...