October 05, 2007 - 09:01

By Shirley Neal

Special to the Times-Journal

UXBRIDGE - The mail in my inbox said, 'Unique holidays - exchange English conversation for accommodation in Spain'.

My first reaction to this e-mail was, it's too good to be true. I am not usually that big on taking chances, especially so far from home and alone, but on the other hand, what if I were missing out on the trip of a lifetime?

I checked the Internet and found that VaughanTown was the brainchild of Richard Vaughan, a business student from Texas who went to Spain to teach English in the 1970s.

"After many years of language training and experience, I realized no matter how many times a person is drilled on irregular verbs, the only way to truly understand a language is to actively practise it," explains Mr. Vaughan.

This led to the creation of six-day immersion programs which include a cast of 15 Spaniards, 15 English-speakers from all over the world, a master of ceremonies to provide entertainment and a program director to enforce the only rule: no Spanish allowed. One is expected to talk for 15 hours a day, six days straight and no stopping except for a daily siesta. English-speakers chat, play, walk, swim, dine and wine with Spaniards in a gorgeous setting. They conduct one-on-one conversations, take part in telephone conference calls, try their hand at some Trivial Pursuit and somewhere along the way the Spaniards will find themselves blabbing away in English without having to stop and think.

Hmmm, all I have to do is talk. Well, I certainly could handle that, my biggest problem is stopping.

I pushed the 'send' button on my application to VaughanTown and the next day I was accepted. I reassured myself with the knowledge that I had a return ticket in case things didn't turn out, so I could leave at any time.

On Saturday night, we (the Anglos), met at a Tapas reception in Madrid and immediately sized each other up. What a mixture, English, Irish, Australian, New Zealand and two Americans. The ages were mixed, from 25 to 65, but the level of enthusiasm remained the same...high.

Sunday we left for our four-star, country-style hotel, Puerto de Gredos (Avila), which is complete with swimming pool, tennis courts, small gym and jacuzzi bath tubs. There are two locations; the other one is Hotel Monasterio San Zoila (Palencia) a 12th century refurbished monastery. I must admit, the swimming pool won me over. The bus ride is approximately two to three hours from Madrid, with just a short stop to take pictures of the ancient walled city of Avila.

The Gredo mountains are the perfect backdrop for the hotel, breathtaking in their quiet beauty. The hotel itself is grey stone with red tiled roofs and the swimming pool is inside its own building with the gym and jacuzzi. The windows slide open to the sun deck, providing a breathtaking view of the Gredos. My room was very clean and well appointed with polished wooden shutters that covered the windows; I left them open so I could breathe in the fresh air at night and in the morning when I opened my eyes, I could watch the early morning sun, as it slowly lit the world around me. The air was rich with the fragrance of the lavender and azalea plants that lined the pathways.

At meal time we sat at tables of four to six, always making sure we had equal numbers of Anglos and Spaniards; we followed this format each time we ate and so we were able to enjoy the company of different companions for each meal. Teaching credentials were not a requirement for the Anglos. The Spanish participants were executives from such companies as Esso, Microsoft, Tetra Pak, and Johnson and Johnson. Highly respected in their various fields, they found themselves frustrated at not having the ability to convey the richness of their professional skills through a language they could use effectively. My job was to teach them to be able to identify key English words and use them in the proper context. We also had several telephone sessions, so that they could learn the nuances of a different language without the benefit of seeing the person's face. It was amazing how quickly they learned and how grateful they were for our patience.

Each evening we were entertained by The Gredo Players, whose cast contained members of both groups. They entertained us with a series of sketches and scenes from Blythe Spirit to The Odd Couple. The week flew by, leaving me in tears at the thought of leaving my new friends. The Spanish people take enormous pride in their rich heritage that is second only to the love they have for their families.

What a special group, these Anglos and Spanish; we came together as strangers from all corners of the earth and left as friends who shared a special time together filled with hope and kindness.

Was it worth the risk? A hundred times yes. I have booked my time for next year and then I plan on extending my trip in Spain by visiting some old friends.

Uxbridge resident Shirley Neal is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in travel writing. Her photography has been part of the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts juried art show for five years.

Travel Planner

Contact: www.vaughantown.com

The only expenses not covered by VaughanTown are your flight to and from Madrid and the hotel for the nights you are not on the program.

Flying there: www.airtransat.com or www.expedia.ca offer competitive rates to Gatwick/Heathrow airports.

Easy Jet (www.easyjet.com) has a good rate from either location to Madrid.

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