Farewell...

So...my time in Casa de la Ciencia comes to an end, sadly, I must say. I guess I have started to appreciate only now, when I have to leave, how amazing is the building I am working in. And how many new and interesting things I have learned from the exhibitions, my work and my colleagues. Did you know that “the tongue of the blue whale, the largest mammal on Earth, weighs as much as an elephant?”

I have had a chance to be a part of the museum team for 3 months and I must say I have enjoyed it a lot. To name few things I have done: I managed our English blog, developed and maintained TripAdvisor account, prepared collaboration agreements with hotels, participated in Feria de Ciencia (Science Fair) where apart from talking to children and their teachers I had a chance to hold a live owl (impressive!) and had an honour to contribute to several business meetings.

I could not wish for better colleagues who helped me to feel like a part of the team. Even outside working hours :) Also I could not ask for better integration moment than that when Erika let me borrow her Flamenco dress for Feria de Sevilla!

You know what is the advantage to have Spanish colleagues? They are always positive!  And this energy transfers through the building into your heart :)

And for any problem in your life the answer is only one: 

“No pasa nada!” 

(Don´t worry).

  I will learn from you guys and take this positive attitude to the next place I go!

Thank you!

Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia (VI) Iván

Ivan is a face of communication with the public. His phone rings almost every second. He is responsible for coordinating and managing all the visits that are carried out in the Museum. In fact, if some of the Primary school teachers read this profile, he or she may already know the voice of Ivan. "Often teachers ask for me when they come with their class for a visit; having so much talks ends up building a friendship."

The thing he likes the most about his job is to feel that he is contributing something to the society, to the public. “Here come kids, they learn, they have a good time… I like to think that a little part of this anonymous responsibility is mine. ”

His voice and adorable accent makes him perfect for this position. Ivan was born in Venezuela where his Asturian parents emigrated, even though his diction can be confused with the one of Canarians. He is therefore an intellectual (in the best sense of the word) result of the meeting of two cultures, two very different and very brotherly countries.

He studied Journalism in Caracas and came to Salamanca to do the Masters in American literature. "I like journalism, but I'm a frustrated scholar. I think I lack that element of curiosity and boldness characteristic of reporters."

At the moment he is combining his job in the Casa de la Ciencia, he is a PhD candidate in Literature. His thesis is about the work of Argentinian writer and journalist Roberto Arlt. This writer, born into an immigrant, poor and unbalanced family, became the best known columnist in Buenos Aires thanks to his language and manners and traveled to Spain to write his "Spanish Etchings".

 

When I accomplish my dream of having a PhD, I would like to continue learning Portuguese and live for a while in Buenos Aires. You can call me argentinofilo because I love their culture. What I like the most? To cook. Above all, rice in any form. The corn cakes as well are my specialty. I have been tempted to finally make my own bread. To have a bike rides – as a medium between means of transport and pleasure. The Venezualian and Spanish folklore.

Ivan has shared with us a group of very curious music. It is called Serenata Guyanese and its cultural ingredients are many and varied. From the south of Venezuela, Bolivar state and sing in four voices the most picturesque and traditional melodies.

Would you like to discover them with us?

Goodbye from Victoria!

It is said that everything in life ends for better or for worse.

Now the internship has ended, although it seems like just yesterday when Victoria applied for the position inevitably attracted by the words "museum" and "Science".

Therefore, unfortunately, Victoria will not return on Monday to spot the beautiful facade of the Pavilion of Peru, to hear the gurgling of children who are waiting outside to begin their deserved visit, to greet all her fantastic co-workers, to sit in front of the Mac screen which is by the way- at least a million-inches, to eat toast for breakfast and drink green tea with lemon, to interview the Lucky person who is due to appear on #Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia; to get the daily photo on Instagram, spread Museum events and activities on the Internet, write press releases, communication plans, newsletters, social media content ...

By the way, it is strange to talk about myself in the third person.

It is said that everything in life ends for better or for worse.

For worse – there will be no more tea with lemon, talks with colleagues, Instagram, kids, Planetarium. In summary, this exhilarating routine will end.

For better - I have fond memories of this period (writing in first person definitely works better). I learned a lot in these three months - technical and human knowledge. I am more self-reliant, creative, and entrepreneurial. I have been trained in actual communication, in dealing with people. Now I can share my newly acquired experience with the rest of the world.

But of course, the rest of the world will never be the Peru Pavilion. (I promise I wanted to finish this post on a positive note ...)

Our interns in Science Fair in Seville.
On the left, Victoria from Commercial department.
On the right, Anna from Marketing department.

Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia (VI) Manuel

When you are searching for a Word ´skillful´ in Real Spanish Academy´s dictionary photo of Manuel would come up. Skillful in a sense of someone that can do various things like a handyman. The fact is that Manuel is the best maintenance man that Casa de la Ciencia has known, "and take into account that the stakes are high" - says a colleague.

Efficient and above all good worker; confesses that he likes to stay occupied and if he finds himself without things to do he will be looking for some work. Clearly, watching the kids run around all morning encourages as well even without dealing with visitors directly. His work routine: arrive at 8:00, open workshos and exhibitions, turn on lights ... and from there whatever comes: basically fix everything that is broken.

Manuel was born in Gandia, having Andalusian immigrant parents, but returned to his homeland when he was little. He was self-employed until went bankrupt because of the economic crisis; later was given a fixed position in CSIC ("I was very lucky") and, after working in Barcelona, he began his job in our Museum few months ago. He has a wife and "little couple" boy and girl (11 and 12 years old) and admits he is happy.

Even though “I wouldn´t say no to a new car, especially if it's a black Chrysler 300." Meanwhile, he loves hiking with his family throughout the province of Seville and science fiction films (The Matrix and Blade Runner are the classics). "As a young man I loved electronic music in the clubs, but in recent years I have slowed down a little (laughs)."Ah! And he dances salsa.

As a curiosity, tells that when he started working had some fear when walking through the basement. The reason is that some security guards claimed to have heard strange noises in the night and doors closing on their own. It also appears that there was a case of a guard who left the Casa de la Ciencia crying and refusing to re-enter. Anyway, Manuel soon began to walk around the same grounds. "I did not hear anything or experience any paranormal experience."

And you, do you believe in ghosts?

Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia (V) Jorge

The first thing you think when you see Jorge is that he conveys security and tranquility. His strongly modulated voice makes it ideal for children to become engrossed watching a rock, something that before they might perceive as boring. And this geologist manages to convey his enthusiasm without any effort.

He was born 37 years ago in Requena (Valencia) of Norman mother and Almerian father, but Jorge considers Almería his home. “Even though many people think that Almerians are “cold” in reality they are warm and welcoming. The city and the province are very cosmopolitan. ” Also having 11 months of summer a year helps.

He is a fan of filmmaking saga The Lord of the Rings. He loves thrillers, "those where you do not know how it will end up, or who is the murderer." Also the historical novels. Key names: Martin Scorsese, Ken Follett coincides with ... Lola´s affection for Martin Silver Eye trilogy as well. We will have to read it, then. And apart from books and movies, he likes monologues of Dani Rovira and David El Guapo in the comedy club.

He is a founder of “Natures”, a company dedicated to environmental education and ecotourism. In the Casa de la Ciencia “Nature´s” boys and girls play a key role – they are the guides of permanent exhibitions. Jorge has dedicated his heart and soul in explaining cetaceans, invertebrates and, of course, GeoSevilla. The majority of his listeners are school children that come to visit, though there are adults who want a guided tour too.

Jorge has no doubt: the best part of his job is to work with children. And when a little girl or boy leave the Museum saying “Bye Jorge, when I grow older I will be a geologist” … You can´t compare it to anything else. It is also a demanding job, "sometimes when visitors are too young you have to focus not so much on explaining but rather on the visual aspect of the exhibition, so it catches their eye.” He recalls that recently there came a blind girl who explored the expositions of invertebrates and geology ... by touch.

In addition, “Natures” also organizes different workshops such as Comic and film, The crystal world and Geoland… “The first workshop that we did in the Museum was that of ´The dinosaur in the city ´that now is called ´Rebuilding a dinosaur´.” “It would be great if Casa de la Ciencia continued setting up new exhibitions; I without a doubt would put one about dinosaurs which is the most liked by the children.” They like them so much that when they come to see the skeletons of cetaceans they automatically think they are dinosaurs…

The children come up with other funny anecdotes. Jorge remembers the time explaining the concept of endemism and gave the example of the Iberian lynx, when a little voice was heard: "Iberian is that you can eat, as a ham." Or those times when children, especially those from religious schools, ask about fossils, "And this was before or after God?” Risky question to answer for someone who is not Catholic …

Besides geology, Jorge is passionate about landscapes… And part of his job is to organize guides in hiking tours. It might be that “I am very lucky to be able to combine my passion with job.” He suggests visiting the Sierra Norte Geological Park in Seville: beautiful views and very interesting.

In the years to come he wants to continue working in the Museum, “the way my colleagues treat me is amazing without doubts.” Even though there will come time when he will move back home to continue teaching in some remote village of Almeria, aggregate and intimate. And he plans also to travel to Scotland and New Zealand for those wild and green landscapes (perhaps the adventures of Frodo Baggins also have had something to do with it).

"In general I am a kind of medieval knight: I like to live high, possibly in a castle (laughs), surrounded by lakes and mountains ..."

Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia (IV) Lola

She is one of the two beautiful women that you can always meet in the Museum counter, always attentive to a clueless question, always smiley and cheerful.  Here are some of the functions she performs: assist the public, coordinate calls and simply provide warmth to visitors. It is easy to make her smile.

At the risk of falling into a stereotype, she is Andalusian and proud of her land. She was born in Lora del Río. She lived in Barcelona - when she was little, her parents emigrated to Catalonia as many other Andalusian did in the 60s. And now she lives in Seville, specifically in Castilleja de la Cuesta. “I am sorry, but for me there isn´t anything like Andalusia… The people, the climate, the sea, the food..” Cliché? Yes. Really? At least for Lola.

We could say that she started working in Casa de la Ciencia a long time before it existed: she is a veteran de CSIC (11 years exactly). She worked, first, in Biological Station in Doñana, later CicCartuja … and in Museum from its´ first opening day.

“I like working here because I like dealing with people. Especially children and seniors, and we see them in Museum a lot.” Lola notes that of course there are some people who are not always as nice but it is part of the job. “I like that there are people that are interested in the museums, in the science. The culture in the country isn´t dead despite what some might say. And of course, the Planetarium is loved by anyone.”

In other order of priorities, she is passionate about James Bond movies (her favorite embodiment is Pierce Brosnan). She likes reading as well, especially historical novels: her latest reading has been the trilogy Martin Silver Eye, by Matilde Asensi Martin. Her biggest dream is to see her nephews grow up and finish college (they are going to be born in November so still have few years left...).

Suele veranear en Mazagón ("como las playas de Huelva no hay ninguna") y se ha recorrido toda España a golpe de tren y carretera. Galicia, Madrid, Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha... Y también Lisboa, que no es España pero se parece un poco. Ay los pastéis de Belem...

Usually spending the summer in Mazagon ("there are no better beaches than Huelva") and has traveled throughout Spain hitting rail and road. Galicia, Madrid, Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha ... and Lisbon even though it is not Spain it does look alike.

Lola is a person that always has a good time. A funny anecdote: usually carries two ID cards, CSIC staff and the company´s. One day she accidentally stained the collar of the shirt with lipstick. To hide it, CSIC badge came in handy. But that did not go unnoticed by a man who was visiting the museum, who literally said:

"Child, you just lack the barcode."

Meet the people of La Casa de la Ciencia! (I) Sergio

Sergio is a security guard. He has blonde hair and is very friendly, barely in his thirties.  He wears a blue shirt and black pants, with a regulatory bludgeon that he has probably never used. Often seen hanging around the hall or exhibition "Molecules of Life", he has a sharp eye and is always smiling.

Sergio has worked in La Casa de la Ciencia for 4 years and finds it a totally positive experience. We have asked several times for any inconvenience or negative aspect of his routine and he could not think of any, apart from:  "The only thing is that sometimes the days are long, can go up to 12 hours, but in return you have more days off."

Sergio proves to be a fan of children who come to visit the museum either with their school or their family. "Every day more than 200 kids come. To me, kids are the best visitors because they are always friendly, sincere, and never complain. They always have a good time." However, they also give you the most concern: with the little ones, you have to ensure that they do not stick out from the balconies.

Sergio tells that with birthdays in the La Casa de la Ciencia something fun is usually happening. For instance, children need to discover, following a series of clues, who "stole" a valuable butterfly collection. And many of them finally figure out the guilty one and report it to security guard. There are also some who question whether exposed animals are real (invertebrates or the cetacean skeletons) or some who cry because of the gloomy presence of “murder” in La Casa de la Ciencia. And of course the favorite activity of all – Planetarium.

Sergio points out that adults often complain about other things (like "Madrid Planetarium is larger than that of Seville") or try to bargain the price of admission (3 € is money at the end of the day). And children often want to stay longer than their parents. And now it has been like time No. 32490 when Sergio has showed child the way towards "the bugs like these that the teacher explains."