My internet has failed the last few days!! It's been lonely and boring! Grr!!
Now our service has been more than slow.... So I can't upload pictures, but hopefully things will be resolved within the next few days.
Sorry!
OxoOXoxoXo
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fleeting Rain
We woke up early this morning to try and catch the Sunday market in Sevilla. To our dismay, it was raining quite a bit. We figured we'd give it a try but unfortunately we were correct; it had been canceled. We drove around a bit taking rainy snap shots and looking for a quickie souvenir shop, but didn't find much in that regard, either. We decided to abort the Sevilla mission for the time being and get on the way to Portugal. I had booked our hotel night in Sevilla and Teri was in charge of booking the Portugal hotel. She had printed out the information to our hotel and I went to plug it into the GPS. However, I took one look/thought at the GPS and said out loud “Oh shit.” Teri looked at me and knew exactly what I realized. The location is in Portugal. We are in Spain. TomTom doesn't know Portugal!!! Eek!!
So, we set the GPS to Ayamonte, the most far east city in Spain and hoped we'd find it from there.
We stopped at a gas station in Ayamonte in search of a Portuguese map. This is the real Spain, not the fluffly, heavily populated British Spain I live in. When I went to the register to inquire about how to get to Tavira (Portugal) the man behind the register was giving me information (in Spanish.) I understood some, and kept saying “Si.” The other worker standing off to the side says quickly and under his breath “Todo es si.” They laughed. The clerk then asks me “Me guapo?” and I replied “Si. Te guapo pero soy mas guapa. No se mucho Espanol pero entiendo un poco, muchas gracias.”
What just happened? He's giving me information, I kept saying Si. The other gentleman thinks it's the only word I know, so the clerk tries to trick me into saying he's good looking. I respond “You are good looking, but I am better looking. I don't know much Spanish but I understand a little bit, thank you very much.” Take that! I know how to curse them out but we didn't get that far. So they laughed with me, and then I asked the comedian for more clear instructions once he was convinced I was somewhat able to communicate. 2 pats on the back for that one! :)
The bad news is the gas stations didn't have any Pim's, so we kept having to buy imitations. We called them Pam's. Not bad, but not a Pim.
We get onto the road to Tavira, and I for some reason decide to check if TomTom switches countries. Low and behold! He does! See what happens when you go with the flow? It works! We plugged in our address and again, off we went.
We arrived at our quaint little hotel in Tavira, Portugal. Now, I must say that the advertising on the internet was a tid false, but we still really enjoyed the hotel. We were in the family suite which had adorable wall paper and a fold out couch, with a view of the city. Tavira is an itty bitty teeny weeny city with a beautiful river going through the middle of it. Most everything is in walking distance. The manager at the front desk gave us a map and told us where the tourists and locals eat. He also told us that we had lucked out considerably – there was a fair today! In fact, it was the last day of the cultural fair and it was literally right outside our door and across the river.
Teri had some work to do on the computer but I was outta there! I stuck on my headphones and headed out to Tavira. What a magnificent day! I fell in love. The fair was amazing – so many wonderful and quirky boutiques. The people were so nice. Now I really had no idea what anyone was saying because I speak English and only a morsel of Spanish, and now they're speaking Portuguese! But everyone was so kind and friendly. I shopped and shopped and shopped. I headed over to where the manager at the hotel said the locals eat to sit down and have a sandwich and a beer. The sky couldn't be more blue with a gentle and cooling breeze. I sat outside and read my book “Mastery” while eating a sandwich with home made bread and drinking literally one of the best beers I've ever drank called Sangres. Actually, I had 2 of those. I sat and read and listened to the beautiful French sounding Italian with a dab of Spanish Portuguese and the bridge. My 6 Euro tab for the meal was a pleaser, as well.
I heard music! The town fair now had a live band playing. Teri and I decided to meet up at the center. I got to dance with one of the instructors in the middle! It was so much fun! I took a short video (posted down below) so you can hear the music and see all the joy that was happening there that day.
I just love Portugal so far! The views, the weather, the people, the culture, the clothes, the prices, the music, the style, the food!
I headed back up to the room and chatted with mom a bit online. Shortly after this we lost our internet – explaining the lapse in blogs. Teri and I decided to walk around and see what was open for dinner. Well, we ended up getting a bit lost and walked a huge circle around the entire city. Fortunately for us this only takes about 40 minutes. Nevertheless, we had already walked off what we were going to eat.
We found a cute little place with the soccer game on. I got a glass of white wine, with Filet Mignon in an almond sauce. This, my friend, was crack! Geez! What are these people trying to do to me? Ok, Ok! I get it! Portugal is amazing. Stop yelling! Teri had a peppercorn steak that I'm pretty sure my mom would die for. I haven't been able to stop thinking of Daniela here. I feel like I understand her more now. I miss that crazy girl.
We walked home to our quaint little hotel room. We had breakfast coming to the door at 9 am so we figured we'd head to bed.
I love Portugal.
Life is good.
P.S. - FR is a well traveled bunny!!!
Random bridge shot... but I love this pic!
Bunny at the market! :)
river in Tavira, medium tide
view from the top of the stairs, mid village
My bed in our cute room! :)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Flamenco Rocks
After class was over on Saturday we headed out to Sevilla. We took our time leaving, and after classes and my private lesson we didnt get out of Costa Del Sol until 4:30. With a 3 hour drive and our TomTom getting slightly confused we managed to get parked and checked into our hotel by 8:30. As we are sitting in the hotel room looking at what to do while we're here, I am google-ing and decide to research Flamenco. There happens to be a show, with available seating at 9:30! So, we reserve seats - 55 Euro for a seat with Tapas. Two please! I walked downstairs to ask the front desk lady in my (still) very broken Spanish how to get there, and it turns out we are around the corner!! Perfect!! Still recommended we drive, however. Well TomTom really took the piss. He had us driving in circles for about 25 minutes. So much for being on time! We finally aborted the GPS renamed DickDick and found it ourselves.
We walked in right at 9:30. The place was GORGEOUS! Very quaint but so full of beauty and culture. We were shown to our table. The 55 Euro included a bottle of wine, 2 drinks, an appetizer, and 2 full courses of Tapas, and then dessert. We were glutenous!! We had so much fun. It is so amazing when going with the flow ends up above and beyond your expectations! :)The dancers were amazing. They brought them out 1 by 1, in pairs, against one another, singing, clapping, with and without castonettes (hi mom) and at the end they got into a 1/2 circle (what we call a cypher) and freestyled. They got IN!!! I cried from this one woman. The expressions on her face were just so amazing. She was so.... into it! She was gone - not on this plane any more. The spirit had touched her and she was merely a body showing it. I was certain this was her church.
Absolutely a fantastic experience that I would do again.
After we parked in the 19 Euro parking lot (the cost for 8 hours) we headed up to the hotel room. I convinced Teri (the boss) to stop next door and have a beer while the soccer game was on the big screen. It's not the same, but it's better than nothing! We had a beer and a coke light for 2.40 Euro. Ok, so note: the food and drinks are super cheap. But shitty hotels and parking are outrageous! (ie, they hate the tourists lol)
We are headed off now to a local market and a bit of sightseeing. We won't stay here long. We are headed to Portugal later today, where our 4 star Family Suite at a hotel is only 60 Euro and we have Spa plans! :D
I can't wait to see Portugal. Of course I'll keep you posted! oxxo
Life is gooood!! :) Thank you Seville! AND Thank you Flamenco lady for touching my life!
p.s. I think the Flamenco dancers here are the equivalent to our drag queens!! Werk!! :)
My Favorite
The Battle...
The Cypher
We walked in right at 9:30. The place was GORGEOUS! Very quaint but so full of beauty and culture. We were shown to our table. The 55 Euro included a bottle of wine, 2 drinks, an appetizer, and 2 full courses of Tapas, and then dessert. We were glutenous!! We had so much fun. It is so amazing when going with the flow ends up above and beyond your expectations! :)The dancers were amazing. They brought them out 1 by 1, in pairs, against one another, singing, clapping, with and without castonettes (hi mom) and at the end they got into a 1/2 circle (what we call a cypher) and freestyled. They got IN!!! I cried from this one woman. The expressions on her face were just so amazing. She was so.... into it! She was gone - not on this plane any more. The spirit had touched her and she was merely a body showing it. I was certain this was her church.
Absolutely a fantastic experience that I would do again.
After we parked in the 19 Euro parking lot (the cost for 8 hours) we headed up to the hotel room. I convinced Teri (the boss) to stop next door and have a beer while the soccer game was on the big screen. It's not the same, but it's better than nothing! We had a beer and a coke light for 2.40 Euro. Ok, so note: the food and drinks are super cheap. But shitty hotels and parking are outrageous! (ie, they hate the tourists lol)
We are headed off now to a local market and a bit of sightseeing. We won't stay here long. We are headed to Portugal later today, where our 4 star Family Suite at a hotel is only 60 Euro and we have Spa plans! :D
I can't wait to see Portugal. Of course I'll keep you posted! oxxo
Life is gooood!! :) Thank you Seville! AND Thank you Flamenco lady for touching my life!
p.s. I think the Flamenco dancers here are the equivalent to our drag queens!! Werk!! :)
My Favorite
The Battle...
The Cypher
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Foot Rest
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately... on who I am and what I've become. One thing that is more apparent to me every day is that we are all talking to ourselves. Each and everyone. The information that we know and share is what we like to hear, or in many many cases what we want to hear.
If someone asks me for my opinion I am of course going to address the issue in my shoes. Generally this happens without being aware that I am giving my Self advice. This also happens in the case of gossip. If you ever hear someone spouting off on someone else, you can generally turn those words around back on them, and the description is probably going to fit. You may not agree, but test the hypothesis and you will either be silently giggling, and/or stop gossipping.
Someone once told me that we are all hypocrites. I remember it made me feel so mad. Then it made me mad because it made me mad. I knew that the only reason it would anger me is because I was afraid it was true.
We are all hypocrites. I am a hypocrite. What we preach is what we need to hear. What we declare about ourselves is us convincing. Are there exceptions? Most undoubtedly. But I am also certain that the exceptions live within those that already knew that it was an exception.
Anyway, I'm learning about life and people. I am learning, and I am happy for that.
Tomorrow morning I work with a Spanish tutor (one of the students' mom) and then off to dance.
Life is good.
jojo
If someone asks me for my opinion I am of course going to address the issue in my shoes. Generally this happens without being aware that I am giving my Self advice. This also happens in the case of gossip. If you ever hear someone spouting off on someone else, you can generally turn those words around back on them, and the description is probably going to fit. You may not agree, but test the hypothesis and you will either be silently giggling, and/or stop gossipping.
Someone once told me that we are all hypocrites. I remember it made me feel so mad. Then it made me mad because it made me mad. I knew that the only reason it would anger me is because I was afraid it was true.
We are all hypocrites. I am a hypocrite. What we preach is what we need to hear. What we declare about ourselves is us convincing. Are there exceptions? Most undoubtedly. But I am also certain that the exceptions live within those that already knew that it was an exception.
Anyway, I'm learning about life and people. I am learning, and I am happy for that.
Tomorrow morning I work with a Spanish tutor (one of the students' mom) and then off to dance.
Life is good.
jojo
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Fresh Rest
View from top of mountain drive
Happy Boss Terri
Me feetsies (aka beach boots) on the Titanic part of the boat
the new Couture in glasses
I think I'm supposed to be paying attention
before my glasses broke
so pretty
the port in Benalmadena
I have not written in a few days. Things have been busy and I've been dealing with some stuff - so I haven't been in the mood to write, BUT, I can update you that Terri and I went on a fun Dolphin boat and had a great time!!
Here are some pics.
I am headed to Sevilla and Portugal this weekend, and that should be amazing!!
I am headed to Sevilla and Portugal this weekend, and that should be amazing!!
Life is real good, even when I am frustrated!
xo
jojo
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Freedom Ring
Life and all its wonderful gifts are so amazing.
Working with these kids has been really special. I feel so blessed to be around so many people who are open to growing and changing inside. I see the girls growing and changing emotionally, and to be a part of that is so rewarding. I am learning and growing, too, both emotionally and in my dance. I am reminded of the simplicity of life – to smile and laugh when mistakes are made.
Life is SO good.
Working with these kids has been really special. I feel so blessed to be around so many people who are open to growing and changing inside. I see the girls growing and changing emotionally, and to be a part of that is so rewarding. I am learning and growing, too, both emotionally and in my dance. I am reminded of the simplicity of life – to smile and laugh when mistakes are made.
Life is SO good.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
aFRica
Today began eeeearrrrlyyyyy. Had the alarm set for 4:45 am... well, actually I had three alarms set, just in case. We woke up and fussed with directions and details for parking. Mom & Dad attempted to go to the neighborhood market but its Spain and no one here wakes up before 11am. It was worth a try, though.
We made it to our destination perky, and on time which means for the Bormans 15 minutes early. The perkiness faded as the bus to pick us up was 5 minutes late, 10 minutes late, 20 minutes late, 45 minutes late. Wow!! They're here! We hopped in the very full greyhound-ish bus and headed off to Tarifa where the boat we were taking was leaving from. Well, or so we thought. Just as Pedro was 45 minutes late picking us up, we were also 45 minutes late to the dock and well, the Captain just wasn't interested in waiting for Pedro.
While the bus was waiting for a few minutes for action plan B I hustled quick inside the station to use the bathroom.... Would it kill em??
Pedro decided to take us to Algeciras - a place about 40 minutes back west to another ferry which PROMISED to wait for us! Off we were. The ferry was actually quite nice and customs was super easy with our tour sticker.
As we got into Africa it was pouring down rain. FR and I knew we had quite an adventure ahead of us. He stayed mostly in my bag this day. I copped the front seat on the travel/tour bus and was able to score a most gorgeous view of the sites. Since it was raining (and we were then an hour or more behind schedule) we really couldn't get out to see the sites so the tour guide spoke very good English in a very strong Fahrensche accenteh.
We stopped just outside the Casbah (don't judge me for potential bad spelling, I'm too tired to look it up!) and walked towards the city. We ate a very enjoyable traditional lunch with an egg noodle soup, lamb kebaps, a chicken cous cous dish, a honey bread and mint tea dessert. Musicians were playing in the back ground. We headed outside to walk to the traditional rug makers shop to hear the presentation.
This is when the shit broke loose. As we walked the streets there were beggars, and more beggars, and more beggars, and more and more. When I say beggars what I mean is people with amputated legs, eyeballs missing, fingers or yellow teeth missing, cut and torn lips and skin, staggering limps, bruised faces, rags on their bodies, a loss of hope in their eyes, their skin looked like leather. They all had something to sell, but it was the way they did it. It was so agressive. They would walk up to you, and shove something in your way. If you tried to keep walking they would walk with you and drop the price and continue to say the object item over and over shaking it around your hands. The more agressive the better they thought. It was just so much to handle and see. Kids no more than 5 years old with their eyebrows tightened begging you to buy gum from them, or a wood turtle. Not for only a minute this happened - this happened in and on and around all the streets. This happened for the rest of the day.
We went to the rug place, I hustled some cute sandals and a souvenir for my brother. I'm a good bargainer. We headed over to a oil and spice place, where it was the same thing. Demonstration and ability to buy. It was really nice and I spent quite a bit there but got a ton of really amazing things there.
At this point they told us we had 45 minutes to ourselves, but the beggars were just too much so we thought we'd grab a table and play it safe. This wasn't the scapegoat we thought it'd be. Still people coming up to us and begging. It was just exhausting.
We headed back to the bus, with the beggars literally walking us out of town and onto the bus. We headed to do some camel back riding!! Dad didn't ride but he did get a kiss!! :)
All in all, it was a great day. I made some new friends, and had a very fun time talking with them. There was a suprising number of people there from the Virginia area. I don't know if I would go again. My spirit was exhausted for almost anothe 24 hours, but I am glad I did it. I got some great souvenirs for some loved ones, a new appreciation for life and what a "real" ghetto is, and now I'm able to say I went to Africa.
Next, please.
Life is good, so much more than I ever realized until Africa.
view from getting off the ferry
thought this was cool
lighthouse built by mohammed V
entrance to the casbah
just one sight of the poverty
me and mom at lunch
the band having fun at lunch
downstairs section of the rug place
rug place and presentation (see mom & dad?)
me and my camel
dads new love affair!!!
We made it to our destination perky, and on time which means for the Bormans 15 minutes early. The perkiness faded as the bus to pick us up was 5 minutes late, 10 minutes late, 20 minutes late, 45 minutes late. Wow!! They're here! We hopped in the very full greyhound-ish bus and headed off to Tarifa where the boat we were taking was leaving from. Well, or so we thought. Just as Pedro was 45 minutes late picking us up, we were also 45 minutes late to the dock and well, the Captain just wasn't interested in waiting for Pedro.
While the bus was waiting for a few minutes for action plan B I hustled quick inside the station to use the bathroom.... Would it kill em??
Pedro decided to take us to Algeciras - a place about 40 minutes back west to another ferry which PROMISED to wait for us! Off we were. The ferry was actually quite nice and customs was super easy with our tour sticker.
As we got into Africa it was pouring down rain. FR and I knew we had quite an adventure ahead of us. He stayed mostly in my bag this day. I copped the front seat on the travel/tour bus and was able to score a most gorgeous view of the sites. Since it was raining (and we were then an hour or more behind schedule) we really couldn't get out to see the sites so the tour guide spoke very good English in a very strong Fahrensche accenteh.
We stopped just outside the Casbah (don't judge me for potential bad spelling, I'm too tired to look it up!) and walked towards the city. We ate a very enjoyable traditional lunch with an egg noodle soup, lamb kebaps, a chicken cous cous dish, a honey bread and mint tea dessert. Musicians were playing in the back ground. We headed outside to walk to the traditional rug makers shop to hear the presentation.
This is when the shit broke loose. As we walked the streets there were beggars, and more beggars, and more beggars, and more and more. When I say beggars what I mean is people with amputated legs, eyeballs missing, fingers or yellow teeth missing, cut and torn lips and skin, staggering limps, bruised faces, rags on their bodies, a loss of hope in their eyes, their skin looked like leather. They all had something to sell, but it was the way they did it. It was so agressive. They would walk up to you, and shove something in your way. If you tried to keep walking they would walk with you and drop the price and continue to say the object item over and over shaking it around your hands. The more agressive the better they thought. It was just so much to handle and see. Kids no more than 5 years old with their eyebrows tightened begging you to buy gum from them, or a wood turtle. Not for only a minute this happened - this happened in and on and around all the streets. This happened for the rest of the day.
We went to the rug place, I hustled some cute sandals and a souvenir for my brother. I'm a good bargainer. We headed over to a oil and spice place, where it was the same thing. Demonstration and ability to buy. It was really nice and I spent quite a bit there but got a ton of really amazing things there.
At this point they told us we had 45 minutes to ourselves, but the beggars were just too much so we thought we'd grab a table and play it safe. This wasn't the scapegoat we thought it'd be. Still people coming up to us and begging. It was just exhausting.
We headed back to the bus, with the beggars literally walking us out of town and onto the bus. We headed to do some camel back riding!! Dad didn't ride but he did get a kiss!! :)
All in all, it was a great day. I made some new friends, and had a very fun time talking with them. There was a suprising number of people there from the Virginia area. I don't know if I would go again. My spirit was exhausted for almost anothe 24 hours, but I am glad I did it. I got some great souvenirs for some loved ones, a new appreciation for life and what a "real" ghetto is, and now I'm able to say I went to Africa.
Next, please.
Life is good, so much more than I ever realized until Africa.
mom and FR on the way to aFRica
view from getting off the ferry
thought this was cool
lighthouse built by mohammed V
entrance to the casbah
just one sight of the poverty
me and mom at lunch
the band having fun at lunch
downstairs section of the rug place
rug place and presentation (see mom & dad?)
me and my camel
dads new love affair!!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Food Recovery
Granada here we come! Alhambra here we come!! Or atleast we thought! It was supposed to take us 2 hours to get there, but it ended up taking nearly 4 after construction, traffic, and getting lost. Geez! It was such a beautiful day, too. We ended finding amazing parking, however, so we were grateful about that. The rest of the day was a breeze, despite not really knowing where we were going. Also, the Alhambra we wanted to go to books 3 weeks out. Another little loop hole, but we saw gorgeous town and did some wonderful shopping and ate an even more amazing lunch.
The lunch, and even the gelato dessert I'd say, were the highlight. But, trust me when I tell you, they were enough to pull it through to a fantabulistic event. We had tapas at a spot located on the Rio. It didn't look like anything much – well the waiter did – but the overall place was just decent. We walked in and noticed tapas for approx 3 Euro a piece. We started with 6 and decided to go from there. We ordered Manchego cheese, salomi, pork in salsa, fries with garlic mayonnaise and ketchup, calamari, and one other one I can't remember. So amazing. Dad ordered an Alhambra beer which was one of the best beers I've tasted and mom and I shared a bottle of water so big you could bathe in it. But we finished it, and paid our tab. 24 Euro for 3 people with fab food and beer is unheard of.
Now, let's talk about this Cone-Inn-Pizza. Can I take a vote on any one thinking this sounds good? I decided it would require too much head tilting during eating and carrying cases would be too much cardboard waste, mom said it just sounded gross, and dad said they should have buffalo wings as cherries on the top. Gross.
It was really a nice day. We headed back, sat in another 4 hours of traffic, and decided to call it an early evening. We got pizza from Papa Luigi's next door to their apartment and watched a movie called “One Good Year.” Good movie. Good enough for pizza and family! :) I spent the night at their house. Tomorrow was Morocco and we had to wake up at 4:45 am.
It's a good life, but just with lots of traffic and great food!!
I'll have to write about aFRica and today tomorrow. I'm pooped.
thats alhambra behind me
gross.
The lunch, and even the gelato dessert I'd say, were the highlight. But, trust me when I tell you, they were enough to pull it through to a fantabulistic event. We had tapas at a spot located on the Rio. It didn't look like anything much – well the waiter did – but the overall place was just decent. We walked in and noticed tapas for approx 3 Euro a piece. We started with 6 and decided to go from there. We ordered Manchego cheese, salomi, pork in salsa, fries with garlic mayonnaise and ketchup, calamari, and one other one I can't remember. So amazing. Dad ordered an Alhambra beer which was one of the best beers I've tasted and mom and I shared a bottle of water so big you could bathe in it. But we finished it, and paid our tab. 24 Euro for 3 people with fab food and beer is unheard of.
Now, let's talk about this Cone-Inn-Pizza. Can I take a vote on any one thinking this sounds good? I decided it would require too much head tilting during eating and carrying cases would be too much cardboard waste, mom said it just sounded gross, and dad said they should have buffalo wings as cherries on the top. Gross.
It was really a nice day. We headed back, sat in another 4 hours of traffic, and decided to call it an early evening. We got pizza from Papa Luigi's next door to their apartment and watched a movie called “One Good Year.” Good movie. Good enough for pizza and family! :) I spent the night at their house. Tomorrow was Morocco and we had to wake up at 4:45 am.
It's a good life, but just with lots of traffic and great food!!
I'll have to write about aFRica and today tomorrow. I'm pooped.
thats alhambra behind me
gross.
Fast Ride
Sorry for the lapse in emails. I haven't had internet for 3 days, and yesterday after returning from Africa I was exhausted. So I'll do my best to catch up.
This is FR's special day!! :) Easter Sunday morning – the plan was for the parents to pick me up from my apartment at 10:15am and head out to a new city. Cordoba was really beautiful. The scenery on the way there was gorgeous. Dad got super tired on the way there and even let me drive the fancy schmany rental. Another giant leap for mankind was that we didn't argue at all while I was driving. We stopped and I showed them the Pim's, which we bought and we headed on our way.
Mom and I played the happy game, (a game I made up where you list details in life that bring you joy.)
When we got there we found excellent parking. Rita (the GPS named short for Senorita) got us a little bit lost due to the Easter Parade street block offs, but we shrugged it aside since we had the parking fairy on our side. We walked toward the bridge and took lots of pics. As we crossed over into the other side we found gypsies who told mom “you'll have a short life.” when reading her right hand and “you'll have a long life.” when reading her left hand. I think they were legit, don't you?
We walked through the cathedrals and all the old city. It was really beautiful, as you can see from the pictures. The detailed work in all of the pieces that came together. We discussed how the US is so efficient, but something gets lost in the rush to get it done. It was really a new perspective on the wisdom of the other side. Taking time to craft and build. Hundreds of years later, things still in tact.
Life is good!!
This is FR's special day!! :) Easter Sunday morning – the plan was for the parents to pick me up from my apartment at 10:15am and head out to a new city. Cordoba was really beautiful. The scenery on the way there was gorgeous. Dad got super tired on the way there and even let me drive the fancy schmany rental. Another giant leap for mankind was that we didn't argue at all while I was driving. We stopped and I showed them the Pim's, which we bought and we headed on our way.
Mom and I played the happy game, (a game I made up where you list details in life that bring you joy.)
When we got there we found excellent parking. Rita (the GPS named short for Senorita) got us a little bit lost due to the Easter Parade street block offs, but we shrugged it aside since we had the parking fairy on our side. We walked toward the bridge and took lots of pics. As we crossed over into the other side we found gypsies who told mom “you'll have a short life.” when reading her right hand and “you'll have a long life.” when reading her left hand. I think they were legit, don't you?
We walked through the cathedrals and all the old city. It was really beautiful, as you can see from the pictures. The detailed work in all of the pieces that came together. We discussed how the US is so efficient, but something gets lost in the rush to get it done. It was really a new perspective on the wisdom of the other side. Taking time to craft and build. Hundreds of years later, things still in tact.
Life is good!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Fat Rabbit
Of course I ate the most I have eaten today since the whole time I've been in Spain because my parents arrived here. YES! Me mammy and pappy! We met up at the corner McDonald's (because you can't miss it) and headed from there to get Turkish food. The male owner was so funny. We sat outside and had yummy eats.
From there the 3 of us headed to try to find Old Town. We're not sure if we located it, but we did park and walk around a bit. We found lots of little treasures there. There were tiny cafes and beautiful side vendors. Really nice. I bought a gorgeous scarf that I'm so in love with for 5 Euro. I thought of Simone when I bought it. So something she would love and wear. We also discovered a beautiful church but it wasn't open. Interesting though, as we walked into the souvenir store for the church I noticed some Klu Klux Klan clay figurines for sale. I asked the owner what they were and he told us that during the week they have a procession. To them these tall pointed hoods are not KKK, they are a positive sign of religion. Each color represents a different day. So funny how the corn candy hats triggered something sensitive inside of me.
We left there and headed to eat a tiny place called "The Picadero" which means 'the arena.' I don't know why it means that, but it does. The place was filled with interesting art - some modern and some classic. We sat down and ate an 18 course meal.
1 Bottle "Arroyo" (Red) Wine
Warm bread w/ olive oil and butter
Salmon Tart
Spinach Salad with 3 inche large slices of fresh Parmesean
Chicken Pate
Mom & I both had Ox Tail and Dad had Sea Bass, HUGE.
Chocolate fondue for mother and I with fruit, dad had a trilogy of chocolates - dark, milk, white truffles laid on top of white and milk chocolate syrup
Cafe con leche & cappucinno
Dessert biscuits and apricot liqueor (2 shots a piece)
GEEEEZZZZZ..... I feel like a camel. I'm pretty sure I could not eat again for 3 months and be able to survive off of this.
But, life is good. I said "gordo" when they picked up my plate. He laughed. Yes!! I remembered the right word!!
Night!
xoxo
jojo
From there the 3 of us headed to try to find Old Town. We're not sure if we located it, but we did park and walk around a bit. We found lots of little treasures there. There were tiny cafes and beautiful side vendors. Really nice. I bought a gorgeous scarf that I'm so in love with for 5 Euro. I thought of Simone when I bought it. So something she would love and wear. We also discovered a beautiful church but it wasn't open. Interesting though, as we walked into the souvenir store for the church I noticed some Klu Klux Klan clay figurines for sale. I asked the owner what they were and he told us that during the week they have a procession. To them these tall pointed hoods are not KKK, they are a positive sign of religion. Each color represents a different day. So funny how the corn candy hats triggered something sensitive inside of me.
We left there and headed to eat a tiny place called "The Picadero" which means 'the arena.' I don't know why it means that, but it does. The place was filled with interesting art - some modern and some classic. We sat down and ate an 18 course meal.
1 Bottle "Arroyo" (Red) Wine
Warm bread w/ olive oil and butter
Salmon Tart
Spinach Salad with 3 inche large slices of fresh Parmesean
Chicken Pate
Mom & I both had Ox Tail and Dad had Sea Bass, HUGE.
Chocolate fondue for mother and I with fruit, dad had a trilogy of chocolates - dark, milk, white truffles laid on top of white and milk chocolate syrup
Cafe con leche & cappucinno
Dessert biscuits and apricot liqueor (2 shots a piece)
GEEEEZZZZZ..... I feel like a camel. I'm pretty sure I could not eat again for 3 months and be able to survive off of this.
But, life is good. I said "gordo" when they picked up my plate. He laughed. Yes!! I remembered the right word!!
Night!
xoxo
jojo
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Fluent Rubbish
.
The following entry will be written all in the accent I hear every day.
Today was not shab at all. It all started with a bit of tidying up the kitchen area and sweeping the floors. The bin bags were as high as they had ever been and it was time for a good rubbing. All was absolutely dusty to bits, just a nightmare. Following that, the boss and I departed for a fabulous trip towards Benalmadena. I just had to show her the scenery I had been to prior. Other than the tall 6 Euro toll charge it was smashing.
We walked down the boardwalk and found loads of absolutely brilliant jewelry. We bargained with some of the locals and Africans and such and waged our way into a purse, 2 rosaries, some English CD's and finally a bit to eat. Just delicious.
We knocked off around 3 to head back to the studio. Classes went well as planned and the ladies night left us nuckered. We left to the karaoke bar and sang a few and decided to head home. All in all it was just lovely and I would have loved for you to be there, darling. You just must come with us next time.
(Nope, not kidding.)Night!!!
Life is great!!
jojo
p.s. Gotta love my new European heels!! :)
The following entry will be written all in the accent I hear every day.
Today was not shab at all. It all started with a bit of tidying up the kitchen area and sweeping the floors. The bin bags were as high as they had ever been and it was time for a good rubbing. All was absolutely dusty to bits, just a nightmare. Following that, the boss and I departed for a fabulous trip towards Benalmadena. I just had to show her the scenery I had been to prior. Other than the tall 6 Euro toll charge it was smashing.
We walked down the boardwalk and found loads of absolutely brilliant jewelry. We bargained with some of the locals and Africans and such and waged our way into a purse, 2 rosaries, some English CD's and finally a bit to eat. Just delicious.
We knocked off around 3 to head back to the studio. Classes went well as planned and the ladies night left us nuckered. We left to the karaoke bar and sang a few and decided to head home. All in all it was just lovely and I would have loved for you to be there, darling. You just must come with us next time.
(Nope, not kidding.)Night!!!
Life is great!!
jojo
p.s. Gotta love my new European heels!! :)
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