tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69727548131383491502024-03-05T19:29:15.721-08:00aventuras en Españakarbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-19933552244353674322012-09-16T16:32:00.000-07:002012-09-17T11:51:56.810-07:00"Cycle the Wave" charity bike ride<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><b>Thank you/muchas gracias for your support. I raised $930 with your help.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">For those of you who have known me for a long time, you know that I am not new to biking. In fact, 18 years ago (gulp) I bicycled from Disneyland to Disneyworld in support of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center as my mom was sick from cancer and it was a small way for me to help make a difference (I raised $10K for the organization which Microsoft very generously doubled to $20K and some of you on this mail supported me even then). But I don’t get out on my bike nearly as much these days. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2j_Nm4dbz0LevTTQJN2ebpZDeenY8ooDC0-SvxGBl2mutXv_XFJ9t2vqjMzc7AFhhftqWvqznxvLIwOsEd27Q5SRkXC9U0UF6Zja1nvqn1SZOY3CBd6-xlVl0tfAGm2pHpv4iNPlFnQ/s1600/finish+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2j_Nm4dbz0LevTTQJN2ebpZDeenY8ooDC0-SvxGBl2mutXv_XFJ9t2vqjMzc7AFhhftqWvqznxvLIwOsEd27Q5SRkXC9U0UF6Zja1nvqn1SZOY3CBd6-xlVl0tfAGm2pHpv4iNPlFnQ/s200/finish+line.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karb and Sheryl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAz_RBFjHd1QI4MRnFFppd8nql8uJzF2UEF8nIH8TzznabWZIGUcSedbFCj4x4JTl9k8uJX06qKuZBaD6mg8nXjJJYMlnfrKGB5mBl69JLFA6Tzay3LdI7xp7xeZmioBOtBjg6k3Gw7M/s1600/hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAz_RBFjHd1QI4MRnFFppd8nql8uJzF2UEF8nIH8TzznabWZIGUcSedbFCj4x4JTl9k8uJX06qKuZBaD6mg8nXjJJYMlnfrKGB5mBl69JLFA6Tzay3LdI7xp7xeZmioBOtBjg6k3Gw7M/s200/hats.jpg" width="117" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With new hats (& skirt)<br />
bought from women <br />
owned businesses</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Neither my cool running buddy Sheryl or I spent enough time training but we psychologically committed to doing the “Burly Girl” loop (longest option at 60 miles/100km) and I am happy to report we finished both happy and tired. 5am wake up call, pick up at 6am, on the road/bike by 7am. It was clear that this was a special ride when as soon as we arrived at Issaquah High School (starting point) there was a large group of exuberant high school cheerleaders out to greet us and cheer us on. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig_0maFaS_qxbvBgg_zOkeCjn6aOHxhoxms4FNnuuSEdOsy9rbcS8kFKiXPdmxNHBF14LTMc5fBEU6etOWqLhF3pYqFd_snucRUhVVoSfO2A_0bmzDZDo88bSHTjh6FDbWbA9PYtyYXc/s1600/urinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig_0maFaS_qxbvBgg_zOkeCjn6aOHxhoxms4FNnuuSEdOsy9rbcS8kFKiXPdmxNHBF14LTMc5fBEU6etOWqLhF3pYqFd_snucRUhVVoSfO2A_0bmzDZDo88bSHTjh6FDbWbA9PYtyYXc/s200/urinal.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflower in the urinal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHStpkf5iyGYDMwbXwHX29uneH8YKT5MtqjyQuLTHEZvj5rDtLIDXtOgbqYZ84nd2yzfg1fHLyULHpzFUkGAO0xvXBzTpfd6dkABZ34u3amWCQauje1WJDf7Q0yO8KkEG218gubIDSbTE/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHStpkf5iyGYDMwbXwHX29uneH8YKT5MtqjyQuLTHEZvj5rDtLIDXtOgbqYZ84nd2yzfg1fHLyULHpzFUkGAO0xvXBzTpfd6dkABZ34u3amWCQauje1WJDf7Q0yO8KkEG218gubIDSbTE/s200/cake.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"After riding like a girl, you<br />
can have your cake and eat<br />
it too."</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The rest stops were well supported and staffed (no lines!) and there was even a group of cute Firemen handing out “Hot Tamales” candies about 20 miles in to the route. All the Honey Buckets were clean and decorated with flowers (!) and all along the ride there were people encouraging us along. The other biker chicks we met were all friendly and welcoming (and me being from Seattle, of course a girl from high school recognized me and said hello – yes, it had been almost 30 years).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotmMUDVhNz16Jm7SeLtJJPHg6pB7U1cTqguUIUcDlV6-0zLkBacCtuIPMpu49Lt30EP5nzzsHMU85fFt1jpMPmcGBsW5AzjkLM3Q8D0n_piYxzslJjzZvl8AI7b-zVLjBPcU2PLzR-Z8/s1600/hot+tamales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotmMUDVhNz16Jm7SeLtJJPHg6pB7U1cTqguUIUcDlV6-0zLkBacCtuIPMpu49Lt30EP5nzzsHMU85fFt1jpMPmcGBsW5AzjkLM3Q8D0n_piYxzslJjzZvl8AI7b-zVLjBPcU2PLzR-Z8/s200/hot+tamales.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Thanks again for your contributions and interest and please do think about joining me out there next year. Note that you don’t have to fundraise and there are a variety of options on ride lengths: 15, 25, 42, and 60. And those of you with daughters or nieces, it is a great ride for girls too!</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-37713393707600209502012-07-26T12:10:00.001-07:002012-07-26T12:10:11.699-07:00Finale<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333;"><strong>"Travel is intensified living."</strong> <em>Rick Steves, Seattle Travel Writer</em></span><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MZX0D32BfBl-tRjcoMxCL8QojxU3mdI5jxN5PzQA8FAJXJHiFNCCe2viSN6B8Nrw3tvGhSSg3vnqrxMAQzmQ_7mdLBQnFkLzPUPKLmYO5R3KQqu1DHthRgtoTTtw7dkYyNTopbBDHJs/s1600/family+in+Amsterdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MZX0D32BfBl-tRjcoMxCL8QojxU3mdI5jxN5PzQA8FAJXJHiFNCCe2viSN6B8Nrw3tvGhSSg3vnqrxMAQzmQ_7mdLBQnFkLzPUPKLmYO5R3KQqu1DHthRgtoTTtw7dkYyNTopbBDHJs/s200/family+in+Amsterdam.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along a canal in Amsterdam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABSN57bwWE1nmQ7HMIbbk7R7LHOImQwu-OMxOlgSyPpS0S4whYg1erS2FVfqnbQPL17KOrSiKdET5pJ8ShCaaTHwaLP-GvF-kyxtmjhj7_ivulNPEhRfMrJ2uUucIIuGZj2dTgHSyZC8/s1600/windmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABSN57bwWE1nmQ7HMIbbk7R7LHOImQwu-OMxOlgSyPpS0S4whYg1erS2FVfqnbQPL17KOrSiKdET5pJ8ShCaaTHwaLP-GvF-kyxtmjhj7_ivulNPEhRfMrJ2uUucIIuGZj2dTgHSyZC8/s200/windmills.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windmills</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">It is years like this that define one's life, even if you don't know it while it's taking place. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">I'm currently sitting in our cottage in Hood River, Oregon after a whirlwind 3+ weeks of travel preceding our return to the USA. Damn, it’s easy to be home. Our last week in Europe was spent in Amsterdam, a perfect place to readjust and get ready to return stateside as we experienced a variety of weather patterns including thunderstorms, downpours (our rented flat’s basement flooded with 3 inches of rain during our stay) and clear, sunny afternoons. We also enjoyed the variety of foods, ethnicities and cultures of a diverse, big city. We stayed an amazing flat on the Prinsengracht canal, just 2 blocks away from the Anne Frank House, which had plenty of room, an outdoor terrace, big windows overlooking the canal and access to the deck of a small boat that sat on the canal just outside. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fW9biBAODgizFTjXlW21vAKmyV3171s1WGYbVo5NxaMENFQ6J36BI3rR7KPiwZ1VgZXSSz1TbvA64T208s8XvM_SawK_3MBa79A8wzomZNwJoyoXiwRRdP8U2ic2Pxc3bd34uZiZSuQ/s1600/nemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fW9biBAODgizFTjXlW21vAKmyV3171s1WGYbVo5NxaMENFQ6J36BI3rR7KPiwZ1VgZXSSz1TbvA64T208s8XvM_SawK_3MBa79A8wzomZNwJoyoXiwRRdP8U2ic2Pxc3bd34uZiZSuQ/s200/nemo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEMO Science Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsDFM5Pin1Qe_uycBoJhg5CkxzlG7oTU69UaNwTRlPV-QTzhrt5uc1pIhDmicBgSs8PhdqgCgulKhbFQmYupmpWqjGY7QkORTeScjZEBScmL-x5QuGp6Nh3mAh1NOSlpkYzQzbhdgPnE/s1600/giraffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsDFM5Pin1Qe_uycBoJhg5CkxzlG7oTU69UaNwTRlPV-QTzhrt5uc1pIhDmicBgSs8PhdqgCgulKhbFQmYupmpWqjGY7QkORTeScjZEBScmL-x5QuGp6Nh3mAh1NOSlpkYzQzbhdgPnE/s200/giraffe.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 week old Baby Giraffe</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We visited that city’s amazing Science Museum, NEMO (twice!), their world-class Artis zoo where we discovered a 3 week old baby giraffe and spent lots of time just people watching and wandering the canal streets. Nat’s brother, Colin the Elder, was a perfect tour guide by suggesting good kid-friendly venues to visit as well as walking us around some great areas, taking us to visit some local windmills, cooking some fabulous meals in our rented flat and guiding us all on an epic 50km bike ride on the outskirts of Amsterdam at the end of the week. By luck, we had some overlap with Nat’s sister and family who were returning from a holiday in Italy so all 4 cousins got to hang out and catch up for a few days. It was truly a wonderful end to our year abroad. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brace cubs at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We left Amsterdam on Monday morning and after several hour</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">s at London-Heathrow, caught our direct British Airways flight to Seattle, arriving 9 hours later and just about the same time we left London due to the time change. At Seatac airport, Colin was immediately body-slammed by two of his best buddies from home and we were also welcomed home with a big tin of homemade chocolate chip cookies. We then spent the night at a dear friend’s house where friends whipped up an epic welcome home meal of pulled-pork sandwiches (Colin’s favorite) and the week has truly been one big party ever since, dining at friend’s houses and moving locations every few days while we made our way to Hood River, Oregon. A brief visit with my 80 year old step-dad and his wife in Bellingham was wonderful, a highlight being watching him fly his radio-controlled airplanes in a local field with amazing views of Mt. Baker. </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEbzzvGDU50gVG89pgHmG5-9NCQtc3GM35NrctTw1kAWCEUIBChmPZ1Wi8OQW7dTckIOtEyaCivWhe4GfRHPwr8gD5wR8CBWAACqtuPFY7nz5gLsczTMj8Zhv3oZVSAHaLFExvyjM5Qw/s1600/fietsveer%252C+Holysloot+20120715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEbzzvGDU50gVG89pgHmG5-9NCQtc3GM35NrctTw1kAWCEUIBChmPZ1Wi8OQW7dTckIOtEyaCivWhe4GfRHPwr8gD5wR8CBWAACqtuPFY7nz5gLsczTMj8Zhv3oZVSAHaLFExvyjM5Qw/s200/fietsveer%252C+Holysloot+20120715.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brace family bike ride</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">It is extremely difficult to summarize in a few paragraphs what this year has meant to our family. In a word, it has been <em>intense</em> and that encapsulates both the extreme highs and lows. When asked by friends at the dinner table the other night to describe our “best” and “worst” moment of our year away, it was hard to come up with an answer but both boys listed their new best buddies as their high and school as the low. For me the travel and new experiences was the high and missing my friends (and bathtub) was the low. Nat had a long list of highs (tapas, gardening, mountain biking…) and very little to say in the low department. For sure, it has brought us all different aspects of personal growth (maybe not as much for Nat who already has the innate ability to enjoy whatever he is experiencing). And although the boys say they didn't enjoy much, I know for a fact that they have grown exponentially as well. But we probably won't hear much about that for 15 - 20 years. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl1abVpn0w1Q_L1cmddMHK4Kev39Dizf4n9787uH5SbfIz9IrHXDvoCaABPDsNS3n-w3EEw5_2dA7qAF04ii9voPOxqz_jy7A6DzNjl1mqm3uTAGzbpWQxAsAODKFOSMuBPTN_G3K-Xc/s1600/prinsengracht-20120711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl1abVpn0w1Q_L1cmddMHK4Kev39Dizf4n9787uH5SbfIz9IrHXDvoCaABPDsNS3n-w3EEw5_2dA7qAF04ii9voPOxqz_jy7A6DzNjl1mqm3uTAGzbpWQxAsAODKFOSMuBPTN_G3K-Xc/s200/prinsengracht-20120711.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prisengracht canal at night</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Intense</strong></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">This year in Spain was much different than I expected but so rich in a variety of experiences and so much exposure to different cultures than our 2 urban American kids were used to. A lifetime of memories for sure. But most importantly for me, I think I learned that it is not the life experiences to look for but slowing down and experiencing life, whatever it brings. It's not about the places you go and things you see but the people you meet and how you spend your time, the ability to stop and appreciate that which is right in front of you (or inside of you) the entire time.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We've made some amazing new friendships that I hope last a long, long time, learned some new things about what it's like to be the underdog, not understand what is going on. We've survived some tough times and seen and visited places most people will never get the chance to see. Epic for sure. I hope I survive the transition back to normalcy and ask for your help as readers to help ease me back to our lives in the Pacific Northwest. Although I am really looking forward to catching up with all my wonderful friends back home, and will enjoy sleeping in my own bed again, I don't want to give up on the adventurous life we've had this past year. I just need to remember that one can find adventure wherever they are and that if you just slow down and pay attention, beauty, quietness, nature, change, differences, occur on an hourly basis, wherever you are. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and for letting us know that you were thinking of us. Although it was really hard for me to give up my support network while away, I don't think I could have experienced such tremendous personal growth unless I was forced to spend so much time alone and isolated from my friends back home. And now I know for sure, that life is good, wherever you are. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"></span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-29893856923318387052012-07-10T23:30:00.001-07:002012-07-10T23:33:21.536-07:00European adventures<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Before leaving Europe, we decided to squeeze in a few more last minute adventures. Boys have really become seasoned travellers now but I think we have the Apple company to thank for that (ipod technology). Don't know what we'd do if it weren't for "books on tape" (wow, isn't that an antique phrase?). We can plug them in (the boys, that is) and take them anywhere. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Paris</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OV6ze3xnaTiMolhQabG_vgLyZ4IRqohiISPAQVZnwFidLlfaxxJSV4FFLGHRxEylLMcUNLWK90czr-878k9WY8QhOeF9sgzjBQne3UK1sM3aXc73e5tFc5K3yuy6bE3PhALPZ2O0-N8/s1600/boys+on+arc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OV6ze3xnaTiMolhQabG_vgLyZ4IRqohiISPAQVZnwFidLlfaxxJSV4FFLGHRxEylLMcUNLWK90czr-878k9WY8QhOeF9sgzjBQne3UK1sM3aXc73e5tFc5K3yuy6bE3PhALPZ2O0-N8/s200/boys+on+arc.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the Arc de Triomphe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our flat in Paris</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We hadn't been to Paris in 12 years (since pregnant with Clark) and I can't say I have wonderful memories from there. I believe it was the first foreign speaking country I ever visited some 21 years ago and I remember my nervousness finding my way around this huge city alone on the metro with not so friendly people or waitstaff so I wasn't sure what it would be like. Either things have changed or my perspective has. Paris is just wonderful for kids, especially in nice weather as the city abounds with enormous parks filled with play areas and ponds, stunning architecture, delicious bakeries, and many fun transportation options, all easy and accessible. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys in Paris</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmktXf3X4mK5byzBgA4b1TbWTcCU1G4E-vSWu5FIk9NMtHw2C385vI_PH8VXB6pIP1M57ixAymdsCSdfbNwuFvzNdKzvEUG9Uz5SEBK4SQTZSh1FklRMR_8e2UNDHZg9Z098xJSeSlyE/s1600/notre+dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmktXf3X4mK5byzBgA4b1TbWTcCU1G4E-vSWu5FIk9NMtHw2C385vI_PH8VXB6pIP1M57ixAymdsCSdfbNwuFvzNdKzvEUG9Uz5SEBK4SQTZSh1FklRMR_8e2UNDHZg9Z098xJSeSlyE/s200/notre+dam.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pack 144 scouts in Paris</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We arranged to meet our friends the Maclean's (from Seattle) at the very center of Paris in front of Notre Dame and although about a half hour late (we've become very Spanish), we easily found Brendan, waiting patiently for us. The kids were so excited to see their friends and we spent the day happily moving between famous monuments (Luxembourg Gardens, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tour) until nightfall. Sadly we missed the Eurocup final game (Spain vs. Italy) but were thrilled to hear that España made the win. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating the boats in Luxembourg Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Louvre Museum</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next day we met up at the very crowded Louvre Museum to view the Mona Lisa but the boys much preferred playing outside, trying to scandalously collect coins thrown in to the fountains for good luck. We also bounced on the in-ground trampolines in the Tuileries Gardens nearby and then had a wonderful lunch out followed by a late dinner back near Rue Mouffetard. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun on the Bauteaux M<em>ouch</em>e</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining at Le Descartes</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">More touristy travels the next day, following a lovely Parisian breakfast of <em>café au lait, chocolat chaud et croissants</em>. We walked to the Pantheon and then the Catacombs but the line was too long so we opted to ride the Bateaux Mouche on the Seine while the Macleans headed to Sacre Coeur. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Swiss Alps</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys hiking the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly mountain sheep</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Early the next morning both families hopped on corresponding trains to meet up hours later in the Swiss town of Zermatt where Collette had organized an amazing 5 day mountain hike from "hut-to-hut" in the surrounding Swiss Alps. It was beyond memorable with some wonderful (albeit strenuous) hiking and amazing vistas throughout. Highlights included being followed by sheeps and mountain goats, delicious food at the mountain huts and spending time with our Seattle buddies, the Macleans. Boys got along famously which made the trip that much more fun for everyone. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opa in the Alps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opa's view overlooking the Matterhorn</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">On the third day of our hike we built a big cairn in Opa's honor on a hill near Schonbielhutte with a spectacular view overlooking the Matterhorn. The boys had fun building the tower and we buried some of Opa's ashes inside as well as scattered some on the surrounding hillside. We also picked some local flowers and grasses that he loved so well. It was a powerful memory and one I hope the boys treasure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Amsterdam</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We are now happily ensconsed in Amsterdam, Holland where Nat's brother Colin the Elder has lived for the past 25 years. It is an amazing city of canals, bicycles and diversity with plenty of things to see and do. We are also getting a gentle welcome back to rainy weather as the skies have been cloudy and gray with rain bursts as well as sunshine.</span></div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-47415992131006577782012-06-30T02:01:00.000-07:002012-06-30T02:01:45.471-07:00The Rock of Gibraltar and Tarifa, one more time<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXegJ-eI5JZHo7EGcTPl-mt1WB8zVap7s47nXcjCx7SkZ3jRkTQSQTnMwP1XqeWzul6Qx8li9oWCzd_z0enUDw_5BUoO-_ys-mgnxeIYyfPfkUPDJm4TKBjBj0SBnbTUWE3AAoPgjFig/s1600/airstrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXegJ-eI5JZHo7EGcTPl-mt1WB8zVap7s47nXcjCx7SkZ3jRkTQSQTnMwP1XqeWzul6Qx8li9oWCzd_z0enUDw_5BUoO-_ys-mgnxeIYyfPfkUPDJm4TKBjBj0SBnbTUWE3AAoPgjFig/s200/airstrip.jpg" vca="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airstrip separating Gibraltar from Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillars of Hercules</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We spent our last week in Spain visiting our favorite beach near Tarifa one more time as well as stopping off for an afternoon in the British-centric Rock of <a href="http://www.travelinginspain.com/gibraltar.htm">Gibraltar</a>. We were fortunate to immediately find a tour that showed us the highlights of the place on an extremely muggy and hot day. These included St. Michael's cave as well as other boy-friendly attractions like tunnels, cannons and the ever present free-range monkeys (very friendly as long as you let them approach you). Our guide Paul gave us very interesting background info and history on the area and we ended the day eating fish and chips at Roy's Cod Place. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGo0mPtTm_gikgkZGEHyHP7BweSjUTob2iMwpwOERfBrAVZIf7G7PWSREZgrn2Z16F6SHmd_UNVv_xXM6TZ4p6Fq3smyUx6DekN4dZYfjasfD38QjdMHZt8mNW0A_J11KUyos2KLNKqrU/s1600/futbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGo0mPtTm_gikgkZGEHyHP7BweSjUTob2iMwpwOERfBrAVZIf7G7PWSREZgrn2Z16F6SHmd_UNVv_xXM6TZ4p6Fq3smyUx6DekN4dZYfjasfD38QjdMHZt8mNW0A_J11KUyos2KLNKqrU/s200/futbol.jpg" vca="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching Spain vs. Portugal in the<br />
Eurocup semi-finals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsDmqlb64HFQwA-fzypNKRySRE53nLpNVwfX_ZF1AyRqR_Yqs3npvpHNkdZMuT6dOqeNv8opslxuq0B2Y1ser4KotOdfoyVuUjq8rGR2fkTDgmO5dqZcrAo5rG6Apd7i5LkCIKzennhU/s1600/monkeys+in+gibratar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsDmqlb64HFQwA-fzypNKRySRE53nLpNVwfX_ZF1AyRqR_Yqs3npvpHNkdZMuT6dOqeNv8opslxuq0B2Y1ser4KotOdfoyVuUjq8rGR2fkTDgmO5dqZcrAo5rG6Apd7i5LkCIKzennhU/s200/monkeys+in+gibratar.jpg" vca="true" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark monkeying around</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next few days were spent at the beach. Although it was almost windy enough to sail (lots of kiteboarders), Nat surprisingly wasn't tempted to get out on the water but we did build the requisate sand fort complete with 100 year wall and the boys spent loads of time in the pool, on the beach and in between the two. We watched the Euro-cup semi-final (Spain vs. Portugal) in the hotel bar along with 30 or so other rapid fans rooting for Spain (Spain won!).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiPqsepQxHzXabR-5iy6ritPPASdkL0z9txhbpTtrVeVPmHaiM100MYyFEYDdEnkdiYvpvhi1_WOQXM9eNMu5f7ygxnDrP3MZ-t7STDqCrXGAFk2ZHbFq7op-_hGhLCEqj7ajNtXCkgs/s1600/bolonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiPqsepQxHzXabR-5iy6ritPPASdkL0z9txhbpTtrVeVPmHaiM100MYyFEYDdEnkdiYvpvhi1_WOQXM9eNMu5f7ygxnDrP3MZ-t7STDqCrXGAFk2ZHbFq7op-_hGhLCEqj7ajNtXCkgs/s200/bolonia.jpg" vca="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman ruins of Bolonia</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next day we went to nearby Bolonia, which is an amazing place with Roman ruins next to a picturesque beach with white sand dunes along the southern coast of Spain. Gorgeous place, although the boys would have been happier staying at the pool.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next few weeks will be filled with more travel before our return home to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Although we're looking forward to the familiarity of home, it's certainly difficult to say goodbye to the life and friends we have made here. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Onward to Paris, the Alps and Amsterdam, and then Seattle....</span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-39014239844915111882012-06-19T02:43:00.003-07:002012-06-19T02:43:31.091-07:00Another tribute to Opa<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">OPA</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">O•PA<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(MASC.) –S, –S</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GERMAN: GRANDPA, GRANDAD (INFORMAL)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GREEK: AN EXCLAMATION, DECLARATION, OR AFFIRMATION OF LIFE; A PRONOUNCEMENT OF CELEBRATION; THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE ITSELF.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“OPA” IS ANOTHER WAY OF EXPRESSING JOY TO AND GRATITUDE FOR GOD, LIFE, HEALTH, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS; FOR BRINGING US INTO THE STATE OF ULTIMATE WISDOM. IT IS A HUMOROUS AFFIRMATION THAT YOU ARE AT YOUR BEST; THAT YOU ARE WHERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE; AND THAT YOU NEED TO STOP AND CELEBRATE.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TO EXCLAIM “OPA!” IS TO SAY I AM FILLED WITH HOPE AND CONFIDENCE THAT LIFE ABOUNDS WITH ALL THAT I NEED!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking yet another paella</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oma and Colin the Younger</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We just returned from a wonderful visit to Concord, MA to honor Nat's beloved father. Although the occasion was very sad, we had some wonderful cousin time, enjoyed their beautiful historic home and surrounds and spent time catching up with relatives and friends we don't get to see too often. As the Old North Bridge is right across the street, we also got in a litle bit of American history. </span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_h5leBJIrBOTy_uOq12L1iWi1DzuWiitN6Dk1-zW6L2Wr2usJFu-rulJu5JGRb9acy-uYp8SSe6Dnn14OtSkODLsZeq8aXZv6I5o_0Mx_frJcIEQIxmKOca9w0kpDv3P6Otm-kyreYng/s1600/walden+pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_h5leBJIrBOTy_uOq12L1iWi1DzuWiitN6Dk1-zW6L2Wr2usJFu-rulJu5JGRb9acy-uYp8SSe6Dnn14OtSkODLsZeq8aXZv6I5o_0Mx_frJcIEQIxmKOca9w0kpDv3P6Otm-kyreYng/s200/walden+pond.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys with Thoreau statue<br />
at Walden Pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins: Schuyler (13), Colin (9),<br />Lava (11) & Clark (11)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We also got some down time to swim at Walden Pond, my sister-in-law and running buddy, Sarah and I, took some lovely runs thru the nearby countryside of Estabrook Woods and Great Meadows and the Brace siblings cooked up a storm (a new paella pan was even purchased at the local kitchen shop). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Joyriding in Opa's tractor</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHbAhRy18CbE5VOUU84Jtokv4H4ytxFENmGYJtJ6yzAoOqvI5faZRhD2tvZjJPWHbfzcheg8hjW1MCo6avNbsIRNrTiWoGynpShgZZK4JxJAsN6yeB2v4yg3dmPHKtPuW8wAD9HD34wg/s1600/yardwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHbAhRy18CbE5VOUU84Jtokv4H4ytxFENmGYJtJ6yzAoOqvI5faZRhD2tvZjJPWHbfzcheg8hjW1MCo6avNbsIRNrTiWoGynpShgZZK4JxJAsN6yeB2v4yg3dmPHKtPuW8wAD9HD34wg/s200/yardwork.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark dumping grass clippings<br />
in Oma's enormous compost pile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth8U3pBQx2Lxu-BPDTc_s6z5jdBosIWDzrsieklWb5TJ0AcEHy4x1NDH3TUhJanplq3fVZFypupwDpR685t2eu3yWZsdDQ40GMnWg7PhchEF1y6lYtkELyWDqlZJbUDFVfTAC1wNLUDI/s1600/stokley+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth8U3pBQx2Lxu-BPDTc_s6z5jdBosIWDzrsieklWb5TJ0AcEHy4x1NDH3TUhJanplq3fVZFypupwDpR685t2eu3yWZsdDQ40GMnWg7PhchEF1y6lYtkELyWDqlZJbUDFVfTAC1wNLUDI/s200/stokley+pie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Stokley's famous pie</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">When you visit Oma, the first thing you do is "the Gulag" or chores she has set aside for your visit. The boys had great fun driving Opa's ride-on lawnmower and spent hours getting the yard spruced up. </span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dytyVNO1UbPoM0sbEkwHSdWnpSJxmKEWYGGIcSIKcFpYoLDHa0av7ztoj9xIWEGxtVY979T8U19b0m09qdRXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>LIFE LESSONS FROM OPA </strong><em>LECCIONES DE LA VIDA DE OPA</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Enjoy life! Make every moment count. </strong></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disfruta la vida! Hacer que cada momento cuente.</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Opa knew how to make the best of his time on this planet. Whatever he was doing, he did it with his full attention and focus. Whether studying rocks, hiking in nature, building furniture, spending time with his grandchildren or enjoying a delicious meal, he savored every moment.<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />Take care of your body.</b> C<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uida tu cuerpo.</i><br />It’s the only one you have and hopefully it will last you a long time. Opa had a lifelong enjoyment of physical exercise and kept his body in excellent physical shape. Besides exercising outdoors, he went to the gym regularly and worked out with a personal trainer. He enjoyed good food but knew how to balance it out with exercise and proper sleep. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><br />Don’t judge others.</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No juzgues a los demás.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Acepta a los demás como son.</i><br />Accept people for who they are, not who you want them to be. Everyone has their own unique gifts and strengths and Opa always focused on the positive. <br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />Enjoy nature. </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Disfruta la naturaleza. </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>Opa enjoyed being outside in whatever capacity he could – whether walking, hiking, cycling, rowing, running or skiing. <br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />Don’t worry about what other people think.</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No te preocupes por lo que piensa la gente.</i>Opa never wasted time worrying about what other people thought, he merely followed his own passions and pursuits. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Be open to new experiences. <br />
</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tienes que estar abierto a nuevas experiencias.</i></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Opa didn’t start running until his 40’s and soon became a marathon and ultra-marathon runner. He started building furniture after he retired from MIT in his mid-60’s. He was always open to trying new things, be it food, wine or travel. <br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Take the time to slow down and smell the roses. </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tómate tu tiempo para oler las rosas.</i><br />Opa always took the time to notice the plants, trees and flowers that surrounded him. <br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Give of yourself to others. </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ayuda a</i> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">los demás.</i>Opa assisted others by helping them train for a marathon, mentoring them at work or in his shop, and was always willing to offer a helping hand. </span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-13648139107600947782012-06-15T01:46:00.000-07:002012-06-15T01:46:16.324-07:00Winding down <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHWC3oyujzjqbDbERz7GEncDCCpbTEY-qTXn_Hu0168joXJ9FECzq-Fvticu5-lp0YcOlDBT14eDgOjlbsebD-BRdsaXxK3gU2yfK4sslq1w9vpDPcbOaM_JJgxbfX6ktNJwiAqw14AQ/s1600/clean+fish+tank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHWC3oyujzjqbDbERz7GEncDCCpbTEY-qTXn_Hu0168joXJ9FECzq-Fvticu5-lp0YcOlDBT14eDgOjlbsebD-BRdsaXxK3gU2yfK4sslq1w9vpDPcbOaM_JJgxbfX6ktNJwiAqw14AQ/s200/clean+fish+tank.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean fish tank</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAizbKejr7FhllJf9Y0xAlCg_Ty22_mzYtj46z5BLsTXdbRS47hNwwkitgV-Ps6-V_tJ_n1uN7j8FzWaVXd54cYVEpPklpUxBsBudrJB6eb27cI0xEY86OamwPM3HUZPXtypCzhsWPxao/s1600/Colin+at+Xavi's+abuela.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAizbKejr7FhllJf9Y0xAlCg_Ty22_mzYtj46z5BLsTXdbRS47hNwwkitgV-Ps6-V_tJ_n1uN7j8FzWaVXd54cYVEpPklpUxBsBudrJB6eb27cI0xEY86OamwPM3HUZPXtypCzhsWPxao/s200/Colin+at+Xavi's+abuela.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin in the pool at friend's <br />
<em>abuelos </em>(grandparents)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Well, our year in Spain is winding down as we only have a month left in our adopted country. After our week in Concord, we'll return for the last week of school and spend our final week in Spain relaxing, heading back to the beach, packing up the remainder of our things. Then it's on to northern Europe for few more adventures before heading back to the Pacific Northwest. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We'll fly to Paris on June 30th where we'll spend 4 nights before heading to Switzerland with some Seattle buddies to hike in the Alps near Zermatt for 5 days in "hut-to-hut" style which means hiking between mountain accomodations. Hopefully having friends along for the boys will motivate them to keep walking. Although we haven't done any formal training, as we have spent the entire year walking all around our hilly neighborhood I am hoping that we are in fine shape. After that, we'll take an overnight train to Amsterdam where Nat's brother Colin has lived for the past 25 years. I'm excited to spend some quality time in such a lovely city as we have a full week to get out and explore. We haven't been to these locations since I was pregnant with Clark and it will no doubt be a different experience with 2 energetic boys in tow. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaoKsR_bRUfYUvjNIYGxF35qHhzRCUcBDTAbu8uom6mEtMdZ8cy8TpqiHXchV4KhQ-y1JPwuE16dzSDg2mjid0sqmh6iSnlEgtmzsFJGeGanKDjU2CRSbNB_upZsosJnj30zOiE5ITYs/s1600/piscina+de+hans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaoKsR_bRUfYUvjNIYGxF35qHhzRCUcBDTAbu8uom6mEtMdZ8cy8TpqiHXchV4KhQ-y1JPwuE16dzSDg2mjid0sqmh6iSnlEgtmzsFJGeGanKDjU2CRSbNB_upZsosJnj30zOiE5ITYs/s200/piscina+de+hans.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys enjoyed the piscina (pool)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlItv0r7mMffY_9JsUD1duf7enOSQpC-pIwl7XGt7r8EALUjZwPXjZsC-5SzJYtJYeGLAH3zoy3a0BMqxey8bocNAagMGZ-zQ4Pfi6d_33Tx3XMU1tySxbStOh03oLahTfNsGLHGCVDo/s1600/hacienda+de+hans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlItv0r7mMffY_9JsUD1duf7enOSQpC-pIwl7XGt7r8EALUjZwPXjZsC-5SzJYtJYeGLAH3zoy3a0BMqxey8bocNAagMGZ-zQ4Pfi6d_33Tx3XMU1tySxbStOh03oLahTfNsGLHGCVDo/s200/hacienda+de+hans.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hacienda de Hans</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Fun in Pinos Genil</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We enjoyed some lovely tapas and pool time this past weekend at the gorgeous hacienda of a friend who lives in nearby <em>pueblo</em> of Pinos Genil. He happens to be the grandfather of Colin's buddy Nelson who lives in Hood River and we met him last summer while we prepared to move to Spain. Turns out he lives in the same area that we were about to move to and also eerily coincidental, he works in Geology and knew Bill Brace (Nat's dad) thru work and reputation. A small world indeed. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Jardin de Nat</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WXIbR3jbVP-Hj3H7paruKvoRALWvGPuQ3DZassqUQc0_aEGalV69kRRDwfT13HuAwIcn-_Dm_3dUqyKTm_JQR_OliOd6txpgaD_XbldgGXEi1-6fGE4v08Z6OmpTzBS_q5v2uPftkbY/s1600/cheries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WXIbR3jbVP-Hj3H7paruKvoRALWvGPuQ3DZassqUQc0_aEGalV69kRRDwfT13HuAwIcn-_Dm_3dUqyKTm_JQR_OliOd6txpgaD_XbldgGXEi1-6fGE4v08Z6OmpTzBS_q5v2uPftkbY/s200/cheries.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overabundant cherry tree</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIUF2e9LV4uxarHNF-45CfoRowNngMmlfCRxg_GiWck3hWHdB2h61pIvh_F-jwrQN0ehsM_BvDSBJ5PXW9snS4qDRQZB4ly_etPCClVaUxuBxak-9BT27EsnKrS1LL1i72xJYYgWLrVU/s1600/jardin+de+Nat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIUF2e9LV4uxarHNF-45CfoRowNngMmlfCRxg_GiWck3hWHdB2h61pIvh_F-jwrQN0ehsM_BvDSBJ5PXW9snS4qDRQZB4ly_etPCClVaUxuBxak-9BT27EsnKrS1LL1i72xJYYgWLrVU/s200/jardin+de+Nat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early crops</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Nat now puts countless hours in to his blooming garden and the hard work is starting to payoff. We eat fresh lettuce nightly and have also sampled basil, chard and will soon have cauliflower and pumpkins. The enormous crop of potaoes might drive our landlord crazy later this year... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Buen amigos</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKF7vaJea8BEy4QPwsWzEphWC1-y_fSvPZMye5Yyi3hrFKqQlXCPdEMYk3sVn1KsDZwAmwVc8sA26EGY88KDEiqUNuxRidXMYOmhfNzYdu1Apa7_G4AjGnJg6H5VV7LIJfau_zmPHDRM/s1600/Xavi+and+Colin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKF7vaJea8BEy4QPwsWzEphWC1-y_fSvPZMye5Yyi3hrFKqQlXCPdEMYk3sVn1KsDZwAmwVc8sA26EGY88KDEiqUNuxRidXMYOmhfNzYdu1Apa7_G4AjGnJg6H5VV7LIJfau_zmPHDRM/s200/Xavi+and+Colin.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xavi and Colin</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">It's going to be very hard for the boys to say <em>adios</em> to their new best friends. Clark bonded from the beginning with Kylian, whose mother is French, Dad is German and who at age 11 already speaks 4 lanugage fluently. Their family reached out to us early on as new arrivals and have continued to be wonderful weekend companions ever since. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">And Colin gravitates towards our next door neighbor, Xavi, whose family is Spanish and who goes to the same bi-lingual school so is already fluent in English. They have spent countless hours playing video games, collecting InviZimals trading cards and sharing books. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Eurovision 2012</strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuuF-Q8cdOsp3m7iGKAkNKFft0ADJMO-S8A1OsvxsFJjo-Y_HAPf3rF6SM3eW03GrLep2h-9Asq7uTi-EQ-j-Bux9y5qEoWptn88YLFxnmpFO3-NhyzxljzZ_23BrS2yrZ5ABrI5zXRo/s1600/eurovision-2012-baku-logo-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuuF-Q8cdOsp3m7iGKAkNKFft0ADJMO-S8A1OsvxsFJjo-Y_HAPf3rF6SM3eW03GrLep2h-9Asq7uTi-EQ-j-Bux9y5qEoWptn88YLFxnmpFO3-NhyzxljzZ_23BrS2yrZ5ABrI5zXRo/s200/eurovision-2012-baku-logo-light.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Another fun learning was the (some say tacky) annual <a href="http://www.eurovision.tv/page/baku-2012">Eurovision music contest</a> which just took place in Baku, Azerbaijan a few weeks ago. Colin and I were captivated watching the semi-finals together and we both preferred <a href="http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/year/participant-profile/?song=27673">Cyprus</a> to the winner <a href="http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/year/participant-profile/?song=27943">Sweden</a>. And we even learned some geography along the way. Must admit, I had never even heard of San Moreno, which is a tiny country within Italy's borders. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Integration</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">In many ways, I have finally adopted to the Spanish lifestyle and culture - I have been known to leave the house at 11:15 (PM!) to go out for the evening, am more relaxed about <strong>not</strong> getting to places on time (Spaniards are not known for their punctuality) and can now easily drive in our crazy Albayzin neighborhood with no problem. But in other ways, I doubt I will ever adapt, no matter how much time we spend here. </span><br />karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-23864618469682139342012-06-01T04:34:00.001-07:002012-06-01T04:34:49.380-07:00Summer has arrived<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiQlYRm2e_lg-1U-PzxX40nVuiAcYnmxgkEMMBXuIIi3MC5bf5WG45JyrGkgpw00vmyQmyQpM-bJyC-XXiPPXHLutvr8sdNVs4sE3gzl0SLiLCg18GeapGHPJGGKZO_UioQ0YNPAMfAA/s1600/fountains+and+gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiQlYRm2e_lg-1U-PzxX40nVuiAcYnmxgkEMMBXuIIi3MC5bf5WG45JyrGkgpw00vmyQmyQpM-bJyC-XXiPPXHLutvr8sdNVs4sE3gzl0SLiLCg18GeapGHPJGGKZO_UioQ0YNPAMfAA/s200/fountains+and+gardens.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gardens and foundains <br />
at the Generalife</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34xtVg25wNRrys8u_1_4rDdVCr7A9w2hXTgQ6LyZtfO3XK1dR1eNWSrmLb6VwN719W9RHA44OdyGgAf1PipFbGySW-vNiW7EAHX5k_nQoT974RUaZYpLft4gqR6TXUfAWwN3B4cEPKW4/s1600/stonework+at+generalife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34xtVg25wNRrys8u_1_4rDdVCr7A9w2hXTgQ6LyZtfO3XK1dR1eNWSrmLb6VwN719W9RHA44OdyGgAf1PipFbGySW-vNiW7EAHX5k_nQoT974RUaZYpLft4gqR6TXUfAWwN3B4cEPKW4/s200/stonework+at+generalife.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornate stonework</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have spent the last few weeks adjusting to life without Opa, enjoying the summer lifestyle Spain has to offer and spending time with our Granadian friends. Summer has arrived with a big change in the weather. Suddenly, it is very hot outside during the day and the air feels warm even in the evening. Lovely for being outdoors at night but a bit unbearable in the direct sunlight during the day. Shade is now a requirement. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Uncle Paul</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyE2_lh7UONw1R4gmlhwjuEEnEb-IEoIFyIeD1Fat3PonqVAOmchQEn5VpOBktHlt146AwvqMTnU8yFGanzyb_j5gnMIqhyphenhyphenOg7HCtuM6bmuQrw2h8OPkRGYQXAxhHnjjhYsBNpQLHFu8/s1600/me+and+paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyE2_lh7UONw1R4gmlhwjuEEnEb-IEoIFyIeD1Fat3PonqVAOmchQEn5VpOBktHlt146AwvqMTnU8yFGanzyb_j5gnMIqhyphenhyphenOg7HCtuM6bmuQrw2h8OPkRGYQXAxhHnjjhYsBNpQLHFu8/s200/me+and+paul.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
My brother Paul and I <br />
celebrating his 50th birthday</div>
</td></tr>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7zEMWGk5ZhkIpwVSu0cf5Etka4m_CJrKMnMFns-iCHWEeMcArwneVD3Kx9J0QIs5bMwol4Ftc1hsfgC7jfnzEwl_MhtQ7JQLf-aWa9V9SJGEfQklsYshY76MGQR1lqzeJax4vhU3ffg/s1600/Paul+at+bull+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7zEMWGk5ZhkIpwVSu0cf5Etka4m_CJrKMnMFns-iCHWEeMcArwneVD3Kx9J0QIs5bMwol4Ftc1hsfgC7jfnzEwl_MhtQ7JQLf-aWa9V9SJGEfQklsYshY76MGQR1lqzeJax4vhU3ffg/s200/Paul+at+bull+ring.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Plaza del Tores (bullring)<br />with his broken leg</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My brother Paul turned 50 this month so planned a few special vacations in commemoration. As he enjoys motorcycle riding, he planned to visit us in Granada after a week long motorcycle tour out of Madrid. But 3 days before he was supposed to fly to Spain he broke his fibula (bone in his lower leg) during an accident on his motorcyle in Mexico. </span><br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpm48_1wiN0PJocjLMaLEqsZHEmkysG7REn2pUq5aiBZ87htdEYrIcrqsaVTpItSu8TPSLozMI4k7xWrNedjDmBUVtrH3M1hmEhHfVSVFcj8YGnXyEKsqfYzUkz_I79l6U5WiTrh9KVA/s1600/paul+and+los+ninos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpm48_1wiN0PJocjLMaLEqsZHEmkysG7REn2pUq5aiBZ87htdEYrIcrqsaVTpItSu8TPSLozMI4k7xWrNedjDmBUVtrH3M1hmEhHfVSVFcj8YGnXyEKsqfYzUkz_I79l6U5WiTrh9KVA/s200/paul+and+los+ninos.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Paul and los chicos</td></tr>
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<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN-PJdsCRWazalWG32OisW1f5dHfhjgBNXQ-HqafgqkHBS4KZK1AP2n7bKaWVu5jfiO-EYLY1RfduwiUHcqMvo77qUwO4D36uXRddGMmScpFeEfhwJBncMaC32sP3-u5wqsr8D5RlBf4/s1600/paul+on+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN-PJdsCRWazalWG32OisW1f5dHfhjgBNXQ-HqafgqkHBS4KZK1AP2n7bKaWVu5jfiO-EYLY1RfduwiUHcqMvo77qUwO4D36uXRddGMmScpFeEfhwJBncMaC32sP3-u5wqsr8D5RlBf4/s200/paul+on+tower.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul on top of the Alcazaba</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fortunately he was able to cancel the upcoming tour and delay his </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">flight by a few days so instead came direcly to Granada, walking boot and all. Although not an easy place to get around what with all the cobblestone streets, stairs and hilly climbs, he hobbled his way around just fine. And his unhurried pace forced me to slow down and take the time to look around, walk at a very leisurely</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> pace and stop and smell the roses so to speak, so was a good exercise in going with the flow. We enjoyed a relaxed day at the Alhambra where I got to explore the Generalife (hen-er-al-leaf-eh) for the first time and really appreciate the beautiful gardens and fountains there. And we had some amazing lunches out and probably the best food I've had all year. Not sure if it is just good luck or I am appreciating things more. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Book club</strong></span><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PcU3crA-miK6-0m4nK-ASLMno_uhQeOcvaY0Cl8xQZAd0bYIb4sI0finrXIgfI6Y9C08nWoZv8KZnt6SdV-iLDKnBO5ShBdMOj2W9qj1c4P4GlivKyJ_UUvRUoiUsDD9yulVLoguqTY/s1600/book+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PcU3crA-miK6-0m4nK-ASLMno_uhQeOcvaY0Cl8xQZAd0bYIb4sI0finrXIgfI6Y9C08nWoZv8KZnt6SdV-iLDKnBO5ShBdMOj2W9qj1c4P4GlivKyJ_UUvRUoiUsDD9yulVLoguqTY/s200/book+club.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book club friends</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHfsvYa39V_lASNOPshOOX7QgkQPLO1c_bWodCPLdchHCXMmGya_lB9JHa5_kfAEhltZEm0dtTL9mUx7i_LuEqphhrFrEDBGkkY4LJiq_ixr4AhglhzE-t9CibzGrN9JPfE7AY4GvfGc/s1600/Fun+with+straws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHfsvYa39V_lASNOPshOOX7QgkQPLO1c_bWodCPLdchHCXMmGya_lB9JHa5_kfAEhltZEm0dtTL9mUx7i_LuEqphhrFrEDBGkkY4LJiq_ixr4AhglhzE-t9CibzGrN9JPfE7AY4GvfGc/s200/Fun+with+straws.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with straw making kit sent<br />by Aunt Kate</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I hosted my American book club the other night and 7 friends and I enjoyed an amazing potluck feast in our home and garden. It's the first time we've eaten outside but the change in the weather made it rather pleasant. No bugs either. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Mulhacen</strong> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_bUtUPXJHHqIIJ7Muy_au2c00EKXByLDevZs9ke_Zi-JOzrOxvMFfQLVIaJJqkyoVV4bapjeoCQf6CB7UdhZVCH5WYKv6xHcFDycYvvmWZt4zTIgbspAuZ1IF4VRLQuDHYNnHtwxmz0/s1600/lunch+at+trevelez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_bUtUPXJHHqIIJ7Muy_au2c00EKXByLDevZs9ke_Zi-JOzrOxvMFfQLVIaJJqkyoVV4bapjeoCQf6CB7UdhZVCH5WYKv6xHcFDycYvvmWZt4zTIgbspAuZ1IF4VRLQuDHYNnHtwxmz0/s200/lunch+at+trevelez.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olafur, Nat and Tom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtVk1AjZTYF_JhYxwIDoeqoev7IjASJxh1ZzksVrTeCT_Tz6rWBaLj6BivlEvNfJPsf8fDufEh2zL0ZAkYKmkIZ7dG1JirShYVkMwu3y6ZlJ7arRzm3ZMdOcx-qUboHej_PIO78Ld8zA/s1600/refugio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtVk1AjZTYF_JhYxwIDoeqoev7IjASJxh1ZzksVrTeCT_Tz6rWBaLj6BivlEvNfJPsf8fDufEh2zL0ZAkYKmkIZ7dG1JirShYVkMwu3y6ZlJ7arRzm3ZMdOcx-qUboHej_PIO78Ld8zA/s200/refugio.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refugio Poqueira</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nat, our Icelandic neighbor Olafur, and a Canadian friend of his just spent 2 days hiking up and over Mulhacen, the highest point in Spain which is right near Granada in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. Although the trip was only overnight, it required some serious planning and acquiring the appropriate gear as it is always best to be prepared in the great outdoors, wherever it be. They took the bus to the jamon (ham) famous pueblo of Trevelez in the Alpujarras and after lunch climbed 1000 meters up to <a href="http://refugiopoqueira.com/">Refugio Poqueira</a> where they spent the night before the summit the next day. </span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYubcfUEHxL2bSafL4_CXV4pU-baz57ab8ozrzvVU3G0I1eGXlmKtQxhQArbYZwquFK53F0OZD9J3op4grK6Gs1FJMw3ou-ppg3OmSBiXuHawo_SfyW9sexPR-7ZfWF5FmHF_msiexbL4/s1600/breal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYubcfUEHxL2bSafL4_CXV4pU-baz57ab8ozrzvVU3G0I1eGXlmKtQxhQArbYZwquFK53F0OZD9J3op4grK6Gs1FJMw3ou-ppg3OmSBiXuHawo_SfyW9sexPR-7ZfWF5FmHF_msiexbL4/s200/breal.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4L6y7UBYGtFQ-Gp0s-QKmzXhXXgY3p2_yyRB6x8p-xBp_C2A6JvCRZEvkEWBHvLyHZUGvIbAE3DO37TZWhNZjI3JcQT-T0MqPnow_qSzBr24no5Vh64G5zShPt5y9P1ZBfBF-Dt32yE/s1600/summitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4L6y7UBYGtFQ-Gp0s-QKmzXhXXgY3p2_yyRB6x8p-xBp_C2A6JvCRZEvkEWBHvLyHZUGvIbAE3DO37TZWhNZjI3JcQT-T0MqPnow_qSzBr24no5Vh64G5zShPt5y9P1ZBfBF-Dt32yE/s200/summitt.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit at 3483 meters</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Up and out by 9am, they climbed an additional 1,000 meters to the summit (3,483 meters) around noon time. They enjoyed the views for a spell and even greeted some juvenile mountain goats who were also "sumitting." Then they started the trek down; the plan being to traverse a valley beneath neighboring Pico de Veleta and meet up at the ski area some time that afternoon. When Anna and I didn't hear from them by 8 or 9 at night, we started to get a little worried and called the Refugio for a weather report but heard that the weather was fine and that cell phones didn't work that high up on the mountain. Finally, at 9:30pm I got a call from Nat as they had fortunately just gotten cell access. </span><br /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6t52RB2Ohkr2kGaMD6rwHDk0YSacI7vTdb0NQDSF-hvNcVrwpHaZFSCsgazHU_hz1qkIJOf-5aye-cjzRCRB1c9JYxR8WvY5d6nb-PK-hxna47U3pZJKslgYxBeS9QfuL0Aoeu1Bnjq8/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6t52RB2Ohkr2kGaMD6rwHDk0YSacI7vTdb0NQDSF-hvNcVrwpHaZFSCsgazHU_hz1qkIJOf-5aye-cjzRCRB1c9JYxR8WvY5d6nb-PK-hxna47U3pZJKslgYxBeS9QfuL0Aoeu1Bnjq8/s200/snow.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nieves (snow)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTcYGvi3bGW8TRhDGy2NTH_TuyFHG3omfYqLzNUmr-OqjW75zCMvIfkTm6BzlB_ttMT9NCOfwD9bynTo9zzr130i-wjyscLUsYInEhR5OMAyDhI003xqfnQW4vbIHIKJWmIQnEL87z-A/s1600/mountain+goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTcYGvi3bGW8TRhDGy2NTH_TuyFHG3omfYqLzNUmr-OqjW75zCMvIfkTm6BzlB_ttMT9NCOfwD9bynTo9zzr130i-wjyscLUsYInEhR5OMAyDhI003xqfnQW4vbIHIKJWmIQnEL87z-A/s200/mountain+goat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain goat</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although they knew exactly where they were the whole time, there had been a slight problem with the maps. Since they never found the correct trail from the botom of the valley across to the ski area, they needed to walk out the length of the valley. Now they needed a pick-up from a trailhead in a completely different area which required many more hours of walking for them. Fortunately I had a pretty good idea how to get there having been there a few times before (mind you, the drive is about an hour away and along a very, very steep incline with sheer cliff drop-offs on one side so thankfully it was pitch dark). I arrived at said empty parking lot out in the middle of nowhere at 11:15pm and within 5 minutes I saw the lights of a headlamp exiting out of the woods and towards the car. There was Nat and his two companions, thirsty and tired, and looking a bit ragged, but completely safe and sound. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Memorial Service for Opa</strong></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The entire family is heading to Concord, MA to attend Opa's Memorial service on June 12th. We'll head back a few days early to get over the jet lag and help out Oma where necessary. Although it will be a sad affair, reunions with family and friends will be much welcome. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-1549244850026755142012-05-09T15:08:00.001-07:002012-05-09T15:08:38.688-07:00Our beloved Opa<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Dedicated to William F. Brace (August 26, 1926 - May 2, 2012)</strong></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BFvEcTagn1kguSuMLutfJo3Yqr2D26ikD0dupgZ2zJw1b49diafTKz6PYvlnwlMwUmJmH7JrcFl0AGTtCQ93mt7zdx0z7IP47RIiqujaRhxxlrNzBEwtpraOb67tF8qIImjZrQCdyo4/s1600/brace.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BFvEcTagn1kguSuMLutfJo3Yqr2D26ikD0dupgZ2zJw1b49diafTKz6PYvlnwlMwUmJmH7JrcFl0AGTtCQ93mt7zdx0z7IP47RIiqujaRhxxlrNzBEwtpraOb67tF8qIImjZrQCdyo4/s200/brace.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We lost our beloved Opa very unexpectedly this past week, Nat’s wonderful 85 year old father who was truly our hero, our stabilizing force, our role model. This guy lived every day to the fullest and had some amazing human qualities that I admire greatly. He and his wife Oma were supposed to be visiting us here in Granada last week, but very intuitively, they cancelled their trip at the last minute as he was having some trouble with dizziness and balance that was unexplained. And as our neighborhood in the Albayzin is very hilly and full of cobblestone streets, walking is difficult, so of course we supported this decision although we were very disappointed. We hoped they could reschedule for June. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Supporter</b><br />When we first told Opa we were moving to Spain for a year, his first response was “How can I help?” and “When can I visit?” This was classic Opa. No matter what you wanted to do, however crazy, he was your number one supporter and fan. When his kids were just out of college, he bought each of them one of the first Macintosh computers in hopes that they could use this fancy new tool to learn new skills. Nat took off in journalism, Colin in translation and Sarah in biology. When Nat took a year off to be a ski bum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Opa applauded it. When Nat’s sister Sarah moved across the country to attend graduate school in Seattle (from Boston), Opa drove across the country with her. When Nat’s brother Colin decided he wanted to travel around South America for much of his 40<sup>th</sup> year, Opa was his number one supporter. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Nat’s sister Sarah heard that Opa had cancelled his upcoming visit, she realized something was amiss and decided to fly back for a visit (she lives in Seattle, they in Concord, MA). The day she arrived (a week ago Wednesday and the day that would have been his 3<sup>rd</sup> day here in Spain), Opa ended up in the ER complaining of chest pain. </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzGcBRInPZasCKjeNDSTbsAfPE0eG2Lmq8hNImUnAVwAHdDs7rTejSeeEpXK0JJ4LhDJ1VnAQ8C5kx6uZGXL4v453zT3lWs2Z3gmeJER26UrP2eUzGT6HXvOfUk2zz7i2IlKIlt8kztY/s1600/Runners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzGcBRInPZasCKjeNDSTbsAfPE0eG2Lmq8hNImUnAVwAHdDs7rTejSeeEpXK0JJ4LhDJ1VnAQ8C5kx6uZGXL4v453zT3lWs2Z3gmeJER26UrP2eUzGT6HXvOfUk2zz7i2IlKIlt8kztY/s200/Runners.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opa is on the left</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig9c-wUxNwyNYhft74NgsHdm8NhVBfyOx7-pblckrkJXEdWukh8K3l7S7ZbO3OqZPO4trnviZHQfxwCToKsPvEV3B6GUd_GgcYWmtmlmPa5OHVbjatjOqt43b8mW5d_NurSc1iW25EVY/s1600/opa+skiing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig9c-wUxNwyNYhft74NgsHdm8NhVBfyOx7-pblckrkJXEdWukh8K3l7S7ZbO3OqZPO4trnviZHQfxwCToKsPvEV3B6GUd_GgcYWmtmlmPa5OHVbjatjOqt43b8mW5d_NurSc1iW25EVY/s200/opa+skiing.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opa skiing at Big White, B.C. with <br />his 4 grandchildren</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fitness</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I should note that although Opa was 85, he had the body of a 60 year old. He spent much of his life taking good care of his physical self by running marathons (over 20), ultramarathons (50 milers), climbing mountains, skiing, hiking, bicycling, rowing crew and whatever else he could think of to be outside and keep himself in shape. He was never happier than when he was outside in nature and enjoyed introducing the great outdoors to others and inspired many to follow his lead. I know that he coached many young people while at MIT as they trained for their first marathon. He took his Concord running buddies hiking through the Grand Canyon, one of his favorite places in the world. When his body slowed down and he had knee replacement surgery in his 70’s, he kept fit by hiking and bicycling. When balance issues made bicycling difficult, he kept on walking. He had just been skiing this past winter with his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren at Crystal Mountain near Seattle. The guy was unstoppable. He had never been in the hospital a day in his life. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But last Wednesday Opa ended up at Mass General in Boston, epicenter of great healthcare and the best possible place for him in his current condition. They transferred him there after discovering he had a few clogged arteries, and scheduled him for routine bypass surgery the following Wednesday, after the blood thinners they gave him wore off. We were all shocked to hear this news and although we knew he would be fine, Nat jumped on a plane to get there in time for the surgery and to help his sister and mother out when moving him home for his recovery. </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm_6tlsvEaqPtkpDXVIlUsB364O3On_7LbIghA-rogYNsBGQTZ0ZL_sktpYu7NabpqNX8WwEmRG0B7iR9IZNJqJp7cg_jmvMZBoqmrFUgZcJjbnHxYADS1JxVZKtd4jV2CAKUf9XawLk/s1600/brace-william.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm_6tlsvEaqPtkpDXVIlUsB364O3On_7LbIghA-rogYNsBGQTZ0ZL_sktpYu7NabpqNX8WwEmRG0B7iR9IZNJqJp7cg_jmvMZBoqmrFUgZcJjbnHxYADS1JxVZKtd4jV2CAKUf9XawLk/s200/brace-william.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor at MIT: Boston, MA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Geology</b><br />Opa spent his professional career as a Geo-physics Professor at MIT and helped bring his children up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After earning tenure and being lauded for pioneering new models describing how rocks behave under the intense pressure of earthquakes and other tectonic activity, he was promoted to Head of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department. Although a prestigious title, I don’t think he ever really enjoyed the role, preferring lab and field work to politics and management. Nonetheless during his eight years as head, he lead the department though a difficult merger with another department and was lauded for his consensus-building, hands-on and engaged management style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nat arrived in Boston on Monday afternoon and went straight to the hospital. As usual, his dad was in great spirits, felt wonderful, was enjoying his stay in the hospital flirting with the young nurses, appreciating the food (!), and generally making the best of his circumstances, whatever they be. Nat got to spend Tuesday chatting with him about Spain, past hikes and trips with him and make plans for visiting us in Hood River later this year. The kids and I were able to Skype with him in the hospital 3 or 4 times during his stay there and we all told him we loved him on Tuesday, pre-surgery. </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy1878pBO7MDYUbtPCc9o1fygC0kUFyF8_h7ijUsuKcMQPGCxbOsSTnn1ABxbCBZzoYtNu7IEzQOhRFUy5HihaAZcRAWMfxbuixKolbLD6uTj9FJx6amgXGGb6oJKAH4_Dzijb1LvgBQ/s1600/Master+bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy1878pBO7MDYUbtPCc9o1fygC0kUFyF8_h7ijUsuKcMQPGCxbOsSTnn1ABxbCBZzoYtNu7IEzQOhRFUy5HihaAZcRAWMfxbuixKolbLD6uTj9FJx6amgXGGb6oJKAH4_Dzijb1LvgBQ/s200/Master+bedroom.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four poster bed in Seattle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Furniture</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span><shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 213.85pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 15.3pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 160.4pt; z-index: -251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Karb\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="tight"></wrap></shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After retiring from MIT in his mid-60’s, Opa turned to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://wfbrace.com/">furniture making</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and put together an amazing shop off their house in Concord, MA. He took beautiful pieces of wood and turned them into the most beautiful pieces of artwork one can imagine. His work is truly gallery worthy and Oma hosted a lovely showing of his furniture several years ago at a shop in Concord where many of his pieces were displayed. Although he sold a few odd pieces here or there, he built furniture because he enjoyed it and to give to the people he loved. For our wedding 15 years ago, he sent us out 2 beautiful end chairs made out of gorgeous, red cherry wood, the seats covered in dark green fabric with a leaf pattern. And every year since we have received some new delight in the mail, including a large dining room table which comfortably seats 12, a china hutch custom designed to match our window pattern, a hat stand, a dresser and a grand King-sized 4 poster bed that arrived shortly after the birth of our second child (matching bedside tables arrived the following year). Our home in Seattle (as well as Nat’s brother and sister’s) are filled with his treasures. It’s literally a living museum of Opa’s furniture.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day during the 4-6 hour surgery, everything went well. Nat and company heard from the surgeon that the procedure was over, they had fixed 3 arteries, and that they could see Opa in about an hour. This was about 10:30pm our time here in Spain so we went to bed feeling like things went well and we could get an update on things in the morning. Another interesting note: Opa had planned to bring the boys over t-shirts with (American) football logos on them. Since they cancelled their trip, he had Oma ship them instead and I picked the package up from the post office on Monday. The one for Clark showed the New England Patriots vs. the New York Giants in Superbowl XLV. The one for Colin, although adult-sized, was of his favorite player #87 “Gronk” for </span></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Gronkowski"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #336699; font-family: Calibri;">Rob Gronkowski</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. They both had their t-shirts on when they went to bed and both ended up in my bed that night on either side of me. </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At about 2:30 in the morning I woke up to strange music playing upstairs. I went up to investigate and found that Clark’s laptop was playing silly music from a web site. I turned it off but because I was awake I decided to check my email to see if Nat had sent any further updates re: Opa’s condition. I was absolutely shocked and devastated to see one titled “We lost Opa tonight.” Apparently, Opa had gone in to cardiac arrest in the recovery room following surgery and although they whisked him back to the OR for several hours they couldn’t resuscitate him and he never woke up. The doctors were shocked as well as he just didn’t fit the profile for someone that wouldn’t survive this routine surgery.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We can all rest assured that Opa went out on his own terms: at the top of his game mentally (he was an avid reader and always passed book recommendations on to friends and family), extremely fit for his age (he still worked out with a personal trainer several times a week), and looking forward to future projects. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwoxaKvF_wKK30woGdekHRR1dy5d2Dy49od096ZhSy9dbjg8d5Vhw957QyTNIIvARsY0ZdHFB0Nb9iuPyxflSoGD5bYACDAO16xRmDsnPzqwtDEH7WYsztBzpP3ZMtF8fgyFjUEj290Y/s1600/siblings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwoxaKvF_wKK30woGdekHRR1dy5d2Dy49od096ZhSy9dbjg8d5Vhw957QyTNIIvARsY0ZdHFB0Nb9iuPyxflSoGD5bYACDAO16xRmDsnPzqwtDEH7WYsztBzpP3ZMtF8fgyFjUEj290Y/s200/siblings.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat, Colin and Sarah</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He left us so many gifts, the most important being his 3 wonderful children, all amazing and perfect in their own way. I admire them all equally and in different ways: Colin (we named our youngest son after him) their handsome, multi-lingual, extremely smart elder son who lives in Amsterdam, Nat, my stable, multi-talented jack-of-all-trades husband who like his father is happy wherever he is, and one of my dearest friends and running buddies Sarah, who values both science and fitness, just like her dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The greatest thing about Opa was how he lived his daily life. He never judged anyone, was always open to new experiences, took the time to slow down and smell the roses (and check out the grasses, trees and plants), didn’t ever worry about what other people thought of him, and always gave of himself to others. What an inspiration. As they say, if you love somebody, set them free. It’s so hard to say goodbye but we learn so much in the process.</span></div>
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<br /></div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-45389580323925051032012-04-23T03:54:00.000-07:002012-04-23T03:54:25.305-07:00The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Buen amigos (good friends)</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8nCaZpgtNgJ6KKFyGnz9_IAOBq7MYuJDTWjOq9iPbNhN4cfoyuJr0BIUDEG_kr9xeArOWVfwhFIvjHgr5nQUJBkCZNd5zNsGvfA8T_561aSUUyG65o7kwUD9_lmgbVZl2j_w034jvOE/s1600/heynens+on+hije.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8nCaZpgtNgJ6KKFyGnz9_IAOBq7MYuJDTWjOq9iPbNhN4cfoyuJr0BIUDEG_kr9xeArOWVfwhFIvjHgr5nQUJBkCZNd5zNsGvfA8T_561aSUUyG65o7kwUD9_lmgbVZl2j_w034jvOE/s200/heynens+on+hije.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking Los Cahorres near Monachil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinuRQNs0D1YRGkG0LvJcPC8DDpkBKjm8XLxIivyQSQLpodMRF_9TB7vV_7hRCGYWt2rTq2oKg9uNhze7yqp9hK3lzxkD0m86jzTA2JYeyBFD3Hi8edrBp9J7DvVmEpAPv2YO8tXNTqXg/s1600/buddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinuRQNs0D1YRGkG0LvJcPC8DDpkBKjm8XLxIivyQSQLpodMRF_9TB7vV_7hRCGYWt2rTq2oKg9uNhze7yqp9hK3lzxkD0m86jzTA2JYeyBFD3Hi8edrBp9J7DvVmEpAPv2YO8tXNTqXg/s200/buddies.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best buddies</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our dear friends from Seattle just paid us a visit and it was wonderful to be surrounded by people who know us so well. We've known these folks for over 20 years and were fortunate enough to have kids at the same time, thus our youngest is 3 months older than their oldest and they are all best of friends. It was wonderful to share all we have learned with someone back home and we had fun dining out, showing them the local sites, spending a day on the beach and just hanging out. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_xdmQpbmQfH8h-2lxE4HbsjM5ijut9JvkW735ah7Wf1E_9otkGY4Yex4-FvG6Xg-Sp9cXzv8-V4AnrXvE0F2cctWkqIYJv40I2IZuTUEJFnXskHRe8oA0yybmbQIYtxa_ysjUVLY_xk/s1600/kid+friendly+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_xdmQpbmQfH8h-2lxE4HbsjM5ijut9JvkW735ah7Wf1E_9otkGY4Yex4-FvG6Xg-Sp9cXzv8-V4AnrXvE0F2cctWkqIYJv40I2IZuTUEJFnXskHRe8oA0yybmbQIYtxa_ysjUVLY_xk/s200/kid+friendly+meal.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid-friendly meal</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPj8VA-n2WnNu1e48m2YkHHn3kGy4MP_lROsHD8PRRtA2Urr3HZcoVqvIAB26uqY9EeMobIfSN3Uk3XdFttIomIjmVZfg-4qdM5ktTHivwqE2B5PPrkeY_Mf29Jm4WF2fsnlyw4bVOps/s1600/me+and+brooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPj8VA-n2WnNu1e48m2YkHHn3kGy4MP_lROsHD8PRRtA2Urr3HZcoVqvIAB26uqY9EeMobIfSN3Uk3XdFttIomIjmVZfg-4qdM5ktTHivwqE2B5PPrkeY_Mf29Jm4WF2fsnlyw4bVOps/s200/me+and+brooke.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karb and Brooke</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Mala suerte (bad luck)</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They came to us via Barcelona where they had a string of bad luck. First off, getting sick on the flight over (all four of them, adults as well as kids) which led them to miss Geo's beloved Barcelona futbol match, the bribery item his wife had used to get him over to Spain in the first place. Then an ATM machine ate their one and only cash card after withdrawing a measly 50 euros so no more access to cash for the rest of their trip. Then, when checking out of their Barcelona hotel to catch the night train down to Granada, the hotel "misplaced" one of their bags (still a mystery - either stolen or given to the wrong family) which happened to contain their eldest child's favorite stuffed animals from birth. Ugh. Then the rain started..... and continued for most of their visit which is truly a rarity here. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B2g6WK2lChl3V1ZNV0Wmk-JUiyUrq3d-bS4K03Hfzii0RQBGel0_sWapDn2UncCqIYqLZgy_q0tnZyHCNqypV_BpD0-l0sFfjqL0trMgm2z2F4aarblfv1Mcw4fnvNzPkEadGtdVpaM/s1600/broken+arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B2g6WK2lChl3V1ZNV0Wmk-JUiyUrq3d-bS4K03Hfzii0RQBGel0_sWapDn2UncCqIYqLZgy_q0tnZyHCNqypV_BpD0-l0sFfjqL0trMgm2z2F4aarblfv1Mcw4fnvNzPkEadGtdVpaM/s200/broken+arm.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark injures himself <br />on Friday the 13th</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn7BXAMvvWNjyZSYSCGlRB-gNizdUtyC2eFQNgGA5864-Tqq-leBwesLtbPKADqoop0FehYNgWbH6o74qs8x1BWRH6Z7y_dat4CfpUet2xqFYP7q9S7uIQMupg4fPTHLYX9447B_0aTc/s1600/after+school+treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn7BXAMvvWNjyZSYSCGlRB-gNizdUtyC2eFQNgGA5864-Tqq-leBwesLtbPKADqoop0FehYNgWbH6o74qs8x1BWRH6Z7y_dat4CfpUet2xqFYP7q9S7uIQMupg4fPTHLYX9447B_0aTc/s200/after+school+treats.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After school treats</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They arrived at our house on the morning of Friday the 13th and mere hours after happily reporting that we had not yet needed to use the Spanish healthcare system, we got a call from the PE teacher from the boys new school who said that Clark had most likely fractured his wrist* and could we please pick him up to take him to hospital. Thankfully the pain wasn't too bad and the school's insurance was able to cover everything in full. After hours at the hospital and his first cast he returned home to a houseful of his buddies and we spent a rainy weekend at home catching up. Nat did tons of amazing cooking and the kids took over the house building forts in almost every room. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHErYH1uMU10iyp0m-46ZRdACp9BlnzJpArdEMyv_zNuB3nozAbdVxZNBoh4mdvp_ETXuDjF1UjGoeUhWpsCRxoMPcKIj__quBA8IsFrV0YLKGYvuFTBWbqiZyeAk-RDTTaB4KvVxDI5w/s1600/Heynens+on+tower+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHErYH1uMU10iyp0m-46ZRdACp9BlnzJpArdEMyv_zNuB3nozAbdVxZNBoh4mdvp_ETXuDjF1UjGoeUhWpsCRxoMPcKIj__quBA8IsFrV0YLKGYvuFTBWbqiZyeAk-RDTTaB4KvVxDI5w/s200/Heynens+on+tower+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Heynens on top of the Alcazaba</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The next day, our friends spent a rainy morning at the Alhambra and with good fortune we happened to touch base by phone right when they were on top of the tower that looks directly at our house so they were able to get a <a href="http://youtu.be/fKvTkNpOxj8">great video</a> of our house and we took their picture as well (see photo at left). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We later walked around town, kicking a muddy soccer/futbol around wherever possible (avoiding dog poop was the biggest challenge). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">* Injury happened as he was playing goalie in futbol and he made the save. Fortunately 4 days later, the bone doctor confirmed that it wasn't a true break and he got his cast off. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-4R49K3l8yJet0ES4NXU-ZFSzkit55RuY1zd6dY7tW0Ic_rWdLlJQR9rBJBsgWQg6yPvCLWs_cfyeUWiq5etr15RK_57aJ2isUybO-yF0zSOsIZvTnlTlX1p3Bnrbn6zwpbKy1-pLcE/s1600/brooke+in+tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-4R49K3l8yJet0ES4NXU-ZFSzkit55RuY1zd6dY7tW0Ic_rWdLlJQR9rBJBsgWQg6yPvCLWs_cfyeUWiq5etr15RK_57aJ2isUybO-yF0zSOsIZvTnlTlX1p3Bnrbn6zwpbKy1-pLcE/s200/brooke+in+tub.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke fit perfectly in our mini<br />bathtub</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaW7wcS4YU2if2AZsnPB3jo_mtw6iudNgC2SDjpvfSynT7-Ol_pGXs7hznalSZaFBrHFxCrh7ywM3Fvg3_fQvZTCiwekVcYEQ1By20KTzV39NQUoFmLmTIe6Q-RvTtGR837ojCXUV10JM/s1600/cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaW7wcS4YU2if2AZsnPB3jo_mtw6iudNgC2SDjpvfSynT7-Ol_pGXs7hznalSZaFBrHFxCrh7ywM3Fvg3_fQvZTCiwekVcYEQ1By20KTzV39NQUoFmLmTIe6Q-RvTtGR837ojCXUV10JM/s200/cathedral.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catheral in Granada</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Girl time</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><br /></strong>The rest of the week we spent showing them our favorite hikes, restaurants and walking around town. I got some much needed "girl time" with Michelle (I finally bought some Spanish clothes at my favorite store <a href="http://www.desigual.com/desigual/preHome.jsp">Desigual</a>) and we hit the Arabic baths for some soaking and massage. We also took Brooke shopping for flamenco clothes, to the local Teteria for mint tea and crepes and she even tried out our child-sized tub. And <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Michelle got me and her kids to visit the local Cathedral which was just amazing, covered in gold leaf and apparently the second largest <em>iglesia</em> in Spain. It is also where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDZz4mkxJBeTTcpapCdYFm44eQQUH9b33vWEpxmPJt0uSsmP9hvu6L4SYSTi8Ocsk2CO2Y6_Za8-b1Bhu7i7EUKrhgGKLWChee7OyQB1h0n-X76HB02tkZpQWuW3U3IY6HJC9LExIaVM/s1600/boys+recycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDZz4mkxJBeTTcpapCdYFm44eQQUH9b33vWEpxmPJt0uSsmP9hvu6L4SYSTi8Ocsk2CO2Y6_Za8-b1Bhu7i7EUKrhgGKLWChee7OyQB1h0n-X76HB02tkZpQWuW3U3IY6HJC9LExIaVM/s200/boys+recycle.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American kids picking up recycle <br />on the beach</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr0esX8sd1u63Z0A693-xOXpBBIHuQku1rIbv0ok7Jg-0CP9k1qIBGyDhtpVxb7Hi77g1ZBv_FsbLWklHnMyAhvfuscCRAZxNW2BXhlEm1QFbM8WgkoI0HCWGGBz5VZUdK9zzWOfozSY/s1600/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr0esX8sd1u63Z0A693-xOXpBBIHuQku1rIbv0ok7Jg-0CP9k1qIBGyDhtpVxb7Hi77g1ZBv_FsbLWklHnMyAhvfuscCRAZxNW2BXhlEm1QFbM8WgkoI0HCWGGBz5VZUdK9zzWOfozSY/s200/fish.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh fish</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We pulled the boys from school on Wednesday and drove 40 minutes to the Mediterrenean and one of our favorite spots, <strong>Salobreña</strong>, where we were luckier with the weather although it was truly blowing a gale. (We saw a kite boarder which is a treat for this windsurfing crowd). We had lunch at a beachside restaurant and then drove to nearby <strong>Almuñécar</strong> in search of <em>helado</em>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRt0ZTrYFqD_PAHj6VQWtxABweMDUoa45fwuESCD_fa3QWb7nUC8piJK1fGwR4xSW0coCo9xoDbBVPpOxf9WhyphenhyphenJxogMGODUQESmtlpq1BafUh6eWyki4GQ4RgP09jXca3ZzBncr0CsIw/s1600/la+playa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRt0ZTrYFqD_PAHj6VQWtxABweMDUoa45fwuESCD_fa3QWb7nUC8piJK1fGwR4xSW0coCo9xoDbBVPpOxf9WhyphenhyphenJxogMGODUQESmtlpq1BafUh6eWyki4GQ4RgP09jXca3ZzBncr0CsIw/s200/la+playa.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining on the beach</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Adios amigos</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyV49gtOhMlvUork0v1iRPlt2mmx-CZBPBZvMOa-qgLC9lC87KKSffYD9Ekgvfm9EMVnr_tNpZ-solqA91I54Q0rI22tIVTyzO8lkjjCmGdL6iED36HyFtP_vygzgTSQbR1Tofv2G_MY/s1600/brooke+with+flamenco+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyV49gtOhMlvUork0v1iRPlt2mmx-CZBPBZvMOa-qgLC9lC87KKSffYD9Ekgvfm9EMVnr_tNpZ-solqA91I54Q0rI22tIVTyzO8lkjjCmGdL6iED36HyFtP_vygzgTSQbR1Tofv2G_MY/s200/brooke+with+flamenco+poster.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke with flamenco poster</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">After a week filled with treats, friendship and catching up, we said our goodbyes on Friday as they returned via night train to Barcelona for one more day before heading back to Seattle via London. We've already heard that it is sunny and warm there after their very rainy visit to Spain.</span><br />karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-90146028851532174592012-04-12T06:09:00.000-07:002012-04-12T06:09:40.788-07:00Semana Santa (Holy Week)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xqY3vabxLJOnFXvr6z0bA3ZVKnEhEbuY90OcejmuUVvrTPMyFUxtTh1sXm20OYnP7AucIpZXA1h9wtxUZLsRBNNdf_DRZMSlklGvk6_RMqChODuXVpsMlHh8KyOSDrOIJx2iApbOBKo/s1600/ball+of+wax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xqY3vabxLJOnFXvr6z0bA3ZVKnEhEbuY90OcejmuUVvrTPMyFUxtTh1sXm20OYnP7AucIpZXA1h9wtxUZLsRBNNdf_DRZMSlklGvk6_RMqChODuXVpsMlHh8KyOSDrOIJx2iApbOBKo/s200/ball+of+wax.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl makes ball of wax from candle<br />
drippings</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past week was <a href="http://www.turgranada.es/semana-santa/semana-santa.php?id_idioma=2">Easter Week</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> here in Spain, a holiday much bigger than Christmas, and here in Granada (Andalusia) we are lucky enough to witness the full regalia of this Catholic festival by watching multiple processions every day as they wind around town. </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9A9KQBCx6NS4BOIij7dzK94iZGoQUMvxnGcFXB7il09-36wcwlGrzWB1aOzOca2RmlfWFG-9gY429hgIS6xlGs1pDs_QhT1Vu3R7q48XSfdwtRuCKCrHoko8PJIMPr4y0F5qq_eRWWs/s1600/carrying+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9A9KQBCx6NS4BOIij7dzK94iZGoQUMvxnGcFXB7il09-36wcwlGrzWB1aOzOca2RmlfWFG-9gY429hgIS6xlGs1pDs_QhT1Vu3R7q48XSfdwtRuCKCrHoko8PJIMPr4y0F5qq_eRWWs/s200/carrying+cross.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrying the gilded cross</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things got started on Palm Sunday. At the first “parade” I viewed I was surprised to discover the large amount of people involved and logistics that need to be arranged to put on this spectacle. The streets were just packed with people (locals and tourists alike) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">policia</i> were used to help control the crowds and keep the processions on track. There were people (men, women, children) in colorful hooded robes (think Ku Klux Klan), folks carrying special ceremonial items (crosses, septors, floats, etc…), and enormous lit candles dripping wax (we saw one girl creating a large wax ball from the drippings of those passing by). There is an unbelievable dedication to the ceremony and pageantry of it all. Most faces were somber and bands playing music were serious and dedicated. And the processions moved slowly; lots of stops for crowds, traffic, etc…. No one was in a hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornate statue of Jesus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa_QCiFbQMf_UEcHAIhfvPGV4CnIwc7NTveu3M8_MInlt3vNFm8qNqXEPyhScOCYqg0H-PA3ESjrGQ0QlunoaJvnbDojVxlp5WlbvKUGkTgPe7HcIdPLRHWvV7gQ5dtuQnWc6_YgwdI8/s1600/ku+klux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa_QCiFbQMf_UEcHAIhfvPGV4CnIwc7NTveu3M8_MInlt3vNFm8qNqXEPyhScOCYqg0H-PA3ESjrGQ0QlunoaJvnbDojVxlp5WlbvKUGkTgPe7HcIdPLRHWvV7gQ5dtuQnWc6_YgwdI8/s200/ku+klux.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the Ku Klux Klan</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each procession is represented by a different church and some date as far back as 1561 (no joke). The “parade” typically exits said church, moves in a circle around town and then returns to where it started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are always musicians (lots of brass instruments), people dressed in hooded robes, children included and a float with a statue of Jesus Christ that is carried by 20 or so unseen people, followed by another carrying a representation of the Virgin Mary. Some processions last until the wee hours of the morning, the printed schedule stating 3:15am (although I’ve heard they go much later). There are up to 5 processions a day and they start in the later afternoon, post 4pm. At one of the processions I witnessed today, we noticed one “float” being carried by women only, definitely a unique occurrence in this still fairly male oriented place. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj6fNSEScn7BsGs9jSWXAvJRRtla1oQeoCV8oEnPWCWw5k9dPSdkR9DC-P6YIPQK6nkkY_KKJpDl14JXWnjGCMlR3qVw7FZW1fbJ8SNlZpk7JgS2oBp1NJ94nQ8P9fbxdvvP0c-pexqY/s1600/marching+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj6fNSEScn7BsGs9jSWXAvJRRtla1oQeoCV8oEnPWCWw5k9dPSdkR9DC-P6YIPQK6nkkY_KKJpDl14JXWnjGCMlR3qVw7FZW1fbJ8SNlZpk7JgS2oBp1NJ94nQ8P9fbxdvvP0c-pexqY/s200/marching+band.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching band</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the evening, the central core is a very festive place, with vendors selling, candy, drums and balloons. People of all ages are milling about and everyone is chatting happily but it is not a party atmosphere per se (no drinking). Best part for Clark was the booths set up selling baked potatoes out of enormous kettles drums. For 3.50 euros you get an enormous spud with multiple topping options (cheese, ham, olives, corn, carrots, mustard and ketchup).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Corte de pelo<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (</i>Haircut)</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAODfP8GTfeGr1mufQt-AKG6Oe3D5YWH9aMu3yGdk7xMl_SUWhpiifs4QRFWX9J2WtFZu-jDGqmJI_T-WfZAqVVgkCFBoSUH7NiKM10Lt6aMesuiT0yUe1NEgcbKmfCl9OCZK05g9fg0/s1600/haircut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAODfP8GTfeGr1mufQt-AKG6Oe3D5YWH9aMu3yGdk7xMl_SUWhpiifs4QRFWX9J2WtFZu-jDGqmJI_T-WfZAqVVgkCFBoSUH7NiKM10Lt6aMesuiT0yUe1NEgcbKmfCl9OCZK05g9fg0/s200/haircut.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haircut at home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadS7BtNqKkzY5G1i6twUZJJUYFpszt77v2LD5LitinHsuVtDnRO-a1_wI1pSUqrVuT39DIxxfKeUWYYKs69aJmxvJl9V6W-THOKoM7JEMVTEAMADT5OZwAnFWvk-WzD_13_O8PYp2mTk/s1600/calcetines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadS7BtNqKkzY5G1i6twUZJJUYFpszt77v2LD5LitinHsuVtDnRO-a1_wI1pSUqrVuT39DIxxfKeUWYYKs69aJmxvJl9V6W-THOKoM7JEMVTEAMADT5OZwAnFWvk-WzD_13_O8PYp2mTk/s200/calcetines.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calcetines gets her milk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve found a wonderful, local hairdresser who will come to the house on a moment’s notice and cut the boys hair for 5 euros. Last time she even brought her 1 month old kitten “Calcetines” or “Socks” who she couldn’t leave at home with her dog and whom she was still bottle feeding (no mama cat around to take care of her). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Easter hike</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwdl33QLQO7IIQzDqphT-lSjq7GntIAFML36X41JlJscdAeSeIGdrVTytobg2z9p5yF2lZWe024LIWt_Ifu_QMsSdVhZMPTeJ_bat4aBBZGt0pNpCaaLbvgdIvAmLyBGSanN1ArXsIVI/s1600/Easter+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwdl33QLQO7IIQzDqphT-lSjq7GntIAFML36X41JlJscdAeSeIGdrVTytobg2z9p5yF2lZWe024LIWt_Ifu_QMsSdVhZMPTeJ_bat4aBBZGt0pNpCaaLbvgdIvAmLyBGSanN1ArXsIVI/s200/Easter+hike.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Easter hike with the boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mTfOmzx35AAcU-aRE9soypAV3QyzSZ7sM8SZL0sdX8WSm39y3HyhUE8PLLHn25gAW1rCHZDf9LFxPC1HqOrJWO-XYkD-IWyEh2FzoQy7Ci2uXmLe_rnE0r2a3yFMoYW19OGlmsJpRuc/s1600/mountain+goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mTfOmzx35AAcU-aRE9soypAV3QyzSZ7sM8SZL0sdX8WSm39y3HyhUE8PLLHn25gAW1rCHZDf9LFxPC1HqOrJWO-XYkD-IWyEh2FzoQy7Ci2uXmLe_rnE0r2a3yFMoYW19OGlmsJpRuc/s200/mountain+goat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain goat</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a week of hanging around the house, and with a nice break in the weather (it has been raining a lot this week which is very unusual), we decided to get out and about and re-did a lovely hike we took a few weeks ago with the group from school. Afterwards, we enjoyed a fun Easter lunch at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the Sierra Nevada. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>First Day of School (Round 2)</strong> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFyQIklwZa0Uhw81uLFOcLplCyEOPLbxir-_Ao4HiDQul_qSAAKMyBdWBB9eB28KGDBmO01LTtxvXkinrM1jRv8qDpQO5tNP7fGNSDN1yXzqPvpJhC0iNCKU_T7rrNnrZfsttvhIvk1w/s1600/Prepsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFyQIklwZa0Uhw81uLFOcLplCyEOPLbxir-_Ao4HiDQul_qSAAKMyBdWBB9eB28KGDBmO01LTtxvXkinrM1jRv8qDpQO5tNP7fGNSDN1yXzqPvpJhC0iNCKU_T7rrNnrZfsttvhIvk1w/s200/Prepsters.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepsters</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Monday morning, I walked the boys down to their new bus stop on Gran Via (5 minutes downhill instead of 5 minutes uphill) and they got on a very swanky "airplane bus" which took them 20 minutes across town to their new school, Granada College. The first few days have gone well. Clark comes home happy and Colin is already off with his friend Xavi on a 3 day/2 night school excusion to la Sierra de Baza for a 4th grade camp** event (first time away from friends and family overnight and in a foreign country no less). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clark opted not to attend the 6th grade camp as he wanted time to adjust to the new school and have some time alone at home without his brother. Worst part of Clark's first day was having to eat the tomatoes at lunch time so I'll deem it a success (it's quite formal and apparently you have to raise your hand when you finish each course). Colin spent his second day teaching his english class Clark's version to a Beatle's song "We all live in a yellow submarine. I hate the stupid thing. I want to paint it green." The days are longer and include many more activities including all kinds of sports (hockey, bike riding, there's even a pool) and obligatory Chinese (!). But so far, both kids have not looked back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>** 4th grade camp, spanish style:</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Nos ponemos en contacto con vosotros para comunicaros que este año los alumnos/as de 4º de Primaria van a tener tres días de convivencia con sus profesores y compañeros en el Centro de Educación Ambiental "El Cortijo Narváez", situado a 85 Km de Granada en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Baza.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>El objetivo de las actividades y talleres que van a realizar es conocer la gran diversidad floral y paisajística de la Sierra de Baza, además, ayudará a que desarrollen su autonomía personal, así como los hábitos de convivencia democráticos y solidarios en grupo.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>El entorno de este parque natural, ofrece numerosas posibilidades para que los alumnos/as puedan realizar circuitos de multiaventura: rocódromo, bicicletas de montaña, tiro con arco, escalada, tirolina, juegos deportivos y cooperativos y gymkhanas de orientación. Además harán senderismo guiado por el parque Natural de la Sierra de Baza.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><br /></em></span>We get in touch with you to announce that this year the alumni / ae of 4th grade primary school will have three days together with their teachers and classmates in the Environmental Education Center "El Cortijo Narvaez", located 85 km from Granada Natural Park of Sierra de Baza.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The aim of the workshops and activities to be performed to know the diverse floral and landscape of the Sierra de Baza, also help to develop personal autonomy and democratic habits of coexistence and solidarity groups.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The environment of this park offers many opportunities for alumni / ae can perform multi-activity circuits: climbing, mountain biking, archery, climbing, flying, sports and cooperative games and gymkhanas guidance. Besides hiking will guided by the natural park of Sierra de Baza.</span></div>
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-33152562644553428482012-04-04T00:53:00.000-07:002012-04-04T00:53:08.835-07:00Cabo de Gata<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>San Jose</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playa de San Jose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCSLxkMiKBNfvGC06SX1bIQpNuV9HNL08tE8Tk4ZYR2-AlRhomDJD2ip4lpnC9bL4wKEN5LGeigf01weV5RXrxnfe2hj2tloh8NB-M_7etFSZ9Z1jIGHWjgMDu6OmGvvAkGCvIGujfzc/s1600/san+jose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCSLxkMiKBNfvGC06SX1bIQpNuV9HNL08tE8Tk4ZYR2-AlRhomDJD2ip4lpnC9bL4wKEN5LGeigf01weV5RXrxnfe2hj2tloh8NB-M_7etFSZ9Z1jIGHWjgMDu6OmGvvAkGCvIGujfzc/s200/san+jose.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking San Jose</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The beachside town of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">San Jose</i>, in the National Park known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cabo de Gata</i>, is my new favorite pueblo in Spain. This perfect-sized village with a central square with playground, surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops and gelatarias has access to some incredible beaches and amazing nearby hikes. Although we were there in the low-season, so things might be very different during the summer, the laid back pace was heavenly and the amount of commercial services (pescateria, panaderia, markets, gift shops, above mentioned establishments) was just right. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrn0XbkzkvfoYO78Ps3r0KZdQZnYYfnr5GGltjEXiapx3KQlaf1Zr8bkqFR0qJC5dAo2IDz-9rlBf7FvB7sfZnh_pKNkJKUCLHITGx9psOb7s0FA3k8O16qqXIlmTnp9FN_H6NKeAA0E/s1600/abandoned+gold+mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrn0XbkzkvfoYO78Ps3r0KZdQZnYYfnr5GGltjEXiapx3KQlaf1Zr8bkqFR0qJC5dAo2IDz-9rlBf7FvB7sfZnh_pKNkJKUCLHITGx9psOb7s0FA3k8O16qqXIlmTnp9FN_H6NKeAA0E/s200/abandoned+gold+mine.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned gold mine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8rdAQg2x9awo9aYg2pZK0O4Z2QCVTdShHqXj0mFCzsZXNCbhSICg0J_D_7sU9GEITHJLkiBd-T_FGq4fyQ2eFOWxgpdhCLGsgSAlpnilf83l7RP8UKQuFLH7ajXsyCcKK7xaMSf3nmM/s1600/la+isleta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8rdAQg2x9awo9aYg2pZK0O4Z2QCVTdShHqXj0mFCzsZXNCbhSICg0J_D_7sU9GEITHJLkiBd-T_FGq4fyQ2eFOWxgpdhCLGsgSAlpnilf83l7RP8UKQuFLH7ajXsyCcKK7xaMSf3nmM/s200/la+isleta.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurante La Isleta del Moro</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Armed with a list of recommendations from friends we drove to the lighthouse at the end of <em>Cabo de Gata</em> and checked out the amazing vistas and spectacular waterfront. We even saw a windsurfer attempting to sail along <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Playa Cabo de Gata</i>. We later drove north to the town of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rodalquilar</i> to check out an abandoned gold mine (with no warning signs or fences mind you, so we could truly explore at will). And we ended the day at a well-known beach front seafood restaurant in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">La Isleta del Moro</i> for dinner. Clark tried the grilled artichokes while the rest of us shared a seafood paella. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margarita piza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indiana Jones beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also discovered a lovely pizza/pasta bar where we had our best family-friendly meal in Spain (Italian I’m afraid) and went back several days later to repeat the exact same order. We spent our first full day at the beach, enjoying a remote area only a short drive from town but completely empty of people (we did meet a nice family with a 12 year old boy who was half English/half Spanish and enjoyed splashing in the waves and digging in the sand with our boys for a few hours). This particular beach, called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Playa del Monsul</i>, is also the backdrop to quite a few movies including one Indiana Jones film starring Sean Connery and Harrison Ford. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild West town</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we this is in southern Spain</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we drove about an hour away to visit an Old Wild West town/movie set near the town of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tabernas</i> used for quite a few films and shows over the years. It was strange to walk around an authentic western town complete with fake restaurants, banks, shops, corrals, and a horse drawn carriage and to watch a “show” in the local saloon acted by western cowboys and bar maids (speaking Spanish of course).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caving in Sorbas</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl1whx3KVe3tHDS3rjNH5rVzq-GuaskC4ISLWKeW80CQDvm5QRrzd-2esPplPP1WgJAwQdGEIV5Nq-Ipa3zUmGZ6rX9KWkk7DStJ4hPGUF64Vu8IBloLiuOJ2vushxFR2xyalVPqNl4w/s1600/pinball+wizards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl1whx3KVe3tHDS3rjNH5rVzq-GuaskC4ISLWKeW80CQDvm5QRrzd-2esPplPP1WgJAwQdGEIV5Nq-Ipa3zUmGZ6rX9KWkk7DStJ4hPGUF64Vu8IBloLiuOJ2vushxFR2xyalVPqNl4w/s200/pinball+wizards.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then stopped at a local restaurant in the small village of Sorbas where we had a pub lunch and the boys tried their hands at pinball. Afterwards, we drove to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cuevas de Sorbas</i> where we took an underground tour of some pretty spectacular caves that extend throughout the area. Thankfully our German tour guide was fluent in English and Spanish as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the Mediterrenean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike to lookout tower</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our last morning we hiked up to a medieval tower on a tall hilltop overlooking this beautiful coastal town. We had to do some steep climbing as there wasn’t a clear path but the hard work made our efforts all that more enjoyable. </span></div>
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-40128389037936359052012-04-02T12:31:00.000-07:002012-04-02T15:09:50.110-07:00Gardening, ziplining, hiking and changing schools<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Antonio's Garden</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ4numxJVuMmsr43hcTHMrl0g1MJKf6MVzNzxRIAV2i6R8y0lpe9wtItYgtNLjbh2XPLP4hUOzVlnVvXpKRiQoEgJNqJRF24K_3_77jtCG-8JwA52mX7sLYTXb5znzFLWIbYmXPRH3dM/s1600/first+lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ4numxJVuMmsr43hcTHMrl0g1MJKf6MVzNzxRIAV2i6R8y0lpe9wtItYgtNLjbh2XPLP4hUOzVlnVvXpKRiQoEgJNqJRF24K_3_77jtCG-8JwA52mX7sLYTXb5znzFLWIbYmXPRH3dM/s200/first+lettuce.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat holds up our first head of lettuce</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nat has been a rock star keeping Antonio’s garden up to snuff. Besides trimming back the trees and grape vines, a few weeks back he planted lettuce starts that we are already enjoying and last week he added potatoes, onions, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, basil, sunflowers and mint. Just (remember) to add water and voila, we’ll be able to feed the neighborhood. He’s also been to the hardware store to get parts to fix the aljibe pump (very clever but finicky watering system located underneath the garden and created by our landlord to catch rainwater). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Excursión al canal de la Espartera</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark walks along the path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVsBNSJPagF2vFBqlRzk0ybCjfHXj9Y1gh951Qtg1LG_LTRKsW-xlb5BN1SHNpfa5PFCCc0PfMCX9uOEgcI62vLf3G0OPHT8IT8MTCuFAeUPrDRizJ9QtOTY1UJB5H8mmIJEqWdYXpGI/s1600/wolfgang+on+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVsBNSJPagF2vFBqlRzk0ybCjfHXj9Y1gh951Qtg1LG_LTRKsW-xlb5BN1SHNpfa5PFCCc0PfMCX9uOEgcI62vLf3G0OPHT8IT8MTCuFAeUPrDRizJ9QtOTY1UJB5H8mmIJEqWdYXpGI/s200/wolfgang+on+hike.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our friend Wolfgang</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We enjoyed another group hike with the boys’ school, this time exploring an area not too far from town. About 25 people showed up (not bad given the early start time and the daylight savings time clock change made the night before). It was a lovely hike with beautiful vistas and great company but once again on the return trip, the "leader" lost his way (this seems to be a theme) so we freestyled our way back up a very challenging cliff to the trailhead. Lots of trips across a small river where many feet got wet and the kids were pretty worn out by the end, but it was adventurous for sure and we very much appreciated the always necessary stop for a cold beverage on the way home. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paella and more paella</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the rice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE5K6C0flCQdRU-VGBiZX4kHAFFrHPbwT9D35VrieE_m1WnYNT9HZu45bBipzfFWYuRP56CKHGmLqOleKXMMjjToxXtmc4fqZt1fT2N5VaFMyGKN6_c8J1X2aWiDHvvLS_OYTZEsuvzE/s1600/paella+grilling+veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE5K6C0flCQdRU-VGBiZX4kHAFFrHPbwT9D35VrieE_m1WnYNT9HZu45bBipzfFWYuRP56CKHGmLqOleKXMMjjToxXtmc4fqZt1fT2N5VaFMyGKN6_c8J1X2aWiDHvvLS_OYTZEsuvzE/s200/paella+grilling+veggies.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilling the veggies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As part of a Spring celebration at the boys’ school, I signed Nat up to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sous chef</i> (or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pinchar</i> in this case) to help cook a paella for 80 or so at a school fundraiser. Now Nat has cooked many a paella in his lifetime, but never in Spain, and never for so many Spaniards who know a thing or two about this very special rice dish. He went the night before to help prep the food (lots of chopping) and then several hours ahead to help create the dish overseen by a fellow dad who is a French chef. It turned out absolutely delicious although we didn’t tell the kids there was rabbit in there, even though I ended up with an entire head skeleton on my plate, teeth still intact.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUol-82QfIdRF-StrLVoKNi3sEn_q_uHA5E4qGoQJJdemWUWYIFJPZglnocjTedmZlJNUo2SsthIYupM5YqTgYpppUU17qIHdC3GpRko7Jr6pbziXa73JjbBH8DgJ6Sqbwkr10i_b90Q/s1600/paella+ready+to+serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUol-82QfIdRF-StrLVoKNi3sEn_q_uHA5E4qGoQJJdemWUWYIFJPZglnocjTedmZlJNUo2SsthIYupM5YqTgYpppUU17qIHdC3GpRko7Jr6pbziXa73JjbBH8DgJ6Sqbwkr10i_b90Q/s200/paella+ready+to+serve.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paella: ready to serve</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paella en nuestra casa</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friends from Malaga stopped by last weekend and Nat tried out his paella technique at home (see photo). Th<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b>ese are fellow Americans who moved to Spain 7 years ago and are still awaiting their residance status (they've already built a house here). Although only <br />"friends of friends" they were very welcoming in getting us here, sharing lots of information and putting me up for 2 nights when I visited last May. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ziplining</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4dN2ME9rjjhEQvk7U6CT-FKlNYeZYPITQR7CzSSkeWYEP2HYtD26LMi7xsaDbcyq_VWOLKCaDBtFKv1vefqzBwfz9b0LaTxPuepbqXLslytCGWXHOwNcb46cFpA2wTHL3r4kHmuuDUE/s1600/ropes+course.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4dN2ME9rjjhEQvk7U6CT-FKlNYeZYPITQR7CzSSkeWYEP2HYtD26LMi7xsaDbcyq_VWOLKCaDBtFKv1vefqzBwfz9b0LaTxPuepbqXLslytCGWXHOwNcb46cFpA2wTHL3r4kHmuuDUE/s200/ropes+course.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin on the ropes course</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve recently discovered <a href="http://www.aventura-amazonia.com/granada/">Aventura Amazonia</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, a new zipline park located in the national park not too far from our home. With visitors in town recently, the boys really enjoyed the ropes course as well as trying out some new outdoor skills as they spent 3 hours climbing thru the "jungles" of Granada. Be sure and watch the video to get a better idea.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time for a change</span></b></div>
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After several months of re-attempting to communicate with the boys’ school about Clark’s dyslexia issues (it appears to have been overlooked from day one as well as many subsequent communications thereafter), we really haven’t gotten Clark any help at school, or any changes in his routine there. He’s spent countless hours copying text from the board, had “hands-on help” trying to correct his script (the worst thing you can do for a kid like him) and has listened to hours upon hours of lectures he can’t understand. We even asked if he could skip English class and work with a private tutor which we’d pay for but they were not amenable to that either. </div>
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So we finally took some fellow American’s advice and went out to look at the local bi-lingual private school, <a href="http://www.granadacollege.es/">Granada College</a>, located across town, thinking it might be an option if we were to extend our stay. After being quite impressed on the tour (the facilities alone are amazing compared to any school our kids have ever been to) and quite frankly felt like a bit of a country club with the extensive campus, access to the arts and sciences (drawing, drama, science lab and best of all 2 hours of PE a day. And did I mention uniforms? Sheesh.). </div>
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Although we are very staunch democrats and big advocates for public education worldwide, things clearly haven’t been working for Clark. At the end of the tour, we were told that we would receive a call the next week if there was any room for next year, but one hour later we were contacted via our tutor/translator and were actually offered two spots, to start immediately. I’m guessing they are interested in having English speaking natives around. And of course the influx of cash doesn't hurt. Whatever the reason, we feel fortunate to get the opportunity but are also torn to be leaving a school community that welcomed us so warmly. They’ll start there the Monday following Easter. </div>
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<em>Coming up next, our trip to Cabo de Gata...</em></div>
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<br /></div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-32934722711912437352012-03-15T08:23:00.004-07:002012-03-15T14:51:25.146-07:00Spring (Primavera)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spring</span> </strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh tulips from Holland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spring has arrived although it still drops down to the mid-30's at night. But this means the afternoons are starting to get quite warm in the sun and we already have lovely daffodils blooming in our garden. With it, the tourists have also started to arrive, in hordes, and it is rare to not see large groups when you walk through our local squares. This means that the Segway guys are also back out in full force although they never disappeared over the winter like some other things, including our favorite gelato stand which just opened its doors again. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapas tour</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still figuring things out</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over six months in Spain and we just figured out how to check our voicemail! Let me start off by saying I didn’t even know we had an answering machine. It is built in to the phone but our landlord never told us. Then one day I heard my step-mother’s voice talking to me and when I figured out she wasn’t on the other end of the line I suspected something was up. I emailed our landlord and she told me to just leave the phone off the hook for one minute and I could hear my messages. So I tried that, but couldn’t understand the rapid Spanish voice afterwards telling me what to do next. So I had Clark’s new tutor translate for me on Friday and voila, 26 messages dating all the way back to our arrival in August. So sorry we didn’t get back to you sooner. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark's bus to the ski area</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skiing/Esquilar</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One lovely perk of the boys school is that the 5<sup>th</sup> graders get to go skiing up at the local ski area for a week and because they didn’t get enough people they opened it up to Clark’s 6<sup>th</sup> grade class as well. It’s a long day; bus leaves at 8am, returning at 5:30 but he is the most excited he’s been all year. Another little communication problem led me to run around in a panic on Friday as Clark was told he wouldn’t be able to ski on Monday as he didn’t provide his health card information (I had left that blank on the form since our insurance is from another country). Again, with the help of his tutor, I printed out copies of our insurance coverage, proof of insurance that we had to provide for our VISA application and copies of our residency cards and hiked back up to the school late on Friday. Not finding anyone there and worried that Clark wouldn’t be able t ski on Monday if this didn’t get resolved, we wandered over to the local bar where we found the secretary and the principal enjoying a glass of wine and a meal. We meekly interrupted and handed over said information with an explanation of the problem and it was explained that things would be fine. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colin the Elder</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin cooks for the masses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-0-D9IcuBpbWO4KDYzpCTtzeIuqvArUtmToFwcKDAeH13xTNI3Bj6Z4WLfzWswuSlzMndPK58nodNfbS-jcWIsljHykNc_GsUkYOkzi54zt3-VChI88ABJN13A20rSdWDFGEKPxVU1g/s1600/Nat,+Karb,+Clark+-+Hu%C3%A9rto+Sierra+park+20120310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-0-D9IcuBpbWO4KDYzpCTtzeIuqvArUtmToFwcKDAeH13xTNI3Bj6Z4WLfzWswuSlzMndPK58nodNfbS-jcWIsljHykNc_GsUkYOkzi54zt3-VChI88ABJN13A20rSdWDFGEKPxVU1g/s200/Nat,+Karb,+Clark+-+Hu%C3%A9rto+Sierra+park+20120310.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike at Hueto Sierra </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nat’s older brother Colin is in town, visiting from Amsterdam, Holland where he has lived for the past 25 years. One of the perks of having Colin visit is that he loves to cook and is damn good at it. We’ve eaten the best food we’ve had all year and he even cooked up an elegant Sunday lunch for our friends and neighbors. We’ve enjoyed showing him around the local area and took him on a great hike at nearby Huetor de Sierra and biked over to Pinos Genil on Monday along the Genil River. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Ccocinad con Esther de Botanico Café</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPV2A2MkZmPByhdmRJ72l-qmM5NEbRsW-ucMoWxU3lAZcU-HDfAUzSFZ6VTWTjjDjFza-GdwPx12SFG-d3NZsM5hDVglGe0bIheA02YagzCwW8M7hRIaiqHW779SyzgAuYpJJptH8eeoc/s1600/cooking+class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPV2A2MkZmPByhdmRJ72l-qmM5NEbRsW-ucMoWxU3lAZcU-HDfAUzSFZ6VTWTjjDjFza-GdwPx12SFG-d3NZsM5hDVglGe0bIheA02YagzCwW8M7hRIaiqHW779SyzgAuYpJJptH8eeoc/s200/cooking+class.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A friend of a friend runs a local restaurant here in Granada, the Botanico Cafe, and she offers cooking classes on the side. Although they don't really need it, I signed Colin the Elder and Nat up to take a class at her house and they happily learned to cook sopa, risotta and creme brulees. I was a total scammer and only showed up to sample the wares. <em>Era una mañana agradable de diversión y comida.</em> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike path along the Rio Genil</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flamenco</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZPUyMypwbHuTNisb_wlTDqCMJCzWWKd-ZUEw1oeYIg9Jf8MKScSw_HPFskhbBg7g1y1T5YWvLKBGbzQq4sDNXBlPiMNrp-i0h-ESVkBnlNAH2-KoFVH2H9wg2dB4pf6m4rpQrPDgwMU/s1600/flamenco+2+20120310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZPUyMypwbHuTNisb_wlTDqCMJCzWWKd-ZUEw1oeYIg9Jf8MKScSw_HPFskhbBg7g1y1T5YWvLKBGbzQq4sDNXBlPiMNrp-i0h-ESVkBnlNAH2-KoFVH2H9wg2dB4pf6m4rpQrPDgwMU/s200/flamenco+2+20120310.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous flamenco at La Chumberra</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 6 weeks of flamenco classes, I finally asked my teacher for a recommendation on where to go and see the real deal. I have learned quite a bit about flamenco and now understand that the women in fancy dresses are a very small part of the process. Authentic flamenco is usually sung by men and is all about spontaneous emotion. Thus she recommended <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">La Chumberra </i>which is in nearby Sacromonte but is not one of the tourist caves where the masses end up. With Nat’s brother in town, we were finally motivated to arrange a babysitter and buy tickets. After a few drinks/tapas we walked over to the venue as the show started at 9:30 but we barely made it in time as although the building is large and roomy, it was impossible to find in the dark and there were absolutely no signs helping direct us there. The performance started with one man playing several pieces on an acoustic guitar, with very spectacular fingering. He was soon joined by 6 other men who played either guitar, drums, clarinet and or clapped. The one dancer in the crowd turned out to be a man in a white/silver suit with very long hair (think John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever) who turned out to do some spectacular moves, particularly with his feet. The music was very moving and the scenery behind the perfomers spectacular, a glass wall looking out over the Alhambra at night.</span></div>
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-75819576472208902462012-03-08T00:05:00.002-08:002012-03-08T00:05:53.895-08:00Cádiz and Portugal<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_z-sOaedmKzdPo716XtLm4vv3eEY32EuBvoWg50OPkNbarwOrbxPzKZwXOElUmovSMtelmYg0p_csqEplcQilfA_ArAAztUU-mG02dYZ2vcR6j66-esNZkPw-d-XrZJj5TUUDI8PGjU/s1600/Vejer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_z-sOaedmKzdPo716XtLm4vv3eEY32EuBvoWg50OPkNbarwOrbxPzKZwXOElUmovSMtelmYg0p_csqEplcQilfA_ArAAztUU-mG02dYZ2vcR6j66-esNZkPw-d-XrZJj5TUUDI8PGjU/s200/Vejer.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vejer de la Frontera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3eCy2wH4hDuREVXQMQjnnOEfKVQ1vJdJ8Rwe29x-qCeP2TXir9s5vGGr1jp8pb2qiiPiLze0AaQWQdeQDWeVCk2AFNFo0C_QGojmXmfgKqsCUF35D35JEVUFGL6FRSY_tOBXsHAp7tE/s1600/park+in+cadiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3eCy2wH4hDuREVXQMQjnnOEfKVQ1vJdJ8Rwe29x-qCeP2TXir9s5vGGr1jp8pb2qiiPiLze0AaQWQdeQDWeVCk2AFNFo0C_QGojmXmfgKqsCUF35D35JEVUFGL6FRSY_tOBXsHAp7tE/s200/park+in+cadiz.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park in Cadiz</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Vejer de la Frontera</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">La semana pasada nuestra familia fue a un viaje en coche. El viernes por la tarde recogimos a nuestros niños de la escuela y empezamos a conducir hacia el pueblo Vejer de la Frontera cerca Cádiz. Fueron muchas horas en coche y nos perdimos una vez. Cuando llegamos a Vejer casi a las 20:00. Nat ya habia concinando salsa de spaghetti pero olvidamos la pasta. Afortunadamente encontramos alguna que estaba en la casa. Las casa tenia 500 años tenia y era muy grande con 4 dormitorios pero no tenia calefacción y poco agua caliente porque era una casa de verano. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCTUHSHLE5tc9CcqTmVqNpNsN6hMKI-K9nCFn-DAs8_RxJcf0mgcBGUIxba39VggImauU4dhUuTfsf0Q0PgThEuVvIWmIEpjv3OGJaGMf8RI8oVE9RZxb5vsQ9pPPZnHLuTPZ8TAhBsA/s1600/zahara+beah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCTUHSHLE5tc9CcqTmVqNpNsN6hMKI-K9nCFn-DAs8_RxJcf0mgcBGUIxba39VggImauU4dhUuTfsf0Q0PgThEuVvIWmIEpjv3OGJaGMf8RI8oVE9RZxb5vsQ9pPPZnHLuTPZ8TAhBsA/s200/zahara+beah.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Zahara de los Atunes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBunJhyphenhyphenDwSLG8jgdm4QgRnrl1rPBDVj_RvcF0X20bSyy87v75bDO3_0IuMQtz5xWeEwyWgYhi29L5Dk_FK8H-HAQ5-QQTKrueNobx9WCczwrO9X2cKYiD2JioH8UWT_fXxj9VM1TEr2c/s1600/digging+on+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBunJhyphenhyphenDwSLG8jgdm4QgRnrl1rPBDVj_RvcF0X20bSyy87v75bDO3_0IuMQtz5xWeEwyWgYhi29L5Dk_FK8H-HAQ5-QQTKrueNobx9WCczwrO9X2cKYiD2JioH8UWT_fXxj9VM1TEr2c/s200/digging+on+the+beach.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging on the beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>A la playa</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Al día siguiente fuimos a la playa que se llama <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">El Palmer</i>. A los niños les encantó jugar en la playa y nadaron en los olas, especialamente hicieron surf. El domingo condujimos al parque de Doñana cerca del pueblo de Sanlúcar. Desafortunatamente no vimos mucho porque no habiamos organizado una excursión de antemano. La mejor parte del día fue ayudar a inflar un castillo de aire y después jugaron en éste. Tambien condujimos a través de Cádiz y jugaron en el parque en el centro. El lunes fuimos invitados a una barbacoa en la playa Zahara de los Atunes en la casa que unos amigos habian alquilado. Este fue un día maravillosa completo con dos comidas y una presentación de una playa privado sin gente. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQDyZDSgIN208MHbDs2WkM1ysraIn8dGe3gZbkPLsgIufEm2teS9Kic7Fz_eeMgz60nucgCT48GZ0KPbyL-Y30-bjG73LFUMLcOiLF9yf0u9bsCLUk9f2Jlmz89VscufKiEV_QMEOpfg/s1600/Moorish+castle+in+Sintra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQDyZDSgIN208MHbDs2WkM1ysraIn8dGe3gZbkPLsgIufEm2teS9Kic7Fz_eeMgz60nucgCT48GZ0KPbyL-Y30-bjG73LFUMLcOiLF9yf0u9bsCLUk9f2Jlmz89VscufKiEV_QMEOpfg/s200/Moorish+castle+in+Sintra.jpg" uda="true" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castelo dos Mouros</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSAv_iI5aoCX_rsWWx9f1k7IkSZNtihl7ds2pUdeytrzqKM_kybk1RldMQinVcuT9QH7AZBbGB_nkIMsngiU21xYkrx1n9JE_VbY6SFuhjX0q-YXE6hnLwWrwWIJzXCcCzRARPsREl18/s1600/pena+palace+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSAv_iI5aoCX_rsWWx9f1k7IkSZNtihl7ds2pUdeytrzqKM_kybk1RldMQinVcuT9QH7AZBbGB_nkIMsngiU21xYkrx1n9JE_VbY6SFuhjX0q-YXE6hnLwWrwWIJzXCcCzRARPsREl18/s200/pena+palace+1.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pena Palace</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Sintra, Portugal</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Al día siguiente condujimos en el coche a Portugal y comimos en el pueblo de Tavirra. El tiempo no era bueno por eso no visitamos la playa. Por la noche nos quedamos en Sintra, un pueblo bonito en una colina cerda de Lisboa. Este pueblo estaba lleno de muchos castillos que eran muy antiguos, grandes y asombrosos. Al día siguiente, fuimos a una excursión de varios castillos pero yo creo que los niños prefirieron escuchar sus ipods. Después condujimos adémas al norte via la costa. Nos detuvimos en la playa cerca de Figueira da Foz pero el tiempo era demasiado frío para nadar. Condujimos a lo largo de la costa que era muy bonita. Después de muchas horas en el coche seguimos GPS y nos perdimos en un pueblo pequeño en la oscuridad. Esta fue una aventura grande preguntamos instrucciónes en un tranquilo pueblo pequeño en Portugal pero no comprendimos portugués. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7aaQMUTiBla7_9f63m3ziY5KkogDp0-gwlnRgr4RE7_Xus1OPOElMsJ_ze3JxoRwKvJA8PYER85WMHIrQaw76rrVTl86JBX84JwFOvJ7OE3wGeOgtheEGMZvCRA04CYPMLhRMZwTPVU/s1600/piggyback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7aaQMUTiBla7_9f63m3ziY5KkogDp0-gwlnRgr4RE7_Xus1OPOElMsJ_ze3JxoRwKvJA8PYER85WMHIrQaw76rrVTl86JBX84JwFOvJ7OE3wGeOgtheEGMZvCRA04CYPMLhRMZwTPVU/s200/piggyback.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the vineyard</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Valle do Douro</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finalmente llegamos a una Quinta a las 21:00. Era mucho mejor de lo que esperábamos pero mejor para adultos que para niños. Al día siguiente montamos en kayacs en río de Tedo que era muy tranquilo y relajante. Visitamos el pueblo Peso da Régua que era muy pequeño y Porto que era muy grande. Muchas horas en coche pero un viaje interesante sin embargo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>(The above was a recent homework assignment for my Spanish tutor. The following is not a direct translation although somewhat similar). </em></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22uBM5jOVjU3pvf6AN6PkQfmC_FHgzhyphenhyphenZdkPA4KIUR28GqHoJPX7QKjbe6PoXw8gTAW_XwH9MpLUEI2XHv66E3tb76shcqLhR84frusgWCB3-Bvl0ed7jgoJhO1TcxyQTdk4oKvoq8FA/s1600/cliffs+of+cascais.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22uBM5jOVjU3pvf6AN6PkQfmC_FHgzhyphenhyphenZdkPA4KIUR28GqHoJPX7QKjbe6PoXw8gTAW_XwH9MpLUEI2XHv66E3tb76shcqLhR84frusgWCB3-Bvl0ed7jgoJhO1TcxyQTdk4oKvoq8FA/s200/cliffs+of+cascais.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffs of Cascais</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68xqm4yZdbZWUAFdGKItdizOwYUPzuIeo-z_sWGz1fazuIryrTXZcil1BASZomuFx_-3Yd3Y2i7KB4EiILLnFzjGNSZY4Au1KpdbhtUDEYYkfbnzqGoA4BvCLTbEiMyk1aAL8KfjmgQg/s1600/arches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68xqm4yZdbZWUAFdGKItdizOwYUPzuIeo-z_sWGz1fazuIryrTXZcil1BASZomuFx_-3Yd3Y2i7KB4EiILLnFzjGNSZY4Au1KpdbhtUDEYYkfbnzqGoA4BvCLTbEiMyk1aAL8KfjmgQg/s200/arches.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pena Palace in Sintra</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Road trip to Portugal</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We just returned from spending 8 days touring the Cádiz area of Spain as well as Portugal. It was a lot of kilometers but included many beautiful sights and experiences. We spent a long weekend with friends in the white town of <a href="http://www.vejer.com/">Vejer de la Frontera</a> in a beautiful 500 year old house and spent several days visiting the local beaches, drove to Doñana National Park and through the city of Cádiz. The highlight for the kids was helping put up the “bouncy castle” on the beach of Saluzar and a BBQ with friends in the beach town of Zahara de los Atunes and the remote beach near by that they introduced us to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Helping blow up the bouncy castle</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge in to Portugal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yo-yos at Castelo dos Mouros</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Castles</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then headed west to Portugal and drove the amazing highways to find ourselves in Sintra, a beautiful hillside town on the outskirts of Lisbon, a magical area filled with amazing castles and buildings of various eras. We started out at the local toy museum where we saw a large toy collection belonging to a local Portuguese man and then headed uphill to <a href="http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra/palpena.html">Pena Palace</a> where we admired glorious handiwork and vistas as well as <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_dos_Mouros_(Sintra)">Castelo dos Mouros</a> where we toured ancient Moorish ruins. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cork tree</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Quinta do Tedo in the Douro Valley</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 2 nights there, we drove up the coast to Port and then east to the Douro Valley to check out <a href="http://www.quintadotedo.com/cms/">Quinta do Tedo</a>, a winery owned by a friend of a friend. Using our handy GPS we incorrectly input the address and found ourselves very lost in a very small, very remote village in the dark of night. Thankfully we quickly found a gas station where 3 different men tried hard to direct us to our desired destination in spanish (our only common language). Fortunately we did find our way (it wasn’t easy – required several other stops) and ended up at a lovely winery where we relaxed and enjoyed kayaking on the Tedo River (right where it joins the Douro) and some mellow walks around the property. After that it was a <em>very</em> long drive back to Granada but the boys took it in stride listening to Harry Potter books on their ipods for the hundredth time. </span></div>
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-59206081891336068612012-03-04T14:40:00.001-08:002012-03-04T14:40:58.517-08:00Visitors, Valentines and Visions<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Valentines</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've run across 2 different Valentines lately. One is the cheesy, commercial American holiday and the other is the name of the tutor that we've discovered to help Clark out. Valentine's day is a non-existant holiday here in Spain although I did see a few people walking around with red flowers (mostly kids). Just for fun, I made the kids cards and gave them chocolates (who can resist?) and Nat bought me flowers as I have been feeling down lately. I also got a funny e-card from my step-dad and a care package from a dear friend in California. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Visitors</strong></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re looking forward to having some visitors in the coming months including Nat's brother who hails from Amsterdam, followed shortly by some fellow Seattle friends who are currently living in Cambridge (UK). Then Nat's parents, my brother and possibly some other friends from Seattle. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master chef and musician</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef, prunes and raisons</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Moroccan Cooking Class</strong></span><br />A fellow Granadian who hails from Rabat (the capital of Morocco) teaches cooking classes on the side while his real passion is that of a musician. The other night we had him over to teach 4 hombres (men) to cook a few Moroccan dishes and it was a festive evening of sampling various soups, salads and specialities of his culture. But I especially enjoyed listening to his CD of Spanish guitar music. <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Back to the beach </strong></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat and his moules <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the fishermen </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since the weather is starting to warm up a bit, we headed back to our local beach of Salobrena on the Mediterreanean (only 30 minutes away by car). We spent a lazy Sunday afternoon hanging out on the beach playing hide-n-seek among the rowboats parked on the beach, had a leisurely lunch of mussels, paella and calamaris and watched some local fisherman catch five pezes (fish) straight from the sea. We even saw a windsurfer checking out the February surf! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Coming up next</em>: just back from an 8 day road trip around the Cadiz area and on to Portugal. </span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-24891471312984256082012-02-08T04:38:00.000-08:002012-02-08T04:38:18.926-08:00Winter (Invierno)<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Time flies, whether you're having fun or not</strong> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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We’ve been in Spain over 5 months now but it seems much longer with all we have learned, done and experienced. So many new challenges, learnings, changes in scenery….. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my serious need for companionship, particularly in the area of friendship. I’m growing closer to my ever pessimistic son although not without its difficulties. We are having loads of family time – more than we are used to and not always fun, but am sure it will be so very memorable someday. I’ve also been sick, tweaked my back (in yoga) and have been preoccupied worrying about the boys. It’s very cold at the moment (below freezing at night), with snow predicted in the coming week, but the sun that comes out every day makes the afternoons enjoyable and warm enough that not even a coat is necessary.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Struggles at School</b><br />
The last few weeks have been very difficult, with the kids readjusting to school after the long winter break and the realization that school just isn’t getting any easier for Clark with the challenges of his dyslexia. We’ve also had some more “bullying” incidents, although somewhat harmless kid stuff, are particularly frustrating when you don’t yet speak the language. We just discovered that the fact that Clark is dyslexic was not shared with others at the school and that much of the work that Clark has been doing (script handwriting) has not at all been helpful for his prognosis. Hopefully we have found a private tutor to help out at home. Other adventures include....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMNxYAgPMSu9xM4vZpmB2AhE-zyiP-Fin81PdA1tWxIjsnd-ASC92-0j9Pg9IvwmpOV3bdsVdBhx6aQ7KrCknlKiU-TrJ8LZ3vopLDSGxt-HfkddJgh00W6ho1YpCNLs9HaNtiWvlR78/s1600/Ronda+vista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMNxYAgPMSu9xM4vZpmB2AhE-zyiP-Fin81PdA1tWxIjsnd-ASC92-0j9Pg9IvwmpOV3bdsVdBhx6aQ7KrCknlKiU-TrJ8LZ3vopLDSGxt-HfkddJgh00W6ho1YpCNLs9HaNtiWvlR78/s200/Ronda+vista.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white town of Ronda</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Help me Ronda</b><br />
We took a fun (albeit long) day trip to the white town of Ronda a few weeks ago, a lovely place with a famous bridge and amazing vistas. The boys enjoyed the ipod time in the car while Nat and I savored the delicious lunch and outstanding views from the town center. Only downside was the weather as we actually had, dare I saw, R-A-I-N. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt6iw7GHq9pT4juc6VD7MCg_ovPv6OXolrEZAUS7GgI6RX4pq7adIlFRMF2VBfBTJfKJ1zTD1dNGD5_bhvVAVSmYvF_F0h2zOpkdEiCkLDdN8roWSwaPKg2Z0LO8POETWHHdLNfGjZtc/s1600/grass+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt6iw7GHq9pT4juc6VD7MCg_ovPv6OXolrEZAUS7GgI6RX4pq7adIlFRMF2VBfBTJfKJ1zTD1dNGD5_bhvVAVSmYvF_F0h2zOpkdEiCkLDdN8roWSwaPKg2Z0LO8POETWHHdLNfGjZtc/s200/grass+head.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass head Chia pet</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Girl’s Night Out(s)</b><br />
On the social side of things I had my best week yet with 3 (count em’ 1-2-3) GNO’s!! Saw my first movie in Spain, “The Artist” (mostly silent), had dinner with a friend and went bar/tapa hopping with a MOB group I have been trying to organize (MOB = Mothers of Boys). I also attended my first book club with a small group of Americans who meet monthly to discuss books, drink wine and socialize. All fun.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza party with our neighbors</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pizza, Cycling, Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing</b><br />
Weekends was typically very active. We had a fun pizza party with the neighbors on Friday night and then road our bikes out to our friends place in the “Vega” for a large Spanish family meal which was very enjoyable (note: still sitting outside for lunch in January!) Then on Sunday, Nat, Clark and a friend had a lovely cross-country skiing outing with a group of 30 or so others from the kids’ school. The weather was lovely and the area only 1 ¼ hours away, with a small café and sledding hill included. We’ve also discovered a wonderful national park only a 15 minute drive from the house where one can hike all day and then stop at the café near the parking lot for a long, leisurely late afternoon lunch (in the sunshine!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biggest paella yet</td></tr>
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We have also ventured to the nearby town of Piñar, with some close friends, in hopes of exploring a famous cave, but unfortunately when we arrived we found it was closed. Instead we enjoyed a lovely Spanish lunch at a nearby restaurant. And some neighbors invited us to accompany them to the <em>San Cecilio</em> fiesta, a big, Catholic festival in nearby Sacromonte that included flamenco dancing, paella, and free grab bags (which interestingly included beans, salted cod and bread rolls). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the Stupidbowl in Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Sail all the way <br />from Seattle</td></tr>
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And this past Sunday, the boys just had to watch the Superbowl, as Nat (and thus Colin's) favorite team the New England Patriot's was competing in the game. In order to watch it live we got up at 1am in the morning and stayed up until 5. (The next day the boys missed school but we walked over to the Alhambra on a cultural outing to make up for it). Sadly, the Patriot's lost but it was an exciting game nonetheless (and I don't even like football). Of particular note is the fact that my American kids have no idea who Madonna is (who performed the halftime show) and keep referring to her as the Mercadona lady (Mercadona is a supermarket chain here in Southern Spain). </div>
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</span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-30150487118928531582012-01-16T11:09:00.000-08:002012-01-16T11:09:14.431-08:00Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes Magos)<div align="left" class="style1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">"On January 5th, Spain celebrates the end of Christmas with a great party where everybody gives and receives presents. It is to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men (Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar) to the city where Jesus was born. In the same way that the Three Wise Men gave gifts to baby Christ, here they share out presents amongst children around Spain. In fact, they are more popular than Santa Claus."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDTOFC_8kzPPa45f7EUT8bgFTsLp2aVhkgj5BjkJ3ZBynZcoO16nenH-e_TflNgX2M5HGbiyMMz_iFfs63bBTmf1dAG17AYYeWCbYDFEGYN1nlI8Jh30DwN7N6ItpHH4OMj3Ap5BoRjo/s1600/parade+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDTOFC_8kzPPa45f7EUT8bgFTsLp2aVhkgj5BjkJ3ZBynZcoO16nenH-e_TflNgX2M5HGbiyMMz_iFfs63bBTmf1dAG17AYYeWCbYDFEGYN1nlI8Jh30DwN7N6ItpHH4OMj3Ap5BoRjo/s200/parade+route.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We celebrated by attending the local parade in downtown Granada which was quite a spectacle complete with elaborate floats, fireworks and lots of kids throwing candy (which of course the boys loved). Am</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"> attaching a few video clips to give you an idea of the action. Th<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">at is Clark and friends working it with the upside down umbrella (a tip we picked up from the locals).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKajgFjoIwnUsCf51EHxMrQhKF_bGRKa9zX7cNm65Owy7fTkZHy2GBqEfVeg0ani1upiLwmB3r72bCVvDrz53zXA_2DAtNPDkhJU9lXE-3YjxQqxtVSC56B7kO96_gNxr7z15dkTHj70s/s1600/3+kings+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKajgFjoIwnUsCf51EHxMrQhKF_bGRKa9zX7cNm65Owy7fTkZHy2GBqEfVeg0ani1upiLwmB3r72bCVvDrz53zXA_2DAtNPDkhJU9lXE-3YjxQqxtVSC56B7kO96_gNxr7z15dkTHj70s/s200/3+kings+dinner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Afterwards we were invited for dinner at a Spanish neighbors house where we enjoyed traditional dishes and an evening all in Spanish (good for practice but we're certainly not there yet with total understanding). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Space Noodles!!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next morning (Jan 6) we finally celebrated Christmas, having been in Morocco over the holidays. Thanks to our good friends back home, we had some fun gifts to open including a new bear for Colin, pasta shaped like the Space Needle (Clark's favorite) and a few other goodies. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing new tie-dye t-shirts<br />from the cousins in Seattle</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We then decided to take a "Three Kings" bike ride to nearby Sacramonte to take the boys to see an abandoned monestary that isn't too far away. For some reason the route was extremely muddy that day which made for a challenging ride but the weather was sunny and warm and we enjoyed being outside. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuck in the mud</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpYWSEXuu4sZMaf6vwcyVvlbLqe7vIw4g2LffSkbIVa7V5OHdMyEcoXNsqaDhuiNml8Lxsk2DunjOXWVKeIMT4Nqdzh3R1NKLKhwB3b8RkhKWASggklri_s4EQNtlQY-5H5uy4gVIXfQ/s1600/xmas+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpYWSEXuu4sZMaf6vwcyVvlbLqe7vIw4g2LffSkbIVa7V5OHdMyEcoXNsqaDhuiNml8Lxsk2DunjOXWVKeIMT4Nqdzh3R1NKLKhwB3b8RkhKWASggklri_s4EQNtlQY-5H5uy4gVIXfQ/s200/xmas+ride.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Kings bike ride</td></tr>
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-87492780972611402502012-01-07T05:22:00.000-08:002012-01-07T05:22:51.145-08:00Travels in Morocco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoYeNcPONprV5A0iegqVkin-oFfxAFT_EdkzUqa_9VKP5SAJTd2yCA4Qesh-NTPB0DP5s8N3V93xG4C2uCPDIiQVTVviZ-GYLGsf0qpXa5OCRMg37diT-BTBjXVOXS0lEmfE3ES6SN2E/s1600/Clark%252C+Eir+and+baby+goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoYeNcPONprV5A0iegqVkin-oFfxAFT_EdkzUqa_9VKP5SAJTd2yCA4Qesh-NTPB0DP5s8N3V93xG4C2uCPDIiQVTVviZ-GYLGsf0qpXa5OCRMg37diT-BTBjXVOXS0lEmfE3ES6SN2E/s200/Clark%252C+Eir+and+baby+goat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark holding a 5 day old baby goat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuZ6zc-DaVP1vugOFMsPMsPNN5BYzT3XsDSXHh52F1vWumr-vztyjh4hCNFRleS9VkBzELgu6gZCgbZkeZ2bomqiRQJgo_yKr3n0w3Fjm3fAUkC7KwzMNvsO4qs2FBrUFVt-zWbLBiAE/s1600/zapatos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuZ6zc-DaVP1vugOFMsPMsPNN5BYzT3XsDSXHh52F1vWumr-vztyjh4hCNFRleS9VkBzELgu6gZCgbZkeZ2bomqiRQJgo_yKr3n0w3Fjm3fAUkC7KwzMNvsO4qs2FBrUFVt-zWbLBiAE/s200/zapatos.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slippers for sale in Fez</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">INTENSE is the best word to describe our travels throughout Morocco these past 11 days. It was truly a whirwind tour of a fascinating country full of diversity and extremes. We really packed it in, travelling 1800 kilometers by bus, taxi, ferry, minivan, camel, train and on foot, from the northern city of Tangier all the way to the beaches of Essaouria on the Atlantic coast, with many interesting encounters in between. There were many highs and lows, like playing circle tag on a windsurfing beach with local Moroccan teenagers and hours later driving by a recent highway accident where a woman in arabic clothing lie lifeless in the road, belongings strewn all around. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT_3pt7nWn_I2cQ6ogbEYZQPDs3y7pbzCebDmrEyhJZH2dZEqtgDUiqt1H1d_evzUtfjpunjj4_3NRYhd4hygynNFLLMSQzXihdAanemDvHt7n2NIrFWX7rdzjqQku3FEMHCCMQI_tLo/s1600/Running+at+rest+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT_3pt7nWn_I2cQ6ogbEYZQPDs3y7pbzCebDmrEyhJZH2dZEqtgDUiqt1H1d_evzUtfjpunjj4_3NRYhd4hygynNFLLMSQzXihdAanemDvHt7n2NIrFWX7rdzjqQku3FEMHCCMQI_tLo/s200/Running+at+rest+stop.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much needed break from the van<br />
(we could be in Ireland!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQDcgDvhbP8ErjaOiz7k56szqP_Urx8-cg-WOvqODD0Sa2yoe4JZGw0gH94CKSbFE9Z3B70y2eXqg-qylLKmyG7FiGtIlhKctxBIRFWUxlZGrXe1cqOeUlqi0K-KHPwvOMy4XcGuXXTg/s1600/nat+in+gate+in+fez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQDcgDvhbP8ErjaOiz7k56szqP_Urx8-cg-WOvqODD0Sa2yoe4JZGw0gH94CKSbFE9Z3B70y2eXqg-qylLKmyG7FiGtIlhKctxBIRFWUxlZGrXe1cqOeUlqi0K-KHPwvOMy4XcGuXXTg/s200/nat+in+gate+in+fez.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat in one of the 7 gates in Fez</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The kids were troopers, putting up with moving almost every day and hours upon hours of travelling by van (the boys listened to many, many books on their ipods). We saw so many things and experienced so much it will take quite a while to process it all. So many new and different sights, sounds, smells, flavors, colors, vantages and experiences, certainly not all pretty. Our "guide" turned out to be much more of a driver than an actual guide (I don't think he liked tourists) but the locations he led us to were beyond spectacular: sunset over the Sahara dunes, camping by starlight in the middle of the desert, hiking through gorges and canyons, visiting brilliant blue towns and seeing fascinating things in the medinas and souks of Fez and Marrakesh. Too many tours, not enough time in each place, but at least we got a taste of many of the different parts of the country and the diversity of the landscape, architecture and people. I'm happy to be home but can't wait to go back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">A few moments stand out: like when I gave a 2 dirham coin (~25 cents) to a woman begging on the street and she kissed my hand in return (so I kissed her cheek), seeing the extreme poverty of the big cities as well as small towns, enjoying a sunset over the remote desert, camping in the Sahara, finding the best Moroccan food in the country in the souks of Marrakesh - we quickly discovered that the less the price, the better the food, and that sticking with the local cuisine was much wiser than trying "tourist" food. </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz3VZaX0YqiViN-VCj7lJOhbfAFRIibAGGQfKxETaMVK5Rf4y8XBR_yIGzegFIN1flXY_mY0spc3ttv2BRcXQXWzDVrvLC-kzmumyB_MD8KfY4l0BXr9oPs2aeaMwY0H9y_rrf0KTisI/s1600/doorway+in+chefchaouen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz3VZaX0YqiViN-VCj7lJOhbfAFRIibAGGQfKxETaMVK5Rf4y8XBR_yIGzegFIN1flXY_mY0spc3ttv2BRcXQXWzDVrvLC-kzmumyB_MD8KfY4l0BXr9oPs2aeaMwY0H9y_rrf0KTisI/s200/doorway+in+chefchaouen.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doorway to our Riad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgCb9M5gm475rw4ET03yr74Pvmx0vnAJjLFcCkIvMsrv8_Wzm0zN8Sj2uSgfsJAvNa56zl4Y1Eisb0pN_m6Py4jFpO9NmhXRyBoZUo2C_N3Bs4reWmlrawQXudHOuKkky4lI4jKCaUr4/s1600/chefchauen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgCb9M5gm475rw4ET03yr74Pvmx0vnAJjLFcCkIvMsrv8_Wzm0zN8Sj2uSgfsJAvNa56zl4Y1Eisb0pN_m6Py4jFpO9NmhXRyBoZUo2C_N3Bs4reWmlrawQXudHOuKkky4lI4jKCaUr4/s200/chefchauen.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Chefchaoen</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We spent the first night in the mountain village of Chefchaoen after travelling for over 10 hours to get there. Arriving in the evening to our beautiful Riad, we put the kids to bed (Colin fell sleep immediately) and went across the street to bring back some food for dinner, our first tangine which was delicious. The next morning we woke up to a bright sunny day alighting the beautiful blue-tinged buildings with the cloud cover rolling in. We had a quick stroll around the city before loading up to move on to our next destination, Fez. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtk1Y3_SqXUGpFkOV0PB9f_gRc-dIP1UBIcDIfDkSZ17qUVITo2fLFEXC9_HfoOKdLFthBEXZ-l7dP9PnY9SGx63B341VV_SitCkPUyW91JieKZGtluOFSztSEA_59QonqwbWsVLgbp8/s1600/xmas+shopping+in+fez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtk1Y3_SqXUGpFkOV0PB9f_gRc-dIP1UBIcDIfDkSZ17qUVITo2fLFEXC9_HfoOKdLFthBEXZ-l7dP9PnY9SGx63B341VV_SitCkPUyW91JieKZGtluOFSztSEA_59QonqwbWsVLgbp8/s200/xmas+shopping+in+fez.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas shopping in Fez</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrzS6sfald9X7A1CdauxNdSVv1ZQ13UNEMvj5MjNciaBh1ih3dOWEhglx6PnKVRYUn-eYVugxHd-yaFEKG3ytasZq0xAcnKRxkImHweoaHSCnTOgxyXXCH-GwTHNpMMueob8zrieYiXQ/s1600/camel+head+in+fez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrzS6sfald9X7A1CdauxNdSVv1ZQ13UNEMvj5MjNciaBh1ih3dOWEhglx6PnKVRYUn-eYVugxHd-yaFEKG3ytasZq0xAcnKRxkImHweoaHSCnTOgxyXXCH-GwTHNpMMueob8zrieYiXQ/s200/camel+head+in+fez.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camel head for sale in the souks</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Christmas Eve in Fez was spent at a local restaurant where the kids ordered spaghetti (!) and adults tangines and kebabs. On Christmas day we toured the amazing souks of Fez including a tannery, ceramics shop, fabric store and many sights, sounds and smells of local markets too numerous to mention. One could buy anything there, from camel heads to zapatos (shoes). We returned to our very comfortable and centrally located Riad (hotel) for tea and relaxation. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids play with rocks in the black desert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQQsRT3c-6XANKfzWwihp9683WkMVnkQv4FfVsvDjkbWVOEg6nYXc_CylkrcPavArbXXeNolSiiAPdzZ2gfucIYEhiuUR9V8I1OvU2Al7FuIXrkA_eh2ebd7q-Xp5e_Eaw2Uk1IUE9HE/s1600/pool+in+merzhouga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQQsRT3c-6XANKfzWwihp9683WkMVnkQv4FfVsvDjkbWVOEg6nYXc_CylkrcPavArbXXeNolSiiAPdzZ2gfucIYEhiuUR9V8I1OvU2Al7FuIXrkA_eh2ebd7q-Xp5e_Eaw2Uk1IUE9HE/s200/pool+in+merzhouga.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel was an oasis in the middle<br />
of nowhere</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next stop on our itinerary was the small village of Merzhouga on the edge of the Sahara desert where we happened upon an oasis of a hotel in the middle of nowhere. We spent a night there where the kids learned to play the tam-tams (local drums) and the next day headed out by 4x4 jeeps to cross the "black desert" and do some serious off-roading (the boys loved this). We spent that night camping out under the stars in very high-end Berber tents created with wool blankets and complete with electricity run by a portable generator. The kids loved playing hide and seek in the dark and among the dunes and we all bundled up for a very cold night. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dromedario, "Boxy"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Colin atop camel</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next morning we did the very touristy camel ride for an hour in some local dunes and then hopped back in the van for the trip to our next destination, the mountain village of Tinergher near the Todra Gorge. After a walk through the village and obligatory stop at a local families carpet making operation (where we were served tea by the patriarch and both families purchased the cliche Morrocan carpet), we took a quick walk thru the Gorge before getting back in the van for a long ride thru some remote areas where we saw an enormous movie studio and the famous ancient village of Ait Benhaddou. Then it was up and over the very scenic (but long and windy) Atlas mountains before descending in to the chaos of Marrakesh. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin with a scaly friend</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palace in ruins</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We spent the next day touring the Medina of Marrakesh including an amazing crumbling palace, the restored home of a past local government official who had 4 wives and 26 concubines (try explaining that to the kids) as well as an exotic garden owned by French designer, Yves St Laurent. In the central square in town we were quickly accosted by both snake charmers and gypsies who grabbled the kids hands and immediately painted them with henna partterns before demanding payment from the parents. What a different culture! Another exhausting albeit fascinating day. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circle tag with the locals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Upxp2YCUeZpllMfZOnWA_2mPlBe1IH1u3efbPdsBNwilQSgbgdEQFH5EnUqH787W4M2IkzrlP1kVDjqZ89jhfz7DFsSw1LvxvjZYyYEkDcerCJ4RtUX6tGrw_bxHAH6mCZ5qXYUQlg8/s1600/windsurfers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Upxp2YCUeZpllMfZOnWA_2mPlBe1IH1u3efbPdsBNwilQSgbgdEQFH5EnUqH787W4M2IkzrlP1kVDjqZ89jhfz7DFsSw1LvxvjZYyYEkDcerCJ4RtUX6tGrw_bxHAH6mCZ5qXYUQlg8/s200/windsurfers.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windsurfers on the beach</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Then it was on to an overnight visit to Essaouria where we enjoyed some beach time and spent New Year's Eve (ironically our worst meal of the trip was the 3 course tourist meal provided by the hotel). Colin couldn't quite make it to midnight so I stayed in our hotel room with him while the Icelandics and Clark and Nat headed to the local square to set off some fun light-up toys and cheer in 2012 (apparently they were the only people there -- not a lot of partying happening in a muslim country). The next day was spent on the beach playing circle tag with some local teens (very polite by the way, although we didn't speak French and Arabic like them). Then we drove back to Marrakesh where we</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"> spent one last night before flying back to Spain via Sevilla. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">All in all, an amazing experience that we were grateful to share with our Icelandic neighbors. We certainly added some wonderful memories to our time abroad. </span><br />
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-53774976603304195392011-12-23T12:22:00.000-08:002011-12-21T14:39:30.031-08:00Yule lads, concerts and learning from the locals<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbwweNrno-RhFJ8YmLRHo94Vif1ZeTx06f4D70cqz8BV_E-rhZWjJ_PrUVIdbsCZa8q96BRGcCfeAN34c-jcAYOKh3JOLm6O-rv5Snkrir8W4mGYMYpg8xUkUIvRUMh8n33zJrpjpk1Q/s1600/Stufur+yule+lad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbwweNrno-RhFJ8YmLRHo94Vif1ZeTx06f4D70cqz8BV_E-rhZWjJ_PrUVIdbsCZa8q96BRGcCfeAN34c-jcAYOKh3JOLm6O-rv5Snkrir8W4mGYMYpg8xUkUIvRUMh8n33zJrpjpk1Q/s200/Stufur+yule+lad.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin's favorite Yule Lad: <em>Stuffy</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSveMulPB7Ao2ivRpD243AbegOnJ28nODWCa4Uxtd1ot9LIVRnIYu0Ko7SaIQWzapbq17hlRarZOy2EFgEG2RRLHFac8vLilleiucHodrrYdezJv6YrIcJ4xJD3khQ8nitliB9W_RMEak/s1600/bowl+licker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSveMulPB7Ao2ivRpD243AbegOnJ28nODWCa4Uxtd1ot9LIVRnIYu0Ko7SaIQWzapbq17hlRarZOy2EFgEG2RRLHFac8vLilleiucHodrrYdezJv6YrIcJ4xJD3khQ8nitliB9W_RMEak/s1600/bowl+licker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark prefers <em>Bowl licker</em></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because we are spending the holidays abroad this year and won't have the same traditions we are used to at home, we have instituted a wonderful new tradition taught to us by our Icelandic neighbors, the arrival of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_Lads">Yule Lads</a>. These are Icelandic elves that used to be quite mischievous (and ate children) but now bring treats to kids if they have good behavior (like going to bed early and listening to their parents). So for the 13 days preceeding Christmas, kids are to leave one of their shoes out next to a window and if they are good, they will receive a small treat (if not, they get a raw potato). </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is a <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20071222113413/http:/notendur.centrum.is/sjbokband/joh.html/yulelads00.html">famous poem</a> about them and they also have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.476740988193.267512.280188048193&type=1">Facebook page</a>! The boys love this tradition and have added it to their daily regimen as well as the more traditional advent calendar. And no raw potatoes as of yet!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rgYVItolElxULT_rb97EU2s5mDok6iJaWtV-fY1Yr6UQzBlEWZbLU0LsgM7g4sXf8bC6VI7BAwyBv4sJgbF595QlrpUPb37dWMOWsj-UfEby3Io1JLbi5aj7jfIHwZ-UfqSlubZPDoI/s1600/in+ground+trampoline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rgYVItolElxULT_rb97EU2s5mDok6iJaWtV-fY1Yr6UQzBlEWZbLU0LsgM7g4sXf8bC6VI7BAwyBv4sJgbF595QlrpUPb37dWMOWsj-UfEby3Io1JLbi5aj7jfIHwZ-UfqSlubZPDoI/s200/in+ground+trampoline.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In-ground trampoline and tetherball</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuzgxA-Q_74s1KAlYVdY8KEso429FXo7FE7GlSkl5CYJnM94XCisHdDjXiQ-y_n3plWjVrveX-P6xOXMQGHfgxWkwMI_vP09w9MQBZMIbDcaNowyISPq9oiXKkwjmgTKmzJSps9qYLYo/s1600/Gustave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuzgxA-Q_74s1KAlYVdY8KEso429FXo7FE7GlSkl5CYJnM94XCisHdDjXiQ-y_n3plWjVrveX-P6xOXMQGHfgxWkwMI_vP09w9MQBZMIbDcaNowyISPq9oiXKkwjmgTKmzJSps9qYLYo/s200/Gustave.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark with Gustave the pig</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We were invited over for lunch to a friend's house a few weeks ago and learned a few more things about Spanish living. They live out in the "vega" just outside of town which means they have more room to roam and access to the countryside. They've incorporated some cool features like solar power (sure makes sense over here) and have room for many animals including a dog, cat, pig, lamb and multiple ducks, chickens and even a large turkey. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drying permissons, and ripening with whiskey</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We also discovered that they have the same fruit tree in their yard that we do so the husband showed Nat how to dry <em>caqui</em> (persimmons) and how to use a cup of whiskey to help them ripen more quickly so he immediately picked the fruit in our garden when we got home. I have to admit, it worked great and the fruit tastes quite like mango, but without that pesky pit. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Other Christmas traditions</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">On Monday we had a "Christmas concert" up in the school yard whereby about 20 parents sang three songs, one traditional Spanish one, one flamenco song written specifically for the 25th anniverary of the school and the worldwide favorite "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (in english believe it or not). The concert was organized by a French mom and her English husband who also acted as conductor. Although I only made it to one rehearsal I had fun singing along (I'm right in the middle in the green down jacket - kind of hard to see). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Clark and I attended the music recital of the Icelandic girls upstairs and enjoyed hearing them play cello and piano and tomorrow there is a Christmas party (<em>Navidad de fiesta</em>) at the school which apparently each grade participates in although I can't say that my boys have much interest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We are off to Morocco on Friday for 11 days along with our Icelandic neighbors so I am signing off until next year. All the best to you and yours during the holidays and will post again in 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><em>Karen, Nat, Clark y Colin</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Christmas 2011</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Granada, España</span></em></div>
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-18313976321223351102011-12-17T00:29:00.001-08:002011-12-21T14:20:00.482-08:00Italy (Part 2): Florence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU0jSrIE2cWXsKaK7SnNYLLRMdRpHzTlcZRCCt2u1ACKLTQNyRC6OlzPf4ruEmLAdi-V2fXOFqebqwmAIB3xeew4UPfHbam3ITR9TcDBFSEnHnoD4d-tMTYtzWrvNrvi9uodG3LQL-kA/s1600/Eurostar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU0jSrIE2cWXsKaK7SnNYLLRMdRpHzTlcZRCCt2u1ACKLTQNyRC6OlzPf4ruEmLAdi-V2fXOFqebqwmAIB3xeew4UPfHbam3ITR9TcDBFSEnHnoD4d-tMTYtzWrvNrvi9uodG3LQL-kA/s200/Eurostar.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurostar train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXw0fKQD8IAoVCIaM3P7sJg8BrzTQPPEQOUYlZOL4zlkNh6N09NiVSg-z0azQi-2mtQoHdgoakA92-Vg28nbjEfFZ7s1_34-yzkXXn0Lg5xLdQR2ZFsgCqL_hS0Z1MEIfJhw1SVPBEn0/s1600/riding+the+Eurostar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXw0fKQD8IAoVCIaM3P7sJg8BrzTQPPEQOUYlZOL4zlkNh6N09NiVSg-z0azQi-2mtQoHdgoakA92-Vg28nbjEfFZ7s1_34-yzkXXn0Lg5xLdQR2ZFsgCqL_hS0Z1MEIfJhw1SVPBEn0/s200/riding+the+Eurostar.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Mom and Clark</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">For this segment of the trip we took the super fast <em>Eurostar</em> train for the 2 hour ride from Venice to Florence where we caught a 5 minute cab ride to our friend's home on the other side of the River Arno. There we were warmly welcomed by the entire family and were quickly whisked off to San Miniato Al Monte, an amazing church where we hoped to see monks sing vespers (but because it was a holiday in Italy the schedule had changed). Then it was on to a "girl's night out" for Karen with Alison and a bunch of fellow ex-pats and a chance for the boys to play futbol with our friend's kids' friends, followed by catching up back at their beautiful home over an amazing selection of local antipastas as well as delicious Italian vino.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK_vUOnNuISlkJPuPoFaThrrLLPuRh4PASjYyDFWfRjC52KuTy84vVNNRDCNtxGtfq6PNxnmmLNvI33ih2nPFx-teUDn4vPcoBIjkfZrhlrL8FbgUVqm4LsnrYppkBGK2_Dufh9oNxDk/s1600/david.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK_vUOnNuISlkJPuPoFaThrrLLPuRh4PASjYyDFWfRjC52KuTy84vVNNRDCNtxGtfq6PNxnmmLNvI33ih2nPFx-teUDn4vPcoBIjkfZrhlrL8FbgUVqm4LsnrYppkBGK2_Dufh9oNxDk/s200/david.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys with "David" (I had just<br />
asked them to pose naked and<br />
they were not amused).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyNfZZNNc0ctda80qFfnGk4XWfvXJh3Yd5DVjC6lKEDsD6HJpGrDHeS8tXW7oVs5gQ6nxpoyQmHOgtkuE15xVSp7d6fa6GHY5bo7Ig3LBHYt6zn6XHVINzzg2RT6p9P16XLqbzog5jUg/s1600/candy+at+xmas+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyNfZZNNc0ctda80qFfnGk4XWfvXJh3Yd5DVjC6lKEDsD6HJpGrDHeS8tXW7oVs5gQ6nxpoyQmHOgtkuE15xVSp7d6fa6GHY5bo7Ig3LBHYt6zn6XHVINzzg2RT6p9P16XLqbzog5jUg/s200/candy+at+xmas+market.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy at the Christmas market</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next day I joined Alison while she played tennis with girlfriends (on a real clay court) and the boys got some game time on the <a href="http://www.xbox.com/es-ES/kinect">Kinect</a> as well as target practice with the boys' nerf gun artillery. We then spent the day wandering around the streets of Florence, hitting the local Christmas market, loading up on candy for the boys and visiting the <a href="http://www.museogalileo.it/en/visit.html">Galileo Museum</a> whose highlight included a display with his actual forefinger and thumb (ick). That evening another high school classmate of Nat's and her Italian boyfriend joined us for drinks and we ordered in yummy Italian pizza. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqNAOlP-qurL-Vfacyd1WCnoil2hyphenhyphenOZeOC0xoDG1EoRjsHH7kT9NXebycQM4FNrm2fAZifOC1q1eRR2CbA1GnHi3ahQ5oqPpQXkAya9O1bb18RSJtXEvY25hO0nbXLQX2f6bLXpOBYRI/s1600/conti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqNAOlP-qurL-Vfacyd1WCnoil2hyphenhyphenOZeOC0xoDG1EoRjsHH7kT9NXebycQM4FNrm2fAZifOC1q1eRR2CbA1GnHi3ahQ5oqPpQXkAya9O1bb18RSJtXEvY25hO0nbXLQX2f6bLXpOBYRI/s200/conti.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local vegetable market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL9GNg0qTWXSOtMuf_8XsNny8zZQdpv4RffNXQVnqg0ujOpzTOt02bFFBpgEBo0elMAtLczkDPfSIBiWa-WCu4d7KAwVPMNQ6RMb2E5GXOPDdv5EjqAtpTrMoDUil3TrPEVGTLdCrkD4/s1600/colin+and+italian+stew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL9GNg0qTWXSOtMuf_8XsNny8zZQdpv4RffNXQVnqg0ujOpzTOt02bFFBpgEBo0elMAtLczkDPfSIBiWa-WCu4d7KAwVPMNQ6RMb2E5GXOPDdv5EjqAtpTrMoDUil3TrPEVGTLdCrkD4/s200/colin+and+italian+stew.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin enjoying Italian stew</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">On Saturday Alison arranged for us to take a <em><a href="http://tasteflorence.com/">Taste Florence</a></em> tour which I highly recommend to anyone travelling to Florence. Started by a young American woman of Italian heritage a few years back as a way to stay in Italy, she takes folks on an extended tour of the local markets, bakeries and meat, cheese and wine shops including explanations and tastings of olive oils, balsalmic vinegars and a variety of other foods (we even visited a fancy wine cellar). Although the boys didn't appreciate all the specialty items, the gelateria's were a definite hit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYPFsjXH-CfI7pscsLtb84MUshoCPVv9h_ido2M5iGMF0kpYRKEQHF4f1dAZK5pW4rHqXJgMU1Oa-pfzk6o-ka7JHYu-hXPmgilpOewvF41OAjIJsYc-QUvt2UN96ONlpAfu3Yoj8PK4/s1600/gelateria+dei+neri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYPFsjXH-CfI7pscsLtb84MUshoCPVv9h_ido2M5iGMF0kpYRKEQHF4f1dAZK5pW4rHqXJgMU1Oa-pfzk6o-ka7JHYu-hXPmgilpOewvF41OAjIJsYc-QUvt2UN96ONlpAfu3Yoj8PK4/s200/gelateria+dei+neri.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xbUqgqaZFgObcq68UnpDAH0saLh1wt3qMSdPwf6dix1pA7hu0T_AZxmYptpeQ29lBArCIEjR2NAu5xJP1aOMo-NtTYkeZsLXR2XM4QbNjATNiE5ogqy1Fglh3I260jbOGRdap7_XW9U/s1600/toni+y+queso.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xbUqgqaZFgObcq68UnpDAH0saLh1wt3qMSdPwf6dix1pA7hu0T_AZxmYptpeQ29lBArCIEjR2NAu5xJP1aOMo-NtTYkeZsLXR2XM4QbNjATNiE5ogqy1Fglh3I260jbOGRdap7_XW9U/s200/toni+y+queso.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">On our final day in Florence we had a lovely afternoon lunch at the <a href="http://4leoni.com/">4 Leoni</a>, our friend's local neighborhood <em>Trattoria</em>. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Florence was a true highlight of our time abroad so far and we can't thank our friends enough for their generosity and hospitality.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaYvSm_E36-Xm2m2k_OQDMUGM6uuPt0-vo7mtjrzudMbjdDMd5HjiUgwt1rFZ2Qglf9_j5JjAN6Ylq5sRUmcFDyufgcvIgYg_v6MwDnYEcB8mggv_0djMFBB2v0FowKUAhaJDZUTAKe8/s1600/catching+raindrops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaYvSm_E36-Xm2m2k_OQDMUGM6uuPt0-vo7mtjrzudMbjdDMd5HjiUgwt1rFZ2Qglf9_j5JjAN6Ylq5sRUmcFDyufgcvIgYg_v6MwDnYEcB8mggv_0djMFBB2v0FowKUAhaJDZUTAKe8/s200/catching+raindrops.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching raindrops off the rooftops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r7i6tqBgSLce-gZSQFOPo2k7_r9YSFbrD5sIeEnvdla04VMA_3Amy2cz2XNuy0xhQafxbeaWdCA7Tr-xP8MBlFpfwW7ZF32JOINV33V_c6qgi7WEgia_qSoT6HssHSn-5hq5YfG6vXQ/s1600/pig+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r7i6tqBgSLce-gZSQFOPo2k7_r9YSFbrD5sIeEnvdla04VMA_3Amy2cz2XNuy0xhQafxbeaWdCA7Tr-xP8MBlFpfwW7ZF32JOINV33V_c6qgi7WEgia_qSoT6HssHSn-5hq5YfG6vXQ/s200/pig+head.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoking pig head</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Our next stop was Bologna where we planned to spend the night as we flew out from there the next day. I didn't book this train trip ahead of time as I wasn't sure what time we wanted to leave town and I knew the trains left every half hour for the 30 minute trip. Unfortunately when we showed up at the train station that afternoon we discovered that all the trains were sold out until 10pm that night as it was the end of a 4 day holiday weekend. We also found out that we couldn't take a bus until the next day and I had already reserved our hotel in Bologna. Soooooo..... we bit the bullet and talked a very nice english speaking cab driver in to getting us safely to our hotel. It took him an hour and a half to get us there and although he gave us a discounted rate suffice it to say we went way over budget. </span></div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-76263916992936565122011-12-13T14:26:00.001-08:002011-12-17T00:28:45.716-08:00Italy (Part 1): Venezia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BCbLgOk5U7MXyKLhTSTdmt0bFX01pborAm2l-6QLRkoArijIyWxLBf_MqHIH0lt3e7zTW9ttfTb_7UptYqm9HpYzxsi1j-sUR0mm_WVx-wCZ16MmwxSZieP8KJzi0oNvYmmEvNP6LOs/s1600/Venezia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BCbLgOk5U7MXyKLhTSTdmt0bFX01pborAm2l-6QLRkoArijIyWxLBf_MqHIH0lt3e7zTW9ttfTb_7UptYqm9HpYzxsi1j-sUR0mm_WVx-wCZ16MmwxSZieP8KJzi0oNvYmmEvNP6LOs/s200/Venezia.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Logistics</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We recently left Spain for the first time since our arrival 3 1/2 months ago, to visit friends who live in nearby Italy. Now <em>nearby</em> is a relative term as although on a map it doesn't appear very far away, it's kind of a pain to get there. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HZeAnVGFQSw2T103vKFJHr2YjGRJWf-XLSZXomqq5gAxciE493ouahTke-_x7d_rG16IdirqAS23Vy4SPYn4605xCMn03nmlQIe_6wSBFDxRwkb9uwfwD6ArsA4yJWX4IdopPYCZWOM/s1600/Colin+is+fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HZeAnVGFQSw2T103vKFJHr2YjGRJWf-XLSZXomqq5gAxciE493ouahTke-_x7d_rG16IdirqAS23Vy4SPYn4605xCMn03nmlQIe_6wSBFDxRwkb9uwfwD6ArsA4yJWX4IdopPYCZWOM/s200/Colin+is+fat.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just back from Italy where<br />
we over ate and over spent</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With budget in mind, I booked us low-cost flights on Ryan Airlines which leaves from Madrid (which is a 4+ hour drive away) and flies to Bologna from where we could catch a train to our first destination, Venice. With all the logistics worked out (visit scheduled, train seats reserved, overnight in Madrid figured out, bags packed -- carry-on only of course as it's 30E a bag for anything more), we started the long drive towards Madrid. All went well until our friendly GPS guide with the sultry female voice (I still haven't figured out to change to English but all the better for our spanish practice), repeatedly started saying <strong><em>Recalculando</em></strong> every time we missed a turn. But we finally found the hotel which was very nearby the airport and after a dinner that cost more than the room (thankfully the room was cheap), we headed to bed, very early by Spanish standards. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaiZ67OJX-62mJreXtpFFnhy7C39AyG0reqfUQEVP6he3p1xWOvAiC-Z9hc9nHZtrpx5p1mLGEXMRYWDJa2ayUJHAHmnH-Om5id3FG8xZ9z7_oYhyi0tPLwGcjgezW73iFQSQatfwzQ4/s1600/Gondola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaiZ67OJX-62mJreXtpFFnhy7C39AyG0reqfUQEVP6he3p1xWOvAiC-Z9hc9nHZtrpx5p1mLGEXMRYWDJa2ayUJHAHmnH-Om5id3FG8xZ9z7_oYhyi0tPLwGcjgezW73iFQSQatfwzQ4/s200/Gondola.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Rialto Bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Up at 4:30am the next morning for a 6:45am flight and we're off. Easy 2 hour flight to Bologna, kill a few hours in the train station by trying out our first Italian pizza at a nearby <em>Osteria</em>,(it was a hit)<em> </em>and we're on to Venice which is only 2 hours away. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORr2JBEPJSKFiq8JtlPMuokLUdStriIBnHZH_eZ6z4qlRdnVk87iFivXReY6hd6upxrg81DI9lgVBqVHNH7HiKTUInZ9HruvBC4RVbSsR-40NPoDt510DOTgkhPKC6H05tOBDJSRwef0/s1600/Gondolier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORr2JBEPJSKFiq8JtlPMuokLUdStriIBnHZH_eZ6z4qlRdnVk87iFivXReY6hd6upxrg81DI9lgVBqVHNH7HiKTUInZ9HruvBC4RVbSsR-40NPoDt510DOTgkhPKC6H05tOBDJSRwef0/s200/Gondolier.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our gondolier, Simoni, checks his cell<br />
phone mid-ride</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Now this is my third time to Venice, the first as a backpacker in my twenties, once with Nat before we got married and now 16 years later with 2 boys in tow. I wanted to do it all this time and figured we could finally afford it so on to the cheezy Gondola ride. It was actually quite fun although our gondolier, Simoni, was on his cell phone almost the entire time and I don't think we even made it the allotted 40 minutes. At least it was off-season so the prices were (slightly) lower.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyQ0zuGQYwNlqz_XNcmXZjjHGuFlFRPL2ubj-RYIWsMZsWPDovJI_CRptXAGWsWyLuZxIu9mlGtvs9s_vJXjk84y2UZ3ufLMjSyhwfXs3ZCxTlwd6tivLEKxpELlozNMLGalWsVC_J60/s1600/Colin+in+robe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyQ0zuGQYwNlqz_XNcmXZjjHGuFlFRPL2ubj-RYIWsMZsWPDovJI_CRptXAGWsWyLuZxIu9mlGtvs9s_vJXjk84y2UZ3ufLMjSyhwfXs3ZCxTlwd6tivLEKxpELlozNMLGalWsVC_J60/s200/Colin+in+robe.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin amongst the knaves</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We stayed at a gorgeous boutique hotel in a private courtyard just off of Piazza San Marco (I stayed at a youth hostel when I was there the first time) and we even had 2 rooms as they couldn't accomodate all 4 of us in one room. The rooms were decadent with murals painted on the walls, terry cloth robes, an incredible breakfast and most importantly a bath tub, something we don't have back at home in Granada. (I took 3 baths while there while the boys enjoyed watching "snooker" on TV).</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfo8QIV4NRgzD1F-y2j7DzFiUgEHbfvjGWJOxLH8CNxN5g__g4j1Dpx7R1Q3IictHque9ztPDo426Fs-tuj9lhUXSvoPwB7GdKZ6weTnFpQWr4sn1UOtcUnLm0bpw_EsccIpoj2iucAM/s1600/Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfo8QIV4NRgzD1F-y2j7DzFiUgEHbfvjGWJOxLH8CNxN5g__g4j1Dpx7R1Q3IictHque9ztPDo426Fs-tuj9lhUXSvoPwB7GdKZ6weTnFpQWr4sn1UOtcUnLm0bpw_EsccIpoj2iucAM/s200/Breakfast.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast fit for a King</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We dined our first night at a restaurant favored by Johnny Depp but the biggest suprise of the night was when the British girl (identical to Madonna in the 90's - think short bleach blonde hair) at the table next to us handed Clark a 5E bill and told he and Colin to spend it on gelato, she thought they were so adorable. Note that she had probably had a bit of champagne as she also told us she was recently engaged so I am guessing her biological clock had started ticking. Regardless, Clark didn't know what to do with the cash and immediately handed it to me for safe keeping. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdN9djtFAk5b78DWqMzF4FNiTLMypIilYa_qMY7RF7h2GAlbKv9ZzBvgbmrTuu7YmbR4W0JAhjWu4eFi1Ti0CJiLE5nrwOFqfl0RlzetSRXvyGTcb0teM9ZlTGej0lXIUIcwF5UB8CuA/s1600/feeding+the+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdN9djtFAk5b78DWqMzF4FNiTLMypIilYa_qMY7RF7h2GAlbKv9ZzBvgbmrTuu7YmbR4W0JAhjWu4eFi1Ti0CJiLE5nrwOFqfl0RlzetSRXvyGTcb0teM9ZlTGej0lXIUIcwF5UB8CuA/s200/feeding+the+birds.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feed the birds, tuppins a bag</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">The next morning we spent at least an hour in Piazza San Marco playing with all of the assertive pigeons that roam the area looking for tourist handouts. Apparently it is now illegal to feed the pigeons (they used to sell birdseed), but everyone still does it. I was appalled at having pigeons wander all over my arms and head but the boys loved it. (Thank god for their hoods as Clark actually got pooped on). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDB1gXh7Al8ISJn4hZMYt6pB-Mld9XSPtTtRa6FRfzi3qw1H5s9_frNYsKNs_tCzGucuWSd9KHlDiaHUbzSG9eigLCk4AxRXEcc3LkFG6eL_QLOUYZPV1ocM52BqkrGTA-yHJqFxuseg/s1600/naval+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDB1gXh7Al8ISJn4hZMYt6pB-Mld9XSPtTtRa6FRfzi3qw1H5s9_frNYsKNs_tCzGucuWSd9KHlDiaHUbzSG9eigLCk4AxRXEcc3LkFG6eL_QLOUYZPV1ocM52BqkrGTA-yHJqFxuseg/s200/naval+museum.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naval Museum</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Then it was on to the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187870-d196475-Reviews-Naval_History_Museum_Museo_Storico_Navale_Arsenale-Venice_Veneto.html">Naval History Museum</a> (<em>Museo Storico Navale</em>) which was both a hit and a bargain (the only one we found in Italy, mind you) at only 3E for the four of us. We spent a few hours checking out the model ships as well as maritime equipment and costumery. Afterwards we stopped by a bakery and a park and then another cafe along the Grand Canal on the way back to our hotel (did I mention that the drinks here were 9E each? -- and we sat inside!). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcRdEB1SCX-Cp9LeG6nJuAEuK2cBQKTiqA52NK0dRShsbFZH8z9Lxq5dH51AGKJKZo5S5gDnWUQ5qfagWQzE5ulVSHFOyODTvnmzQjiei75GheTsAL9I37zFggWBuGF5tCjt1yZDPMkE/s1600/Grand+canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcRdEB1SCX-Cp9LeG6nJuAEuK2cBQKTiqA52NK0dRShsbFZH8z9Lxq5dH51AGKJKZo5S5gDnWUQ5qfagWQzE5ulVSHFOyODTvnmzQjiei75GheTsAL9I37zFggWBuGF5tCjt1yZDPMkE/s200/Grand+canal.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Grand Canal</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We spent our final morning in Venice at the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducal_Palace,_Venice">Doge's Palace</a>, another location I had never visited. This is a fascinating palace built in the 1300's for the Doge of Venice and is currently used as a museum. The boys overlooked the golden decor, famous paintings and enormous rooms for the much more interesting (to them) prison on the other side of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_Sighs">Bridge of Sighs</a>, one of the most famous bridges in Venice known for the last view of the city that convicts got before they were sent to prison. We then took a water taxi back to the train station and caught a train to our next destination, Florence. </span>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-39282177735293696082011-12-01T10:18:00.001-08:002011-12-01T15:05:48.958-08:00Skiing in Spain, seriously... <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lk7eo9KFKI4SshCYToxeMtdLjn8VCtfaXEaH2y4mPNVXSKbpWKuXKNdUo7yeWueTJHxIgNJNedQI0mr8JvM0FKi_sNjAKyORhrpYgKkXb1pnSupCy2tzUPUn0aN5Q8x1DcMCuQij-Gk/s1600/family+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lk7eo9KFKI4SshCYToxeMtdLjn8VCtfaXEaH2y4mPNVXSKbpWKuXKNdUo7yeWueTJHxIgNJNedQI0mr8JvM0FKi_sNjAKyORhrpYgKkXb1pnSupCy2tzUPUn0aN5Q8x1DcMCuQij-Gk/s200/family+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mediterrenean Sea and Morocco <br />
are off in the distance</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we first considered moving to Spain, we certainly didn't give skiing much thought. Perhaps if we were lucky or ambitious we would make a quick trip to the Alps or the Pyrenees to get in some European skiing. But then we learned Granada has a local ski area only 45 minutes away, with some of the best skiing in Spain. Funny, I never put snow and Spain in the same sentence together. Until now. Turns out this <a href="http://sierranevada.es/">local ski area</a>, in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, is wonderful! (in fact, I just learned that they are the second highest ski slopes in Europe).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI4_fzWQ1RTx0SyrdWVtiUxXT5edW9Ox9oKxq-q3lOQVpNTRh-PITE0ne_ryyn-MatWiy7K-b8iijEasiwhQo745lMhGV_611eR6mFYavV6ehcoLSuglM03Z1Pb98zuUQqVu8qYEUMzA/s1600/Upper+village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCI4_fzWQ1RTx0SyrdWVtiUxXT5edW9Ox9oKxq-q3lOQVpNTRh-PITE0ne_ryyn-MatWiy7K-b8iijEasiwhQo745lMhGV_611eR6mFYavV6ehcoLSuglM03Z1Pb98zuUQqVu8qYEUMzA/s200/Upper+village.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper village (mid-way up the hill)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our local area just opened on Saturday (NOTE: first ski resort in Europe to open this year as the altitude is quite high). And although it is still early season there are plenty of runs open and the village itself includes 2 gondolas, 15 chairlifts and 2 T-bars as well as all the amenities you would expect at a destination ski resort (hotels, condos, restaurants, bars -- there's even an ice rink, climbing wall and luge run, although they are not open yet). And did I mention it's only 45 minutes away? It's amazing to leave our ancient neighborhood and a half hour later find yourself at a typical ski resort that could be anywhere in the world. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2-3BZj7OPrsC9bfq2OalE77OskqfKktA9zmtlIU4TB4jMqX7I9pp4FEa0XZbtDJ6BPeRy5JIFqsJKFt2kR61wDiSE2xfNOHgKH3vo2-zTYQWBaB8p0SyqLCHe7xDVLNzXeg2nBJcZr8/s1600/ski+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2-3BZj7OPrsC9bfq2OalE77OskqfKktA9zmtlIU4TB4jMqX7I9pp4FEa0XZbtDJ6BPeRy5JIFqsJKFt2kR61wDiSE2xfNOHgKH3vo2-zTYQWBaB8p0SyqLCHe7xDVLNzXeg2nBJcZr8/s200/ski+map.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area ski map</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nat and I talked to friends who were up on opening day and decided it was worth it to re-schedule our Spanish class and hit the slopes on Tuesday. We had so much fun, we re-scheduled class once again and pulled the boys from school on Thursday (it was a quiet day for them, no Spanish tutoring) and headed back up. With a quick stop in Cena de la Vega (nearby village) to pick up rental gear (it's cheaper there), we were on the hill before 11am and skied until the lifts closed at 4:30. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwVA65mG0CizNkaFc8YDl6AvUGmOmoKroCdb5YJSwKuF9hzqt6z3ZjMN6BrFsWPLvvecQitbID1TFPUcZrd_FJHlfgsvPmLiMT-R2Db9w7FgDbnLN862FBakqLfbVvsP2BRe-yMq8gn8/s1600/boys+on+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwVA65mG0CizNkaFc8YDl6AvUGmOmoKroCdb5YJSwKuF9hzqt6z3ZjMN6BrFsWPLvvecQitbID1TFPUcZrd_FJHlfgsvPmLiMT-R2Db9w7FgDbnLN862FBakqLfbVvsP2BRe-yMq8gn8/s200/boys+on+top.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys on the highest ski hill in Spain: ~10,000'</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both days were clear, sunny and lovely. Although it hasn't snowed all week, the stuff left behind is still light and powdery due to the dry climate and high altitude. In fact, at the very top (~10,000 feet) you can see all the way to the Meditereanean Sea as well as Morocco if you're really lucky. And having the sun out all day made it feel like real Spring skiing for us, in somewhere like Utah or Colorado.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLhCKHeUC27tHDtID6FbhRiOKJkwe6rpGmUNDTuslC3NbZL6qLHu_VT-ZVuG4-QqHmWbU_WevGxoSPJGzV3OH2Iu8315xHXUBdJDa5kxqVKDj-0-VlgpJMNgvcnrsIdz2IF8jOfCLBNQ/s1600/T-bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLhCKHeUC27tHDtID6FbhRiOKJkwe6rpGmUNDTuslC3NbZL6qLHu_VT-ZVuG4-QqHmWbU_WevGxoSPJGzV3OH2Iu8315xHXUBdJDa5kxqVKDj-0-VlgpJMNgvcnrsIdz2IF8jOfCLBNQ/s200/T-bar.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys on the T-bar</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So we played hooky and spent the day checking out all the different runs and chairlifts, doing some racing and enjoying a late afternoon Spanish lunch. But there are n<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">o free tapas up here. You even have to pay for parking (!) but the lift tickets aren't bad, by American standards (32.50E for us and 22E for the kids and ski rental is cheap - 10E for the day) but if you add it up it is an expensive outing. We hear the weekends have horrendous crowds so we may just try a few more mid-week getaways at the New Year. </span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLkQtlrv_kpkWu_I0byWJ00vzGUP7GoWnLtnbSXxMK3BSML45Cyrm-EVL1HSaOgBH4y-OpdtbiycCXZ5HcrLuKLLx3cWSVZMX6qV1NQtxziAr7C0GFqxozH7cQzxTQF4qKWEP60DGzOI/s1600/spanish+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLkQtlrv_kpkWu_I0byWJ00vzGUP7GoWnLtnbSXxMK3BSML45Cyrm-EVL1HSaOgBH4y-OpdtbiycCXZ5HcrLuKLLx3cWSVZMX6qV1NQtxziAr7C0GFqxozH7cQzxTQF4qKWEP60DGzOI/s200/spanish+lunch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish lunch: we dined outside<br />
in the sunshine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZV_hC_2eC4vVR3042KyCNTTvDtwWdnY8RxQS-Zs2utD8q4GRfXkcUh7yg4-uBCoYrYpS6d6McO9DuQRaj9SfIJigz55uARKjm6MIMhmyR5oBPafIPrX8hkn7ha7WlvhCpD7K-5UqEfs/s1600/hat+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZV_hC_2eC4vVR3042KyCNTTvDtwWdnY8RxQS-Zs2utD8q4GRfXkcUh7yg4-uBCoYrYpS6d6McO9DuQRaj9SfIJigz55uARKjm6MIMhmyR5oBPafIPrX8hkn7ha7WlvhCpD7K-5UqEfs/s200/hat+head.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish Americano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-57505284799410951522011-11-28T07:20:00.001-08:002011-11-28T11:30:06.852-08:00We are officially legal!<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I felt this topic deserved its very own post. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For those of you following our escapades from the beginning, you should be able to appreciate this very large milestone. Today we drove ourselves to the local <em>Ministerio</em> <em>del Interior</em> in Granada and picked up our official "residence cards." After spending hundreds of dollars, filling out mountains of paperwork, sending fed ex's around the USA, a last minute trip (for four) to the Spanish consulate in San Francisco and a little luck with important people in various places, we are now LEGAL to live in Spain (until 5 October 2012). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQkdwPuE7XECVTw9diZYMHNIh9pdRTd1AEDnP6H1LAkYLRYdeu4UUT53iBh438rB5g8INGqh5vj78ErID8nWuIah28b2duUm_D4mDB7NDBqpNs0Kxd_CvsYlQLlOUrTH_xFsV0rKfXfs/s1600/residence+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQkdwPuE7XECVTw9diZYMHNIh9pdRTd1AEDnP6H1LAkYLRYdeu4UUT53iBh438rB5g8INGqh5vj78ErID8nWuIah28b2duUm_D4mDB7NDBqpNs0Kxd_CvsYlQLlOUrTH_xFsV0rKfXfs/s320/residence+cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-8630526167169640432011-11-23T10:41:00.000-08:002011-11-27T09:59:25.929-08:00Giving thanks<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>We are thankful for: </strong></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Karb - <em>having the opportunity to live in Granada and for all my friends, both old and new</em></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Nat - <em>sunny days in winter, tapas and a healthy, happy family</em></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Clark - <em>food and playing with friends</em></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Colin - <em>legos and Wii</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thanksgiving</strong></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFG0I-2KPZ-I0RCyjmNMy_0AwsPxtqRC1KYaMuuqJCYjzjAP6ObwiDxMDOS5GOZpz_CePEilMARIxMFyo2jbPKB0TcbzccedEZvDw-dGf-sn9w_ZpOMe2DyL9StRsQpvci7G-esk3zdI/s1600/Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFG0I-2KPZ-I0RCyjmNMy_0AwsPxtqRC1KYaMuuqJCYjzjAP6ObwiDxMDOS5GOZpz_CePEilMARIxMFyo2jbPKB0TcbzccedEZvDw-dGf-sn9w_ZpOMe2DyL9StRsQpvci7G-esk3zdI/s200/Thanksgiving.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys enjoying sparkling cider <br />
with fresh pomegranate juice*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">Thanksgiving Day marked our 3 month anniverary in Spain and is a special time of year for me for several reasons. It's always been one of my favorite holidays, focused around family and food but Thanksgiving Day also marks the anniversary of my dear Mother's passing (16 years ago, after years of fighting lymphoma) so is always a timely reminder of the short time we have on this planet (she was only 54 when she died). </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQVmmTdY6OSMVFAW5S62PuNx_5qZH5MPRAIYCHiWg6Nt5GbH3TbVAAl16t1oQ_2liztegeDACxnuQLx2p4UnEcwKrnd7SVnxu-nx0ZhtKxQDUhdULqb2EYD-Cvdq-CVGrU4oUh-ImWsQ/s1600/Thanksgiving+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQVmmTdY6OSMVFAW5S62PuNx_5qZH5MPRAIYCHiWg6Nt5GbH3TbVAAl16t1oQ_2liztegeDACxnuQLx2p4UnEcwKrnd7SVnxu-nx0ZhtKxQDUhdULqb2EYD-Cvdq-CVGrU4oUh-ImWsQ/s200/Thanksgiving+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving dinner #1 at a fellow American's <br />
house (he is married to a Spanish woman)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We've had a couple of Thanksgiving meals this year. The first one was last Thursday when a fellow American invited us over for a last minute dinner as he and his Spanish wife had just spontaneously purchased a turkey that morning as they thought that it was actually Thanksgiving Day (turns out it's the fourth Thursday in November, not the third). We happily accepted and enjoyed a lovely turkey (cooked perfectly well in a toaster oven!) He inspired us to offer up our own feast on the actual day so Nat ordered a bird from the local <em>carnicerius </em>and we strategized about menu options and offerings. We decided to call this "<em>Turkey and tapas</em>" and make it an afternoon gathering as dinner here doesn't start until 9 or 10pm and it was a school night. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwzIwts1OdJHGnpYurYc7exFWsHhTaBrDNdK6DPcEHcechak4pUhm5v12pGowhI_JxlBKwyxPEFDksIbzgjXs5m9yeA20y_pUBbgPJ43sF03uKh9-MOApnlPdjzsWBTF-9BgTusSKfTk/s1600/Penguinis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwzIwts1OdJHGnpYurYc7exFWsHhTaBrDNdK6DPcEHcechak4pUhm5v12pGowhI_JxlBKwyxPEFDksIbzgjXs5m9yeA20y_pUBbgPJ43sF03uKh9-MOApnlPdjzsWBTF-9BgTusSKfTk/s200/Penguinis.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kitschy Americano appetizer<br />
(creme cheese stuffed olives)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVtzRGFTd_e1WQJN8fMd3Ac3Xl9BAmA00pWEDME61vfY3XEvsbyrP0Qf4z0nsUpWs_-7YQxuaZyc-7mpJ0amA0U5T9CEa5kVk-EgZoW2grPTphoe7M9esasU2EW43cjfA6tzbXXawguA/s1600/Thanksgiving+feast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVtzRGFTd_e1WQJN8fMd3Ac3Xl9BAmA00pWEDME61vfY3XEvsbyrP0Qf4z0nsUpWs_-7YQxuaZyc-7mpJ0amA0U5T9CEa5kVk-EgZoW2grPTphoe7M9esasU2EW43cjfA6tzbXXawguA/s200/Thanksgiving+feast.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat supplied the turkey, stuffing, & vegetables<br />
and friends brought side dishes and desserts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">We extended the invitation to all our new friends, neighbors and fellow Americans, including one random couple from Seattle that we heard were in town this week. Surprisingly almost everyone we invited showed up, plus a few more. My most excellent chef husband roasted a 4 kilo turkey with all the trimmings and guests brought some lovely additions including homemade applesauce, roasted red peppers, marzipan and chocolates. I think we had over 43 people stop by (including kids) and with many spills and one broken wine glass I would call it a success (the last guests left at 11pm, apparently you never put an end time on a Spanish invitation). All in all, a perfect example of the spirit of Thanksgiving and what we are thankful for: friends, relationships, diversity, gratitude and acceptance. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Colin's futbol kit</strong></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0mxxuEONDpwZrG-XGAlPY3-xMy0EQzpj7u0gvNWMurAa-tXhUvIjHy1Z-TmVnjRVwPNwLhge7wve4FddXdWIaLc1Mu-3AiSIjxGIu2J99d2XIdBL2sODPnh8GmnRJ5PwsP-gFTiwIvM/s1600/Colin+in+down+coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0mxxuEONDpwZrG-XGAlPY3-xMy0EQzpj7u0gvNWMurAa-tXhUvIjHy1Z-TmVnjRVwPNwLhge7wve4FddXdWIaLc1Mu-3AiSIjxGIu2J99d2XIdBL2sODPnh8GmnRJ5PwsP-gFTiwIvM/s200/Colin+in+down+coat.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat your heart out LVR!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMnuHk5yRwQ4IUNM3RKKY1hpxImgx_kAzz9b5Xs7lkn9ncxC4nCUvs2NRJ9b9LyrrX9jh7RWkyX6Z7WcZzqMkVhrRn5LgaDGFj1FnalzCOG31tXsn2klYzmC60Y5Q332HpzPni3qxjBI/s1600/futbol+kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMnuHk5yRwQ4IUNM3RKKY1hpxImgx_kAzz9b5Xs7lkn9ncxC4nCUvs2NRJ9b9LyrrX9jh7RWkyX6Z7WcZzqMkVhrRn5LgaDGFj1FnalzCOG31tXsn2klYzmC60Y5Q332HpzPni3qxjBI/s200/futbol+kit.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High-end futbol kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">When the boys play soccer in Seattle, the season is about 2 months long and they each get a simple soccer jersey and socks to wear at the games. Big difference here in Spain, where futbol is King. Just got the "kit" for Colin's <em>Rayo Eneais</em> team and inside the high-quality sports bag we found 2 sweat suits (one for games, one for practice) a windbreaker, wool cap and down jacket with hood! We're now just waiting for the team jersey with his name enscribed on the back. Even if he doesn't get to play in a game (still waiting for residancy status), it's been worth it!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Handyman and plumber</strong></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyeI583r3_nB9sh_jGVleMy8sHgnHPbW8kKDZJnFQGQa23ALoFJL_g7Ckp8MAzu2wmOVqpLInymN5V1cieZr69bhICY5v4lUsKH-dZRTWAtNdY_7pAFYZDM3YF-B5eRtxec5qWk2HBYA/s1600/Pomegranate+seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyeI583r3_nB9sh_jGVleMy8sHgnHPbW8kKDZJnFQGQa23ALoFJL_g7Ckp8MAzu2wmOVqpLInymN5V1cieZr69bhICY5v4lUsKH-dZRTWAtNdY_7pAFYZDM3YF-B5eRtxec5qWk2HBYA/s200/Pomegranate+seeds.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">* We've had an abundance of ripe <br />
pomegranates (granadas) in our garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">If my landlord is reading this, know that you chose the right tenants! Both my husband Nat as well as the upstairs neighbor are extremely handy around the house and enjoy a project so are forever fixing some litle thing. Nat has spruced up the fireplace doors, re-wired 2 phone transformers (which we think an electric surge blew), inserted a new shower head and replaced the tubing in the downstairs bath and is forever putzing with something. The most exciting news however, is that he called a plumber and we now have hot water in the kitchen! (this has never been working and also makes the downstairs bath tricky to use as we can't get much hot water there). Note on customer service to my fellow Americans: Nat called on Friday morning at 11:00 and the plumber was here 10 minutes later. He spent a few minutes determining the problem, left for an hour and then returned with a new part which he quickly installed. Total bill? 35 euros. Not bad and will help offset our electric bill for heating water via electricity ($$$) upstairs. Nat has also rototilled the garden and harvested all the ripe pomegranates. Yum!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Booking tickets</strong></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgkOk_pQPCM7BGGazD8INXtXcXgRlBeWwOGDN_SWz6mL6ZX4I9aRoX9E0T-CabCCfpUpxR8eV0tQl7M4N3OQIW3qU_8g8qfPrv4hztd7MYIVLjDW0Wu7JRjQM8VMjwS1KZYthML_NfFo/s1600/Nat+rototills+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgkOk_pQPCM7BGGazD8INXtXcXgRlBeWwOGDN_SWz6mL6ZX4I9aRoX9E0T-CabCCfpUpxR8eV0tQl7M4N3OQIW3qU_8g8qfPrv4hztd7MYIVLjDW0Wu7JRjQM8VMjwS1KZYthML_NfFo/s200/Nat+rototills+garden.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nat rototills the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Calibri;">My neighbor Anna and I have literally spent hours booking tickets to get ready for our Moroccan adventure over the winter holidays. Something that would take about 10 minutes at home, has stretched in to hours (with calls to our banks in both Spain and Iceland for assistance!) To get bus and ferry passage, one must insert all passport numbers as well as a myraid of other information and sometimes the internet throws you out mid-way or some glitch requires a new transaction. When we purchased our flights, even though we bought them at the exact same time, my transacation must have been 1 second ahead of hers so my tickets were slightly cheaper and she had to start over. And there was an enormous fee to send funds from Spain to Morroco to our secure our deposit so I think we will be using cash from now on.</span><br />
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</div>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972754813138349150.post-28596473521888386692011-11-13T14:29:00.001-08:002011-11-18T04:53:48.766-08:00Colin is 9 and a beautiful Fall hike <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmkoHs2qUEj9p1zm419pBovot87ks1cRSd-F5niNwTSLwYA-9qJTC6-VQaCeO0KGiXqWxv3IEFZJH7s7mk4cDzMfdNOzDBDJ2RArt_Q2xLjHV8ecx_3OxSQl7_W_8krjM2bQmncpHP-I/s1600/Muchachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmkoHs2qUEj9p1zm419pBovot87ks1cRSd-F5niNwTSLwYA-9qJTC6-VQaCeO0KGiXqWxv3IEFZJH7s7mk4cDzMfdNOzDBDJ2RArt_Q2xLjHV8ecx_3OxSQl7_W_8krjM2bQmncpHP-I/s200/Muchachos.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin and his muchachos</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Fiesta de cumpleanos de Colin</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKH9jNojvEaJujN4sQ4CGmJ-7KBnktO8_Vf2z2SX6TjZK0icRiXhtV8yJXLsdf0pDR4coTKxrrA8pPKHmBCrFOE4-dMy9QDmlX1GTTPL4Gh8UAeeu5Z9q4OcO47qicjiX1HxtuzqUY_g/s1600/navigating+the+albayzin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKH9jNojvEaJujN4sQ4CGmJ-7KBnktO8_Vf2z2SX6TjZK0icRiXhtV8yJXLsdf0pDR4coTKxrrA8pPKHmBCrFOE4-dMy9QDmlX1GTTPL4Gh8UAeeu5Z9q4OcO47qicjiX1HxtuzqUY_g/s200/navigating+the+albayzin.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scavenger hunt</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">C</span></strong></strong></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">olin turned 9 on Saturday so we hosted a birthday party for 9 at our home in Granada. To try and keep the "boy energy" level at bay, I planned a "scavenger hunt" in and around our very interesting neighborhood, the Albayzin. We came up with a list of 20 silly things to find and take a photo of including <em>smallest car,</em> <em>church steeple</em>, <em>Arabic hookah </em>(smoking apparatus) and <em>largest dog poop</em>. My first mistake was having the party start so late in the day as it was starting to get dark by the time folks arrived (oddly several kids arrived a half hour early which certainly isn't very Spanish and caught me by surprise). The second was agreeing to take 4 energetic boys out and about solo on a busy Saturday night. Colin immediately tripped and fell running down a narrow alley paved with cobblestones but thankfully there was no permanent damage. As we had a limited time frame (one of the parents needed to pick-up his kids early), we made a quick outing of it and never did end up sharing photo's but it was a fun time nonetheless. </span></strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTNiTMZSlvnmRsUZNasPCXZUjGYNtZnW1Q27o8KgZBtL41ierBg2_65LmTyPP2dtDneBnghCGOAiqAwpWYWdaIfbwNP18JMt3VHDA-5iyJ9f6yrt4AdBXTrfirwjcx1GufUbjGtkDSPA/s1600/bday+crisp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTNiTMZSlvnmRsUZNasPCXZUjGYNtZnW1Q27o8KgZBtL41ierBg2_65LmTyPP2dtDneBnghCGOAiqAwpWYWdaIfbwNP18JMt3VHDA-5iyJ9f6yrt4AdBXTrfirwjcx1GufUbjGtkDSPA/s200/bday+crisp.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday crisp with 9 candles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFN2EjzzHS-Tnr-fvNSP9-aEZomCRmuOX1z-Q2EVNZHH_kM30ordQFYANoCmQR1Wn95lgseYaD1cdy5ZODSbQ3zB-ubaGWu7qRldSrpNbrZf4SN5jXySTHThWwccmLS9_ordjfdQPrhs/s1600/bday+diner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFN2EjzzHS-Tnr-fvNSP9-aEZomCRmuOX1z-Q2EVNZHH_kM30ordQFYANoCmQR1Wn95lgseYaD1cdy5ZODSbQ3zB-ubaGWu7qRldSrpNbrZf4SN5jXySTHThWwccmLS9_ordjfdQPrhs/s200/bday+diner.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American style pulled pork sandwiches</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After the game and a little Wii time, Nat served up a delicious meal of American-style pulled-pork sandwiches and I made a peach apple crisp, both Colin's favorites, and we sang "Happy Birthday" in four different languages (Spanish, English, Icelandic and Chinese). </span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ftylAFagDnnqQJcuEN-mhCfzk6UfAjEoB3VwefhmZJboTCUMsAVpXxxPhmIsrUWPKMGcKuneKejvFCXweeBxFtugUH3pt-sORbBPhoguTaPSz1T2qbWXag6OdpH4BISmcUP3GWp-X0Y/s1600/el+campo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ftylAFagDnnqQJcuEN-mhCfzk6UfAjEoB3VwefhmZJboTCUMsAVpXxxPhmIsrUWPKMGcKuneKejvFCXweeBxFtugUH3pt-sORbBPhoguTaPSz1T2qbWXag6OdpH4BISmcUP3GWp-X0Y/s200/el+campo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El campo (the countryside)</td></tr>
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<strong>Fall hike</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYP5QbYIpLXYHDDnYcmiIdIJm7eSzZb9oDmVXNA-beAaCu7RKAW34BNg6J7PQNAdD2ppTpBXUNi0-Jf7eV7giIa2fefzFR2NYN2NLNQCPjqCwed9nd-amgZwO0IZIZaPhtbD1oa_Iu7k/s1600/rocky+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYP5QbYIpLXYHDDnYcmiIdIJm7eSzZb9oDmVXNA-beAaCu7RKAW34BNg6J7PQNAdD2ppTpBXUNi0-Jf7eV7giIa2fefzFR2NYN2NLNQCPjqCwed9nd-amgZwO0IZIZaPhtbD1oa_Iu7k/s200/rocky+road.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone in-laid walking path</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the perks of the boys' school is that every month the parent group hosts a weekend "outing" where anyone is welcome to join in a group hike or bike ride. The first one took place on Sunday and about 60 (!) people showed up to do a 9 kilometer loop around a beautiful bit of countryside in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The route is typically planned for all ages and there was everyone from infants in backpacks to 60 year olds. We all met a local gas station and caravaned out to the trailhead which was about 45 minutes away. The entire group then gathered for the walk and we spread out along the trail, meeting for short rest stops along the way. </span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckzNK_HIl04Ex_DMKz5y-xNXivtc8RJpz4Sfk19aZ-ayvXYSusJ8fuHaPzfT8jbhnld59KVuD5DxxLfS8t9xHfsrMgF-LLnTeEKS_4qnDnxWCY6dAjScexPMMsZf-wlobeSYbpJs1s_c/s1600/el+campo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckzNK_HIl04Ex_DMKz5y-xNXivtc8RJpz4Sfk19aZ-ayvXYSusJ8fuHaPzfT8jbhnld59KVuD5DxxLfS8t9xHfsrMgF-LLnTeEKS_4qnDnxWCY6dAjScexPMMsZf-wlobeSYbpJs1s_c/s200/el+campo+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluoJvXAHexpm4U0MPCilZ6eVRgMDhvgPMd0KTEGpr8b1RYloMtCDRldddlTktyMZZ1qIBeR4He1PnA7zNurVZimdTPbNQsI_iItgA9pUeKO2zts9SEA81kDh91cAXcPHCo6y5N8Z8Qec/s1600/bull+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluoJvXAHexpm4U0MPCilZ6eVRgMDhvgPMd0KTEGpr8b1RYloMtCDRldddlTktyMZZ1qIBeR4He1PnA7zNurVZimdTPbNQsI_iItgA9pUeKO2zts9SEA81kDh91cAXcPHCo6y5N8Z8Qec/s200/bull+ring.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colin in front of bull ring</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The fall colors were spectacular and we even saw a few patches of snow along the windy, stone-inlaid road. But the most interesting vantage culminated at the turnaround point or the <em>"Plaza del Torres</em>" (plaza of the bulls) set high up on a mountainside. We had lunch near this old bull ring where apparently young bulls are trained to fight in the ring. And on the return loop home the group I was with attempted to take a shortcut and got a bit lost in the woods so ended up doing some pretty difficult trailblazing on the return. All in all, it made for a very adventurous day which is the name (and nature) of this blog!</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO6q6l5qtfR93nDU8cg0U3FhO0aDDN8kg7RopFvXWQ4XP0HzU8tfrRLHaKazvW7amKrc7tXzS9OZevU9hngUyutOEmW3cqVlXbi7jKlesZbjz02PohCoukpK6sQMHyS2ASwYMZUmwEMY/s1600/bulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO6q6l5qtfR93nDU8cg0U3FhO0aDDN8kg7RopFvXWQ4XP0HzU8tfrRLHaKazvW7amKrc7tXzS9OZevU9hngUyutOEmW3cqVlXbi7jKlesZbjz02PohCoukpK6sQMHyS2ASwYMZUmwEMY/s200/bulls.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish bulls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>karbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03363893041381740442noreply@blogger.com2