In the Mountains

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Mountains....Spain? A lot of people think Spain is a land of tropical paradise. This is not so true, especially during the winter. I went on a trip with my Antrhopology class to the Sierras de Gredos. We have been learning about a small town there that has only 50 inhabitants. Its economy is based off of cattle raising. The inhabitants were really nice and responded to all of our questions they had. There is a very grim look on the future of the town because the younger people go to the cities and don't want to stay in the mountains. Before getting to the village we stopped to look at these Celtic Bulls made over 2000 years ago! Isn't that crazy. We also walked the Roman Road which that civilization used when "Hispania" was part of the Roman Empire. The next day we went to Extremadura, a different region in Spain, leaving Castilla y Leon. It was amazing fun. Our Professor let us pull over and have a snow ball fight at the border. Then we went to a few different villages there, including this one town that had a huge celebration when we arrived. They welcomed us in and cookies were being circulated throughout the village, so obviously we all ate them. Also, lemonade, and locally made wine was going around too. It was a crazy celebration. Everyone in the town dresses up into old clothes and puts marks on their face with a burnt cork. It supposed to symbolize this old mean man in history that was probably a tax collecter. It was so much fun. Everyone was singing and dancing in the street.

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Photos

The Bull Ride
Lindsay and I on top of a stone bull that was created by the celtics. It's over 2000 years old!!!

The Trek
A trek up the Roman Road. A road used by the Romans. How appropriate!

Village of Navalguijo
Some pictures of this rural town.

Professor!
Here's Professor Kavanagh. He actually owns a small cottage in the village and showed us his getaway house.

Snow Ball Fight.
We stopped on the road to have a short snow ball fight on the border or Extremedura and Castilla y Leon. It was great!

Garganta la Olla
Another beautiful town thats called "the gorge of the pot" because its surrounded by mountains.

Historic Bridge
On the river a bridge lies.

The Pot from a far
Peaceful, isn't it...

The Celebration
Here's a shot of one of the streets during the pary

Corked Out
After being integrated by the locals.

Comments

[grandma Rita]

loved your trip
I ENJOYED EVERY WORD . yOUR DESCRIPTIONS ARE WONDERFUL. i FELT LIKE i WAS THERE. i LAUGHED AT THE BURNT CORK . REMINDED ME OF GRANDPA BART. THAT'S HIS SCHTICK. YOUR PICTURES ARE GREAT. MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU

[al rosenthal]

Party Time
This trip looks "awesome" to use one of your favorite words. It sounds so interesting and u guys r looking like u r having a ball. The Professsor looks like a fun guy. What a great opportunity to be able to experience all this. Take it all in, this experience will stay with u forever. Enjoy, Enjoy!! and if u have time, try to learn a little.

[Tio Carlos]

Mi Sobrino
Como estas mi Querido sobrino? Por lo que veo en el "Internet" lo estas pasando muy bien. Espero que estes en buena salud y que estas tan contento como lo luces en las fotografias. Disfruta la historia y cultura de europa. Te queremos mucho y yo estoy muy orgulloso de ti. Te quiero mucho, Tio Carlos F