Blogs from Spain, Europe - page 1195

Tuesday, April 3, 2007 Tusday came really quickly with all of the traveling and all that we did before that point. So, on Tuesday I took my parents to meet two of the three ladies that run my program with CEA here in Granada. Then, we went to the school so they could see that. The school was open so we used a computer for a minute and I checked my mail and updated my blog quickly. How was the party at home? After the tour of the school mom and I ran into a small grocery store to buy some stuff to make sandwiches for lunch. We then headed up to the Alhambra. I talked them into going up early so we could go to my favorite place up in the hills behind the ... read more

Monday, April 2, 2007 After getting up at a decent hour we had breakfast in the hotel. Well, near the end of breakfast we were admiring the view out of the ceiling to floor windows at one end of the dining room when I noticed a bird in the corner of the room. Well, not knowing the word for bird in Spanish I tried to tell one of the ladies working there that there was something in the corner of the room. She looked a little nervously where I was pointing, but then saw the bird and called to another worker. Together they looked a little sorry for the poor thing, so confident they wouldn’t hurt the poor thing we headed back to our room to get out things together and hit the road. We headed ... read more

Sunday, April 1, 2007 The bus arrives in Madrid at around 6:45. I get off at the second stop and catch the Metro to the Airport. I arrive at the airport about an hour later with plenty of time to spare before needing to meet my family’s 8:45 arrival. So, I ask for the plane I think they’re on and am directed to Terminal 1. So, I find the arrival gates and watch people emerge for about 45 minutes or so, then my phone rings. It’s my mother. She’s asking where I am…”In the arrival area waiting for you” Well, I was in the wrong terminal watching the wrong group of Americans emerge. So, after catching a bus to Terminal four I finally found them! Hearing Dad’s whistle (because we’re all trained like darned dogs) was ... read more

For our first day-trip out of Madrid, we took the picturesque train ride from Madrid to Segovia. As the train approached Segovia, the temperature had dropped from 8C to below 0C and it was snowing in April! So it doesn´t only mainly rain on the plain in Spain, it snows! We were freezing cold and Segovia was tourist-free! Having left Madrid at 8:ooam without breakfast, we headed off to the first open coffee shop at 10:00am! After 4 lattes, 1 orange juice, and 5 croissants between us, we finally could feel our toes and hands again (short-lived)! Although Mama Canuck was not that popular dragging the Travelling Canucks out of warm beds in the dark, taking the metro to the train station, running for the train without breakfast, they soon forgot and forgave her given the ... read more

Well, we arrived in Valencia on Sunday 1st April. First stop, Alinghi Base Headquarters to collect our keys to the our apartment and orientation information on the area. Did a bit of a meet and greet, had some 'gorgeous' photos taken for our security passes....what is it with i.d photos?? I'm sure they had ugly chips installed in all cameras used for this purpose!! So we arrive at the apartment which is great, a few minor details that have to be straightened out but for the most part its great. Its only about a 15min walk to base and an even faster ride. We dont have a car here, but its really not needed as everything is so close and convenient. There is a fantastic park just a minute over the road, The Jardins del ... read more