Galicia Rural Profundo

Last weekend Jose and I went with my parents to the Sierra del Caurel in Galicia. It's one of the mountain ranges in the area. Since it takes about 3 hours to get there we decided it would be best to stay in a Casa Rural, so Jose and I searched the world wide web and found Casa de Chaos, made a reservation and hit the road.

Casa de Chaos was in a small, very rural village called Paderne, hanging off the side of the mountain somewhere around where Jesus lost his sandal (as the Spanish say..."Donde Jesus perdió la zapatilla"...meaning...in the middle of nowhere...BFE).

After winding around one-lane mountain roads for some time we came upon Paderne, and the cows and sheep of Paderne. So we "parked" on the side of the road and Jose and I began our search for Casa de Chaos, dodging cow patties and sheep pellets the whole way through the village.

We finally found an old dark house with a small wooden sign covered in cobwebs that read, "Casa de Chaos". We looked inside... it was dark, damp and smelly... looked at each other...looked back inside...and then were startled by the loud eeeehaaaaaah sound of a donkey inside. We burst out laughing and said, "¡Ni de coña!", meaning "No way!"

It was surreal.



I thought for a minute and said that there was no way this was the actual house, it must be the old part or the barn. So we continued to walk around and were delightfully surprised when we saw a new, refurbished, beautiful house with a breathtaking view of the mountains. Thank goodness. I was just imagining us sleeping on a cot with the donkey.



This village was incredible. They are still the 18th century when people lived side by side with their animals. Cows, sheep, pigs, chickens all walking through the streets. There aren't separate barns away from the houses, the animals stay in the bottom section of the house.




Needless to say, we had great time, and are planning on going back.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are nice and serene. But not when they're gushing out of your apartment onto the apartments below.

Yesterday a swarm of neighbours had they're heads stuck out of their windows in our interior patio watching the water fall down. And even though everyone was sure it was our 7th floor neighbours' fault, because we have all new plumbing, it turns out it was from a 40-year-old drain pipe in our laundry room. This was discovered by breaking out the jackhammer. (You've gotta love Spanish construction materials...cement, concrete, and brick.) Now we have a hole in the floor, no water, waiting for the plumber who'll probably never show up, wondering how much damage was done to our neighbours'apartment and how much we'll have to pay to repair it.

Ooops, didn't have new drain pipes put in when we changed the plumbing.

What should we name him?

We realize that we need a name for our new car, but can't come up with anything. Jose's been calling him Kit. Any ideas are welcome.

A Nomad's Life

There's something about being uncomfortable that is so comfortable sometimes. Driving through Castilla and Andalusia in 100 degree weather in a 1989 VW Golf with no air conditioning and the windows rolled down. Marking the map. Watching the landscape change. Having to stop every few hours to buy ice for the cooler so that we could have something refreshing to drink. Setting up the tent. Blowing up the mattress. All the while with sweat dripping off our noses. Walking around 24/7 with our bathing suits on so that once we were finished visiting a small town we could run down to the beach and spend the afternoon splashing around and sunbathing covered in salt and sand. Once the sun started to set we'd head back to the camp ground (though it looked more like a refugee camp), take a shower, make dinner (typically just sandwiches and beer), eat by the light of our lantern, then sit out in the dark in our Crazy Creeks and talk about that day's adventure and plan the next day's.

We spent five nights by the beach in southern Cadiz and visited lots of quaint, small towns, the capital, secluded beaches, busy beaches, passed fields of spanish bulls, relaxed and we even made our way down to Gibraltar for a day. Then we took down the tent and headed up a little further north in the province to another beach town for five more nights where we went to Tablados Flamencos, ate lots of gazpacho and salmorejo, drank sangria and tinto de verano, saw the famous Andalusian horse show, visited the Tio Pepe winery, visited the pueblos blancos in the sierra and made our way to a few beaches too.
After ten days of camping we decided to splurge and spend two days in a hotel in our favourite Andalusian town, Córdoba.

I've lived in Spain for over 6 years and this is the first time I actually saw the stereotypical Spain, what it's famous all over the world for. But it's such a diverse country, diverse languages, cultures, people, etc. It's not fair to limit the escence of a country to the culture of just one region. Bulls, flamenco, and sangria (only found in Andalusia) are what Spain has always "sold" to the world as it's identity. Most spaniards who aren't from Andalusia hate this stereotypical identity because it's not who they are. It's sad that the Andalusian culture has been reduced to this exterior image, what is considered and comercialized as "Typical Spanish" because it really is a beautiful region and culture that's so full of life and light, and deserves more than shops full of plastic bulls and cheap plastic dolls in flamenco dresses. This comercial exterior image cheapens the Andalusian culture and takes away from the cultures of the other regions in Spain. It was nice to finally get to see such a beautiful area and I can't wait to explore more of it. I'm lucky to be able to see it all and experience first hand the diversity that truly defines Spain.

And all behind the wheel of a 1989 VW Golf with no air conditioning.

European Camping 101

Is camping in Europe right for you? Here's a twelve point checklist to help you out.

If what you want is...
1. To connect with nature
2. To escape from noise
3. To rough it in the wild with the bare minimum
4. To build a big campfire and make smores
5. To be miles away from all civilization
6. To relieve yourself in the woods and hope that leaf wasn't poison ivy

Then camping in Europe is NOT for you.

However, if what you want is...
1. A cheap way to travel resembling refugee camps
2. To rough it in the city with the bare minimum OR rough it in the city with your camper, refridgerator, TV, Playstation, houseplants, birdcage and gas grill
3. To have your neighbors' campsite just 4 feet away ... in every direction
4. To be at a campground with clean bathrooms, showers, kitchen sinks, laundry rooms, café and restaurant, and a pool
5. To hear the guy in the tent next to yours either release flatulance or snoore all night
6. To catch a poor French lady with her pants down and rear end glowing in the moonlight because she was too lazy to walk to the bathroom

Then camping in Europe just might be for you :)

Summer Blues

4th of July has come and gone (no fireworks or festivities in Spain...understandable, of course), the weather hasn't improved much in our part of the country (a black cloud permanently looms over us), and families head to beach for summer vacation hoping to find a ray of sunshine before the month is up.

I'm entering into a potentially very stressful time at work. Antía left yesterday on holiday for 3 weeks. So here I am, at work practically alone, with about 10 new classes that are about to start in the upcoming weeks (one of which is an English class that I'll be taking on). I'll be pulling 10 hour work-days until she gets back. Not a fun task, but it comes with job.

I'm in a stage where I have no idea what to write about...all I do is work :) I could tell you all about the student that signed up for class today, the computer that doesn't work properly in classroom 3, the teacher who always comes to class late, the class that I don't have a teacher to teach, the metal blinds that need to be repainted due to graffitti, the TOEFL exams that we haven't received compensation for yet, or the problems we're having with the telephone companies. But none of that stuff is all that interesting. So that leaves me with little more to tell. The joys of being a full-time working woman.

Whatever happened to the summers at camp where our only troubles were trying to get shaving cream out of our hair or when the chocolate milk machine ran out. Thanks to Facebook, we've been reminiscing about the good ole' days.

July 30th Antía comes back to work and Jose and I set off for Andalucia on a 2 week camping adventure. Hopefully I'll have fun stories to tell on our return.

Surprise, surprise, surprise

It's raining in Santiago de Compostela. They say we're supposed to have about 30 days of blistering hot African heat wave weather soon...we're waiting. I wore a turtleneck the other day in the middle of June. The African hot weather is welcome whenever it decides to come our way and push through these clouds.

Getaway

I'm just waiting for better weather so I can lounge in my new chair.

Herb Garden

Lately we've been eating things that I've grown on the balcony (meaning...herbs). It's pretty exciting. They've have been growing like crazy. So much better than that bottled dry crap. I made two of my favorite herb dishes yesterday:

Grilled Salmon steaks with Cilantro and Lime

Italian Capresi Salad (Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, and olive oil)

I never thought I'd see the day when I'd eat something that I actually grew and cooked. I've turned into quite the gardener and chef if I do say so myself :) I know, I know...they're just herbs...but for me this is huge, bear with me here.

Sisters Reunited

You can just smell the maturity in the air when we get together...

Too bad I don't have a picture of us on our 4.8 mile-run!! That was historic.

Locked Out

Yesterday we locked ourselves out of the house in sweaty gym clothes. I'm sure the building in front of ours got a kick out of watching us jump over the 5 foot division between our balcony and our neighbours', shove a broom stick through a gap in a slightly inclined window in order to open the adjacent window, and climb though. Needless to say, we are going to give a set of spare keys to Jose's parents.

For Julie and my Anonymous Reader who've told me I need to write more...

You're right I haven't written in awhile. My main excuse is work and going to the gym, but I'll try to do better.

A few happenings since my last entries...

1. Semana Santa (Holy Week/ Easter)

Here in Spain during semana santa there are lots of processions. The processions originally were meant to teach iliterate people about Jesus' death and resurrection. Now it's mainly a tradition, but they have a very special meaning for those who take part as well as for those who are mere by-standers. The most famous processions are in Seville and southern spain, but here in the north we also have them. These are a few pictures from the procession "Jesus Flagelado". The men and women who participate spend the entire year preparing for this day. Many do it as penitance.

2. We bought an awning for our balcony

It's been great being able to eat breakfast and lunch outside without being roasted to death.

3. I've decided to give gardening another try

I know little about plants, meaning that I've taken house plants (which I realized later don't like direct sunlight) outside for a day in the sun thinking that they'll appreciate it. Ungrateful little things. But this time I bought plants that like the sun, a geranium and a hydrangea. I also bought flower and herb seeds (I'm beginning to see sprouts!) Jose calls me doctor death. He swears he hears the plants screaming as I put them in the car, but I'm determined to prove him wrong this time. So far so good...

4. I got a video camera for Christmas from Jose and I'm trying to learn a little about editing video and posting them on the blog. I'll let you know if I'm successful.

5. Awhile back I made sushi for Jose and Sergio. This was the masterpiece...

Until the next time...

Romeo e Xulieta

Jose and I have been going to the theater lately. Here in Galicia most cultural events are in gallego. Last night we went and saw a very modern version of Romeo and Juliet. The actors did a good job, but I think translating Shakespeare should be against the law. Here are just a few of the crimes:

Romeo: "O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?"
Poorly Translated: "Are you just going to leave me like this"

Juliet: "What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?"
Poorly Translated: "What do you want me to do?"

Juliet:"By and by, I come."
Poorly Translated: "I'm coming"

Mercutio: "A plague o' both your houses! They have made worms' meat of me."
Poorly Translated: "I curse you both! Tomorrow I'll be gone."

And the list goes on...

Sure, it means the same, but it's not the same.

Milk!

Those of you who have come to visit me...meaning my parents and Julie...know of my on-going plight to find skim milk that tastes like the milk I grew up on. Here in Spain, most milk is put through some funky process where it can be stored in what are called "TetraBriks" (airtight cartons) in the pantry for months until you open it up. The milk tastes really disgusting for some reason. Years back I did find fresh milk, but it was whole, and I don't like whole milk. Then came 2%...still too thick for me. But today I found fresh skim milk! I drank the entire liter in one sitting. My search has come to an end. Oh how I've missed you.

Saturday Morning...at work

Working on Saturdays sucks. It's a beautiful day outside...but I'm inside. I can't wait for 2:30 PM to come around and enjoy what's left of the day. Any other Saturday workers out there who want to join my pity party?

Much Needed Break

We're spending the night at a spa. It's only about 20 km away from Santiago, and we'll have three hours to relax in jacuzzis, saunas, heated pools, water jet massages, aroma therapy rooms, etc. I can't wait. Jose and I will be better people tomorrow :)

It comes with the territory

I've decided to just get used to being stressed out, because it comes with the territory. Today was an absolutely crappy day. Everything that could go wrong went wrong...everything. But, I've actually been in a good mood all day. Doesn't make sense, but it's true. God got me through the day. And I'm sure He'll be there with me to get me through tomorrow as well.

Sleeplessness

I'm usually sound asleep by now, 12:56 AM on a work night, but stress has gotten the best of me. Swarms of things dealing with work race through my head. After lying in bed staring at the ceiling, I decided to get up and make a list of what needs to be done tomorrow to try and clear my head. But, I still can't sleep. So, I'm blogging about how I can't sleep, hoping to become sleepy. Michu, my cat, just jumped up on the desk with me...she obviously can't sleep either...or maybe she's just nocturnal.

It's very rare for me to get insomnia, so I don't really know what to do to combat it. If I had a bathtub I'd probably take a hot bubble bath...but I only have a half-bathtub which my 6-foot body has trouble getting into, so that's out of the question. I could read, but ever since I finished the Time Traveller's Wife I haven't been motivated to start another one. Armagedeon's on TV, but I already know the end. What to do, what to do.

Ok. I just yawned. Blogging is working. I'm off to try and dream peaceful dreams.

Waiting for some Calm

As many of you already know, these past 6 months in my new job have been rather difficult. The job in and of itself is not bad at all, it's everything that came along with it. Imagine starting a new job and thinking, "Mmm, what are the worst things that could happen?" Well, everything imaginable has happened. Just when I think I can't get any worse...it does.

First, I begin my job at the most stressful time of the year, our fall classes campaign. During this time of year we are trying to "recruit" new students and it's extremely stressful and time consuming. Then all of a sudden two of my teacher's were taken right from under my nose by collegues in another town to teach in their center, and I was left with having to find new ones just three days before classes started. Right when the campaign is finally over and I think I can begin to relax, my right hand man (woman), Antia, has severe back pain and goes on sick leave for 2 1/2 months. Here in Santiago, it's just me, Antia, and the technician, Diego. The big chiefs are in La Coruña, and hour from Santiago. This means I had to do double the hours and double the work (mine and Antia's). But remember, I'm still new at all this. During this time, my dearest friend Jules comes to visit and I can't spend much quality time her. Towards the last week of her leave my boss finally decides to hire someone else to cover the administration at the front desk. The next week, Antia returns. A small breath of fresh air. But no, my boss wants to cut costs. Meaning, we have to reduce the technician's hours. He opposes to this decision and decides to leave the company. Now I'm left with no technician in an Information Technology Center where computer maintenance is a must. I keep saying, things have to start getting better, they can't get any worse. Yes, they can...

On Monday, February 5th, I come to work as usual, and I notice that one of my teachers is late... as usual. I don't think anything of it, except that I'm going to have to reprimand him again. All of a sudden, two people walk through the front door. One of them seems out of breath, but Antia and I realize he's actually trying not to cry. They proceed to tell us that Felipe, my late as usual teacher, was in a car accident the day before and he died instantly. Felipe, so full of life, so young, so full of hope for the future, had a head on collision and wasn't wearing his seatbelt. The whole academy was in shock and denial. I decided to close up for the day and we all piled into cars and drove 2 1/2 hours away to his funeral. 2 1/2 hours of silence.

Monday was the shock of it, but Tuesday the reality of it all set it.

What could be worse than the loss of a life. I think I can honestly say now that things can't get any worse. It's time for some calm.

If my first six months were like this, then the next six should be a breeze.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Wonderful book. I thought the title sounded a little stupid, but I'd heard good things about it through other blogs, so I wanted to give it a chance. I think I read all 533 pages in two days. Probably one of the most romantic and beautiful books I've ever read . I feel like I know Henry and Clare and can relate to the constant waiting that defines their relationship on so many levels. I'm experiencing withdraw now that I've finished it. I've chosen a biography to read now, because any other novel that I could pick at the moment has some huge shoes to fill. I might just have to read it again to enjoy the details.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Three Kings Day

I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, but I managed to get two weeks off of work for Christmas, which was nice because my parents came over to visit.

Here are some pictures of all the festivities and trips we've taken over the past three weeks.

Over the years Jose and I have created our own Christmas and New Years traditions and every year we add some new ones. This year I made gingerbread cookies from scratch for the first time. It was fun. Now I have a new Tojo Edwards family tradition :)



We spent Christmas Eve with Jose's parents and Christmas day with the whole gang. There were 14 of us total. Christmas with the Tojo Ramallo family is very different than with the Edwards family. There's lots of noise, lots of arguing and shouting, and lots of food and partying. For someone who doesn't understand Spanish, one might think everyone was angry with each other from all the yelling and strange facial expressions, but no, just the opposite. That's just the way everyone is...no one's angry or upset, it's just a typical, boisterous spanish conversation! But maybe the most shocking are the various 6 course meals we eat on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. We all need to go on diets now.

Between Christmas and New Years we took my parents on a 3-day tour of Portugal. The four of us drove down in a small 1989 Volkswagen Golf to Lisbon and then worked our way back up stopping along the way at Fatima, Aveiro and Porto.

Lisbon is a giant city like Madrid that's pretty much in ruins. But like I told Jose, it's falling down, yes, but it does it so gracefully. We took a trolly ride through the old city and got a glimpse of life in Lisbon.

Fatima is where the virgen supposedly Mary appeared to three kids in the woods. Now it's a tourist attraction like Myrtle beach full of glow in the dark virgen Mary's.



Aveiro is Portugal's "Little Venice". A small beach town with canals and typical portuguese fishing boats.

We stayed the second night in Porto, which is most famous for it's Vinho do Porto wineries. We took a tour of two of the most famous ones, Ferreira and Sandeman.

After our Portuguese tour we came back to Santiago and rested up for our big New Years Eve bash. Prawns, lobster, fish, beef, mousse, wine, champagne, liquour, music, dancing, 12 grapes, party masks, hats, confetti and noise makers.

After all that partying we needed a little peace and quiet so we headed off on a day trip to the Ribeira Sacra (my favorite place in Galicia by far).

And last, but not least, the "Reyes Magos" (Three Kings or Three Wisemen). On the night of January 5th the 3 Wisemen come on camel and leave toys for the children. The kids write them letters telling the wisemen what they want and they give the letters to the Royal Postman who delivers them. Just like with Santa, the kids leave cookies and milk (or brandy :))for the wisemen and water for the camels. Then on the morning of the 6th all the kids run to the Christmas tree to find what the wisemen left them. The wisemen were in Santiago last night :)

(pictures taken from the newspaper, El Correo Gallego)