Rural Soterrana Hotel Cáceres

... in Portugal, and it occupies an empty space so I’m happy!
So the shelves are wonderful, but my all time favorite thing is the fireplace! Granted, I wouldn’t trust myself to actually start a fire in it unless I got someone over here to show me how, but I just think it makes the room look more homey and comfy. Until I find said person, I figure some candles in the fire place will have a similar effect, even if it’s not ...

... that they had to add because there were too many students for the original building. However, as of now, I’ll only be working in the original part of the school. So, five teachers and twelve hours means that I go to about two or three classes with each teacher. As of now, except for two classes, all I’ve done is introduce myself. I’m really getting quite tired of doing that, but I think I’ve finally been to ...

... to the different towns everyone is teaching in and as they come here to visit, but during the week will be a different story. I’ll keep you posted.
Kerilyn's roommate, Pilar, was gone for the weekend, so Kerilyn and I had the place to ourselves. We spent the large part of the weekend exploring the town and really just relaxing. The town has an old walled in section, which is where Kerilyn's apartment is, and then the newer, busier ...

... route was much longer than the route I chose myself - by 27 kilometres! The second surprise was to discover that the new route was short on hills, at least those going upwards! I spent what seemed like an age descending further and further (and needed to stop to don a windproof jacket to keep the cold out!) through the mountains that I had climbed the previous day. I took a picture of a Via de la Plata route marker and before long I passed a couple of pilgrims with whom I ...

... me having to dry mine so often. I also usually wash some clothes each night, and it can take a couple of days to dry them! This latter problem is less frequent in the last few days, as the weather seems to be warming up a little - it reached 17 degrees yesterday, according to the TV weather report! Mornings are usually 2-3 degrees so far.

... is extraordinarily noisy! However, I do have many quieter moments, and, as in many retreats I have had in the past, I have begun to have memorable dreams, and am confirmed in my experience of them as my very personal contact with the God who loves us. Very rich times! Of much less significance, but still pleasing, you will also see that a magician who is my contact support person at Travelpod has corrected my faulty Madrid entry!

... people I know. Each day was full of fun and interesting conversation, yet the week was not without some problems. Casey was sick the first 3 or 4 days we were with the program. However, the program directors took very good care of him, connecting him with a doctor and some meds that got him better in no time. Now, we are back in Madrid with our friend Ennis, the Aussi that was so kind to me during my breakdown on the sea kayak in Turkey. More about our adventures in Madrid soon!

... on an interesting aspect of his or her life. One friend, Hilton, presented on the nonprofit he started with fellow Zimbabweans in London called We Zimbabwe. Another young woman, Laura, presented on her research in the Arctic as an undergraduate in college.) 9:00pm to 10:30pm, Plated dinner at tables of 4 10:30pm to 3:00am or 4:00am, YES, 3:00am or 4:00am, Social activities, including dancing, drinking Spanish cultural beverages, dancing, talking, dancing, singing ...

Arrived here on Thursday. Lovely campsite and restaurant. Had a great day yesterday exploring the park by bike. Amazing site watching the vultures soaring over the river and cliffs. Later today I´ll go out on an organized tour. Hopefully they know where the eagles are.

... a nice visit, and from what I've heard, the best that Extremadura has to offer. However, I was quite disappointed by Cáceres. Maybe it was different from what I expected, or maybe the uniformity of every building in old town just didn't excite me, but I would recommend another town in Andalucia rather than making an excursion up into Extremadura. I can, however, highly recommend the nightlife here (for that of a smaller town).