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Spain Day 5 - 100% Pie de Concha
Entry 10 of 70 | show all | print this entry |
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At the request of my friend, Alyssa (Hey Girl!), I (Janice) decided to take a shot at typing the blog for today. This is the perfect day for me to type this since we did what has so far been one of my favorite things to do here...chill day at the house. I know it sounds lame, like I should have more fun running around exploring all that Spain has to offer, but the reality is that right now I find life more enjoyable sipping coffee on the balcony, jogging up the hills and taking in the lush mountain view, making lunch, doing laundry (no dryer here so I have to hang everything out to dry), watching Spanish music videos on TV, trying to finally finish my Spanish book, "Love in the Time of Cholera", and coloring with the kids.
We woke up at 10:30am and for the first time since we started this trip, I felt well rested. I got the kids some cereal (we let them buy the really sweet and totally bad for you kind, so they can't wait to eat it in the morning), made Asher some English Breakfast tea, and got ready to go for a jog. I couldn't wait to get a good jog in, partly because it is amazing to jog with the incredible views around here, and partly because I ate two super greasy churros with a huge cup of chocolate last night. While I was jogging, Asher took the kids to the small town library to look at books and play on the computers for a while. Once again, I was in awe of the area where we are so fortunate to be living for a few weeks. It really is majestic. I got up to a place in the mountains where the only trace of civilization was the large bridge in the distance (their highways in Northern Spain are all really nice). Other than that it was just beautiful green mountains, with the sound of a creek below, and a cow on the mountain opposite me eating grass and occasionally looking up and starring at me. I waved back. Then I looked down to find a huge slug at my feet. And when I say huge and mean HUGE. Who knows what other creatures were lurking in those mountains. Time for me to head back.
I got to the library, checked email (the people we are doing the exchange with got to our house and are getting all settled in. Thanks Ron & Deb for the beautiful greeting basket you prepared for them!) and then took off to finish laundry and make lunch. Asher has been doing such a great job working from here. He had to finish some continuing education classes on line to renew his insurance license, so he stayed a little longer. We had some leftover fish and the ribs Asher cooked yesterday. We are trying to clear out the fridge since we are going to be away from the house from tomorrow till Wednesday. After lunch, Asher ran across the street to get my Cafe Cortado (mostly coffee with a little milk) from Maria Angeles. I love that coffee! It seriously makes me happy. Now is was Asher's turn to go on a jog.
**** Ok. Asher back at the keyboard now. Janice rocks at blogging. She will be back with more fer sure! My jog turned in to a hike instead ... along Calsada Romana, a famous pathway along these mountains. No stairmaster for me here, so the Spanish mountains will have to do. Hehe... Gorgeous views of Pie de Concha. Probably two miles up and two miles back. I am tired! On the way back, I saw some kids playing pool, so we grabbed our kids and joined them for a while. Janice met the mom ... who's husband built the house we are staying in. She educated us on a couple of facts about Pie de Concha, the most interesting thing being that the small bull walk we saw a couple of days ago happens every day ... and that there is a bull run (just like the running of the bulls in Pamplona but smaller) on the last Sunday of August. We won't be here to see it, but its pretty neat to know that happens literally right in front of our house here!
We then took the kids along the same path I had walked (a much shorter hike of course) ... and back to the house for some grub, the kids' first movie since our plane ride out of SF, some play time with some locals out frot, and finally some sleep for them, and late night work for me. Its pretty neat to see the families all outside together in to the evening playing and talking and just BEING. Nothing to do, not even sharing a meal ... just sitting outside with neighbors, friends, and family. Tomorrow starts another small leg of our journey. We are heading on a five day trip... to San Sebastian for a two nights stay with some folks we connected with online via homeforexchange.com, then Pamplona for the running of the bulls where we secured free lodging for a night!, and then Bilbao to visit the Guggenheim.
Lounging around the house and village today, Janice and I decided to take photos of everything so we can remember it well ... I hope you enjoy! PS. One technical glitch ... we did a video tour of the house to share but its too big to upload unless I'm in a place with easier internet access so I'll load it up when we get to Bilbao. More thumbnails ...
Latest Comments (11)View all comments
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Walking the Walk! (reply)
Jul 5, 2008 15:41 EST by karenndave
Hey Family!
What a treat to read what you're doing and how you're enjoying it over there en Espana. I've busted myself with perma-grin as I go through your blog, and laughing out loud at some of the moments you've captured.
It's especially cool to see you and the kids in the midst of the locals...the BEST! And I love how resourceful you are, you fence-jumper. Way to keep us connect... show all
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Almost forgot... (reply)
Jul 4, 2008 16:55 EST by tonja_f
Yes, Janice should do more of the blogging AND be safe in Pamplona! One place I almost agree with the locals in saying silly Americans have ruined! Definitely an experience though!
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better blogger? (reply)
Jul 4, 2008 14:41 EST by neezer
i like ashers blogs better.. but hey, you are the superior tennis player, so i guess that makes up for all inequities in literary style. but in all seriousness, the blog looks awesome, pics are great, the food pics are awesome, kids are cute as ever, and it's fun keeping up with you fools. Oh yeah, tell cheapo asher to take the cab next time instead of saving a few euros lugging your gear around... show all
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Yippee! (reply)
Jul 4, 2008 14:40 EST by burtmommie
I'm so glad the kids like the travel journals :)
Tell Sam and Ella we were freaked out yesterday when we noticed your fish (Beatty?) was completely gone from his tank. All I could think of were Janice's other suicidal beta fish. But this tank has a lid -- and the lid was closed -- it was like he vanished into thin air. Finally we figured out that the little tray at the bottom was sligh... show all
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Marita (reply)
Jul 4, 2008 07:48 EST by 916marita
Hi guys, Happy 4th to ya!
Thanks for posting pics of your home and neighborhood. Nice. Btw, what does Pie de Concha mean anyways?
Thought I'd also bring up that I was named after one of my moms aunts. She was Basque. Her name was Marita Rosello. I think there are a lot of things in Espana named after the Rosello's-cool!
Ttfn :D
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Missing you guys! (reply)
Jul 4, 2008 00:15 EST by fritzsche
I loved hearing from you J! Asher, you do a fabulous job too! I love reading the blog! I check every day to see the new post and to see what y'all been up to. We are so happy for you guys (and a little jealous too)! : ) We love you all and cannot wait to hear more! Keep writing : )
xoxo
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P.S. (reply)
Jul 3, 2008 23:36 EST by lyss77
I almost forgot! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY(since you are ahead)! Don't forget your land of the free ha ha
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Co blogging? (reply)
Jul 3, 2008 23:33 EST by lyss77
Very nice job Styrskys or is it Styrsk-i? what do u call more than 1? ha ha Thanks for the shot out Janice! I feel special *blush*. I can't wait for you guys to blog about Pamplona. How exciting. My mom was telling me about some town in Spain where they have some famous tomato fight? She said they have to hose down the sides of buildings and everything. I hope you guys don't run into that unexpect... show all
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the better blogger... (reply)
Jul 3, 2008 17:51 EST by oliveteresa
i like janices blogging better! put her back on!
really though, i am enjoying all the blogs and pics!
you guys are creating such an awesome and memorable experience...
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