I'm pretty sure that I have slept more in Spain this past week and a half than a Grizzly bear in hibernation. It has been lovely.
Our bodies are amazing and take a lot of abuse through the daily living and stress of lo que sea*. I hope that mine has accepted my apology and has recuperated at least a smidge over our stay in beautiful España. It's also my wish that I learn to be nicer to it whenever routine stress returns to my life**.
May we just talk about how 'time' can look soooo different depending on the country/culture/etc.?! Ohmigoodness. Of course I remember the schedule differences from that last time I was here but that was for two months so I more or less adapted. This stint was just a week and a half so I didn't feel like we assimilated entirely.
Here's the timeline...
Most people do have jobs/school/lo que sea* so some do leave the house at 6/7/8/9 etc. There's breakfast if they take it then. Lunch is not til 2:30 or 3 so if you're the Sevillanos that tourists see on the streets you'll take una tostada y cafe at a corner bar around 11 or so. If not, I have no idea how you last that long. Kristen and I didn't wake up til 10 most days so we had breakfast then ;) a simple toast or cereal. By lunch time, though I was pretty hungry. Dinner is not til 8:30/9pm sooo....yeah. Here's where the classic 'siesta' comes in because 3-5pm is the hottest part of the day, so take a rest. Also, most of the small shops close during this time so there's no point to be out.*** Some do partake in another coffee and/or tapas to tide them over til dinner but there's really no 'rule' for this. Like I mentioned, dinner is late and they like it this way. I've had la cena at 10pm or later (last night we had a multi-course dinner that lasted well past 12am!). Mi mama española says it's not good to go to bed on an empty stomach so why would you do it any other way? I, on the other hand, find it's hard to go to bed early when you eat so late. lol.
All in all, I'm a tourist (as much as I try NOT to look like one!) and I love encountering and living amongst different cultures. Even the stretching parts are good for you.
Kristen and I are coming away from this pequeño viaje**** with a new family, lots of recipes to try, and a wedding invite to come back next year! I wasn't sure how my rusty Spanish skills were going to fare but I was really impressed that they were fine. I won't say 'spectacular' but they were 'fine'...what I call "survival Spanish". It was definitely good practice. Our family was easy to understand and very patient and willing to teach; all of which was helpful and appreciated. Other locals on the other hand....haha. Languages are hard, ya know! Won't it be nice when we all speak the same one again? :)
Well, it's time to pack again. Buena noche!
Paz y Amor.
*In English = whatever
**Cuz I'm believing God has an amazing plan for my life that includes a great job when I get back to the States as I will need to generate income otra vez/again.
***Unless you're a tourist of course and this schedule doesn't necessarily apply to you, or if you're like I and you want to squeeze every bit out of your trip as you possibly can, then at least find a park and sit in the shade for awhile and enjoy Heaven on Earth in the form of palm tree gazing.
****In English = little trip
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Bienvenido a Espana!
Welcome to Spain! After three flights in one day from Belfast to London to Lisbon to Seville plus the last one being delayed and miscommunication on the pick up, I made it! My hosts are amazing - it's a long story but I didn't know them prior to this and they have so graciously welcomed me into their home at the request of some of our fabulous mutual friends. Yesterday morning they asked if I wanted coffee and figuring I'd take a risk that they didn't use the same instant coffee that is quite prevalent in the UK, I said yes. Not only was it real coffee but they topped it with hot frothy milk and cinnamon. omg. I was so excited. I have been feeling that this visit to Sevilla will be redemptive in some ways; the people are different, I'll be touring with my best friend, I don't have to take classes or work, we're staying with awesome Christians, aannnnddd this go-round I actually like coffee and can truly enjoy when they offer me fresh coffee with hot, steamed milk! Yes, totally redemptive. Thank you, Jesus.
One thing I have been learning (through experience for sure) the past couple weeks is true hospitality. Wowzers, have we been blessed by incredible people opening up their homes with no complaint and being so accommodating to their American tourist boarders. They have made sure we've seen, tasted, and experienced what makes their corner of the world special and unique, and above all have made us feel welcome and loved. I'm amazed and now deeply convicted regarding my apparent lack of hospitality skills. My apologies to all my friends who have stayed with me! Next time I promise to be much better.
Cheers!
One thing I have been learning (through experience for sure) the past couple weeks is true hospitality. Wowzers, have we been blessed by incredible people opening up their homes with no complaint and being so accommodating to their American tourist boarders. They have made sure we've seen, tasted, and experienced what makes their corner of the world special and unique, and above all have made us feel welcome and loved. I'm amazed and now deeply convicted regarding my apparent lack of hospitality skills. My apologies to all my friends who have stayed with me! Next time I promise to be much better.
Cheers!
Friday, October 10, 2014
Life with Humans
Interesting the power of words, yeah? Be careful, little mouths, what you say. Words have power and even muttered ones are heard. When I was finishing up my time in Spain, I voiced that I never wanted to travel by myself again. My time there was great in so many ways, some hard to explain, but it was also extremely difficult mainly going about on my own.
Then I start planning this venture and while most of my stops are with people I know and love the traveling bit was going to be by myself, which when noticed I wondered why I was putting myself through that again. Buuuuuttt, then Mom joined two weeks of my trip and Kristen is about to jump on the last part. Yay, God! Thank you for listening to my mutters and for orchestrating traveling companions when I didn't even ask! He knows us better than we know ourselves. And people are a good thing to have around. :)
Which brings us to now. Because of schedules I have a couple days to myself... not too bad in the grand scheme, and being a cautious (when traveling) introvert (when not around those I already know) I was curious to know how things were going to play out aka how bored of myself I was going to get.
My first stop in Belfast (after dropping the luggage) was the City Hall where there was a quote from Bill Clinton and many by the city itself touting how friendly and warm the people of Belfast are. At the end of a guided tour of the Hall, the amusing chap leading the group said that if we had a lousy time in Belfast it was all our fault because the people are friendly and grand. lol. I found all this especially interesting because as I was first walking about - and trying to exercise my discernment gift - I felt like the city was a little drab, as if there was a slight heaviness hanging about.
So what were my findings? Well! Let me tell you this has been one of the most interactive days I've had with locals (that I didn't already know) that I think I've ever had. *cue applause please* Now that might not be saying much for some, but as mentioned before I'm a rather introverted traveler... quite unlike my mother who will chat to anyone. Crazy, if you know her but it's true, but for another time. :)
Encounter 1: Walking around the City Hall I was snapping pictures like a good tourist with a camera does and I see another camera toting pedestrian. I'm expecting a nice head nod of recognition between photographers but instead he stops me and asks if I'm a tourist. How could you tell?! lol. Of course I said yes and he said he was with "Humans of Belfast" quite like "Humans of New York" which is huge (if you don't know it, go look it up and be amazed again at God's diverse creation), but in Northern Ireland. Anyway, I went with it and we chatted and he finally asked what advice I'd give to the world. "When it gets down to it, it's all about people. Take time just to be and don't find your identity in what you do. It's about being who you are. It's hard but we need to learn to give ourselves the permission to just sit. Be with people, and be yourself."
So be on the lookout, I may just get famous by getting posted on "Humans of Belfast" courtesy of Alastair. haha
Encounter 2: Wandering around and figuring out if there were any streets more enticing than another I saw a church that had nice architecture so I headed that way. I pass a security guard in front of a drive and he gives the standard, "Hello" of Northern Ireland - because not many people do the head nod here. They actually greet you. Crazy, this thing called manners! - but then he starts asking all these questions. Touring? Yes. Where from? The States. Oh, my cousin owns a lot of land in New York and is a millionaire and held office. Have you visited? Yeah, and he owns a horse ranch, and my other cousin lives in California and ..... Have a great trip!
Fabulous chap. When I passed he was singing to himself. Glad I could give him someone to talk to if only briefly.
Encounter 3: I walked to the TItanic Quarter and saw the Nomadic (fitting name for me to see) and then was going to check the times to the TItanic museum but got stopped by a guy who asked if I was a tourist and if I would help him with a survey. Suuuuurre, what else do I have going on? Humorously, it was mainly about shopping, of which Belfast has a lot, but also of which I have not partaken of, nor do I have the inclination or means to do so. Whenever I do surveys like this I always feel like I'm screwing the results cuz I'm not quite like the "typical" population, whatever that is. But aside from the survey we had a nice chat about America (he's been to 30 states), its enormity, and travel in general. He grew up going to Virginia Beach about every year and likes the East Coast, but his upcoming honeymoon will be a two week venture throughout California.
I'm about to start feeling like I host "Humans of Belfast".
Encounter 4: Heading back to town, I stop at The Dock Cafe, which is one of those that doesn't have prices and you just drop what you think you ought to pay in the "honesty box". The lovely lady we stayed with in Castlerock this week told us about the minister that started the cafe and said I should pop in if I got the chance. I asked for a coffee, a nice cup of Ethiopian drip coffee, a beautiful not-from-granules cup of coffee. Praise Jesus! It was delicious. I grabbed a chair and noticed some flyers about their "chat with someone" program and the lady at the table across had a name badge. Their slogan was "don't sit alone" and while I didn't need to talk about suicide or abuse which is totally optional I figured I'd take her up on the offer. I asked if she was a "chatter" (lol) and we had a wee chat about the place and my travel and how she got involved with The Dock etc. Though I only learned a little of Miss Diane's story I know she is an admirable woman, one that I'd love to learn from. She also introduced me to a few others in the cafe and I learned about a market going on tomorrow I think I'll check out.
Each encounter was a nice interruption to my endless walking and left me with a smile on my face. Just talking with people! Life is about others, and others are what makes it fun, worthwhile, and exciting. Thus, I have concluded I must agree with the City Hall of Belfast and Mr. Bill Clinton that the people of Belfast are some of the friendliest around.
Cheers!
Then I start planning this venture and while most of my stops are with people I know and love the traveling bit was going to be by myself, which when noticed I wondered why I was putting myself through that again. Buuuuuttt, then Mom joined two weeks of my trip and Kristen is about to jump on the last part. Yay, God! Thank you for listening to my mutters and for orchestrating traveling companions when I didn't even ask! He knows us better than we know ourselves. And people are a good thing to have around. :)
Which brings us to now. Because of schedules I have a couple days to myself... not too bad in the grand scheme, and being a cautious (when traveling) introvert (when not around those I already know) I was curious to know how things were going to play out aka how bored of myself I was going to get.
My first stop in Belfast (after dropping the luggage) was the City Hall where there was a quote from Bill Clinton and many by the city itself touting how friendly and warm the people of Belfast are. At the end of a guided tour of the Hall, the amusing chap leading the group said that if we had a lousy time in Belfast it was all our fault because the people are friendly and grand. lol. I found all this especially interesting because as I was first walking about - and trying to exercise my discernment gift - I felt like the city was a little drab, as if there was a slight heaviness hanging about.
So what were my findings? Well! Let me tell you this has been one of the most interactive days I've had with locals (that I didn't already know) that I think I've ever had. *cue applause please* Now that might not be saying much for some, but as mentioned before I'm a rather introverted traveler... quite unlike my mother who will chat to anyone. Crazy, if you know her but it's true, but for another time. :)
Encounter 1: Walking around the City Hall I was snapping pictures like a good tourist with a camera does and I see another camera toting pedestrian. I'm expecting a nice head nod of recognition between photographers but instead he stops me and asks if I'm a tourist. How could you tell?! lol. Of course I said yes and he said he was with "Humans of Belfast" quite like "Humans of New York" which is huge (if you don't know it, go look it up and be amazed again at God's diverse creation), but in Northern Ireland. Anyway, I went with it and we chatted and he finally asked what advice I'd give to the world. "When it gets down to it, it's all about people. Take time just to be and don't find your identity in what you do. It's about being who you are. It's hard but we need to learn to give ourselves the permission to just sit. Be with people, and be yourself."
So be on the lookout, I may just get famous by getting posted on "Humans of Belfast" courtesy of Alastair. haha
Encounter 2: Wandering around and figuring out if there were any streets more enticing than another I saw a church that had nice architecture so I headed that way. I pass a security guard in front of a drive and he gives the standard, "Hello" of Northern Ireland - because not many people do the head nod here. They actually greet you. Crazy, this thing called manners! - but then he starts asking all these questions. Touring? Yes. Where from? The States. Oh, my cousin owns a lot of land in New York and is a millionaire and held office. Have you visited? Yeah, and he owns a horse ranch, and my other cousin lives in California and ..... Have a great trip!
Fabulous chap. When I passed he was singing to himself. Glad I could give him someone to talk to if only briefly.
Encounter 3: I walked to the TItanic Quarter and saw the Nomadic (fitting name for me to see) and then was going to check the times to the TItanic museum but got stopped by a guy who asked if I was a tourist and if I would help him with a survey. Suuuuurre, what else do I have going on? Humorously, it was mainly about shopping, of which Belfast has a lot, but also of which I have not partaken of, nor do I have the inclination or means to do so. Whenever I do surveys like this I always feel like I'm screwing the results cuz I'm not quite like the "typical" population, whatever that is. But aside from the survey we had a nice chat about America (he's been to 30 states), its enormity, and travel in general. He grew up going to Virginia Beach about every year and likes the East Coast, but his upcoming honeymoon will be a two week venture throughout California.
I'm about to start feeling like I host "Humans of Belfast".
Encounter 4: Heading back to town, I stop at The Dock Cafe, which is one of those that doesn't have prices and you just drop what you think you ought to pay in the "honesty box". The lovely lady we stayed with in Castlerock this week told us about the minister that started the cafe and said I should pop in if I got the chance. I asked for a coffee, a nice cup of Ethiopian drip coffee, a beautiful not-from-granules cup of coffee. Praise Jesus! It was delicious. I grabbed a chair and noticed some flyers about their "chat with someone" program and the lady at the table across had a name badge. Their slogan was "don't sit alone" and while I didn't need to talk about suicide or abuse which is totally optional I figured I'd take her up on the offer. I asked if she was a "chatter" (lol) and we had a wee chat about the place and my travel and how she got involved with The Dock etc. Though I only learned a little of Miss Diane's story I know she is an admirable woman, one that I'd love to learn from. She also introduced me to a few others in the cafe and I learned about a market going on tomorrow I think I'll check out.
Each encounter was a nice interruption to my endless walking and left me with a smile on my face. Just talking with people! Life is about others, and others are what makes it fun, worthwhile, and exciting. Thus, I have concluded I must agree with the City Hall of Belfast and Mr. Bill Clinton that the people of Belfast are some of the friendliest around.
Cheers!
Monday, October 6, 2014
God loves me and I love the sunshine
Planning a trip to England I did realize it would be rather futile and foolish to think there could be even a possibility of a chance of not seeing rain. I therefore planned accordingly, or as much as one can having never visited the climate. I packed an umbrella, a poncho (should I decide to completely not care about looking like a tourist), and a raincoat. I also thanked God for the amazing weather that I was going to have whilst touring Britannia.
While I/we have definitely seen rain during the past three weeks including an entire day of getting wet in Edinburgh, God has really blessed me/us with incredible weather. On more than one occasion at the start of my trip I was told, "This is really amazing. You are seeing great weather. It's typically not like this at all!" Cardiff was sunny and warm. Bath was overcast but not rainy. Caerleon was the same but also gorgeous. I saw one ominous cloud in Abergavenny but it quickly passed over the sun and was gone. Winchester was lovely and Newcastle too. Our first day in Edinburgh was perfect though slightly on the chilly side and the second was cold and wet. There was another day of rain in the mix of all that but I think my memory has suppressed that. And today though it was raining as we were driving from Belfast to our current spot, it cleared up into a radiant sky with only the happy white clouds. Incredible.
I.Love.Sunshine.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
When in Rome...
So, I'm not in Rome, but I am in what was once a Roman fortress, Caerleon. Walking around town you literally run into ruins of the ancient baths, the amphitheater, one set of the barracks, and of course, the wall. At the amphitheater I read that every year they celebrated the birthday of the legion which just so happens to be September 23. That would be today. Crazy. To think that several hundred years ago I would be amongst a throng of people cheering at a killing match as sport. Don't know how I feel about that...
There is so much history here it's enough to blow my mind. I find it fascinating, though sadly it's not all sticking. One of my fabulous hosts is a real history buff and Welsh to the core taking pride (which isn't a strong enough word) in learning and sharing all about the history of the town, country, and everyone tied to it.
Wales is beautiful. That is what I've learned. It's history. It's nature. It's life.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Historic Thoughts
Why hellloooooo... I think I'm having a hard time remembering or realizing quite where I am. I'm American; we've read since "History" was added to the course requirements in elementary school about the course of civilization (and how we came to live where we do) from Mesopotamia to Rome to Europe, and then finnnaally contained in the blip at the end of the line, to America. It is incredible the amount of history that has taken place in any part of Europe that has then impacted the rest of the world. I walk past buildings older than my nation - these fortunate and delightful people LIVE with such history right next to them. The juxtaposition of old and new living in harmony is something that makes my heart so happy. It makes my imagination whir thinking about those that came before and walked these same streets and did this or that and simply lived life even as I am right now.
Will those after us contemplate our existence as well? Will there be museums about us; monuments at our birthplace, childhood home, and/or death house; or festivals celebrating how we added flavor and meaning to our culture? Perhaps we won't be as well known and adored as Jane Austin or Abraham Lincoln, but our lives are not insignificant. Tonight my friends and I watched Meet The Robinsons, a funny and cute animated movie about the power of family and the importance found in the motto "Keep Moving Forward". May we always remember to support the ones we love and always keep moving forward knowing that we can make a difference in the lives we touch everyday. You never know how the effect may snowball and change the course of history. Maybe another young (or old, we don't have to be biased here) traveler will be walking down a street one day with your name on it. :)
Peace.
Will those after us contemplate our existence as well? Will there be museums about us; monuments at our birthplace, childhood home, and/or death house; or festivals celebrating how we added flavor and meaning to our culture? Perhaps we won't be as well known and adored as Jane Austin or Abraham Lincoln, but our lives are not insignificant. Tonight my friends and I watched Meet The Robinsons, a funny and cute animated movie about the power of family and the importance found in the motto "Keep Moving Forward". May we always remember to support the ones we love and always keep moving forward knowing that we can make a difference in the lives we touch everyday. You never know how the effect may snowball and change the course of history. Maybe another young (or old, we don't have to be biased here) traveler will be walking down a street one day with your name on it. :)
Peace.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Check-in Accomplished
I feel the new chapter is beginning but I think I'm still wading through the preface at the moment. After a mad-dash clean of the house tomorrow and stuffing everything in my bags I should be able to catch a breath as I sink in the airplane seat that will be my resting place while drifting over the Atlantic. *breathe* Stay tuned.
"God works all things for the good..."
Let the adventure begin.
#WilcoxOdysseys
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