Friday, September 19th
When we did finally wake up, we headed out via the van to Segovia. I did really well maneuvering the van, a stick, through European traffic and freeways. I only stalled a few times. I remember when I came to Segovia with Ana and Alfonso. It was impossible to find a parking space, and I didn’t want to have that nightmare with a 9 passenger van. So I parked in the first available space down the center of Segovia. We then walked to our spots. Of course I panicked that I parked too far away – but it turned out perfect and we were able to easily find our way back to the van.
We actually parked at the best spot, because everyone got to Segovia Aqueduct from the very beginning and they were able to walk along and see the best preserved, longest and tallest aqueduct in the world. We made sure to take lots of pictures – but they are all on everybody else’s camera.
We took a break at the chocolate company Valor. Now the cool thing about this store is that they sell the amazing hot chocolate in liquid form. We bought it all up. Nicole took it to work as her gift, and one guy was immediately trying to find out how to get it shipped to the States.
We then walked by the oldest restaurant in Europe that is still running in the same building. They are known for their roasted suckling pig that they cut with a plate. We didn’t stay to eat, too much money, and some non-pork lovers, and some baby lovers etc.
We finally found a place to eat – we were hungry!! After that we made our way to the Cathedral. The problem is, I didn’t follow the signs to the Cathedral, I followed the propaganda banners down the center of town. The nice thing is, if you look up, you can probably see what you want to find. We did. And the cool part about it is, we had to take a million stairs up to the back of the cathedral. It was actually very cool and the stair railing was a mini aqueduct as well.
After the Cathedral, some of the ladies needed to shop for souvenirs, the Majors were leaving in the morning. So the others waited, we were entertained by the International Military Band Festival’s band practice. It was beautiful music.
Dawn, Aunt Jen, Nicole, and I decided to go on ahead without the others. We went to the Palacia de Fernando. This is also called Alcazar. This is the palace that Walt Disney modeled one of his Disney castles after. We walked the grounds and were looking out on the valley, when we saw all of this commotion. There were tons of people on the road, and motorcycle cops with sirens etc – it looked like somebody special was coming to town. A lovely lady who spoke English came over and explained to us that today was the last leg of the Spanish “Tour de France” Vuelvar Race!!! We were amazed. So we looked out and watched as long as we could. We did see the pack of bicycles riding – it was truly amazing and a first.
We then debated whether to take the tour of the castle or go meet up with the others. Finally we found out it was only e4 and 45 minutes long – so what the heck!!! Thank goodness, because it was awesome. My favorite part was going outside and walking the parameter of the building. We could see the turrets that Disney used. We even found a wishing/water well on the balcony. It looked exactly like the one from Snow White when she is singing in the well – I know this is where Disney got it!!!
We then met up with the rest and headed home. We found the car without incident, drove home without incident, got groceries and alcohol without incident, and had a lovely last evening with the Majors.
Saturday, September 20th.
We got up early to drop the Majors off at the train station – they didn’t have to take the lovely Boadilla bus system anymore. Maybe that was why Aunt Nicole was crying!!!
We came home and started to clean the house, because Fernando, Jonathan, and Alfonso with their families were coming over for an Argentinean Barbeque. Fernando and Jonathan are both professors with Alfonso at the University, and both have stayed at our house in Arizona. There were 18 people here – Jocelyn missed most of it going to her birthday party. The food again was amazing, and Fernando worked his tail off.
The tables were moved outside again. It was great to look out and see Fernando from Argentina, his wife Dusia from Cuba, Jonathan from Catalyna (by Barcelona), his wife Claudia from Columbia, Alfonso, Ana whose family is from France, and us Americanos. It was funny to see how the wives were able to converse with the crazy Spanish here. There were kids running all over the place – truly a family festival.
Jocelyn’s birthday party was at a Mexican restaurant. Alfonso gave us a ride, and I left Jocelyn with a load of classmate to go back to the barbeque. I felt bad, because I didn’t get a chance to meet the mother, or to ask what time to pick her up. We left Jocelyn with her friends and Alfonso’s cell phone number, to call in order to pick her up. All of the parents and children came over to say hello. The children really tried to speak English to me. One of the girls told me all that Jocelyn had learned. Here is what she said “Jocelyn knows the days of the week, Go ahead Jocelyn. Jocelyn also knows the months of the year, Go ahead Jocelyn.” I was cracking up!!! After food, they went bowling. Joce said that the food took forever, so they were only able to bowl one game.
When we did finally wake up, we headed out via the van to Segovia. I did really well maneuvering the van, a stick, through European traffic and freeways. I only stalled a few times. I remember when I came to Segovia with Ana and Alfonso. It was impossible to find a parking space, and I didn’t want to have that nightmare with a 9 passenger van. So I parked in the first available space down the center of Segovia. We then walked to our spots. Of course I panicked that I parked too far away – but it turned out perfect and we were able to easily find our way back to the van.
We actually parked at the best spot, because everyone got to Segovia Aqueduct from the very beginning and they were able to walk along and see the best preserved, longest and tallest aqueduct in the world. We made sure to take lots of pictures – but they are all on everybody else’s camera.
We took a break at the chocolate company Valor. Now the cool thing about this store is that they sell the amazing hot chocolate in liquid form. We bought it all up. Nicole took it to work as her gift, and one guy was immediately trying to find out how to get it shipped to the States.
We then walked by the oldest restaurant in Europe that is still running in the same building. They are known for their roasted suckling pig that they cut with a plate. We didn’t stay to eat, too much money, and some non-pork lovers, and some baby lovers etc.
We finally found a place to eat – we were hungry!! After that we made our way to the Cathedral. The problem is, I didn’t follow the signs to the Cathedral, I followed the propaganda banners down the center of town. The nice thing is, if you look up, you can probably see what you want to find. We did. And the cool part about it is, we had to take a million stairs up to the back of the cathedral. It was actually very cool and the stair railing was a mini aqueduct as well.
After the Cathedral, some of the ladies needed to shop for souvenirs, the Majors were leaving in the morning. So the others waited, we were entertained by the International Military Band Festival’s band practice. It was beautiful music.
Dawn, Aunt Jen, Nicole, and I decided to go on ahead without the others. We went to the Palacia de Fernando. This is also called Alcazar. This is the palace that Walt Disney modeled one of his Disney castles after. We walked the grounds and were looking out on the valley, when we saw all of this commotion. There were tons of people on the road, and motorcycle cops with sirens etc – it looked like somebody special was coming to town. A lovely lady who spoke English came over and explained to us that today was the last leg of the Spanish “Tour de France” Vuelvar Race!!! We were amazed. So we looked out and watched as long as we could. We did see the pack of bicycles riding – it was truly amazing and a first.
We then debated whether to take the tour of the castle or go meet up with the others. Finally we found out it was only e4 and 45 minutes long – so what the heck!!! Thank goodness, because it was awesome. My favorite part was going outside and walking the parameter of the building. We could see the turrets that Disney used. We even found a wishing/water well on the balcony. It looked exactly like the one from Snow White when she is singing in the well – I know this is where Disney got it!!!
We then met up with the rest and headed home. We found the car without incident, drove home without incident, got groceries and alcohol without incident, and had a lovely last evening with the Majors.
Saturday, September 20th.
We got up early to drop the Majors off at the train station – they didn’t have to take the lovely Boadilla bus system anymore. Maybe that was why Aunt Nicole was crying!!!
We came home and started to clean the house, because Fernando, Jonathan, and Alfonso with their families were coming over for an Argentinean Barbeque. Fernando and Jonathan are both professors with Alfonso at the University, and both have stayed at our house in Arizona. There were 18 people here – Jocelyn missed most of it going to her birthday party. The food again was amazing, and Fernando worked his tail off.
The tables were moved outside again. It was great to look out and see Fernando from Argentina, his wife Dusia from Cuba, Jonathan from Catalyna (by Barcelona), his wife Claudia from Columbia, Alfonso, Ana whose family is from France, and us Americanos. It was funny to see how the wives were able to converse with the crazy Spanish here. There were kids running all over the place – truly a family festival.
Jocelyn’s birthday party was at a Mexican restaurant. Alfonso gave us a ride, and I left Jocelyn with a load of classmate to go back to the barbeque. I felt bad, because I didn’t get a chance to meet the mother, or to ask what time to pick her up. We left Jocelyn with her friends and Alfonso’s cell phone number, to call in order to pick her up. All of the parents and children came over to say hello. The children really tried to speak English to me. One of the girls told me all that Jocelyn had learned. Here is what she said “Jocelyn knows the days of the week, Go ahead Jocelyn. Jocelyn also knows the months of the year, Go ahead Jocelyn.” I was cracking up!!! After food, they went bowling. Joce said that the food took forever, so they were only able to bowl one game.
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