Adios España - Hasta Luego Alcalá

I'm sitting in our flat on a white couch next to two big doors that are opened to the seemingly always talkative Calle Mayor below. There's a nice cool breeze today and the sun is shining and I'm thinking that its a perfect day to reflect on our time here in Spain. We're leaving tomorrow morning for Colorado and, according to the itinerary, should be in about 8pm! We’re pretty dang excited to see family and friends and our dog! It’s balanced though with nostalgic thoughts though. Having been here 9 months and getting situated with life it's one of those times where Cor and I keep saying, "I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow!" When you've gotten yourself established somewhere it never seems real when a big life change is about to occur, you know?

We've seen so much of Spain and feel satisfied with our travels in Europe. We haven't been able to get over the history in this area of the world. All of the ruins, art, architecture, customs, food, on and on, have roots in 100s of years of history, something you don’t really realize until you get out of the States. Its totally overwhelming and since I never loved history growing up, trying to soak everything up while we've been here has been incredible. We're not leaving many close relationships, mainly Karin (you are part of our hearts now, Guapa), a couple of students and people in Madrid, and one of Cor's professor here in Alcala (besos a Sonia!), which makes the transition a little easier leaving here. But we're going to miss a few things for sure:

The Food (anything jamon, olives and cheese (manchego is tasty), café con leche, tortilla española, cheap, quality wine, seafood (calamares y pulpo y mejillones), pimientos de padron, croquetas, napolitanas, chocolate and churros, and more)

The People and Culture (language, loud talking, kisses on the cheek, personal space, hand gestures, shaking your finger, staring, dress codes, old people strolling – women arm in arm, men hands behind their backs, walking everywhere (paseos) and public transportation, and more)

The Landscape (olive Trees, vineyards, graffiti, wild poppies, the coasts in Galicia, Asturias, Girona, and near Granada, ruins everywhere, bull billboards, and more.)

In all of these experiences though, one things been missing…all of you! What’s life when you can’t share it with people? And there’s been many a time when something random has reminded us of one of you and we’ve said, “oh, it be great if ____ were here!” There is sweetness in community that nothing else in life can bring, not even an adventure in distant lands. We crave to just share life with people, to love and be loved, and to continue to be challenged by what community confronts us with. Hopefully, though, in these friendships we will have the opportunity to adventure to far-off places once again in the future.

We made it work this year and because of it we can tackle our Everests in the future. It’s been successful in so many ways (and difficult in just as many), but we’re stoked we did this and encourage anyone else who’s thinking about picking up and moving from the States to definitely do it. I agree that there’s nothing better than a change in perspective and getting out of the States will do it. Para terminar, I’m reminded of something a wise woman told me recently. She spoke of desperation, desperation in the sense of desiring something more than just making it work, more than settling for security and comfort, that to be desperate puts us in a place of need. I think need is hard to come by as most often it’s associated with weakness, but I’ve been learning for a few years now that life can be seen through a whole lot of different lenses and that the whole weakness issue is something everyone deals with, it’s just too bad we’re not more honest with ourselves and one another.

So, to those of you faithful readers, thanks so much for being a part of this and we look forward to speaking with you face to face over a coffee (if you’re cory) or some tea (if you’re tim).

QUE TE VAYA BONITO (May it go beautifully for you),

timothy and coricito

Euro Finale

All of the sudden it's June! EuroCup 2008 has started and most of the teams I picked for my bracket are losing except Spain and the Netherlands. I'm loving all this futbol and realize that my choice to watch it 24/7 will quickly be limited to like 1 or 2 matches a week (or less) when we return to The States. So, I am really trying to overdoes before we leave. Apart from this European country showdown, June also marks Cor's and my last traveling bonanza and, boy, has it been a blast!

EasyJet took Karin, Cor and I to Berlin early, early on Wednesday, June 4th. We arrived in Berlin at 8am and had until 8 that night to catch another flight to Tallinn, Estonia. Fat Tire Bike Tours (no affliation to the New Belgium Brewery) gave us an awesome four hour bike tour of the city. Our guide, Enda, gets props for his history lessons and storytelling which kept of group of 25 feeling light and humored. As in most European cities, there is important history around any block, and Berlin was right up there with the notable Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. I'm totally sold on bike tours. It was so fun!

Berlin was great, but we were happy to leave since it was a bit hot and Cory and I were getting tired of hearing Karin sneeze. Actually, I was struggling too in one of Berlin's worst allergy seasons in years, but poor Karin had probably sneezed a couple hundred times during the tour. So anyways, we made it to Tallin that night and were greeted with cool temperatures, Scandinavian daylight hours (@1am), and the smiling faces of some of Karin's friends. You might be asking, "Why Estonia?", and I would answer that Karin has raved about the country the last eight and a half months we have lived with her. And for lack of a better reason, to see the country where Link, Encino Man, is from!

Karin actually spent 6 years in this small country sharing the good news of Jesus before moving to Spain. It was super fun having her show us around and the people she knew were incredibly hospitable. We split our time between the Mason's, who live in the capital city, and the Jurgens, in Tartu, a city South of Tallinn a couple hourse. We were spoiled in Tallinn with a beautiful old town center, Estonian garlic bread, Saku beer, green thick forests, Wendy's amazing cooking, anf four entertaining kids who showed us up on a trampoline and swing that swung from the upstairs balcony. Oh, and I can't forget the really comfortable, fresh-lilac smellling bedroom! Tallinn has a population of 400,000, which felt SOMETHING...to Madrid's 3.5 million , and we were so refreshed with the size of Tartu's 100,000. There we stayed with Kristal and Hermann Jurgens, a super cute Estonian couple, and their three kids - Tobias, 5, Mattias, 3, and Brita, 3 months. Cory loved their neighborhood because it was called "Soup Town" (Trans. to Eng.) and had streets named Carrot and Cabbage. We stayed on the corner of Pea and Melon...Cory's dreamland. The highlight of Tartu ended up being the Estonian Swing - a crazy, physics-minded swing, that I can only explain to you through pictures. I was pretty freaked out at first at how high this thing went. I am sure that our friend Zech will build one of these things some day. They are a blast!

Before this gets too long, I'll fast forward to our last stop on this trip, Norway. Karin had been so excited seeing old friends in Estonia that she forgot to double check her itineary and missed her flight back to Spain, so after a few laughs and another night together in Estonia, we parted ways and Cor and I continued on to Oslo. Flying in, Norway seemed comparable to Estonia's lush greenery, only it had mountains - a purposeful destination after living in the 'burbs of Madrid. I can say two things about Norway: 1) 100% incredible scenery 2) Crazy expensive. We mad a big loop from Oslo, going West to Bergen by train, and then northeast to Skjolden by boat and bus through the Sogndal and Luster Fjords. Everywhere you go in the fjordlands is breathtaking. Emerald waters, tons of waterfalls, dense, green forests, steep mountains, glaciers, and on and on. It is such an incredible place! We stayed at a friend's hostel (Mr.D's place for the former CSCSers out there) in Skjolden, which is honestly the most incredible and beautiful hostel spot in the world. We saw our share of waterfalls, camped, fished, read, and just enjoyed a reflective time together, preparing for our return home to The States. Hanging out with the Dooyemas and being challenged by their questions was also really great for us!

Cor and I spent our 2nd anniversary on this trip as well. Feeling a pinch of the Norway exchange, we decided to go cheap and camp while in Bergen the day of our anniversary. It was a memorable one for sure: lots of rain, lots of slugs, and camping in the city next to a Friele coffee factory in some dude's backyard - the same guy who ran the "campsite". It was really funny, and I am grateful for a wife who doesn't demand she be lavished on her anniversary - although I know I owe her! So, that's it, only one more blog in which we'll part from you all with a few last words. This trip to Estonia and Norway has been one of the best. Closure is near, and our traveling toes and change purses are weary from being on the move. Thanks for reading and excited to see you soon...

From the fjords...
tcl

Berlin Pics Here
Estonia Pics Here
Norway Pics Here

Ana Italiana Surprisa Fora Nicholassinni

You might have read in our last entry that my family was out visiting us here on the Iberian Peninsula. A few months before this, Tim and I were trying to think about the upcoming weekends with visitors and on our minds specifically was the weekend that only my brother, Nick, was here. So, we hopped on our frequently visited low airfare sites and found a great deal on tickets to Rome. Perfect! However, we didn't tell my brother about the purchase until a few days before the Italian adventure, leaving it as a true surprise (this was an early birthday gift!). He was shocked and elated as we told him the news of our plans to combine forces power as a team of three to take on The Eternal City.

We spent three glorious days in Rome - FEASTING on glorious Italian food...pizza, pasta, wine, gelato. Oh, it was sinful! We aren't lying when we say that it is some of the best food we have ever had, uh, it's that good. We don't know how the Italians do it, but we are glad they are so damn good at it! Confession: all three nights we went to the same restaurant. Cheap, charming patio seating (in Trastevere, for those of you who have been to Roma before), and delectable. We kept saying, "We're just so happy!" God bless those Italians.

We visited all of the city's highlights: The Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon...this place wreaks of history; so much began there. My favorite spot was Appia Antica, the ancient road that lead to Rome. It was a long quiet street that was lined with ruins, old churches, and catacombs. It was even said that the Apostles, Peter and Paul, were buried here at one time. Gosh, the US is just a baby!

We had the privilege of staying with a real Italian grandmother, Rosanna, who really talked with gesturing hands and said "a" after every English word she spoke in her Italian accent. A real treat to spend time there, and we highly recommend it!

Ciao...
timminono and corigiona (and nicholassinni)

Lots of Pics, Here

Spain Fergie Style

It has been one fabulous, busy month here for us - lots of visitors! I am currently writing t a bus somewhere in the middle of Norway; right now traveling through the rather cold, snowy tundra - wild and uninhabited. I am also watching my husband sleep with his head back andhis on mouth wide open snoring - also wild and uninhabited;) We are attempting to bring some closure to our time here abroad as we share our experiences with you via blog. So, backing up about a month ago...

My parents, brother and one of his friends (Dan) came to visit us, which of course was a rocking good time. We did the normal touristy destinations in close proximity, but then also headed to the South of Spain for a weekend to visit the city of Granada. Granada is said to be one of Spain's highlights, so we saved it for the family visit.

Because of Granada's high-heat summers, people of old would build their houses into already established caves as a way to keep cool. We actually were able to stay in one of these old, musty but cool, cave dwellings, and it was very, very sweet! The owner told us that it was between 700-800 years old! The city also has a mysterious, Moorish (Muslim) influence and many of the old structures reflected this time period and culture. The main attraction to be seen in Granada is The Alhambra, a 12th century Moorish castle. This proved to be our favorite castle we have seen through out of travels - unique, colorful and had insanely intricate detail in writing on the inside.
We also managed to escape a little bit to the Mediterranean Coast near a town called Nerja, where the Med Sea is ice cold and the feral cats outnumber the people (according to us). Still it was a beautiful beach, and it's always entertaining to see akward Colorado people outside of their element next to a big body of water. The time with the Fergie fam was rich and fun and packed with great food (thanks for the generosity of the folks!:)) and laughs.

Quick crazy story...my brother's friend, Dan, went out early one morning in Granada to take some photos of the city. As he was winding through the tight old quiet streets, he came upon a great shot. While he was readying his camera, he heard something behind him...turning around to see a man with a hoodie and a bandana over his mouth (six-shootin', Western style). The guy proceeds to pull out a knife and move side to side with his arms out like you see in the movies! Bad thing about this situation (other than, you know, the knife thing), was that Granada's streets are very tight with numerous dark corners and no easy-way-outs; good thing, however, was that one of Dan's corners was a 12 foot drop off to the street below. So, Dan the 6'3, built, hero-0f-a-man that he is, thought quick and opted for the drop off. He leaped over the wall and landed on the cobble stone streets in flip flops...getting some pretty decent bruising on his heel and ankle. He limped to a taxi and made it back to us all safely before we had even woken up! But, heck yeah, GO DAN!

Hasta Pronto...
tml/cbl

**Lots of Pics, Click Here