The bus to take us on our excursion to the mountains of Sierra de Francia leaves at 9:00. I arrived at 8:15 at Plaza Gabriel y Galan. If you could see the maps here you'd make time too. There's no parallel streets or even straight streets for that matter. And the map makes everything look far away when it's close and close when it's far way. Oh and it doesn't help that the street names are written so tiny only an ant could read them. I've learned to keep my glasses on when I walk around this town. You never know when you'll need to pull that map out again.
I am enjoying this relaxing time before the bus arrives. I spent hours re-writing my notes last night and writing my paragraph on SF in Spanish. I am sure it's going to sound very bad when she interprets it but that's how we learn.
So here I am in the Plaza, the sun is shining bright this morning and the birds are their usual cheerful self. They seem to say to you each day 'I am happy in this beautiful place'. I couldn't agree more.
Carmen made my breakfast for me to go. How sweet is that. Fresh fruit (apples, grapefruit, cherries, bananas or oranges) yogurt and a slice of wheat toast. Last night she also took me to her friend's Gym so I can join. I'll be starting workouts this coming week.
Ok ... so as I said I am sitting in the Plaza an these two Spanish dudes all of a sudden are standing in front of me. One is yelling and pointing to the other, as he walks, 'directo! directo!. Seems he is pointing is muy barracho friend the way to his home. I am trying so hard not to laugh. It's 8:30 and these dudes are toast. As the drunker one walks away I ask the more sober friend "Is he drunk?". He laughs and says 'Si, we've been out all night (in Spanish)'. That's the thing here, the younger ones party til the next day quite often. Even the older ones (may age and up) are out late but we seem to get home by 2:00 and quite a bit more sober.
Now back to my journal writing as I sit and wait. It's so easy to be here. I've never felt this way any where I've traveled. It feels right. I am home. The Carrasco ancestral spirits have taken me in their arms and are keeping me safe, happy and loved here.
Que? Que? I say as I look up and see the real drunk dude is standing right in front of me, about 3 in. away. From what I can tell he's saying "Muy Guapa..Muy Guapa. Come? Camina?" I believe he's sayind "You pretty, walk with me, go eat". LOL. I try to tell him several times 'No gracias and Adios' but he keeps talking, swaying and even stepping on my toes. You can smell last nights booze all over him too. But I can't help but giggle. I finally just get up and say 'Adios' and walk towards where more classmates have just arrived. That's when I hear 'Guapa...donde donde'. I am telling you it was hilarious.
Finally the bus arrives and off we go. It was about 2 hours to get to the top of the mountains. We stopped about an hour in for a coffee, pee break and tour the Meson Taurin Bodega (winery). Very nice, I bought a bottle of Vino Blanco that was absolutely crispy delicious for ony 5 euro. We then hit the road and went to 3 amazing villages, Miranda del Castanar, Mogarraz and Pena. Miranda del Castanar is where Marga told us about the small oak trees indigenous to the area called Carrasco's. That explains the family crest. We took a little tour of each town stopping in one for an hour or more for lunch and beverages. It was beautiful and lots of fun. I posted pictures for you to enjoy.
Tonight I am off to the Plaza Mayor again for the fireworks spectacular. Doesn't start until 10:30. Everything is later here but you don't notice and just go with the flow.
Before I forget to tell you, today on my way back from the Market I got a 'kiss kiss' ( the sound the guys make) and a 'Muy Guapa' as they walked by. My first one in a week. Hmm, what was different about me today?
Well, I must end my friends! I am going to share that bottle of Vino Blanco from Meson Taurino with Carmen.
Peace and Love
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