The Village

We took a two-day trip to "the Village" that I've heard so much about.  Luis' dad grew up in one village, and his mom in the next one over (during the summers).  Luis and his siblings grew up in his dad's village (during the summers).  The village greeters (who sit in chairs outside and watch cars come in) all have known Luis since he was a boy.  

Again the centrality of family and village within this segment of the world's culture has been amazing to me.  It seems, well, foreign, to my American upbringing, with our glamorization of independence and self-reliance.  Hopefully if I've imparted anything to Sanda's family during this stay, it's been a sense of how special it is to have what they have.

Somewhere in Madrid, where we visited the grandparents before heading out to the Village.

Outside the walled city of Avila.  The entire wall is intact and in excellent condition.  On the left is Susanna, Sandra's friend (not to be confused with Susanna, Yolanda's sister).

Inside the cathedral of Avila, a "hymnal" of Gregorian Chant.  I guess they had just this one really big copy that everybody looked on.

Then we drove down into the Valle del Jerta, one of the biggest producers of cherries in Europe.

And visited a family who owned one of the orchards, via. a friend of a friend.  And no surprise, after comparing notes they figured out they were 3rd or 4th cousins.

The last stop before the Village, was the last village before the Village that had a store.

The Village.  Hmmm... These don't look like the cows I usually land in a field with in Florida.

The Village.  The other extra person in the photo (in the pink) is Claudia's friend, Christina.  Did I mention there are always lots of family and friends around?

The Village.  This plant was about 3 feet tall.  In some places, whole mountain-sides were yellow with these.

The Village.  La grande dandelion.

Hiking in Garganta del Inferno National Park at Pilores.

Where we found a wonderful waterfall to rest by.

On the way home, Luis spotted this ex-hang-glider-sail turned sunshade.  I have found among the people I've spoken with in Spain (both Sandra's family, and Marina's family) that everyone is familiar with hang gliding and paragliding.  I haven't had to explain once, what it is, or where do we fly, or why do we do it.