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 9/4/07: Lots of people ask me what some of the differences are between Spain and the States. There are several obvious ones: the language, the government, etc., but there are also a few differences that people never really think about. You may know it, but it's far more obvious when you're over here. For example, before I came I knew that the Spanish greeting for women was to kiss on both cheeks starting on the right. But knowing that, and actually having it happen to me the first time I visited a church service were very different things. In the same way, most people know that the electricity here is run differently. You buy the converters and the extension cords, but let me show you the wiring to actually charge my Ipod and camera. Anyhow, I thought I would take a little time and show and tell a couple of differences for those of you who have never been to Spain. The weather is dryer than at home, making the landscape seen more brown. The only green is from the olive trees most of which are shorter than me (not very tall). But, it also allows the flowers to have a longer growing season and sometimes they hang down over the walls.
 All of the houses are walled. This can make the streets seem deserted and always makes one wonder what each home's courtyard looks like. Sometimes you can see over the wall and see beautiful flowers or lovely architecture in the houses.  You also see odd sights like CD's swinging in the breeze. This is of a grape arbor down the street. It's hot here and they
say that the CDs reflect the light without the heat from the sun under the tarp.  The children also love the rainbows they make.
 The cars are smaller as they are everywhere in Europe. The public transportation system is excellent. Our neighbors have a smart car. The roads don't have intersections here, they have round-abouts or traffic circles. I've been told that driving takes a bit of getting used to here. There are other differences as well, but maybe I'll share them another time.
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9/1/07: Today was very busy. I went with the Humes into Alcala, and then in the afternoon the dorm family took a picnic to El Parque de Juan Carlos. The Humes are here as missionary teachers, (actually I have Mr. Humes for US History) and they are from Lenoir City. They have three kids here: Anna, Ethan, and Andrew. 
Anna and I are becoming very good friends. So we went to Alcala together, where we saw Cervantes casa y museo and did a little shopping. For those of you who aren't up to date on Spanish literature, Cervantes wrote Don Quixote. It was a very interesting example of how the Spanish houses of the age were. It has an open air courtyard with a well in the corner, and all around over two stories the rooms opened in to this center courtyard. 
After we finished the tour we did a little shopping which is always fun. It gives me a very good chance to use my Spanish and learn more about the culture from what they sell. As we were leaving the city after we had finished we passed another famous landmark in Alcala, La Puerta a Madrid.
This is the beginning of the road that goes the short distance from Alcala to Madrid. I has a very neat arch there. Then as I said, we went for a picnic. El Parque de Juan Carlos is on the eastern edge of Madrid. It has the only green grass I've seen since I've been here. They must water it often because alot of this region has been in 
drought for over 12 years. The area around our house looks like a desert or dry plain. The only trees are the olive trees, which don't grow very tall. So we had fun simply seeing the gardens and climbing on the ropes. It was a great opportunity to get to know each other a bit better.
9/5/07: So, this is the week of the local fiestas. Every night starting around ten, the main plaza (pronounced platha with the Spanish lisp) the lights come on and there's dancing and music and small stands selling toys or food, alot like our fairs at home. 
There were also fireworks at midnight and the party continues until two or three (normal hours here). There was also a cultural parade on one night, but I'm still working on those pictures. It's difficult to focus on moving objects at night. 
In one picture I'm standing with Rebecca under one of the first arches. Rebecca recently graduated and is here for a year to teach first grade. The other pictures are just of the main square and the dancing. And then of course you have the fireworks. I did not include the actual fire that broke out during the show that had to be put out afterward. As I've mentioned before, it is much drier here. One of the fields burned, but they got it under control quickly. The fiestas were alot of fun. I'm enjoying learning more about the Spanish culture and customs.