Hummingbird Wings

Estoy bien. Time is flying faster than the wings of a hummingbird. I value each moment of this life and each day of this amazing trip to Spain. I am fully enjoying this experience. I have walked through many miles of Spanish history. Prior to coming to Oviedo , we spent a day at Toledo," City of the three cultures" the city that is truly on a hillside. It is built mainly of bricks, a virtual fortress. Buildings display beautiful and detailed examples of 'Moros' archtectura. In this historical city, in very close proximity one can find synagogues, iglesisas, and mosques. An example of despite difference, in time people from diverse backgrounds can collaborate to build beautiful buildings and co exist peacefully.
Pretty much a pedestrian area with all of the hills, very narrow and curving "Calles". Our guide Pablo was quite knowledgeable about every aspect of the city, history and people of Toledo. The streets had various sized stones in them and it one wasn't careful they could trip. I didn't trip, but I got a fat, red, hot , swollen, painful blood blister behind my big toe on my left foot. It took a minute to heal but when I say my foot was on fire...We were fortunate  to take a very long and tall escalator to the central part of the city. One of the orders of nuns are known for their Marzipan which is widely popular. We also visited the Museo of El Greco, which was once his home, and now houses some of its works. My most notable highlight of this excursion : Toledo Cathedral was massive and absolutely breathtaking. The gothic architecture, the frescos, the beautiful stained glass windows are indescribable and I will have them etched into my memory for a long time.
 To actually have had the opportunity to  walk into the wondrous Cathedral is mindblowing to me. It no wonder tourists and the pious flock to it. When I visited the fabulous Prado museum, and the Royal Palace in Madrid, I thought that it couldn't get much better but each day, each excursion, seems to prove me wrong. I have taken hundreds of pictures while I have been here and I hope to be able to share many of them before I fully forget where they were taken or why they were significant.  While in Madrid we ate ate many restuarants and the food was amazing, our hosts were awesome and the sangria was awesome!

Wifi or lack of..

I have spent the past two hours composing a detailed and informative description of my experiences in Spain. How about NONE of it was saved. I am feeling some kind of aggravated right now!

It is a lovely sunny day in Oviedo, Spain. I am sitting in a cozy corner with a beautiful panoramic view of the mountainside.Everyone here is very laid back, family and friend time is very important, as it should be. Spain is an interesting potpourri of history, religion, fashion, food, architecture and culture. I invite you to take a mental journey with me to Madrid, to me, another Manhattan in its own right. Taxi's and people move briskly through the city. Fashionistas of all ages grace the calles (streets) . El Cortez de ingles seems to be a one stop shopping spot. The ground floor has a supermarket, Hot food counters, coffee shops, yes...Starbucks is here, and Dunkin Donuts, Micky Dee's and Burger King with many additional options than found in the states. There is also an area which sells cell phones as well. The higher levels of the store, maybe foru or five floors in some cases are reminiscent of a Macy's or Dillards. Metro stations (the subways) swiftly move people around the city and if you are daring and adventurous you could probably walk around the city to fully enjoy its magnificence. With the sunshine and gentle breezes and a pair of comfy shoes and a map it isn't impossible to do.
The adventure begins... This lovely city is a mixture of what most of Spain is; old and new, modern and traditional. There are likely sights, sounds, tastes , and fashions to pamper the most discriminate tastes.  Every few blocks there are tables awaiting your arrival, for cafe (coffee) tapas , cervesa, or cool and refreshing agua. But be aware, someone may be watching you as you are watching the city in motion. A couple of days after my arrival, I was on the Metro, heading back to my hotel, and probably because I am a mature diva, obviously a tourista I became the target of a carterista (pickpocket). He had a heavy jacket draped over his arm..on a hot day, trying to conceal his dastardly deed. What he didn't know was that I am very aware of my surroundings and  had no problem grabbing his hand, bending his fingers painfully back and shoving him across the train. Not bad for a "tourista", he was shocked and terrified and as soon as the doors opened he ran from the train. Other passengers applauded my courage and gave thumbs up and good looking out signs. You see I was raised in the inner city and have seen so many things in this life that makes me be cautious. I have survived four or five ( lost count) bank robberies as well and being terrorized by the gang "Ambrose Lane" when I was a young college student and mother of two young sons. God has constantly protected me, and guided me. That was just a small hiccup on this amazing journey. I have been visually delighted at the amazing and varied forms of architecture. Seeing the daddies proudly push their ninos through the city is some really fashionable carriages has also been nice. In many cases the Mommies were not with them and they were fully on task with their young ones of all ages. There is so much green space here. Parks were street musicians and singers entertain, jogging, skating and skateboarding, playing futbot, running with or walking "el perros" or just enjoying a cold and tasty helado. This just a thimble full of Madrid. I have so many good memories and experiences to share but I wont bore you with it all at once. I want you to please re-visit me and stroll with me through this journey. I want to share more with you about the pampered  pooches that are living well in Espana. Ciao!

Viva Espana ! I arrived here in Madrid in the early morning, after a mostly non eventful U.S. Air flight. I have never flown with them before and I doubt that I will again. Customer service is not in their dictionary. First the Flight attendant gave another couple my seat and when I reached it, she told me to go , look somewhere else, find another since they were already seated. It took a small measure of the professionalism and self respect that I had not to turn into the angry and irate black woman who disrupts the flight. Instead  smiled, looked around and set a row or two away. She wasn't worth it One of my brilliant classmates had located me in the Charlotte airport and was a few rows away.

En busca de la auténtica paella...

Today is a beautiful sultry southern pre-summer day. In just a few days I will embark on an amazing adventure and opportunity; I will be traveling to Spain, to totally immerse myself in the culture. I was fortunate and blessed to be selected  as a participant in this global awareness opportunity. I will visit Madrid for the first week, then  I will travel north to Oviedo. For the next four weeks I will be attending the University of Oviedo. My textbooks will come to life.

Yes!! I have my camera and I will take lots of pictures!

 I will ride on that crazy fast train, about 200 miles per hour. I have been informed that the Madrid Atocha train station is Madrid's largest and first train station. It has vivid tropical gardens lining the concourse and is exceptional with its steel and glass construction.  In addition , I will enjoy viewing the display of sculptures in the station. I will be totally immersed in the Spanish culture and community. During my stay I will reside with a host family.I will also visit markets, museums, cathedrals, and notable places of interest. This is my first trip to Europe, I say first because I hope to explore other countries in the future. I hope that you will check in occasionally.

I am so very excited! 

For my senior seminar I am writing a food memoir and I hope to gather some recipes while I am in Spain. Usually when someone shares a recipe with you they also share a story connected with it. I hope to bring these delightful and interesting moments form the heart to my memoir. I hope that you will follow my journey as I share it. I am not very fluent in Spanish but I am certain I will be so much better as I embark on this journey. Yes I am very excited, I will be residing with a host family and will be in the company of several of my unique and wonderful Scottie Sisters. 

Viva España!

This is the final leg of my race to get my B.A., spurred on by a myriad of economic calamities and losses. I have encountered numerous people from all over the world, all walks of life and ideologies. Variety is indeed the spice of life!  I am so very grateful for the lessons learned and friendships forged. With that being said I am a pursuing a double major, English Creative Writing and Africana Studies at Agnes Scott College. I am constantly surrounded and immersed in greatness.

  

 

 

 

 

  Happy New Year 2014

  Briefly glance over your shoulder, for auld Lang Syne, then inhale the freshness of new beginnings. Sloth off sadness, disappointment and pain and step excitedly into the light. Expect the best, we often settle for 'whatever' not accepting that we are wondrous and worthy of incredible goodness, love, happiness and abundance. Be responsibly selfish at least once a month. Walk in front of your mirror, naked as you came into the world. Look at the parts you think are amazing, and those less than. Combined each cell is unique and precious in its own right. Love and appreciate each inch, stretch, pamper, massage, free your mind.

      Collectively "Amazing" shines around and through you. Let it shine through in all that you do. Be uplifted, and uplift. We are bound to experience negative experiences, negative people but resolve to leave each situation better than you find it.  Remember that each journey begins with the first step. Move your body, smile more, love someone who seems unlovable, be good to yourself and to someone that truly deserves it.

      Expect reciprocity, the winds blow in many directions, not just one. Try something new, go somewhere that you have been, do something wonderful that you have never tried. Be fearless! Be fierce! Be fabulous! Each week do something that will improve you, read, walk, learn something new, try a new healthy recipe. Write a love letter to yourself. Write a letter to someone that you haven't reached out to for a long time. Treat yourself to a movie, to a nice dinner at a classy restaurant, just you, spoil yourself!

      Set a goal, and even if you take baby steps, celebrate each step of  your progress. Journal, record your feelings, thought and aspirations, it will make great reading in the future. Enjoy life, you don't get a sample run and time is the one thing that doesn't stop, nor can you get it back, Embrace your spirituality, revere your Creator, Higher Power, Source, God.

Namaste