2009 September | The Rathe Family

MADRID

September 27th, 2009

While we were waiting to move into the apartment, we took a trip down to Madrid to pick up our new Peugeot. Saw the Prado (no pix allowed) and went to an old flamenco club. Saw lots of decaying sunflower fields on the way home.

: Our New Peugeot!

: Flamenco Club

: Outstanding Music & Dance

: Escher Stucco Work

: Stylish Overpass

: Reflection

: The Plain in Spain (no rain)

: S Sunset Sunflowers

: End of Season

Categories: Diana | Tags: travel | No Comments

SEGOVIA & MORE

September 27th, 2009

We stopped in Segovia on the way back from Madrid. Storybook kind of place. Alcazar is the castle some say was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle (but I think a lot of European castles claim that). The highlight in Segovia was the mortarless 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct, still in use with a pipe on top.

OTHER SPANISH DETAILS
The cuisine of Northern Spain is wonderful–apples, beans, lots of seafood, and, of course, ham! In EVERYthing! Our first night was spent on the Boulevard of Cider in Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias. The cider, which has very little apple flavor and very little alcohol content, must be poured from a distance to aerate it. Fabada (huge beans in stew with saffron, chorizo, and blood sausage) is a regional specialty–very yummy.

Tunnels are everywhere in Asturias, some 4 km long through mountains, and some just ‘cuz…

Art is everywhere, too. Even the graffiti is nice…

(Click on pix twice for largest size.)

: Street Below Cathedral

: Massive Cathedral

: S Cloister

: LA Girl Enters Church

: A Graphic Reminder

: Chant Book

: Alcazar

: Aquaduct

: Blvd. of Cider

: First Night

: Air Time

: Fabada

: Coke Bottles

: Metermen and Chevrolet

: Picasso

: Tunnel

: Spain!

Categories: Diana | No Comments

OUR FIRST WEEKS IN SPAIN

September 25th, 2009

GETTING SITUATED

Spent almost two weeks trying to find an apartment. More difficult than I thought, but when we found a place we all liked, it was fantastic. Couldn’t have done this from afar, and the kids got to be involved (in fact, Theron made all the appointments and did all the talking!).

The kids take a luxury bus to school every day–bus stop just down the beach. The school is 12 km away between Gijon and Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. T and S have adjusted very well and made friends.

(Click twice to see the photos large.)