beautiful Spain

not much to update--my classes and students and friends continue to be wonderful, i continue to be happy and healthy, the days are getting longer and the weather a little milder, a little more sunshine, so very many positives!
last weekend was a nice one, my friends and i spent a day in El Escorial, a village about 45 minutes north of Madrid in the mountains. We had lunch, checked out the massive monastery, watched a saints day procession/parade (each village in spain tends to have their own particular saint that they celebrate, we just happened to be in el escorial on their saints day), and spent some time hiking through the beautiful mountains. we reached a point at the top where we could make out madrid ! very fun and a very nice day with friends. el escorial is particularly famous in spanish history because of its significance in the spanish civil war. There is a church in the rocks and a crypt where many spanish kings are buried. There is also the "valle de los caidos"--valley of the fallen, which Franco, the dictator of many years, implemented to bury war heroes. he is a man that most spanish are uncomfortable talking about, particularly those of the older generation, who lived through some of his rule. Anyway, what ended up happening of course was that only 2 people were buried in the valley of the fallen--franco himself, and a general that he liked a lot--it ended up being a shrine to franco. all very interesting stuff. THe Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid has Picasso's amazing "Guernica" a portrayal of the destruction and death of the spanish civil war, particularly this town Guernica, that was used as a bomb testing site, thousands of civilians died, the entire town died. It is now a part of the historical Santiago trail in the north of spain. Anyway, the picture is wall sized and incredible! ask Madeline, she took soem pictures when she was here.
Besides that, the weekend was relaxed, running some errands, enjoying the markets and the park, and eating Indian food in "lavapies" (literally means "Wash feet") ...the neighborhood where many immigrants live and many ethnic restaurants are.
this week is also very relaxed...just enjoying my wonderful students. i am at a point with all where i really look forward to speaking with them (i'm learning just as much as they are, but lets keep that to ourselves!) and really value the opportunity to spend time with so many different people. I'm getting a very different taste of the culture that i didnt have access to as a student. My students range in age from 4 to 53 and skill level from very very beginner to quite advanced. We have conversations about religion, economy, environment, travel, and literature, and i am really learning so much!
i need to get running to class today, but here is a picture of my housemates! This is Ricardo (Richi)'s 5th birthday party, he is the one standing and punching the camera. the other little one is Rey, his 3 year old brother. next to him Maruja, their mother, Shaz next to her, my British friend and flatmate, and her University friend who was visiting from the UK. Ricardo is the tall one in the very back, and the others are relatives of Maruja. It was a nice little birthday party! I am actually coming through with those crazy children, and chat with them from time to time. They are very noisy...but its ok, because they are truly all wonderful people and i am lucky to be here!
The next few weeks are going to be busy...thsi weekend is relaxed, but Brent is coming to visit me next week! We are taking a trip to La Rioja, Spain, and Cagliari, Italy. The following weekend, the girls and I are going to Brussels and Brugge, Belgium! February is quite a month!
I'll write again soon!