Day 34 & 35, León Cathdral, Tapas and Romanian history. #45daysofsummer

We went for Tapas last night, because I said that's the one thing I'd like to do while I am here that I haven't managed to do yet! It was quite a different than what I expected. We all scrubbed up (well, the girls at least), and walked in to the city centre where they showed me the cathedral and told me stories about the history of it's construction.

Spectacular building! Shame it was too late to go inside as it was already closed when we're got there. 

Of course - cathedral selfie.

Actually not sure what this was but there were lots of hand prints so we found the one that our hands fit best.

So much detail!

El Topo is a little café / restaurant right outside the cathedral. A Topo is a 'mole' (the animal that lives underground). I think, from the story they told me, the legend is that the guy who build the cathedral found a giant mole that every night ate part of the cathedral or tried to break it down while it was being constructed. And the the skin of the mole is still inside the cathedral to this day? I think they could have been joking with me but that's apparently why that restaurant is there.

We didn't eat here, but not too far from the cathedral, we found 'my' bar haha.

Then, getting impacient with hunger, we began the hunt for a tapas bar. What I didn't realise is that they don't just go to one restaurant and order loads of plates to share.. They move from bar to bar and order drinks, and with the drinks you get a few free plates of tapas or pinchos. We ended up going to 5 different bars (not really like bars in England) and ordering little drinks like grape juice (mosto) and fizzy orange (butano) and getting sharing plates of tapas. Then after 10 minutes or so, moving on to the next place! It was such a good night - walking from place to place, getting to know some of the youth of the church and trying lots of different foods! It all felt so Spanish :) even the part in the final bar we ate in, when the waiter sent a waitress over to our table to ask for my number and I (politely as I could in my broken Spanish) said no and explained that I don't live here in Spain. When a different waiter came over to ask again for him, and to ask where I'm from, Betsy got impatient and firmly explained (slightly shouted? I'm not sure - can never tell whether their louder tone of voice is anger or just emphasis!) that we were really hungry and we would prefer him to stop asking for my number and take our order so we can eat. Haha! All very Spanish....!!!

On our way towards home before the final tapas stop. Another lovely building in León - they are some many beautiful places there. It's such a gorgeous city!

Today, Betsy, Bianca and I went round Adolfo's house for lunch - his mum invited us round to eat with them and with some of their family friends. It was a lovely afternoon and after eating we all sat round the table talking (me, listening mostly..), which is something that I have really enjoyed about the Spanish culture. After eating, they sit and chat for ages at the table and it's so chilled and relaxed - well animated and loud at the same time because that's in their nature, but I just like that!
Afterwards, anyway, we walked the dog and watched a movie (Year One, in Spanish..) before heading over to the church for the weekly prayer meeting. Admittedly, I didn't understand much from the meeting tonight - I think I was too tired. So I just read my bible for a while, and prayed for things I understood and simply gave over to God what I didn't understand. I had some good conversations after the service with people who introduced themselves to me because they didn't recognise me. I felt a lot more confident to speak with them because I'm finding that I am still understanding more and more and getting better at that. Frustratingly, the speaking part is still the most difficult part for me.

Betsy said to me tonight, "the only things we talk about are food and tiredness and whether you're happy!" Which I suppose is partly true (there is a running joke that whenever they ask me whether I am hungry / tired, I always answer 'un poco'!) But actually, it's hard when you spend a lot of time with people and have the same experiences as them throughout the day, to then talk together about those things, especially if you're with a lot of people who are fluent in the language and who talk about things as we go! However, with new people or with Bianca's family who I don't see much during the day, we have more to say to each other about the day, different things that have happened etc. But the other thing is that when there are more than a couple of people, the conversations just go so fast that I can just about keep up with what's being said and follow the conversation, but if I start to think about things to say or formulating speech in my head, I can't do that and keep up with understanding everything! I have realised that I can sit and understand pretty much all of a conversation (obviously, not every conversation - but after catching the context and general jist, I am able to follow pretty much the whole conversation!) but as soon as someone asks me a question, it fires a different part of my brain which then can't cope with listening, understanding, translating, formulating an answer and sending that to my mouth in a reasonable amount of time.. Ahh it's so hard!

But tonight on the way back from church, Mihaela and I had a conversation about our day and when we got home, she showed me a map of Romania that they have mounted on their wall. She is originally from Romania but they have lived here in Sspain for many years! She told me lots about different parts of the country, about her city and her family and friends but also about what it was like growing up as a Christian during the time of Communism there. And I was asking questions and active in the conversation, not simply listening. I found that I was hardly thinking about translating what she way saying, I was simply understanding immediately. So that was encouraging. Ooh I love seeing and feeling progress!

The map of Romania in 1938, that's up in their hall. 

Day 33 - Deciding to make a change. Why not? #45daysofsummer

When I heard last night that we were going to the beach today, I was well excited! When I heard that it was just Mihaela, Bianca, Betsy and me, I was even more excited. Girls day out at the beach?! Wooo!

Then I heard it was a two and a half hour drive away.
Less excited at that point.

However, today has been a truly wonderful day!
Admittedly, I slept a lot of the way for the journey there (hey, what's new?! Everyone knows I sleep in the car all the time! And I did warn them beforehand..) But we stopped on the way there, part way up a mountain, almost 2000m above sea level on the winding roads that took us to Gijón, to marvel at the breathtaking views.

It was freezing. But it was gorgeous.

We continued the journey (I went back to sleep) and before I knew it, we were in Gijón. Ready to party.
Well, we were certainly ready for a day on the beach at least, but the sky was rather cloudy and it looked like a storm was brewing in the distance. We braved it anyway!

Waves!

Waves enough for surfing!

And other people with the same idea as us - who cares about the storm?! We're at the beach!

And something occurred to me today, that I hadn't thought of up until now on my travels. There are some definite challenges about coming to new places on you're own and trying to make friends when you can't fully function in their language.. But there are some really great opportunities too.
I realised today, that even though I have spent almost 10 days with these girls, they still don't know all that much about me (herein lies both the challenge and the opportunity). I wasn't about to spoil the party and tell them how much I liked the look and idea of the beach, but that actually I really don't like sand or sea pretty much at all... So I didn't tell them. And therefore had to pretend at first (or persuade myself) that I did actually like it. They knew no different. And rather than it feeling like lying, it occurred to me that I had a chance here to start something new, to change something, to try something that I had previously not liked, amongst people who were getting to know me and find out for myself that I don't altogether hate it. In fact, I loved it!
We only spent about an hour, maybe a little longer, on the beach. And a lot of that time, Betsy, Bianca and I were in the sea. First paddling, then running into the waves! And the waves were big! Huge, crashing, salt-in-your-mouth-nose-eyes-and-everywhere kind of waves. I tried to keep my hands and face out of the water initially, but it was impossible so I gave up and in that letting go, ended up having so much fun, getting drenched and finding out that I can enjoy something that I have previously dreaded! Such an amazing feeling!

We got dry (freezing whilst doing so!) And went in search of other bonitas vistas (beautiful views)...

Salty hair!

Getting dry before lunch.

Ideal spot for viewing the coast.

 

Selfie necessary.

Another, more smiley selfie, necessary.

Host-mom, Mihaela! She drove us all the way, and around the city, and looked after our stuff while we swam. Superstar. 

Oh and then we got chocolate con churros. Oh yes. 

Something else that's new today. I also decided to be brave try and start speaking my thoughts out loud. As yet, I haven't really been quick enough to translate a passing thought in to Spanish and speak it out loud in time for it to still be relevant so I've just not bothered.. I have managed a couple of witty responses and sarcastic comments, but today tried to forget about making mistakes and put in to words some ideas and thoughts I had at different points in the day - about how funny it is hearing little kids speaking Spanish, asking more about where we are and verbalising geneal observations.. And its amazing how much new conversation and vocabulary it opened up! Today felt a lot richer in so many ways. :)

I only slept for a short amount of time on the journey back. Mostly, I watched out the window as we passed yet more stunning scenery. We drove through various mountainous regions, and I kept thinking of Moses and wondering if these were anything like Mount Sanai.. Probably not, but I liked the thought and felt close to nature and to God! Particularly with all that is in the news if late, I just feel so thankful and so very blessed. Trying not to take these experiences for granted.

Day 32: Nothing is Wasted. #45daysofsummer

Today, a group of young people from the church here in León went for a walk around a local mountain park. It's not fair to say we went on a mountain walk, because although I think the place was called a mountain, it wasn't that mountain-like and the walk to park was longer than the actual walk itself. Anyway, regardless of where exactly we walked, walk we did and it was very (very!) hot today. We stopped a few times. First for a devotional time, which Betsy led and we spent some time praying for some situations that the youth have going on and for situations around the world.

We also stopped for food. And later just to rest in some shade (I napped on a bench. Well needed). And later again, on the way home, to dip our feet in the river. It was so cool and refreshing!

During the summer months, you're not allowed to have BBQs in the parks because they have so little rain here that fires can start and spread really easily. On the way there and back, we passed a field that was a perfect example of this.
It was all charred and burned, remnants of what once filled the field lay scattered around and the faint scent of fire filled the air as we passed.
But in amongst the ashes, new life was growing - plants finding nourishment in harsh conditions. Dry and perhaps weary, but alive and persevering.

I was reminded of a song that I needed to remember again today. It filled my head and the words sank deeply into my heart and reminded me that in the hands of my redeemer, nothing is wasted. 

From the ruins

From the ashes

Beauty will rise

From the wreckage

From the darkness

Glory will shine.

I sure hope so. I'm choosing to trust Him.

Feel like I've hit a bit of a wall the past couple of days, but I think that's only because I had three full on weeks and have finally got some time to slow down (although it's not feeling that slow yet and that also probably has something to do with it!) I am still learning, but people can tell I'm tired and I feel less willing to try and speak unless I really need to! Ah it's such a challenge learning a new language like this. Aboslute kudos to people who have moved to different countries and learnt the language whilst living there / set up their life / made new friends etc.. It ain't easy!

But I am encouraged that Nothing is Wasted. My God is creative, and has a plan. He is using me here and is using this experience to shape me somehow! Like the plants in the field, though I am weary, I'm persevering. 

And I just heard that we're having a girls day out at the beach tomorrow. That's more like it. Vamos a la playa!

Day 13 - Good food, good friends, and good news..!! #45daysofsummer

Again we are without WiFi (for the next couple of days possibly), so I will have to update this post with pictures at a later date! But pictures are not always necessary, and I hope for today, words will suffice.

Day 13 of my Summer, here in Germany, was another good one although it was challenging in various ways too. So far the week has been incredible but we all know that life is not always sunshine and rainbows.. 

I have had this trip planned for many months, with the intention of catching up with old friends, resting, exploring, using my free summertime to it's maximum potential... And it's not that I was unaware but perhaps I was expecting too vast a difference - life is the same wherever in the world you are.

My struggles and challenges and the things I am working out and working through have come with me to Germany. So these past two days I have been continuing to process and pray and cry a little too. 

And I know this is OK. 

I also know that I am not alone in any of it. 

Conclusions from yesterday:

I am thankful for Jessie (I have been thankful for her on other days too!). Thankful that she has come on this trip with me, that she is one of the funniest people I know who makes me laugh more than anyone else in the world, that she knows where I'm at and knows my heart, and that she is patient and encouraging and willing to stand with me. 

But more so (and of course Jess won't mind me saying this!) I am more thankful for God. And thankful to be reminded again that wherever I am, location-wise, in my head or my heart, on my journey, He is there. My 'stuff' comes with me, but my God is already there. He is right beside me, dwelling in me by His Spirit. 

I am not alone. And God is even more patient and encouraging, allowing me to experience all that I am this week, with friends, nostalgia, new experiences, adventure, fun.. but also allowing me to continue to face and work on the things I need to, to grow, to change.. albeit a painful process, but a good one. He is so good.

So that's a bit of what was going on under the surface of the day... now let me give you a quick run down of the rest of the days events! (pictures to follow!)

Jerina, who was on Pais in Canada the year after I came home to England, lives in Frankfurt which is only an hour by train from Marburg. She arrived just before 10am and we all had a remeniscent Canadian style breakfast (pancakes, maple syrup, bagels, cream cheese, blueberries, fruit salad etc..). Needless to say, delicious!

Then we went out to expore the city some more - I have some great photos of the city from up high, at another local landmark (which sadly I can't remember the name of... I do remember that there were A LOT of stairs involved though!). This was followed by Casserole, a typical German dish (again, delicious!) and then our goodbyes were made... :(

The tower we climbed..

Top of the tower, here with Jerina!

View of Marburg.

The journey to Keltern began. :)

No storms this time, yay! In fact, minus the quick detour we had to Mannheim (just to say we've been there.. there is a German band both Jessie and I love called Söhne Mannheim), we made pretty good time until we actually made it to Keltern and got lost. After meeting what felt like half the village to ask if anyone knew 'Frederick Beck' (surprisingly, it seems that everyone does know him.. and each person got us a little closer to finding his house!) But we arrived finally, to see the lovely Anna. She had made Spezel (not sure of the spelling of that, I will have to find out) - basically a baked dish with pasta, vegetables and sauce (again, delicious!! Danke Anna!)

When Freddy arrived home, we drank Irish coffee and ate dessert and we heard their good news... THEY'RE ENGAGED! (Cute picture of them with their rings to come.. honest!)

They have been engaged since June and are announcing it mostly as they see or speak to people. Of course they told us the story of how and when (so unbelievably romantic!) but we were privileged to be the first people to whom they told the story in English!! So cute! :)

The rest of the evening was spent eating more dessert, catching up, playing music, booking tickets for the William Fitzsimmons gig we are going to tonight... and then, finally, to bed!

The above are pretty self I explanatory. We stopped off in Mannheim for some quick snaps of the city!

The happy couple - Freddy & Annschön and their rings!

Day 2: Storms don't stop the fun. #45daysofsummer

So the next week (the first of six!) is my week of rest before the proper adventures ensue next weekend...

And there's not many things that are more restful than a day with the girls, drinking tea (of course!), eating delicious treats and watching a good movie. Around this time last year we were graduating from Keele and oh how far we have all come since then! I love these ladies and feel so blessed by their friendship and the exciting times we have ahead as we do life together despite all living in different parts of the country. We've also put a date in the diary to climb Snowdon later this year.. Can not wait!

Watched The Proposal this avo. Great movie and worth a watch if you've not seen it!

This is us last May at Chapel Ball...

This is us this May out for breakfast... Sadly no photos from today; we were too busy nattering to be snapping pics!

In other news, I'm also delighted to share a garden update with you all today! Went out to check on my little ones this evening after today's torrential downpours.. Happy to report that they are unharmed and glad of the rain!  I now have two courgettes and three little tomatoes (didn't get a photo of them!) 

As well as some flowers finally beginning to grow on the plants from Kate & Chris' wedding. Reminded by these little guys of the truth that everything grows with love. :) 

Day 2 has been a guddun!