Letting the dust settle

It has been such a busy summer that I have completely neglected blogging. Mom, dad, Whit and Steve were here, then we were in Oregon and now back and readjusted to Spanish life. I have been loving my work schedule with 2-3 classes a day. I have so much more patience with the little kids that it's actually been nice to be around them. I have time to focus on the needs of my students and put effort into lessons while still getting a workout in and making a proper lunch.

Those days are going bye-bye on Monday when the reality of 5-6 class days steamroll over my now mellow lifestyle. Although, this year has been easier so far, just because it's my 2nd year and I "get it" a little more. Knock on wood that the experience from last year will continue to come in handy. Regardless, I think this is a good time to reflect on some of the wonderful memories we made this summer and bask in them while I still can.

The folks, sis and her sig. other flew into town at the beginning of July. Inaki, Whit, Steve and I got to spend a few days together before mom and dad got in. We ate pintxos and ripped Steve's veggie band-aid off on night #1! We also got in a camino phase and visited San Sebastian.

Night #1 - Pintxos and sidra in Pamplona

Day #2 - San Sebastian visit

Day #3 - Work off the pintxos with a 12 mile camino phase

Looking at these pictures, I can't believe that was only 3 days worth of stuff! The next day, Inaki and I headed to Madrid to pick up mom and dad. We realized that telling them we'd pick them up was a bad decision because it meant 8 hours of driving for Inaki. We'll recalculate next time. We got home to a lovely lunch of orzo salad, bread and cheese, whipped up by Whit and Steve. The full house began with full bellies and one of the best aspects of Spanish life: day drinking.

We strolled through the cobblestone streets of Pamplona again that night, met with family, saw the bulls in their corral and got in early for a good snooze. The next morning we popped up for a hike/walk into the valley behind our condo, a visit to Eunate (a hexagonal church on the camino) dinner at Inaki's mom's house and a chance meeting with a zip-line.

Pamplona time

Valley of Aranguren

Eunate

Dinner at Dori's

Zip-line Dad

And on that note, we cruised home and tucked ourselves in for the fabulous times that awaited us the next day... the first day of San Fermin! Although I saw much more daylight than I usually do during San Fermines this year, it was definitely my favorite year so far. To be able to share it all with my family and show them what I've been talking about for the last 8 years was just priceless! So priceless that it will need it's own post later on!