European Vacation

My parents arrived to Madrid Thursday and we've been having a great time so far! It's their first time in Europe! Tomorrow we are renting a car and going to tour more of Spain, France, and Italy!

¡Uf!

¡Uf! (pronounced "ooff") is a common expression in Spanish to express overwhelming feelings. That is how I feel right now. I just sent my letter of resignation to Holland Christian. The plan is to stay here another year, and I'm very excited but sad, too. I am going to miss you all (those of you reading this that won't be in Spain with me next year)! I am sad to end the HC part of my life. I will miss the students and their excitement for life and the camaraderie of the staff. But, at the same time, I'm excited to start a new part of my life...for now in Spain...in the future, wherever God leads me! Thanks for the prayers!

Decision Time

Yes, yes...two posts in one day. Aren't you lucky!? I think most of you know by now, but in case you don't, here's the big news: I'm trying to decide what to do with my life (at least for next year). Here are my two options:

1. Go back to West Michigan, teach Spanish II and IV at Holland Christian, coach golf and help with Student Council. This option would involve being with family, friends, playing games and golfing on the weekends...

2. Stay in Spain and work as a teacher's aide in a bilingual school 16 hours a week. I would probably find other part time work teaching English. This option would involve being with friends, traveling, having lots of time to learn more Spanish, ponder life, write a book?

Anyway, if you are the praying type, remember me in your prayers as I need to let HC know what I decide one week from today. ¡Gracias!

Top Tens in El Camino

Thursday evening I traveled North to the pueblo of Burgo Ranero with my Camino de Santiago class. Friday morning we set out for our hike to León. We would cover 36 Km (22.4 mi) in two days. We hiked for about five hours, arrived at Mansilla de las Mulas where we were going to stay, but decided to have lunch and keep going. We walked another hour and a half and stayed in Villarente. Saturday we only hiked for maybe three hours and arrived in León around lunchtime. Below are the highlights and lowlights from the trip. Click on the link to the right (under "fun websites") if you'd like to see the route:

Top Ten Lowlights of El Camino de Santiago
10. Litter at the rest station on the first day
9. Not having a camera (broken…I think for good now) ☹
8. The non-existence of the “menú del peregrino” (we were told that pilgrims could often order a special meal of the day designed for them at a low price…no such luck)
7. The bus driver who called me “cabrona” because I told him I liked smoke-free areas (while he was smoking)
6. The waiter and his “mala leche” (bad attitude, bad milk literally) in León on Sunday
5. Prof. Ramón not answering my questions and interrupting me when I tried to re-ask them
4. The drunk guy who yelled crass comments to the nuns from outside the monastery at 5am
3. My backpack
2. Gnats
1. Weird hip injury thing

Top Ten Highlights of El Camino de Santiago and León
10. Beautiful albergue (shelter) San Pelayo in Villarente and its hot showers
9. Buying four apples, one orange, two clemintines, two pears, a half pound of strawberries, a bottle of wine, a wedge of cheese, and 1.5 liters of water for less than 8 Euros in Villarente
8. The waiter at Café Gelo in Mansilla de las Mulas who just kept smiling and gave us free pens
7. Meeting Esteban (dad of eight) and Andrés (fourth son of eight)
6. The Cathedral in León in all of its stained-glass wonder
5. The mass and pilgrim blessing from the nuns in the albergue monastery in León
4. Tapeando (eating tapas and drinking wine) with Pedro y Christie in El Barrio Húmedo de León
3. Good talks and lots of laughs with “my girls” (Julie, Sarah, Kristen, Christie, and Maureen: You rock!)
2. Fresh air, sunny blue skies, green pastures, and snow-capped mountians
1. Time alone with God, praise songs on my iPod, and singing aloud