It's Time to Get Our Sports On!!!!

I've got boys.  Boys with lots and lots of energy.  Boys that need an outlet for all that energy.  In the last year, that outlet has been each other.  And it's been a long year of constant, "don't hit your brother." "no, don't you hit your brother either." "please stop hitting your brother."  Did I say it was constant???? 

In the States, Liam was a bit young for sports (he was 2 1/2 when we moved here) but Aidan did 3 sports during the fall semester before we left.  Horseback, tennis and soccer.  He played tennis for almost 2 years before we moved here and did horseback for 2 1/2.  It was his first season playing soccer (now known as futbol here).  Our lives were chaotic to say the least.  Getting ready for a big move overseas and then balacing work, sports and life in general.  But it was worth it.

Fast forward to January 2010.  We've moved to Barcelona and made a conscious decision that we would postpone sports for at least our first 6 months living here.  We did this for a few reasons (1) we had no idea what would be available to us and how to go about enrolling either child (2) we wanted a break from our chaotic lives for a little bit (3) we needed time to get used to our lives here and figure out what direction we wanted to take them in before making any long term commitments.  We said we would wait until school started again in September before putting the boys into sports.

This September I gave Aidan a few options for sports.  He poo pooed them all.  Said he didn't want to take lessons, just play the sports on their own.  Because like me, he's let the language intimidate him.  So instead of pushing like I normally would have, I let him have his way.  I was lazy (didn't want to have to trek him to the other side of the city for tennis lessons) and fearful of my own language concerns.  But the last few weeks have been rough with Aidan - he's been having a very angry attitude with us ALL THE TIME.  He's swearing, he's hitting.  Some of it is just him testing his boundries but it goes beyond that.  He's just downright pissed off at the world and we have no idea why.  And so, the time has come to make a decision - do we force sports upon him or once again put it in his court?

We decided that we would give him an option of a few sports and that he HAD to choose ONE.  He was welcome to choose more than one but that he needed to play something again and get some energy out.  He decided on tennis, which was what we expected.  So this week I bit the fear of language bullet and went up to Vall d'Hebron where we play for fun and asked for information for both Aidan and Liam for lessons.  Thankfully they had Saturday lessons available and at the same time for them both.  And they let us do a trial lesson yesterday before I invested quite a lot of moola into these lessons (for which I was both thankful that I understood what they were saying and for them trying to save my poor wallet). 

Yesterday was the day.  We told Aidan he was already signed up.  Why give him a chance to duck out of the commitment he agreed to.  So with a bit of a whine (ok a lot of a whine) and a bit of freaking out (perhaps a tantrum or two thrown in along the way), we were off to tennis!  Liam was so excited about going and couldn't stop talking about his lessons.

We get there and they direct us to the courts where the kids were all playing.  And there were a lot of courts and a lot of kids.  Each class has up to 10 kids with at least 2 instructors, so no more than 5 kids per instructor which was similar to the lessons Aidan took at home.  Now Liam freezes up... he wants nothing to do with playing tennis and clings to my leg for dear life.  That would be fine, except his big brother is already clinging to my other leg not wanting to join in. 

Thank goodness for Rosa.  She was young, perhaps early 20s and spoke pretty good English.  This was a source of fear for Aidan - that his instructor would only speak Spanish.  I had tried to allievate this fear for him before by saying that tennis is a sport that can be communicated without speaking if necessary.  You follow the motions the instructor is giving you, you follow what the other kids are doing as well.  But Rosa spoke English.  The kids were warming up and Aidan refused to join them for that.  We sat in front of the courts waiting, hoping, praying we could get him in there.  His shyness preventing him once again from having fun which just breaks my heart.

Finally about 10 minutes into the hour and a half lesson, Aidan said "I'm ready".  Whew!!!  I brought him up to Rosa and she took his hand.  She was so wonderful with him I wanted to cry - she would explain everything in both Spanish and for Aidan, in English.  She made him feel included with the group.  He fit right in as far as his level of ability (this session goes Oct - June so he missed the first 3 months) and knew exactly what to do.  We saw, OMG, a smile!!!  Maybe even a few. 

He left the court one time telling us he was done.  But after a quick drink of water he was back on.  At the end of the lesson he wanted to keep playing.  And he said to me as we left "Mommy, it was really hard for me to go to tennis today and I was really afraid, but I'm really glad I went.".  At that moment, I knew it was worth it to have pushed him and I only wish I'd done it sooner.  But like everything else here, we have to take it poco a poco (little by little).  And little by little, our lives, even after a year, are finally going back to "normal".

Julie

Say What???

For the last year, I've had one major struggle that has been coming up repeatedly, not just in my blog, but in my life.  Language.  I'm a believer that the older you get, the harder it is to learn a new language; your brain just is no longer fine tuned to accept the info.  You know, can't teach an old dog new tricks.  But alas, I'm trying.  And yet, it still eludes and intimidates me.

I've let this language barrier prevent me from doing things I would normally have already done at home.  Top of that list lately, sports for the kids.  Aidan has always done sports year round since he was a little kid.  And for the last year, nothing.  Now the boys don't get home from school til 5 and after school sports start anywhere from 4:30 to 6 and last up to 2 hours.  So that's certainly a reason not to pursue it at this time.  But for me, the big reason was I didn't want to have to deal with the research, communication and eventual sign up of a sport.  I had this same intimidation when it came to signing up for the gym and if a friend of mine hadn't just passed away of a heart attack, I probably would have continued to procrastinate that one. 

Lately I've come to realize that in order to see my kids thrive here, I need to get over my fears.  The boys have been acting out a lot lately and I think that part of this is due to their lack of outlet to get their energy out.  In addition to that, Aidan and I have had several conversations in the last few months about participating in school.  He doesn't want to raise his hand and have the answer be wrong.  My response was to give him some silly alternatives such as "Is the teacher going to hang you by your toes in front of your class?" if you are wrong?  I've given this some thought and like other things I've learned from the kids in the last year, this one makes sense too.  What is the worst thing that's going to happen to me if I can't communicate perfectly?  Can I get the job accomplished?  Yes... I can. 

And so today I went up the tennis courts that we've played at in the past and while I didn't actually sign them up, I got all the paperwork necessary and we will be going on Saturday for a trial lesson (which was at their suggestion and I actually understood that) and then can sign them up.  Regardless I have to go back on Saturday, explain in Spanish that they are there for a trial lesson and then get them signed up after the lesson (assuming, hoping and praying it goes well).  So it was a huge accomplishment today for me.  Not to mention, I found a short cut on the metro that should have been so obvious before but wasn't for some reason and trimmed at least 15 mins off the travel time to the courts.  Check that one off the list and while I'm add it, add in a little boost in confidence.

In order to continue with this confidence building trend, I really need to focus.  One of my (many) new year's resolutions this year was to take my fear of language and kick it's ass.  I was determined that I would study my Rosetta Stone every day for at least one hour.  I've done it before, I can do it again.  Monday was my first day...and I almost fell asleep during that hour.  Tuesday I said screw it.  Apparently that resolution has bit the dust.

Or has it?  I'm looking at alternatives - possibly taking a class with a new friend.  I downloaded an app to my iphone that I can study when I'm on the train.  I signed up for a word a day email as well.  I also want to improve for my kids - I expect them to be fluent by the time we move back home and if I have those expectations for them, how can I not at least attempt the same?  While I know I won't likely be fluent by the end of this year or even by the time I leave, there is no doubt that progress will be made.  I've improved dramatically in the last year alone so hopefully given some time to actually study, maybe you can teach this old lady some new tricks!

Julie

What a Difference a Year Makes - Celebrating One Year in Barcelona!

Actually this post is a little delayed since we were away.  We actually celebrated our one year anniversary living abroad while we were on vacation on Lanzarote.  But regardless, it's a momentuous occassion and most definitely deserves a blog post. 

If you've been following this blog for the last year plus, you'll know this has been a rollercoaster experience like none other.  More so it seems for me than for the rest of the fam who have for the most part taken the transition to living in Barcelona in stride (why can't I be more like them???).  However, here we are, one year into what will now be a THREE AND A HALF YEAR (no longer 2 years) adventure and not only are we surviving but we are thriving. 

Many of you, myself included, didn't think I'd make it thru this first year.  Josh had several people whisper to him and email him - "is she going to make it thru the first year much less 2 years?".  I had some doubts along the way and there were a few times were I pretty much begged Josh to cut the assignment short and let's just go home now.  But I'm glad we stuck to our guns and pushed thru.  It's been worth it.  I still miss all my friends and family every day and I thank each and every one of you for your support thru all the ups and downs (and there were lots of downs for sure) - I probably wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for the regular pep talks I got from you and words of encouragement about how brave I was to take on this challenge in my life. 

Yes it has most definitely been a challenge.  The year has been filled with so many new things I can't even list them all.  I was just looking back at the posts from this time last year and while some made me laugh, some of them reminded me of just how hard things were when we started out here.  From simple tasks such as learning how to make the washing machine work to trying to navigate the city in order to pick up Aidan from school to even having a fear of shopping (gasp!!!!), there have most definitely been some hurdles that I've needed to jump over in order to get to where I am today... comfortable.

This year has taught me a lot about myself and about my family.  My children are a lot stronger than I ever gave them credit for.  They are resilient and adjust to new situations with relative ease.  If only their mother was like that.  ;)  They have learned that there is a world outside of Attleboro.  When conversing with Aidan, often other countries will come up and his response will be "oh so and so is from there".  He's learned that it's ok that not everyone speaks perfect English and some speak it with an accent.  As far as school goes, I'm constantly blown away by the things he is learning - sciences and social studies, fractions and geometry, all in first grade,  and the things he is taught is done from a global, not local perspective.  Liam's transition was seamless and given that he was 2 1/2 when we moved here, that was exactly as we expected.  He loves city life and in a way I think he doesn't really quite get that we moved to a different country, and while he doesn't speak Spanish yet, hearing other languages doesn't seem to phase him and the hope is that he will pick it up quickly now that he is in school full time.  They have broadened their horizons beyond our bubble at home and if we come back with anything after these 3 1/2 years it is with the hope that they will remember this experience and remember the lessons that we have learned about ourselves and about others. 

Josh, well Josh adjusted the moment that he moved here - I don't think he had an adjustment period.  And that alone speaks worlds to me as far as my admiration of him.  Not to mention how much he has stepped up to the plate as a parent and as a partner since we moved here.  He's been supportive in my most crazy of times (like when I cried like a baby watching the Food Network and he offered to go get me a chicken sandwich if it would make me feel better).  No longer are all the household chores or the children left entirely up to me.  He makes the school lunches and he does dishes and laundry - I'm not sure who this husband is, but I like him and I think I'll keep him. 

For me, I have learned that I am stronger than I thought.  That when faced with challenges I choose to take them head on (and yes there were moments of doubt for that too) and learn from my mistakes.  I learned how to be resourceful.  And how to live with less.  Yes, less...much less.  And yet I'm still alive and kicking.  I've learned more about tolerance - that people are kind and will help guide you when you need it.  That the people here have more tolerance for foreigners than we do in the US and of that I will say, I'm embarrassed.  I greatly admire those who have taken a chance to make a new life in America and the struggles they are faced with - before they were just immigrants in my eyes and now they are risk takers.  I've learned to slow down - it was forced upon me to do this - I had no choice here but to slow myself down.  All stores are closed for siesta from 2-5 and nothing is open on Sunday.  I walk everywhere and can only accomplish so many tasks in one day.  And while it took me a while to come to terms with this new lifestyle, I have now embraced it to a point that when I go home I feel intensely overwhelmed by all the constant stimulation.  I'm sure that when we go back in a few years for good (no Australia Josh!) it will take time to transition back to life at home as well and we'll go thru this all again, in reverse.

Many people I've talked to said the first year really is a transition year and it's in year two where you start to really appreciate your surroundings and start to enjoy this journey.  Looking back over the first year I can see how they can say that since a good chunk of that year was learning to navigate my way around the city and learning the ins and outs of how to survive in a foreign country.  I'm at a point now where I feel that the little accomplishments are back in perspective and it's time to broaden my horizons a bit and get back to where I would define as normal back in the States. 

The kids are happy with school.  And so am I.  They come home each day excited about the things they are learning and about the friends they have made.  They are still learning the language and I'm curious to see which of them learns it first - Liam who is at such a young age that he may absorb it like a sponge or Aidan who takes an hour each day of Spanish class?  The school is constantly embracing the arts and we enjoy seeing regular performances and concerts put on by the elementary school.  The school itself very much is a community within itself.  I'm used to the school being a part of a community but not being the actual community but with about 2/3 of the school being made up of expats from various countries, it's a home away from home for many and a great chance to meet people. 

Speaking of countries, we did a lot of travel in 2010 as well - Josh and I more so than the kids but regardless, we've been to France 4 times, to Italy, the Canary Islands and to various cities and towns in Spain.  The travel has been a great incentive for me, no doubt about that.  We have already scheduled Portugal and Holland during 2011 and are also hoping (travel plans pending while waiting on other parties) to go to Venice, the French Riviera, Switzerland, Tuscany, Germany and Austria this year.  We're also expecting some visitors during the year which we are very excited about!!!!

So what are some other things we've learned here?

• Learning a new language (still working on that one but much improved) is not easy but will come with time
• City life is definitely different than suburban life on a variety of level.
• Most medication does not require a prescription and Spanish medicine is super cheap - I got a bottle of amoxicillin and dalsy for Liam and spent 4 euros last week when he was sick. That is NOT with insurance. Vets also use the same pharmacies and Jake's medicine all tends to be of the human variety. The meds here are also for the most part significantly stronger than their US counterparts.
• Cava sangria is better than regular sangria - if you haven't tried it, you should!
• 2" of snow can shut down an entire city
• The weather here beats that of New England. Rich A...you would be in shorts all year long here!
• With everything closed on Sunday we've learned to take things a bit easier and relax and enjoy our family time.
• Do not try to run more than one major appliance at the same time or you will lose power. Actually sometimes just running that one appliance can cause a power outage so beware.
• If you can't find a household item you need, you have 2 options - go to El Corte Ingles (where you will pay an arm and a leg for said item) or go to the hardware store. One of the two of these places will have what you need.
• The Spanish words that will come back to the States with us, even if we forget everything else we have learned in our time here... will be NO TOCA - DO NOT TOUCH! I think we say these words to the boys just about every day.
• Slingbox is the best invention EVER! Living in Barcelona would not be the same without having our US TV. It's nice to have a piece from home when we can't be there.  Between Slingbox, facebook and our stash of American food that we are hoarding (ok that I am hoarding), there are moments you forget we live in Spain.
• However, when you forget you live in Spain for just a moment, the cable and internet will then fail and we are left with no tv (slingbox runs thru the internet) and no facebook and you are reminded that it's just not the same as being at home.
• The prices here are for the most part the same as at home EXCEPT the fact that the euro is worth more than the dollar, therefore making our purchases here actually more expensive... bummer
• We've managed just fine without a car. Since I love to drive I never expected to be able to handle life without a car but in the times I've been home to the States I actually found that I missed walking everywhere.
• That children live life more like we did as children. They are not overprotected in the same ways that we over protect our kids these days. Of course, they also don't wear bike helmets and ride on the handlebars of their parents bikes. So perhaps our children will need to compromise.
• If you ask Liam where we are going he will respond "to Tibidabo" every time. It's just his favorite place though I think he just likes to hear the word Tibidabo...

I'm sure we've learned lots of other things this year.  Probably way too many to list and you'd be pretty bored after a while (if you aren't already).  So now that we've learned some things this past year, it's time to take things to a new level for 2011.
Goals for 2011:

1.  Travel more - you saw our itinary for 2011 - now we need to stick with it!  . .
2.  Do more within the city limits - I'm at a point where I need to make an effort to explore because now it's just home and you didn't see me out exploring Attleboro over the last 10 years did you? Ok maybe the malls, but that's it :)
3.  Take advantage of that school community and reach out more to the parents there
4.  Spend more time with my friends here
5.  Spend at least one hour each day practicing my Spanish - I would like to be conversational by the end of the year (lofty goal I know).
6.  Get the kids involved in after school/weekend activities - we have yet to participate in any sports yet here and I will admit, the idea is slightly intimidating for some reason still so I just need to bite the bullet and jump into this one.
7.  Take the time to grow my business now that I have more time with the boys in school. 
8.  Stay in touch better with friends and family from home - not just skype but with the phone as well. 

Speaking of friends and family - you have been our greatest support and without you we would not have made it thru this first year.  I am truly thankful to have all of you in our corner.  The care packages, the little notes giving us words of encouragement that we so needed at critical moments, the phone calls, the Skyping (which I really need to be better about) and even down to the holiday cards this year.  It makes us feel loved and I hope you all know that just because we are half a world away, doesn't mean we don't love you any less.  If anything, it makes us appreciate you all the more. 

So that's it...that's my year in review.  I feel like there should be more but at the same time I'm thinking I'm getting a bit long winded here.  I'm curious to see how my blog posts go for year two.  I'm determined to stick with regular updates during our entire time here but now that our learning curve has changed I'm sure the tone and topics of my entries will as well.  I hope you'll stick with us and keep reading about our adventures!

With Love,
Julie

Lanzarote, Canary Islands - Go Karting and Horseback Riding

As with all good things, they must come to an end and with just 2 days left of our vacation we decided to do some things the kids really wanted to do... go-karting and horseback riding. 

Off we went to the go-kart place by the airport.  Aidan was old enough to have his own kart in the younger kids section.  This was the track from toddlers to age 16...the really big kids get the track next to ours where the go-karts go up to 80 kph and they were flying!  We were the only ones on the track and Aidan was ambivilent at first about going on his own but once he was out there he had a BLAST!!  He loved trying to race with Josh and Liam who were in the other car. 

Getting their helmets on

First lap

And here they come!

I wasn't supposed to take any pics because the go-kart place actually takes them - and I have to say, the ones they took (including this one) came out great...

And they took this one of Aidan too...

After the go-karting we took a coastal ride down to Puerto del Carmen, the first tourist area formed on Lanzarote.  This was definitely different than Playa Blanca where we were staying.  I thought we had a lot of tourists in our area, but this place took the price.  Six kilometers of waterfront was filled with stores and restaurants.  The boardwalk was nice but not nearly as nice as Playa Blanca.  We had a quick lunch at an Italian restaurant (I use the term loosely) and an ice cream and we were off to ride the caballos...

The main road of Puerto del Carmen

One of the cottages by the water... very cute!

More of the main drag

The Golden Arches have made it to Lanzarote!!!

You can barely see them but there a bunch of hang gliders above this mountain

All Liam talked about all week from the moment we passed this place on our way to Playa Blanca from the airport was riding a horse.  He wanted to ride a gray one and then a brown one.  Pal, you get what you get and you don't get upset... We arrived at the Caballos y Camellos (camels) place only to hear a camel most definitely in some kind of distress.  Not a great sign.  It took us a bit to hunt down the people with the horses as the place seemed to be a bit desserted which was odd for mid day.  We finally found someone who could help us and she guided Liam to his pony (we told him it was a horse, it HAD to be a horse, not a pony that he wanted to ride).  Aidan decided he didn't want to ride despite the fact that he took lessons for 2 years - his reasoning was that he didn't think they would let him ride on his own and he didn't want anyone to hold on to him.  And so he sat on the sidelines.  Liam however, was ecstatic...

Liam on his pony

Can't beat the view as he rides

A look of pure joy on his face is worth it

The camels I was talking about earlier... not sure what was going on but they were lined up in a row and when we were going back to the car we saw that a crane was hauling them into this truck.  Have no idea why they were doing this nor did we even venture to ask...

And that my friends, was our vacation on Lanzarote.  It had it's ups and downs, beautiful weather, quality family time, amazing vistas and most of all, relaxation!  While we were on Lanzarote we had the one year anniversary of our arrival in Spain... keep an eye out in the next few days for an update recapping our first year and what I hope will be some goals for 2011. 

Happy New Year!!

Julie

Lanzarote, Canary Islands - La Geria (the Vineyards)

Vineyards you say?  But how so when there is so little precipation that we are able to have houses without roofs?  That there is so little vegetation on this island that most of it looks like desert?  How in the world can you possibly grow grapes to turn into wine in these conditions?


Well about a dozen vinters have been doing so, some bodegas for hundreds of years now. The area known as La Geria is unique unlike any vineyard region in the world.  This area is a proected area because of how the landscape has been sculpted by this process.  There are hillside after hillside with zocos - low, crescent shaped dry stone walls made of volcanic rocks.  These zocos each protect ONE vine from the elements.  According to some by summer it looks "like emeralds lying in a black velvet case".  Unfortunately we were there during the off season and so all the vines were without any color.  But the zocos looked very cool going up and down the mountainside.

El Grifo is the oldest vineyard on the island, running continuously since 1775

Some zocos with some off season vines

Cool volcano we saw as we were driving thru La Geria

Zocos running up towards the top of the volcano

Zocos everywhere!!!!!

We bought a few bottles from this bodega as we'd had some of their wine with a few of our meals and really enjoyed it.

In addition to the zocos, the picon (volcanic gravel) traps the little bit of moisture they get on this island which nourishes the vines enough to grow.  There is no insect disease here either which enables them to plant the stalks directly without grafting them (I know nothing about this process). 


And to tell you the truth, it's not half bad. I'm no wine expert but I thought the wine I had here was delicious, smooth and crisp. We were told the reds aren't that great and to stick with the whites and that's what we did even though we aren't usually white wine drinkers.


Julie

Lanzarote, Canary Islands - Fundacion Cesar Manrique

Yes, you read that right, Manrique again.  But this time we're heading to his home... or what was formerly his home.  And I'm a big believer that you hire a landscaper who's yard looks good (ie don't hire the guy that lives behind us in Attleboro) and if you want a great artist or architect, look at where he lives as an example.  This guy's home is stunning...there is truly no words to describe this home and the pictures will not do it justice.

Weaving thru nature in so many different ways, he has incorporated his natural landscape like no one else I've ever seen, not even Gaudi (gasp!).  However, as I mentioned before, his work definitely reminds me a bit of Gaudi and how he does incorporate nature into his work. 

Manrique lived in this home from the 60s to the 80s and then he moved to his second home in more rural Haria where he was able to live with more privacy.  The home is located at the edge of a lava field and upon first glipse is only one floor but is in fact two levels - an upper level and a subterranean level.  The home is now a museum that showcases much of his art which quite honestly, I was less interested in... mainly because the kids were with us and I had time to focus on the structure more than the artwork. 

However for a little background on this amazing man let's start with the fact that he was born and raised on Lanzarote.  He attended college in Tenerife and Madrid and then continued on to New York.  Eventually he returned to Lanzarote and was dismayed to see how the tourism industry was affecting his beloved island.  And so he became involved with urban development and and sustainable and responsible tourism.  And so he campagined for conrolled, sympathetic development which meant traditional architectural styles, white washed buildings and that all buildings would be low rise.  Because he know that visitors would want to see more than just the beach and enjoy the sun, he began designing visitor attractions - 7 of them:  Jameos del Agua; the Casa-Museo del Campesino (we did not see this); El Diablo; the Mirador del Rio; MIAC (did not see this either); Cueva de los Verdes and Jardin del Cactus (didn't see this one too).  The year after he died in 1992, Lanzarote was designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in recognition for the islanders' respect for their unique environment and the preservation of the landscape which was much in thanks to Manrique. 

As you walk in, you are greeted with color of flowers all around you.  This is something that I have not seen much of on this island.  You also see trees that look like they are coming out of the ground but are, in fact, coming from the subterranean level of the home.  There are many parts of his home that are open to the elements, something that is not much of an issue in this climate where there is very little rain and the temperatures rarely dip below 70 during the daytime even in the winter. 

The boys in the hotel lobby waiting to go on another adventure

Vineyards in the front of Manrique's home

Liam

Entrance to the home - love the flowers!

Josh and Liam inspecting some flowers

That white crescent on the lower right side is actually a light from the lower floor - this tree is growing from inside the house

Another tree that is growing thru the house

Water feature with lava bridge

Huge panoramic window - would love that in my living room!

Have to go outside to go downstairs...there was another stairway inside but it was closed to the public

Yes, this is all a part of his downstairs level - incorporating nature, remember?

The hallway... there were several like this which was very cool

A living space downstairs with the open ceiling for the tree

Another living space with another tree

Outdoor area - sweet grill and next to it is an outdoor dining area

Outdoor dining area

Lava bridge

Water feature

One of the more famous parts of his house is how he literally built the wall around the lava so that lava "flows" into the house.  I expected this to be an open window with no glass but there is actually glass that goes right into the top of the lava rock.

Aidan said this area reminded him of Gaudi... I think we have a budding architect/artist on our hands.  He's very into both Gaudi and now Manrique.

My boys...

Josh took some scenic flower pics...perhaps an artist here as well? 

A late bloomer?  Sorry, had to do it :)

Manrique's logo

Another flower

Manrique designed many of these wind "chimes" throughout the island each one uniquely different from the rest

Julie

Lanzarote, Canary Islands - Teguise Sunday Market

Europe is still the home of the open market.  Many small towns and villages throughout Europe still have weekend markets where vendors ply their goods to willing buyers - both locals and tourists.  I love these markets.  My favorite so far was in Arles (Provence), France where there was so much fresh food and spices that it made my mouth water! 

Well, when the guidebook said that the biggest market on Lanzarote was in Teguise on Sundays I was all for us going.  So guidebook in hand and using the map to get us there, off we went to Teguise, which was the former capital of Lanzarote.

We had passed thru Teguise the day before on our way back from Mirador del Rio and it was a cute village - more upscale than many we had passed.  There was ample parking and for 1.50 euro, you can't beat the price!  Find that in Boston or even in Barcelona!  The market itself, however, was a bit of a disappointment.  There was very little food to be found and most of the items were cheap tschotckies... touristy tee shirts, candles, scarves and toys filled most of the booths.  However, we did find a few gems - the boys found cool frogs that you rub their backs with a stick and they make a ribbit sound.  They also found (cheap) finger puppets which Liam especially enjoyed (because you can never have enough finger puppets).  Josh found some aloe which is apparently a big export of Lanzarote (who knew?) and I found some great handmade soap.  So all was not lost.

To top off the afternoon we had lunch in the oldest restaurant on the island - Acetife.  The food was decent although they forgot to bring my soup that had requested before my salad.  The kids both had enjoyable meals as did Josh with his rabbit (ugh!), a specialty on the island where there is so little game to be caught.

All in all, worth the trip just for the scenery along the way and an opportunity to get out of the hotel for the afternoon!

Julie