Catch-up, Part 2

Welcome back to Asher’s blog, where the tales of adventures unwind in epic battles with language and daring journeys across foreign lands and so much more. When will the next post arrive? Who will be featured? Will there be photographic evidence or just babbling so incomprehensive it will make youadfaod asodfias eisfoao asdif? The mysteries are limitless and the adventures are never ending and the stories are not always so creative, so join us now for this week’s traversing of Asher’s Blog.

We left our hero on Friday, the 22^nd of March, sitting in Spanish class with “Carl.” We join him now on the morning of the 23^rd. A relaxed, Saturday morning.

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I got to sleep in on Saturday, which by now you should all know I love. I had lunch at my host mom's restaurant, Espaten. It always has good food, delish! And it was a lot of food, here's just a sample of one of the dishes I had.

My host mom finished work early so we decided to do some local tourism. We drove to a nearby town, Manzanares El Real, to look at the castle there. The inside museum part was closed, but we could still walk up to and around the castle. As usual, I took lots of photos. I just love all the old architecture and older-than-300-years history that Spain provides. That's not something one gets to see much of in the States.

From the front. It wasn't huge, but it is non the less quite impressive.

From the rear.

Close up of the back.

The view of the mountains and a lake from the castle. All the views driving there and from the castle and all around the town were very beautiful. I love mountains, it made me miss PA a bit.

Some close ups of different parts of the castle.

Me and my host brother.

Aren't we just adorable.

Side view.

Glorious, imposing from gate.

The not so glorious or imposing me in the front gate.

Looking out through the front gate.

Little cubby-hole things on either side of the front gate for defense purposes.

Cubby-hole things all around the outer wall for defense and cannons.

That evening I had dinner at the restaurant of my host mom's brother-in-law, a place of very fine dining, El Vagón. It's located in two old railway cars, though I had my dinner in the kitchen, since I was just there since my host mom was helping with the waitering. You can check it out at ElVagonDeBeni.es.

Monday rolled around, and as usual, since it's the one day my host mom doesn't work, we went on one of our excursions. My host mom, host brother, and I went for a snowy hike with the same brother-in-law who owns and works El Vagón. He walks three to four hours a day. He's walked and toured most every trail and city in the area, as well as quite a few not-so in the area. So going with him is quite fun. We drove about an hour from Hoyo higher up into the mountains were there was snow. It was raining/snowing/sleeting the whole day, so we got completely soaked, but we able to stay pretty warm. I only got this one picture because we were sort of in "Go" mode and didn't stop that much. But my host mom said I had to have a least one picture so I could tell my blog followers that I was living with crazy people. I don't think they understand how snowy Wisconsin is or just how incredibly "crazy" my family is. So yes, for me it was nice to finally have some interaction with snow since it has been lacking in quantity in my winter here.

Wednesday (the 27th of March, if anyone's lost) I started the day early with some breakfast and a shower before catching a bus into Madrid to help K. and C. with their move (this is the same K. and C. who's baby I am best friends with and who I kangarooed last week (read the last blog if you don't get this reference)). This is now the third move I've helped with since being here. Is it just coincidence that all these moves are happening when there is extra man power around with Reneé and I being here, or are they using us? No, just kidding, I was happy to help, it wasn't a problem at all. Plus I got to see my little best-friend baby!

I came back to Hoyo after lunch and left pretty much right away to a Spa. That's right, my host mom got reservations for the three of us at a spa, I was so nice. I especially loved the saunas, so warm and moist and fresh. I felt like I could just sit in there breathing forever. Loved it so much, so relaxing!

And then for dinner we went to a very yummy Italian restaurant. 

Overall, one of my best day's here :)

Thursday I spent most of my time blogging the blog before this one. In the evening my house group had our last dance rehearsal for the dance we were going to be doing on Easter Sunday.

Friday I had another Spanish class with "Carl" and did some work on verb tenses. I have been getting them so mixed up, I have a lot of practicing to do.

In the evening the church had a Good Friday service with music, communion, and foot washing. A very good, beautiful time, ain't Jesus just so awesome!

Saturday I got to sleep in a bit again, yay! I hiked again to the waterfalls again, but this time with a whole group of people from both the church here in Hoyo and the church in Madrid, mostly Jovenes (youth). The waterfalls were a lot bigger and fuller due to all the rain we’ve been having. Appearantly this is the most rain Spain has had since sometime in the 1950’s, or something like that. There’s been a lot of rain. It was a fun time with friends, those are always good :) (Sorry if pictures bore you, but I like them. You can just keep scrolling if you so desire).

View out over the valley from a high point along the way.

Our destination in sight at a distance.

Finally made it, relaxing by the waters :) 

So much fuller and actually waterfally this time due to all the rain.

From up above the main part of the falls.

We climbed up the "peak" behind the falls again. Such a beautiful day and view (though not sure such a beautiful me ;) it was a bit windy).

Some different panoramas

You can see the path that we came by winding off into the distance.

Yes, "Carl" brought up a guitar. Sang some songs :)

Coming back down I came by way of the waterfall.

The upper parts of the falls.

Afterwards, that afternoon I headed into Madrid to spend the night, because…

…Sunday we were having a Sunrise Service in Madrid and sleeping there was the easiest solution. In addition to the service being early, this Sunday was also the Sunday that Spain switched it’s time for Day Light’s Savings Time (or however it’s call), so we were a little extra tired. But it was very refreshing, reminding, and a precious view. And then afterwards, everyone from that headed over to the B.’s for an American Breakfast of waffles and breakfast pizza. Though a early morning, it was a very good morning.

Before the sunrise.

Wait for it, wait for it...

As the sun was rising :)

Both the Madrid and Hoyo services were good, with each of the different house groups contributing with skits and songs and dances. A very fun, and a bit different, Easter Sunday. Jesus is Risen and he Lives today! Amen, alleluia!

Reneé painted this picture, she is quite talented. I'm pretty lucky to be working with some pretty cool people here :) (Translation: The Power of His Resurrection, Phil 3:10).

Dutch Blitz continues to be a great hit; we play it quite a bit.

This past week has been a bit of a week of unusual schedule due to Easter week. English class in going to be starting up again. Jumping right back in with review, fun, and games.

I’m going to be in Morocco for my Birthday! We have to leave the European Union to renew out visas, so were taking a weekend trip to Morocco, and it happens to fall on my birthday.

Just look at this guy, ain't he just the cutest? I'm so happy to be an uncle to such a precious Isaac Fickett. Love him!

Well, that brings you up to speed to this week. Sorry again for the long delay. If you have any questions or comments those can be left here on the blog or sent right to my Communications Girl Extraordinaire, Hope, at constanceh.95@gmail.com (see what I did there with the “left” and “right”). You can also get my snail-mail address from her if you would so desire. For prayer request updates contact Mike at biblebeach@hotmail.com. 

Just so you all know, I have a pretty awesome family, I just feel that should be said! Yes, I miss them.

Have a great time with whatever you’re up to.

With many Loves and Misses,

Adios, amigos,

~Asher Fickett~