tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81303054705777825522024-03-05T12:53:57.949+02:00Jenn in SpainMy family's adventures in Spain.Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-29550938891788576352009-10-12T00:54:00.000+03:002009-10-13T01:04:40.189+03:00Public Apology<div style="text-align: center;">I have so much to share with you -visually- and I am compelled to say a few words. I have a few friends who do photography, and I follow their progress and am severely impressed.<br />These are people with full time jobs besides what they photograph.<br />I know they put an amazing amount of work in what they do.<br />I put a lot of time in the photos that I post, but I must say this:<br />photography is not my love, painting is.<br />getting it gorgeous is not my goal, getting <span style="font-style: italic;">posted </span>is.<br />you remembering me is silly, you remembering the place and wanting to see it for yourself (and maybe take a better photo) IS!<br />So forgive me in my haste to show you the home that I love.<br />And I absolutely challenge you to photograph it better (I am sure you can).<br />So keep that in mind in the following posts.<br />BTW<br />Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!<br /></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-14776037506271771662009-07-06T21:58:00.001+03:002009-07-06T23:04:40.433+03:00Now I'm YouTubing<div style="text-align: center;">I take video once in a while, but I rarely post it, as they take forever to load onto blogger or photobucket. Finally, I started a YouTube account. It is pretty easy to use, and I started adding videos old and new right away.<br />To the right is a new button called "videos" and that is the link to my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jennuendo&search_type=&aq=f">YouTube page</a>.<br />Does anyone know if it is possible to change their order.<br />~<br />These are very casual home-made movies. They are not even edited. In fact, I suggest turning the volume way down, since I seem to be laughing quite prominently in too many of them. The reason I include them, though, is because some things just need video. Like riding through <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI8xyGxxFfY">Rota streets</a>, watching <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7iMh8m7qL8">Lancelot chase a remote controlled helicopter</a>, clapping along with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYmSfL0mqs">feria dancers</a>, and seeing a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIsAPS08uNc">sea dragon swim</a> by--about the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.<br />~<br />For your viewing pleasure, here is a moment of zen:<br />(from the Oceanarium in Lisbon)<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4gIgDL3l_Qk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4gIgDL3l_Qk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-18759113943404284392009-07-05T13:48:00.000+03:002009-07-05T14:58:56.803+03:00Nima<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4rHAkgY_WLKVEd1GDJIOUfz7V9fu3Y0c6zoS8wXFbhVuN_ue62KwI4A1ESK_1W9i_hDwLX57bmBwBjjUU1hw2D8hW3l9JLB1n7GgT4aZz1aFsoWKeRYo7IZpQ3OkI9RX6OjRqBVvHVM/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4rHAkgY_WLKVEd1GDJIOUfz7V9fu3Y0c6zoS8wXFbhVuN_ue62KwI4A1ESK_1W9i_hDwLX57bmBwBjjUU1hw2D8hW3l9JLB1n7GgT4aZz1aFsoWKeRYo7IZpQ3OkI9RX6OjRqBVvHVM/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354943903642745122" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">While Nino was here, very soon after returning from Paris, Enigma passed away.</div><br /><div align="center">He went to sleep under the bed one evening and did not wake up.</div><br /><div align="center">I feel greatful that we did not have to make the very difficult desicion of when his time came to be put to sleep. I am not sure I would have been able to do it.</div><br /><div align="center">He lost a little weight, and we knew then that his time was coming. However, he was never sick. He played and ran and was his happy self. His breathing was often bad with lots of coughing and gagging, but it did not seem to slow him down at all.</div><br /><div align="center">I remember his last night, I gave him some bacon, and Nino said it was not good for him. I thought privately that he deserved a lil fun this close to the end. I had no idea he was that close though.</div><br /><div align="center">He was 10 years old.</div><br /><div align="center">I keep saying that he would be my last dog, and I really feel that way. He was sort of tailor made for me, and I don't think I could love another dog.</div><br /><div align="center">Lancelot (Moo) was so very angry at me, and he is just now starting to act more himself. He was hiding a lot and ignoring me completely while being extra needy to John. That did nothing to ease my guilt, let me tell you.</div><br /><div align="center">We are going to keep his ashes. I have never done this with a pet before, and I would appreciate any ideas you have with how to keep a pet's ashes tastefuly.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com"><img src="http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1612/1612760ptv8z9uicd.gif" width="147" height="115" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-39209221142548571842009-06-21T17:07:00.002+03:002009-06-21T17:07:52.039+03:00Happy Summer Solstice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQiHC9aAT_A4aPRD1PWV6ga-yqcm6ZcPz7QJiAIS00oKaK3HdwnK4ZK64TWi6yuLk0-NAM9EK1GkydrMoWeQdu40Yh1YVH2rcrjO6aZAFrrc7OjSlJweVyDFsxW6UfqqA5pZO-7S_N5o/s1600-h/sun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349782280603701618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQiHC9aAT_A4aPRD1PWV6ga-yqcm6ZcPz7QJiAIS00oKaK3HdwnK4ZK64TWi6yuLk0-NAM9EK1GkydrMoWeQdu40Yh1YVH2rcrjO6aZAFrrc7OjSlJweVyDFsxW6UfqqA5pZO-7S_N5o/s320/sun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-32595270767514727022009-06-21T16:37:00.002+03:002009-06-21T16:47:35.913+03:00Gibralter<div align="center">Nino, my brother-AKA Daniel, spent 3 weeks here in May. We went to Paris, Lisbon, Gibralter, Sevilla, and around Rota. All the pictures are on the picture site (button at right). Here is the album of the last place we went, Gibralter.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I was pretty depressed a few days after he left. We were so busy and had so much fun. John was not able to go anywhere, because he cannot get time off. He has no replacement yet. Soon he will, then I hope to do much more traveling around Southern Spain and Germany.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I have not forgotten about my Rota installments. One coming up soon. Stay posted.<br /><br /><br /><object id="Slideshow" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" height="425" width="425" align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" name="Slideshow"><param name="_cx" value="11245"><param name="_cy" value="11245"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcmd.shutterfly.com%2Fcommands%2Fpictures%2Fgetshareoutslideshowconfig%3Fsite%3Djennandjohninspain%26page%3Djennandjohninspain%26node%3D2795" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object></div><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; WIDTH: 425px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://jennandjohninspain.shutterfly.com/2795?eid=115">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=blogger" width="1" border="0" /></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-42110327241953839862009-03-08T21:39:00.000+02:002009-06-21T17:02:56.647+03:00Tired of catherdrals? (I hope not.)<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ4c1MD7HxFys-BmQ_57A2awAVsfH7x2AmcmfRxSts-e6TrMmI3aOWrgJ8E9TVh1px53mUK83CKX_e0eVTlYvauE4oWmtpyahp13OsIUkOBZNJgarmdrpEEnd1XegEQ-EDu_Qx07shVE/s1600-h/DSC03075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304232593729300818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ4c1MD7HxFys-BmQ_57A2awAVsfH7x2AmcmfRxSts-e6TrMmI3aOWrgJ8E9TVh1px53mUK83CKX_e0eVTlYvauE4oWmtpyahp13OsIUkOBZNJgarmdrpEEnd1XegEQ-EDu_Qx07shVE/s400/DSC03075.JPG" border="0" /></a> View from the top of the tower.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXz4vm2Wq9cQYXnhNHET7aHJdXw_NcR6mGiiBIS79syGQ7XHIOhCDKKsindCrkMJady3gUAv0KGpnMfsECjgUAEVJGo85Fgvkhb26KFKd1R8gsxPXlpIiUDAjAiKmEsYqadmBlMjqBFM/s1600-h/DSC02971.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304232572477290914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXz4vm2Wq9cQYXnhNHET7aHJdXw_NcR6mGiiBIS79syGQ7XHIOhCDKKsindCrkMJady3gUAv0KGpnMfsECjgUAEVJGo85Fgvkhb26KFKd1R8gsxPXlpIiUDAjAiKmEsYqadmBlMjqBFM/s400/DSC02971.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">This has been an unusually wet winter, keeping us inside most days off.<br />The first break in the downpour, John and I went to Seville. There is so much to see, but we (of course) began with the Cathedral. </div><div align="center"><br />It claims to be the largest Gothic church in Europe and in the the top 6 of all Christian churches. After wandering through the church, then climbing the 30 or so stories of the bell tower, we were exhausted. We braved the cold and had lunch outside, then headed home.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgoRnGUwF71fAA1yCb9GuwJ3D7CYCEJT6fC1KWN6_JkJ8otXwedcSyiiRY0nz_FYjmPeHeyBcv53WP05Dv2ILHarrULZPqv25xuj8_2t5BJ7qztEnCtIWb1wHFW3H0BC3fmg1A726fx8/s1600-h/DSC03070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304230948014713154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgoRnGUwF71fAA1yCb9GuwJ3D7CYCEJT6fC1KWN6_JkJ8otXwedcSyiiRY0nz_FYjmPeHeyBcv53WP05Dv2ILHarrULZPqv25xuj8_2t5BJ7qztEnCtIWb1wHFW3H0BC3fmg1A726fx8/s320/DSC03070.JPG" border="0" /></a> I wonder if they have their own hunchback to ring the bells.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9AbLDdTFBYPF-R8m9qfF_oh6hMNf2tzNMQWkJ8-VHSqZnhCmQP5CpnGNhy_TZXYaN0JO_9GgMgBOUTmKiToUTlbmdmBcujRfmA1x_QbEjtj1AIc2KQQlV_gJ5vkdKsOJivxNcJVxRXA/s1600-h/DSC03029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304230941879899778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9AbLDdTFBYPF-R8m9qfF_oh6hMNf2tzNMQWkJ8-VHSqZnhCmQP5CpnGNhy_TZXYaN0JO_9GgMgBOUTmKiToUTlbmdmBcujRfmA1x_QbEjtj1AIc2KQQlV_gJ5vkdKsOJivxNcJVxRXA/s320/DSC03029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Everyroom was more gorgeous than the last.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPsHJPC-jv4ppf_a-06b6e1MkfWSOl6rEtpoL4kveiya-opM3jwge4fI8hG_OdVt_8q7v_jMrSRQVPEYAsHthZNyeoY3n3PlsE3yuf41w9c70ESbui1aCuNpUjMmzIGOilr1HfASBp28/s1600-h/DSC02961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304229361290433122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPsHJPC-jv4ppf_a-06b6e1MkfWSOl6rEtpoL4kveiya-opM3jwge4fI8hG_OdVt_8q7v_jMrSRQVPEYAsHthZNyeoY3n3PlsE3yuf41w9c70ESbui1aCuNpUjMmzIGOilr1HfASBp28/s320/DSC02961.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304230956268461010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNv0mSsxy7tEhGiaBz6jC_RMJCJFzNaXpXOJQBxiXc5Qcjl3FnaSA-r0BdHcNwv3lQNVS9V-BWra0e898Ezk2WUzR-UC4yhX1jgKJ3Wgkzi2rzeWnI46_N2Kb8b2U8jE8EBBqB72g6F4/s320/DSC03068.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oTPNEjvqrB4T4lJaEVOckxo2hoE6Z7xmLWnyP2-qtnh_-4EyngeMrLPwqWuzH0C_KLGNudfg0kFxOeMMSpLs2wVPu07vA4Qf5snD7d0lXK3CSYYWZ2FOG-3HYn5T8rCtmJA2QupfAu8/s1600-h/DSC03007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304229357856443858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oTPNEjvqrB4T4lJaEVOckxo2hoE6Z7xmLWnyP2-qtnh_-4EyngeMrLPwqWuzH0C_KLGNudfg0kFxOeMMSpLs2wVPu07vA4Qf5snD7d0lXK3CSYYWZ2FOG-3HYn5T8rCtmJA2QupfAu8/s320/DSC03007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbLGkIcQHr-sKfx0OCKtRAwjPGtVWhSt2Te0gt6Y-GE5QEYa_11NPfz5Z2Tj4zKZ_zl8pVLvPRI35MrjgOXS1_8V07s0xcpp9u6pU4PYLq-MXlT_kaqjjZMzlGUCvPLhb2AXRs_mHyUk/s1600-h/DSC02991.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304229346371380130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbLGkIcQHr-sKfx0OCKtRAwjPGtVWhSt2Te0gt6Y-GE5QEYa_11NPfz5Z2Tj4zKZ_zl8pVLvPRI35MrjgOXS1_8V07s0xcpp9u6pU4PYLq-MXlT_kaqjjZMzlGUCvPLhb2AXRs_mHyUk/s320/DSC02991.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Supposedly, this is one of the places that Christopher Columbus's remains is laid to rest. Sevilla is not the only place to claim they have his remains. I have read that DNA tests are being performed. I have not heard of an outcome yet.</div><div align="center"><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQTNvdciXnmHZtKKdlt6fa-W7gcthktIC83ciTvoCZeZ5AeAn2vPeV7cR-L-3sgLNN-F-3Bh-i04sODWXBuZorQNH8O7GtcpXApUNef1NnUdqmep606Vu4hkPJ2OqMNhoCLRyLkQMPXk/s1600-h/DSC02983.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304229335036454130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQTNvdciXnmHZtKKdlt6fa-W7gcthktIC83ciTvoCZeZ5AeAn2vPeV7cR-L-3sgLNN-F-3Bh-i04sODWXBuZorQNH8O7GtcpXApUNef1NnUdqmep606Vu4hkPJ2OqMNhoCLRyLkQMPXk/s320/DSC02983.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't she beautiful?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRojxH4jrUU5_U9Fn6u9h8fLfYRsju8HQDwi2hvZtJJfFBhMa_k9zlSzxaJHbkh3RI41o6oW7kiDLBxB5iUWIcm-wmtflTlkOsA_6Siu5d_zMhRdTEIM-Px5NXUJdiioL-MFOH2fT9_s/s1600-h/DSC02961.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-44922235975466891742009-03-06T11:46:00.008+02:002009-11-13T01:23:01.463+02:00Rota! It's where I'm at! PART 1<div align="center"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I get asked a lot, “What is there to do in Rota?”<br /><br />It may seem it would be obvious what is going on, but it isn’t. The base is a small one and, unless you have a job, quite sleepy. Off-base, Rota can be difficult to navigate (see driving video at bottom of blog), so you may end up in the same places. The locals are friendly enough to Americans, but unless you know Spanish, you won’t get many suggestions from them. Also, the locals and long-timer Americans seem to have the yearly calendar memorized, so there is no need to advertise the big, fun things happening right outside your door. Many times, I have fallen asleep to fireworks, thinking, “Dang it! And I was so bored earlier!” Or I went out one day to find the streets in shambles from the huge town fiesta the night before.<br /><br />I will explain some starting points, but this is in no way a definitive guide. I am still figuring things out, and the best way to explore Spain, is simply to go outside and, well, explore!<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Part 1 - On Base:<br /></strong></span><em>The first thing you need to do when you get to Rota is go to the </em></span><a href="http://www.rotamwr.com/eventsList.cfm?categoryID=2"><em><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Traveler Section</span></em></a><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"> of the </span></em><a href="http://www.rotamwr.com/"><em><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">MWR website</span></em></a><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">.</span> ITT is the section of MWR that organizes trips close and far. They are very affordable, and John loves them, because he does not have to do the driving, which can be quite boring through all the farmland outside of Rota.<br /><br />Next, pick up the monthly schedule from Fleet and Family Support. They have 2 fantastic Spanish people working there who organize smaller trips FULL of interesting tidbits about the culture and area, and most of their stuff is free. It is with Rosa and Clemente that I learned </span></em><a href="http://jenn-in-spain.blogspot.com/2008/11/spanish-cooking-101.html"><em><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">how to make Spanish food</span></em></a><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">, learned about jamon and olive oil at the grocery store, and </span></em><a href="http://jenn-in-spain.blogspot.com/2008/10/sanlucar.html"><em><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">toured the Sherry Bodega</span></em></a><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">. They love what they do, and it shows in their willingness to demystify traditions and ease culture shock.<br /><br />Because I work there, I must mention the gym. I love it! It is way better than the barn in Patuxent River, and we always have tons of programs always going on. Sports, tournaments, classes (aerobic, spin, water aerobics, yoga, dance, bootcamp, circuit training, etc), races, and more! This weekend is a half marathon, there will be a triathlon in June, and soccer starts next week again for John. We also have a </span></em><a href="http://www.rotamwr.com/brandIndex.cfm?categoryID=1"><em><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">website</span></em></a><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">.<br /><br />Eating on base is not good and gives you every reason to leave base and try new things. We have Taco Bell (for the 2 of us, it comes to $30 and I always think, “This is the last time.” Oh, and the beans taste like cardboard), Subway (yawn), KFC (do people still eat that crap???), a hamburger place at the airport (plate of grease and a coffee anyone?), and Champions (a sportsbar and café that is dark and depressing, but DO try the Monolo Special, a breakfast sandwich). The Spanish people loooove to come on base for 2 reasons: Baskin Robbins and Pizza Villa, which means these places are usually really crowded. Pizza Villa is boring but decent, and their gigantic calzones are quite good. The only reason we eat so much of it? They deliver.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Update Nov 2009: this is soon to change! We are so excited!! The grill once at Champions is now at the Bowling Alley. They still have the Manolo Special (Thank Heaven!) Champions will soon host an Asian food place that may or may not be run by a local favorite. Update later!</span><br /><br />Also on base, we have a small library and small movie theater. They are not exciting but serve their purpose. We have an indoor pool, outdoor pool open in Summer, bowling alley, and small stretch of beach. Go to Expeditions (right by ITT, across the street from the gym) to rent bikes, kayaks, camping gear, or try the rock climbing wall. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">The beauty salon is hit and miss.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">The commissary (grocery store to the unmilitary) is surpisingly well stocked. I can get most of my favorites, but I do have to import real taco sauce and cayenne pepper. Sugar-free seems to be a bad word here. Thankfully, they have started carrying whole wheat pasta and bison meat (I am on the Clean Eating lifestyle).</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">The Navy Exchange (department store) is OK. The electronics and kitchen sections are complete and great. Clothes, bathroom decor, make-up, and pet food sections are not. This is my 1st overseas NEX, so I hesitate to judge too harshly. Ijust thank God for the great malls off-base.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Off-base is where the real fun is, so in the next post I will go over what Rota, Puerto, and a couple other close towns have to offer.<br /><br />Part 3 will be about longer trips to other Spanish cities and beyond Spain-- what is popular and some tips.<br /><br />I hope this is beginning to answer to some questions. If not, just give me a</span></em><em> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">comment!</span></em></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-76432846424554743442009-03-05T11:36:00.000+02:002009-03-06T11:46:42.624+02:00Happy Birthday Jess!<div align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="190" src="http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/58/58691uw6v4tlqr3.jpg" width="123" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/myspace/text_generator.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/j.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/e.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/s.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/s.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/i.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/c.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/dec/a.gif" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong>Happy Birthday to my still-under-thirty friend!</strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong>Of course, I know it is already a happy one, since she is spending it with her hubby, daughter, AND brand new son, Shane!!!</strong></span></em> </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="174" src="http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/966/966653intmv8u8k8.gif" width="231" border="0" /></a></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-52859707073443132152009-02-18T22:15:00.003+02:002009-02-18T22:33:12.340+02:00Putting a spin on my workout.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3BsxpuWFus-G-wHVprpxC-RnJ_6iQjtyjwk0dfvVsNWtfeNe19vWo_XpQTCTSLmePmTRnf9QsD7DoC4qSZYMcht-46nprATi-8uK19V6_O-kRXvHwFbaPaSPFEfR7hzcpFaSlkb6bTQ/s1600-h/Spin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304237055653068386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3BsxpuWFus-G-wHVprpxC-RnJ_6iQjtyjwk0dfvVsNWtfeNe19vWo_XpQTCTSLmePmTRnf9QsD7DoC4qSZYMcht-46nprATi-8uK19V6_O-kRXvHwFbaPaSPFEfR7hzcpFaSlkb6bTQ/s320/Spin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Today I took my first spinning AKA indoor-cycling class. </div><br />There is a class coming up to teach people to be instructors. My work said they would put me through the class, but I need to take a couple classes to make sure I can do it.<br /><br />I hate regular bike riding and I never liked the ones at the gym either, but these bikes are different. The class atmosphere is really fun! I loved it.<br /><br />I am going to take a few more classes.<br /><br />I have to.<br /><br />See, the 1st time you spin, your bum HURTS! Apparently, you bruise your pelvic floor, because you do not know how to hold your weight in your legs yet. After the first few classes, the pain goes away. I even bought a gel slip to go over the seat, and it still feels like I sat down...from 6 stories up!<br /><br />Now the first one is out of the way, I don't want to start all over.<br /><br />We sort of tease the "spin people," because they are so dedicated (and a lil different). But I may soon be a convert.<br /></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-49508770128384096982009-02-16T16:09:00.001+02:002009-02-16T17:14:19.246+02:00Happy Bday Mom & Cara<div align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="176" src="http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1664/1664120y53noxs1rl.jpg" width="350" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/myspace/text_generator.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/h.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/a.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/p.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/p.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/y.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/myspace/text_generator.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/b.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/i.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/r.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/t.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/h.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/d.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/a.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/y.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/myspace/text_generator.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/m.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/o.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/m.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/empty.gif" width="20" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/a.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/n.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/d.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/myspace/text_generator.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/c.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/a.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/r.gif" border="0" /><img src="http://text.glitter-graphics.net/sc/a.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#ff6666;"><em><br /></div><div align="center"></em></span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="146" src="http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/712/712138jqisv7fg1b.gif" width="216" border="0" /></a></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-50686831840114351532009-02-15T21:54:00.005+02:002009-02-15T22:37:12.793+02:00Happy Valentine's Day<div><div><div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="259" src="http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/894/894794flyetv9zb0.gif" width="206" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center">John had to work all weekend. However, we ended up having one of our best Valentine's Days! The normally wet weather was gone and it was warm, sunny, and gorgeous!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303123300420617538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDM-Ypjr3_bFr0kPO93NIhMWtvuY4PuDrkq3pDyiNLoMb942s6iHQ9RZ0pIcZjtlqjQaTNSIdyINgEtNCDpbYDVJFX5c2rPWCqBRPKkxkASEUy-0mGU9BPdp4wwodgyyC4k-aoSq86ze4/s320/Valentines+Day+006.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">We put a blanket over our (still dead and damp) grass and had a picnic of fingerfoods: potato skins, chicken fingers, quesadilla bites with black beans, and green muscles in the half shell. We made all of it together around noon, then we ate about 1:30. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303123298137090658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmSwE4HKsYIxPQrHjwW7vVTZv27das9Kc9lzeuBaK-mIabDwOSCUBmSTInnY_5tjo3zIln12HU2Mbbje8Ptw3c8g00FMRqo4P5KQIOijwh7IvlNRVanDACYzpfGKaWGdls4_WY4e68ws/s320/Valentines+Day+003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">We had sparkling cider and different dipping sauces. It was so fun!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303123289418112562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd24USp6O8dgqYPNcVSnJiz5cdK36J4zly6Z28givJmJJ2D3fLHp4_Uo1nAWzOrXl5pmRcok_S-RcLY4DvUxO-x_UMTACcMTmo9dOeT8p9L-vG1KILau5AY-EINzfKEUV0vtXInepS4vE/s320/Valentines+Day+004.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">I gave John a goodie bag of candy and movies. He had worked the night before and had to work that night, so I did not expect anything that day, but he surprised me with a rose, stuffed elephant, and card later that night when he dropped by to pick up some food.</p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303125247189206306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN1H8TCwc5Kj3kUz-zmgMi8hBu4E7BrI3DWapaXCUpMiOmKheGxQWEvIebBS0NDxpxz5rf1eBAT_YAUnfj2dCEa2cNFhmeKRg5DrTGJ_zIb-r6efQcjtr8HG_LVN1NZzrGXQ0U7qBFro/s320/V+Day+2+002.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Today it is back to crazy windy wild weather, so I am so happy we had some fun in the sun for a moment. It was a great prelude to summer-to-come! </p><p align="center">I hope everyone had a happy Heart day!</p></div></div></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-33333368882711070582008-12-01T22:24:00.004+02:002008-12-01T23:25:39.759+02:00Christmas Comes Early In Spain<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHc6aLHjEF26V6d3KdL5LMcYc6AqFvVD5-hdzvtiZxyFD2lTpy4FhxilRiRsRfG0xKzEAniDW3TIchObxnu666Qh-8RWIExxi_SZVfHBlPMhzSdw3IR3egagis7zQdhOw5b7Xx_8zc-E/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274934709811219090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHc6aLHjEF26V6d3KdL5LMcYc6AqFvVD5-hdzvtiZxyFD2lTpy4FhxilRiRsRfG0xKzEAniDW3TIchObxnu666Qh-8RWIExxi_SZVfHBlPMhzSdw3IR3egagis7zQdhOw5b7Xx_8zc-E/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div align="center">Christmas has come early!</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">Many a moon, I have been looking for the Disney version of a <a href="http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0085936/">Christmas Carol</a>. (also <a href="http://www.sheeplaughs.com/scrooge/disney.htm">HERE</a>) Internet searches left me empty handed; I am not used to being let down by the WWW! The day before Thanksgiving Day, I found it! At the exchange on base! It is in the 3rd story in Classic Holiday Stories.</div><div align="center"><br />It is even better than I remember! OLD animation: sketchy, like Dumbo or Jungle Book. And silly like the old Disney shorts. Remember the one where Goofy, Daffy, and Mickey were ghost busters? </div><div><br /></div><div align="center">The humor follows that line. You almost don't need the dialog.</div><div align="center"><br />So many things I had forgotten!</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">* Jmminy Cricket is the ghost of Christmas Past.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274934706012516178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 93px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVOeuKZXcmj4vksXpANdaCBYsynaRkNrthKqjuhpM3EQScZ2L1K3N5-vJYQMegXcNA_3PYgly2-wAgrqSb2MxDYQ-yaz5Flb54tVlWBNEIB3GCtwCEcbczQNqIdnSw6qPZGwaiHA-mr8/s320/jim.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">* Scrooge is SCOTTISH! I thought so when he said the word "go". I thought, that sounds like Cho Chang from Harry Potter Movie 4. Then he said "I assure you" and apparently, if you are Scottish and are trying to hide it, NEVER say "I assure you!" Busted!!</div><div align="center"><br />Here are some other <a href="http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0085936/trivia">trivia </a>(thanks to IMDB):</div><br /><div align="center">* Made in 1983</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">* This is the last film where Clarence Nash provides the voice of Donald Duck and the first where Wayne Allwine provides the voice of Mickey Mouse.<br /></div></div><div><div align="center">* This is also the first time that Alan Young provides the voice of Scrooge Mc. Duck. Bill Thompson, who'd done the voice in SCROOGE MCDUCK AND MONEY (1967), had already passed away, and Alan Young's voice is noticeably softer than Thompson's was, with a stronger Scots accent. (Duh)</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274934701904982306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfEAx77kRr97iJQjHSSCMKxitLHzoHRRaMFavJrGBDLPIcY55Zws3CS1mjYnatMPD7Zy2GnkPRIevEDE3TPlDLqwc7GjnsSIge662ZojseDfXzz6iQVAc6yDnl-2UdSkaKFSRJhU9EmM/s320/duck.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">* The opening scene is apparently modeled on a Carl Barks painting called "The Season To Be Jolly", which features Uncle Scrooge walking down the street with a bag of money on his back.</div></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-43199444916171657422008-11-18T21:46:00.003+02:002008-11-18T21:55:26.679+02:00Nima Problems<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhSaEq42zbtc2OxXkrZhUEK3tX-_Q4ZUWwN4hA9nfZGwXBGMbS2Gt-bCP799eGzdSSDL_kR7lkAODuF6eCDRgoPESv3BNcA-BopXa3JzcMMQPWZrFmlSJy761tAxXkHCgb3Y6Hi-djIk/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270088425166347010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhSaEq42zbtc2OxXkrZhUEK3tX-_Q4ZUWwN4hA9nfZGwXBGMbS2Gt-bCP799eGzdSSDL_kR7lkAODuF6eCDRgoPESv3BNcA-BopXa3JzcMMQPWZrFmlSJy761tAxXkHCgb3Y6Hi-djIk/s400/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Enigma had to go to the Dr today. </div><br /><div align="center">He started a new medication for his heart, and they wanted to take another listen to his heart. Well, he usually sees the lady vet who is Spanish. But today he saw the American man vet. When he heard we were there, he said, "Is he still ticking?" </div><br /><div align="center">I was offended and suprised, but he was really surprised to hear that Enigma was still alive. I am sure of this, because he said it 2 more times! </div><br /><div align="center">Maybe he was trying to prepare me for what may be coming later, but Enigma is a happy doggie still! And I was shocked to hear that his time should have been up according to this dude! </div><br /><div align="center">I told the Dr that I was surprised to hear that, because I understood lil dogs to live "forever." The Dr said, "well, he is 10, and that is forever to a dog." Excuse me!?!? Maybe if you live on a farm where your dog is always outside or something! I mean my My grandma lives on a ranch and she has had dogs live to be 10 with never having been spayed, vaccinated, or anything!! I always figured Enigma, even with his problems, would live to be about 17.</div><br /><div align="center">I was kinda in shock, and as I was waiting to pay, a woman was saying that her cat had feline AIDS and had gotten away and was gone for 3 days. Then she finally found him, and the Dr said, (NO KIDDING), "So you think he just went away to die and get it over with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????" </div><br /><div align="center">The lady was kinda shocked, but he finally took the cat in to show her how to give him fluids, because he was not eating. He seemed like it just would have been better to have the cat pass away alone and in the elements!!!</div><br /><div align="center">I can't wait to go back there and ask where this Dr is from. Since we got home, Enigma has been barking at the neighbor dogs, running around, playing with his toys, eating, and generally being a happy dog. </div><br /><div align="center">I was worried, because he had lost a pound, which is a lot (he went from 8lb to 7lb). And the Dr said it may just be water weight and that's harmless. BUT ALSO when these dogs with these probelems get close to the end, they start wasting away. OK, so which is it? Harmless or on last leg?</div><br /><div align="center">I am so confused. And sad. And mad. And worried about that poor lady with the cat with Aids.</div><br /><div align="center">On a lighter note, this is Nima and Mago cuddling the other night!! It has been pretty chilly at night and Mago didn't see any reason why Nima should keep all that heat he produces to himself. Nima was not all that comfy with it though, as you can imagine. He is too used to Lancelot.</div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-52741361869962103212008-11-15T13:21:00.008+02:002008-11-15T20:22:18.233+02:00Spanish Cooking 101<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbC5yJIg-m9yeEWQrjMYn1VU03xnPXrj-AuxgWWFeCSH3LfKp-z_rU-elqVzfsPxrsaeyq2V3ESNnD6-yDAfZmklyPL6sYjUlPsd3w-cnBM5D3v-QkBdiWBP5AQh1j8omL9ecl1Ycodw/s1600-h/205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268852142199549122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbC5yJIg-m9yeEWQrjMYn1VU03xnPXrj-AuxgWWFeCSH3LfKp-z_rU-elqVzfsPxrsaeyq2V3ESNnD6-yDAfZmklyPL6sYjUlPsd3w-cnBM5D3v-QkBdiWBP5AQh1j8omL9ecl1Ycodw/s320/205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">There is a family-owned restaurant in Rota which let's a group from the base invade their kitchen for a day!</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268849825441409922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoO0fmKp9YQaqelz_wCcXmbry6sBJDUylBn4tdkK9lN-w4nZUEaaHHprW_K5sf3CqW7chgpRgIGyjAa3g-dRRBP8r0rAZ0rGnX23nSMWXsYSzshQCldcrQMiNTcJZK_eWDP1_SwTfqqs/s320/207.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">I never have worked at a restaurant, so I found it fun just to be in the kitchen! It was a lot smaller than I thought it would have to be.</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268849831809305602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpfWyGN2Xta83YaHp6iXGxGQ3vzUb-jcv6LWm7MKZxLccPxLuwzpMEpGZGbFW9ovgrKEQdpdN9CgCoE8mmJUS_K2Maeg0MR4Em7-59xsr45zch_o25NtPRNB85nnWJ-npbhuVye0dobk/s320/211.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">They taught us to make:</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">beef in a veggie-wine sauce</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">mushrooms cooked in wine</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Arranque Roteña, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">which is the dip form of gazpacho and strictly a Rota dish</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Spanish tortilla</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">and a</span> fruit desert</span></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We drank Tinto de Verano (my favorite), and helped with the preparations, a couple of us at a time. I took lots of notes and soon there is a trip to a Spanish grocery store (so we can learn what the unfamiliar stuff is used for) so I feel pretty confident I could make the dishes again.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">After a couple hours of cooking, we all sat down to eat everything. It was delicious of course, and people were arguing over who had made the best tortilla. The arrangue is my favorite and full of garlic, so after a while, I didn't feel too comfortable talking anymore! I tasted garlic until the Next Day!</div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268850743667030642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUShzOql7EhsyMaWyWx19KOHktWPJlwdPgI4v7z31ra3zxXH-Qj3mATgX-M-CkzcCxd8F36VKOJtSsgzUbnUxZyPXDbz244CsoAsdAfVNVUW9omhic7NqxOam1JLdKOU8IgD5C0ZRH9A/s400/213.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">How to make the Arranque Roteña:</span></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">equal numbers (not parts) of chopped:</div><div align="center">ripe, red, not-refrigerated tomato</div><div align="center">big long curly green mild chili pepper (you know the one, not small)</div><div align="center">garlic (may need more depending how small)</div><div align="center">and</div><div align="center">very good quality virgin olive oil (dark green)</div><div align="center">2 day old white baguette bread, munched into VERY fine crumbs (regular bread crumbs may be too soft, but you could try it)</div><div align="center">salt</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Blend the 1st 3 ingredients very well in a blender (or with a balde on a stick thingie).</div><div align="center">Add bread crumbs in stages to make it a thick, pastey cookie-dough texture.</div><div align="center">Then add oil in stages to make it smooth. It will still be thick and pastey (NOT creamy).</div><div align="center">Both of those ingredients are quite a bit!!! </div><div align="center">When you think it has enough oil, add some more! Seriously.</div><div align="center">Salt that baby up!</div><div align="center">Chill for at least an hour to let marry.</div><div align="center">Serve with small slices of baguette bread and long, thick, raw slices of that same chili for dipping. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!</div><div align="center">It should be really thick and garlicky. The chili should be just the occasional lil bite in the bite.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268850734923178722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGoE0sXyAzvytDXOYG0ES6-c6J6uL15iyi7D5GQEi5ZJJG8xgqa2rYzI9_v5vX9p5HSn7uA2DhaDIMCSY0FdWOzzKE5JyDX_nJz1CTpgDvRKb2mA9bNkR6axSE6N8QQmxMZkaIO1eiYk/s400/212.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Tortilla </div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268850744220303586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w-kdf7tFzQ6-9b_jylRPx1LTgTtheQrAzyErPy4Ksbw8nrc6wFedrbnkUQhuqW1qWYYRR7jzMJtjQJ8xmPDV5Lgj8sbP0sQNWH-4hu5aVj2vkxvJxaMrIThTLFeWzfFXCGJCc-mfEns/s400/214.JPG" border="0" /> Beef in sauce and patatas (french fries)<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268850748493083426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoHUKbiiG9Gj7QJ3Vyv3fga4efvJ3DcWFhaW1RbqpASDlomiz-_F4IDwL89TW83biD2rrtWpIssTjDAhzkn6Y2aTUyN8_VR6p8JBmjb9iot8COv2z16QkLqyrfDtkzsS1blu8gXzW0kY/s400/216.JPG" border="0" /> Dessert<br /><br /></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-71374441049246919242008-11-06T12:12:00.001+02:002008-11-15T13:20:55.507+02:00John Van Gough<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">John's Playdough Art:</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268841974304514898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsYRihGRG20RUIcanKnclavMY1hzvs7TPBI3Y4SY18-Ce8p7f3HdxWDPhM0RfOHFzBhpwX9ommMF4I6LMrK8gaTJtvdFPn9fliSu7_H9yfbFdkVR84J4HUTPmc9yDq9hLrv8vuDMjagU/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+017.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">I will start the bidding at 25,000 euro!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="40" src="http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/616/616443om9mb3tvn2.gif" width="60" border="0" /></a></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-38808360612327010282008-11-03T12:44:00.000+02:002008-11-03T12:44:00.442+02:00Drive-thru<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="48" src="http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/654/654423ogbtt29pr3.gif" width="48" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">In Spain, the word drive-thru leaves something to be desired, so they play with the words.</div><br /><div align="center">McDonald's becomes:</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">MC AUTO<br /></div></span><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263824268750101202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKopzrZtriPBwKkJELRnj5D4uR7bQrj3DMLn6uqarx6JbDYInorMs8cZ_WOuHEFjSvPSPg7_oqXn7wKr2tbT9jqEi_XjRfVgZqmdQ5juIgwCmqajwFKpGx7auJF7mdiYFfK3r4UGALlc/s400/040.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Burger King becomes:</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">AUTO KING</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263824262446426370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB0kOcrutVdG7aRLJ1J2P54J-apSeb1FmoEIoq2ASxE8XatRwfVfW5b9mCcTmel3s-OZ82kNI-2Wbeu61RDLsJMaIUmlQ4cVZ0yh35QTfVwSH2dibVMStGBlJ-WSLFzsShJ4k62JCyQE/s400/041.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Honestly, drive-thru is quite the foreign concept here. If you buy a coffee at a coffee STAND, they don't want your money until you have FINISHED it!</div><br /><div align="center">And if you go to a tapa bar and order a round of tapas, then some more, then a drink here, then there, then you ask for the bill: It is perfect. Just what your ordered. </div><br /><div align="center">It really takes getting used to here.</div><br /><div align="center">They don't want your money until you are all done and happy and sat there another 20 minutes. Then MAYBE they will take your money.</div><br /><div align="center">Anyway, I have seen a McD, and yes they serve beer but not wine, and I have been to Burger King and it is yummy, but the menu looks funny because they put some side dishes under "tapas". How cute is that??? Srsly?</div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-80623296351786196202008-11-02T12:14:00.000+02:002008-11-02T12:14:00.478+02:00Proof<div align="center">Proof we are still married: a photo of both of us!</div><br /><div align="center">These are so rare, I just had to post it.</div><br /><div align="center">We were on our way out with friends to dinner at a chinese buffet. It was great food, but I still can't get over having to pay sit down prices for chinese food. I am so spoiled by Panda Express! PS-John hates those boots. Hehe.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/jennmail/?action=view&current=SanlucarBodega027-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/jennmail/SanlucarBodega027-1-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-13622836680919997692008-11-01T21:10:00.004+02:002008-11-01T21:28:04.140+02:00Halloween Part 1<div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsu2ZLHbDW7K2H3KNrTJs1fyUCYz4Eg3qWzQmfrb2SzkmDMHaE5rzLz9E458yG25-4c4Kp-zINofqBg3V03ehhotDEvQZRNQGjs0VWVedxLJownza4O1iIajNkvEqgE78Uf2Mcdd3Hyw/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263769904340672194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsu2ZLHbDW7K2H3KNrTJs1fyUCYz4Eg3qWzQmfrb2SzkmDMHaE5rzLz9E458yG25-4c4Kp-zINofqBg3V03ehhotDEvQZRNQGjs0VWVedxLJownza4O1iIajNkvEqgE78Uf2Mcdd3Hyw/s400/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Dude, who's this guy??"<br /></span><br /><br /><div>I hope everyone had a great Halloween.</div><div>This year, I just did not seem to have the time to do all that I wanted, so our poor trick-or-treaters were the ones that suffered. I only bought 3 bags of candy, which is woefully inadequate for base housing! </div><div>I spent the afternoon at "work" as a pirate, giving out candy to small kids. The I raced home, scarfed down a lil pizza and transformed into a geisha. By that time all the candy was gone! Then John and I met up with friends to tour the 2 Haunted Houses on base. They were pretty good: scream worthy. After that, we went to a party at a guy's house on the beach- and we all talked about how much it sucked that married couples have to live on base, because his place was small, but gorgeous!</div><div>After that, most people went bar hopping, but John and I went home. I don't like to go out with a large group of already drunk Americans - it's bound to be embarrassing.</div><div>John and I both had to recycle old costumes, because the pickins were pretty poor here. However, we both had a great night. </div><div>I spent several evenings in October trying to get good Halloween pictures of the cats, but they were uncharacteristically uncooperative. And I wish I could have had time to carve our pumpkins. There are just not enough hours in the day lately!</div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div></div></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263769917210555442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdhrwxS3KMBOHxqUnUU2bUE62oFR3sTQkySVA6GOMSfH5vZvilxlQNUJ90fmXHdhQUhXMd11B16MKAp5IOAZF_Sxojsx_EiyWDbqlYocKZSBG1-zvWIX-rh_Redj-y5YFQ2wdqXiyvVo/s400/019.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Me as a geisha, John as a headless man, Sara as a fashion victim, and Ray as a Sith Lord!</span></p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263769924493145426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh5iOL9QuUjJxg5dQHCsGtIKRtIAJEE74YhrmoKgdGVdcXY_YXl_vJvGKeskkun0YmFoZLOwsdnchsxltKBuqc8JCtCFVJZd4VGoz3C0tGvR41OR5bQhOI6_dFCybdX1QZ3sUpf7PiZA/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">John mixing costumes at the party.</span></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-24916807121546943872008-10-31T21:52:00.002+02:002008-10-31T21:56:28.429+02:00Happy Halloween!!!<span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fKRvlm0FDFzFZnT23Mfj0rDfp8XWbIFX4bqp0f7FnCeTfJl2X1ldX37xWCklRskbrMhuPhGtcNDTbqrcu-RiZm_Od3PCG2IpHrbuy594B8jZsNB0lpKzsbmyN33MsY_qrTBP7zpxXNQ/s1600-h/Halloween+kitties+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263408940487750914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fKRvlm0FDFzFZnT23Mfj0rDfp8XWbIFX4bqp0f7FnCeTfJl2X1ldX37xWCklRskbrMhuPhGtcNDTbqrcu-RiZm_Od3PCG2IpHrbuy594B8jZsNB0lpKzsbmyN33MsY_qrTBP7zpxXNQ/s400/Halloween+kitties+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">I hope it is a great and safe one for everyone. As you can see, we are really WRAPPED UP in it here!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="291" src="http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/562/562824em83mfzu3q.gif" width="407" border="0" /></a></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-43375338271384209642008-10-31T12:16:00.000+02:002008-10-31T12:16:01.569+02:00Sanlucar<div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezv1buwrQLLZvEn-qZortjYbyoxquZ2F-OmNnP3BJ7vYGppchHiZqjkHankVqiKNwmrz7D2Nga1pIOSzR4ajKNFqz4i7XjnsuN5_Fe2abN33mTWYe1Bt87cZe9QpJffAjzh416siKs1k/s1600-h/Sanlucar+Bodega+034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263003133625685122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezv1buwrQLLZvEn-qZortjYbyoxquZ2F-OmNnP3BJ7vYGppchHiZqjkHankVqiKNwmrz7D2Nga1pIOSzR4ajKNFqz4i7XjnsuN5_Fe2abN33mTWYe1Bt87cZe9QpJffAjzh416siKs1k/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Yesterday, I went to Sanlucar with a tour from the base.</div><br /><div align="center">Famous for being the place that Magellan set sail from when he went around the tip of South America (only to die in the Philipines), Sanlucar is about 20 minutes from Rota. It is part of the famed Sherry Triangle, which also includes El Puerto de Santa Maria (right next to Rota) and Jerez (obviously, as the word for Sherry in spanish IS Jerez).</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263003160075532178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemr0DBWfF5mSJbkw872m-9A2grlZKmYgOnd3TYCx489r7V4_guJFnPDy2giBnx9HWqmPAhx5DLBazkma9ym6aA6fAx_jI0KtUwEdwnMZx6qd4s6-ojAYSh8dQsHjWeNB34UzvsCcaocI/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+069.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">View of Sanlucar from the bodega, which is on a *pant huge pant* hill.</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">The highlight of the short trip was the Museo de Barbadillo (or Barbadillo Museum). <a href="http://www.theuniquetraveller.com/wine-estates/barbadillo.html">Barbadillo </a>is the brand name of the bodega (bodega is what they call a winery). Still with me? OK.</div><br /><div align="center">I went to a wine museum. It was very interesting how they have different shaped rooms and buildings for different wines, because the architecture affects the temperature of the wine. This place makes a base wine that is made into different Sherries.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263006514693499602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S7_Qpk93ofDJaqC8Vt6034hze9UjZ3TvKJjqSY2FMQh7fSuFsnfNQZWXcmr7jUiLEKi0TbEWRXNAkyyy97bzn1vY4ih6eRwVaigtXizRwFOKx7TdwsY95WwLKai53gBMepFir1DJSLI/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+051.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">Bodega Patio<br /></span><br /><br /><div align="center">Between buildings and rooms are large gardens and patios and open corridors, which bring the all-important sea air in to keep the wine humid. In the gardens were many rose bushes, so the whole place smelled of sherry and roses.</div><br /><div align="center">Sherry is an acquired taste- one I have YET to acquire. I keep trying, because I live in THE SHERRY TRIANGLE of the world! But so far no go, and all I bought there was a bottle of vinegar. <span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/11/09/features/wine/doc4733edf24e5dc613671445.txt">(All about Sherry.)</a></span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263003152240001714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1poGAGWQRpWQ-WCjUUekYgoys5KakmVT5tabkkNYf8GFI1OQZ6WGiTICL0w2aPHYeAz03SzWiKt71lfPYE_L_FoT7ajHe-u4mdtlLPZWqt0W9HJ98_qR4m6LuTfRFy7AU82SBdv1fQNQ/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+046.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">The inside of a Sherry Barrel. Notice the yeast at the top.</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">The most interesting part of the bodega was the Bodega Catedral. No, they did not have an actual cathedral in the winery. It is their largest room for storing wine barrels. It is 40 feet high, has 100 pillars, and houses 4800 barrels! And it does look something like a catedral. Underneath the barrels was special soil from the Sevilla area. When wet, it keeps the wine at the right humidity.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263003137468397538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dB1hAyo1htgAuBBCYMNjT_-0Hh4LWdpkww9GBVrgmw9-9WjebRQa7M0m6FGWkiMHr7PS_pgmXG3L8B_6tAK6wOpEiVl0JakfodcV2qFXxONQPq1hLc1uhWA8vycmNmtu-O3unt8mYSI/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+042.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263003150074710210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_bw7JbXtQDf1oIoBI07q3AAcsYyXVAymomTAMc5GvZxllXsMj9FD5d-uVbwjqnKu10BgWH1O7Nlc0I6Aa9COydLzoXlYDus2ukpBXiAPzwwPW7hs-SdFfEIfaaMCKMWynRLjFxHTjLM/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+043.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">Photos from the Bodega Catedral.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">After the bodega, we went to the Farmer's Market! NOW this was my kind of market! The ones in Rota are pretty sad. This place was huge, both indoor and outdoor, and had a variety of veggies, fruits, nuts, seafood, meats, spices, and of course sunglasses, purses, and belts (they are at every market).</div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263005517660547762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERQit6urr9KWKASt-vLTbmiXQbTUgEebnASAQB9UaKjMPrcFj6QOW5oFzr7mW5eq89OoQntmmWIxMTa2W5n3WT0CnTa8M-2KdqTaCju94Ziy_wlRSzUUsNeo2nZJ0gwdDSe40iB2QQfU/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+070.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263005533608576450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe9lzlqd-5X0iuMltjHaNatq2J9odQpuc1FFz0BLH4V-Ca_sQyyYldTJnomiWuqY0LMnn_tJfXl9XkcPWKFOrxbSDlgb4c3nBFgHBUymHMtxxSZtF4z6CVVtvfbh9VVoTD0ZcZa7zM2U/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+071.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263005539555193218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkYFVLayhDktzlOBBzZHrh5pNuXHN91a40UYaumMF3Uhyi2G1Cn9QEJdeN1JGRJVA5T7Lfs9P7WNN_SHxwZawgLW1rx5ARIx_-XFV_KspyU8tUevVBBJoHNN_Z5JukHYqDUxtAzXbaAQ/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+073.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">I finally got some Spanish Paprika! My <a href="http://jenn-in-spain.blogspot.com/2008/10/looking-for-new-recipe.html">favorite cookbook</a> keeps saying to use Spanish Paprika and now I know why! It comes in 2 kinds: spicy and sweet. Of course, I bought spicy. And it smells like very strong chili powder with a lil Cayenne. Nothing like that red stuff you put on deviled eggs just for color!!</div><br /><div align="center">Then we had lunch! Ahhhhhhh, lunch! We went to a place famous for its seafood tortilla (not a Mexican tortilla <a href="http://jenn-in-spain.blogspot.com/2007/10/tortilla.html">remember</a>!), which was pretty much fried tiny shrimp pancakes. That's a horrible description, but they were very delicious and seriously salty- yes even to me!- and greasy. We also had some octopus in olive oil with that spicy Spanish Paprika- mmmmm! It was so tender, not chewy at all. Then we had small sweet red peppers stuffed with shrimp, tuna, and crumbled egg. About 6 of us shared these tapas. It was a very fun afternoon!</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263006824402400034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCljQcgr22gzNbpJ7URkpKrWeriLUbv1UlID2At8FvBapSyT5FEKo5W4NfqJyduOAT5DJoojF6l5g1wQdTgJYHjIC4goxh_KC4zm56rGW3EjgdHIGQCo92VvfqEG8iwy90PSmk4uIu8nc/s400/Sanlucar+Bodega+074.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">Seafood tortilla. All those lil black dots are shrimp eyes! Mmmmmm, I love shrimp eyes!<br /></span><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263006494478620594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3U885TJryB9QT7L8CkA3MtbSjzubUKNVuaT3egs0IK6RAzWTIcLdCFHL4VwqHf-GO-zQtMq48VYYfU7Aels3law3t5vA102vr1VDYjGp9IlGiiO2Kk_DBNX7S8SJ2HfWpxDbXsAgbWU/s320/Sanlucar+Bodega+075.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">Octopus- I forget the spanish name for it.<br /></span><br /></p><div align="center">John did not go, because he had to work that night, and he would not have been able to sleep had he gone.</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(See all photos from this trip <a href="http://jennandjohninspain.shutterfly.com/2014">HERE</a>.)</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263008346609236866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO365-K98LJSD2hX6MPAwfAxYTjJhbhrSObgBqLFuTsmk6U7Oj4vjO9zHwTERREIu4Ky4Gm1S3h6Y8nF2Lyv9QuNMN__CS44emldOCdwX67iTjayWMAjMEQqFgh5-iG3iZCQOorpmImyw/s400/Market+Stuff+003.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Spoils from Sanlucar:</p><p align="center">Chimichurri sauce for meat. I have only had my own chimichurri, so I am looking forward to trying this one, which has grapefruit in it! Sherry vinegar from the bodega. Pistaccio nuts for the bus ride back. Spanish Paprika, can't wait to use it. Someone told me she uses it mostly in stews and rice. And that it gives it that Spanish Rice yellow color. I thought that was the saffron, oh well. And hazlenuts. Forr cookies I promised John's work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-91463023487719982032008-10-30T17:59:00.008+02:002008-10-30T21:50:08.653+02:00Working Woman<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="300" src="http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/824/824073dm4txy4gp6.jpg" width="420" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000099;">Hehe. Love this movie!</span><br /></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Update on the job:</div><br /><br /><div align="center">For 3 years in Maryland, I answered phones, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MWR</span> vet services". Suddenly, I have to answer it "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MWR</span> Fitness Center." The answer to your question? At least 4. That's how many times I have answered the gym phone as the vet! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Every time</span> the phone rings, I have to stop for 1 whole second and say Fitness Center in my head before I can pick it up. Other than that, things are going great.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">I have not heard anything yet about the position I applied for: my job but full time (GS instead of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NAF</span>).</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Following is the logo on my snazzy white polo shirt I get to wear to work. There are a couple problems with it. #1, it is white. I can't keep white, well, white! I have turned it blue, then stained it yellow, then red, then bleached most of it out, but now it has black marks that won't come off. I just can't keep white! #2, it is an extra large. I shrunk it some, but I look like a little kid in Grandpa's clothes. #3, I only have one, so I often end up wearing something else to work, because I just can't find enough things to wash with it that often. They say they will get more in different sizes and colors, but I am still waiting.</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263015706354563778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7HKS099jz5XZNpEEicosxRonqW8S2r5i7OxuPqv3hGJHguiwFl8KYrDvqt0cBGaOxgLK1sZrD6mSWQfNBGUur5jU8pnkQwneg_B9b4pIX-9DeplpHuN47CeHjGPGPXnJTtA-qB7NIYg/s320/020.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">We are very into Halloween at the gym. Our theme is "Pirates of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Andalucian</span>" and we are all decked out in pirate stuff. I have a pirate costume I wore last week to an event and I am wearing it again <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tomorrow</span>. We have a booth where we will be giving out candy. It is more than a booth, but you will see, if I remember my camera <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tomorrow</span>! (BTW, this is NOT my pirate costume.)</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263015130171303602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzw_4vZwzlfP6EW0VZDCaUCDl-n0J06fcZyztvUODa2XQSWxi2hyruGCXwfQTcpryy3fNtAru5cFrNTbW8bFlEA7TjP70F_J8as2NGGjVr2Zg5z6_GIJOBGkSz0eBazS3lLRA_yn9jWgs/s400/010.JPG" border="0" />Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-52136402589732386832008-10-29T12:57:00.005+02:002008-10-29T13:09:26.462+02:00Must See!<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="190" src="http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/811/811537wq1fg40olk.gif" width="265" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><br />Tinkerbell has her own movie coming out on DVD "this Fall"!!!!<br /><br />Check out the <a href="http://disney.go.com/fairies/movies/videos.html">PREVIEW</a>.<br /><br />I have heard of this movie, but I thought it was going to be the story of the Disney Fairies <a href="http://disney.go.com/fairies/books/books.html">BOOKS</a>, of which there are many. However, it looks to be the story of just Tinkerbell! </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262530846870023266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsWoLcOEbwoGfwAMUsZC0ixV810gaDfHmNgK8IgCxYyiCV1Y-hXf89MR4taIHa3ZrHmP2xH13oDymH_Ec1MmBgRAxqoCdzLcaesX18XqPpC6ldQAfdpCyLjLNH3JBCExFmDDnJwUfwH4/s200/dis+fair.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I Do Believe in Fairies, I Do, I Do!</span></div>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-35792278262738365102008-10-27T12:56:00.003+02:002008-10-27T16:23:19.682+02:00Malaga Trip: Part 4: Picasso Museum<div align="center">Who was born in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Malaga</span>, you ask?</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Well, I happen to have the answer:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a title="Pablo Picasso" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso">Pablo Picasso</a>, artist<br /><a title="Antonio Banderas" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Banderas">Antonio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Banderas</span></a>, actor<br /><a title="José Puyet" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Puyet"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">José</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Puyet</span></a>, artist<br /><a title="Amparo Muñoz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amparo_Mu%C3%B1oz">Amparo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Muñoz</span></a>, <a title="Miss Universe 1974" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Universe_1974">Miss Universe 1974</a><br /><a title="Juan García Postigo" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Garc%C3%ADa_Postigo">Juan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">García</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Postigo</span></a>, <a title="Mister World 2007" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_World_2007">Mister World 2007</a><br /><a class="new" title="Jesus Pedro Diaz-Sarabia Cramazou (page does not exist)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jesus_Pedro_Diaz-Sarabia_Cramazou&action=edit&redlink=1">Jesus Pedro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Diaz</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sarabia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Cramazou</span></a>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Malaga's</span> ambassador all around the world<br /><a title="Miguel Ángel Jiménez" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_%C3%81ngel_Jim%C3%A9nez">Miguel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ángel</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Jiménez</span></a>, professional golfer </div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">Although Antonio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Banderas</span> is enough reason to visit a place (was I drooling?), Pablo Picasso makes for an interesting dude as well! ;0)</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261832599153654242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 98px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CsnnmERNh3RQR9CcOxCW45OI4KSPIGGWNa7CahHgWnTIAT2rnGj6Oo69zGlaGJJkUDTMVgIXciB7bU9pTq7LqmSHYk6l4ZyVfR41bjRno2MSZzUjS-bRf3pIF5HlugKHL_rsJ2Fo3zA/s200/pic+man.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">1st <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Malaga</span> has the house he was born in. It can be visited, but I was not all that interested, considering the time we had.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Then , there is the Pablo Picasso Museum!!! This place is well worth the small line out front. There are several salons featuring works from Picasso at MANY different stages and eras. Most are donated from his daughter-in-law, some on loan from his grandson.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261832591261757170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN6zsVcnIjl_7_If-69sPAZa2J6B4ojBE19gsC-7L9Hss6WfJ2t3Oz1QAYFRCPHnall5EaElFm-UK867uPviU5HRdTIyIOZBh_YOyNocrWeXqfz6hId9WcNZF2DdiM5FFhyW8AQEv0ms/s200/pic+mus.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Entrance</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">The paintings are beautiful, of course.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">But the small hand sketches will make you stare in amazement. You can see every small important stroke. You can think of later, famous paintings that these sketches helped him build. A couple pieces left me dumbstruck.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">ALSO, did you know Picasso did sculpture? Well, you are better than I! I had no idea!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Some looked like ancient goddess worship dolls, but it was the vases that I loved. They were playful and taunting and fun.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I read reviews of the museum that were not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">particularly </span>flattering, but I would recommend it to any art lover. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">It is intimate and fun.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">AND...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Underneath</span> the museum are ruins from Phoenician, Moorish, and Renaissance times. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Surprise</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">surprise</span>!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">There is cafe, but it was empty and a bookshop which had books in many different languages.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Unfortunately but predictably, we were not allowed pictures in the museum. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Following are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">pictures</span> of postcards of actual pieces that we saw in the museum. I imagine this is not all that legal, but I must tell you that this is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">only</span> a smidgen (my favorites), and you MUST <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">visit</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">museum</span> to see for yourself!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.museopicassomalaga.org/">Picasso Museum Site</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(click on English)</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://jennandjohninspain.shutterfly.com/1765">Pictures of entire <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Malaga</span> Trip</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261831524878080898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRIfkfDOmYA8EI7wNH4SahC6T0riXpR7UKyqmPMovgEdS4dzHSVpIzIvAUzrqGTDY7OvCeryN-8SIOp89rOcDu9gicXHotLPzQy57QtfVTuXbFsnHzSAV2pgzMVQbu_8trV4GE4cYWoQ/s320/Malaga+218.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">His Son</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261831513582790898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkU6NFx0UU8WTYGm81r3J6-IO3xsi3iHtLuq5MVLPCah0Vqz-HQh_Xn02FZF8Ca9jfPVxMwRH02o6vTUibIajdFUJnrDSxV9eU9PjG12RvwOYaWh2p4jWXILRXyX33ExKGPBnh5tnW34/s320/Malaga+219.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">His wife. And yes, that IS a tablecloth on her head.</span></p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261831502357788930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDAAh-HlQj_EkAHJZKUKpEC7BTZ8sDDmKJAxo0JezhAZH1FU7-IUWNo8hGfF0BcH8hZStjyx83MJsQ7ZjBlIngYYnjhVMwRLzwypApdMhe-wbsB7l93LkfRaytlejIxBByrV6AICWjXI/s320/Malaga+217.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">His mistress, or one of them anyway.</span></p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261831496798781090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnSdre2g5fAxHdvNjQv8S9KRswLj6fUU8-Xt0x2DV3FUWjzaNmJkRtrWSShNYtUzOJE2zE-KVcke9m5w8xTJ4gh7w4QdeoDNvRy3kTDCzTAJiDof4AxHXqPvKQabtGtqHNE1LvSnUNSA/s320/Malaga+215.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I asked John if we could have this awesome vase, and he said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Mago</span> would just break it. :0(</span></p><p></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261831490027161650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH60eChjKNZx0aBLD2pzJllaA2DynzZXXAh1Lu8gTkJ64LKAcKmVujta7i97jQnaUKPx3PV7xlOPSKJHTTKWhBQOykGXNLetSFgyrzdcuVwxS6pZxMw4CZa0q5Z7EOVb5lgQztLIK43Ro/s320/Malaga+213.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I don't know who this is, but it looks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">like</span> Napoleon to me. Sorta mixed with Davey Jones from <em>Pirates of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Caribbean</span>.</em> No?</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </p><p align="center"> </p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-64570973997090023082008-10-26T12:07:00.001+02:002008-10-26T12:07:00.732+02:00Malaga Trip: Part 3, Alcazaba The Hanging Gardens<div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260682306862784290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNzl4m-OP3gNWtWSjBcpS7VhR8b0PEtUC_UtlSpQfG63lHwRcBeI7DrCjH6VL86OoCSlB4hqLVmr8ObkZslVCBTSwOE5OIOIPsCX3RhLUWZE0amUdJuw38TqsLFcdNAeupAfloL3D5Fc/s320/Malaga+156.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Seeing the lush gardens high over the city and the irrigation system built into the fortress floors themselves made me feel like I was seeing The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the original 7 wonders of the world.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Building this place, they obviously had a plan for every inch of its gardens, so that every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lil</span> plant was watered by its irrigation system run by nothing other than rain and gravity! It is so simple, it is brilliant, but it proves my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">original</span> impression that the plan for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Alcazaba</span> was random was wrong!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260679098422075970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVuSNPVfUMYCBREM4y2CDX-1rv0ZelNe6Fj0K8AUW8UeLWjRPiOdvDftrtzpipheSq8WCfjqx3z4foHPYH3f9ZIzCSb0jpBquZJztorWGG6c4KBPTe7NmdPXItVAsoNv7YPX7Jxl4y-Y/s320/Malaga+138.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">See how high up we are? And you can see it goes up even higher behind me.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260679106548513090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwCYqjEPZwTF8Y3gdEAq2IDAynqYhs1tXd0kiLnw6xIS_EczRYyN3XXruqM9A56DY24Xpym29mj39jWq-qqPmmHFnKfDZktAr6P8LJr1q32tUa5c0MX3hYNgh_MVojry1YIE-51Nb1dg/s320/Malaga+139.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Irrigation</span> crevices in the floor of the entire place bring the rain water down, down...</span></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260679120501342354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALcQRgm1h_xXFfYTQwzxEIs_d_pWG-m1jteHnliSMfPlEj-UX3kC5ZkEwf-kSnVxWhjvX7By50mh9OssMzdtims4pRAFautCvBLMKBmOOjmXrq6C1-BToNPzM5yTYxK6kaZRxFtXiIwg/s320/Malaga+150.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...And spreads it around...</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260679124665414034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmBzhQshTdwRR_KHVF8ZWxdKoSGQZUYVPAviXv-Ovsm7PMfqPJ4gr0CIRdaMqxeY7NdGaX7aL687feWf8CerJKFRCB3EPG4gF0w2fQrIFr78iZGs5uqKtifpoJBc9AtvEcyBURLfOcqc/s320/Malaga+151.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...Even down steps...</span><br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260679112671546194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWj8Ozp1Ytt8dTSaSvCXIk9Sn6Mun-aZgQQZWRNw23rynjCLdkk-9-M2I2xL-cwCEAa7QHRBoT9MOP9rC2CzsrKU_oJ074_CWLqW2grAveMbrUiXFdInVSNEpcJAyduDrMB9FU2Td_Qg/s320/Malaga+147.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">...To water beautiful gardens...</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260682313931972146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJVv0lK0eZZ5BTwJSTXjc1fAQo7Tu6-Vn8j53SWBmEQPPBjvFLv9zSs6g2DQjtDHnqcH85Dmu-oeP_N0CZ6RlkNuVUW3fhK6Sou8DNxkuSDylKMqbZXG3bhuaem_t8F4PnKgqs_rUO5M/s320/Malaga+176.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...Trees...</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260683627940533202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoAtumAoSMQNQUeKNJcG9bioLPXhlxkoMcjVcNXWvRVCTHrJSQQ4uW8U9ZlxnFCXwI7vTBFH8K7XssCeuJraiPw9BYpLcmPyOjOUZSHOy8MnUCDwN_klp8xbKnYXgFCTZBedtxgwd0xg/s320/Malaga+178.JPG" border="0" /></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...And reflection pools...</span></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260683645285950834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTO21C84Y07BBwwmZJ9R3Ycg3PtScP1BbJRN4NPnhQQhtLScsvqsICIkNw-fy9872RRghT6vpqLrVuMgTrr4sXvUe3Vma_4VZ7Mr6nkC167XkjoOjb4wBRk4NECZhQBBCTWYo1s2dwew/s320/Malaga+202.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...To curve around John...</span></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260682297078339346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2QHCgiTfnqfKENdDe5NkdjOGkoDbAyliEXIA7oPJi5hIqEqSCqHKiK7NZtL7wT4xSZZ98IIiSHXY8fd0mNa7Y8L4JJIYZtN5TTswEiVQysVpAjg6oG85g1SKXYMmOJyEnYgils7QtyI/s320/Malaga+154.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...And, er, fill bathtubs (?)...</span></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260683637885377266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU12zXCtvzr0CNgGMEPbYMBgDe9Y0MCLJZtcmNtIEY2niDbHOdi4aI5an7mrnrxP3ddaz4T8VuFxV8TByeHmTK60rK3AnqyxRwKo6hW1wIYrYpOcPt8uaZbvqjowkxgKINVgTe6LApqfQ/s320/Malaga+199.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">...then flow through Pan's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Labyrinth</span>...</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260683655242175890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNa6LCRthYRXZSfjmoSiYWzvijfrbVy-fk7tyiV2-_gDdOBXZyAoh80cMdjYvPUwK8c_y72mtIaTae1PWvPYEIrQwonwWdefcQbwXYI53l_YAiEbRGjLHv9bJ_W_vvXDVSNRQ73Nt_y4/s320/Malaga+205.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">..<span style="font-size:85%;">.to the Secret Garden! </span><span style="font-size:85%;">This was behind a giant gate we could not get past. It looks much wilder than the rest, eh?</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260682303466570882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7jv5Gnv_k4RI3Fx2SK2GKWdkMZHPOsBg1Q51NHMMNWqI1JeZ53LHyxNiBdQp4PdGIecYE4QbsmhvrUF1KYyuHNcIeLQ37Th1LYdhKZzNT1iE4vEhR5dR7fWnxx8hjtbZ5ESPtCz9NfE/s320/Malaga+155.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">We both just loved this place; it is so beautiful. We were only able to spend an hour here, and we had to literally run through it to make the bus home. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hopefully</span>, one of our visitors from the States will give us an excuse to go back!</p><p align="center">(hint hint)</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260682292784140674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfUUTXXxO5kbKgyYnhxUQZtrZo8ElmfSfUYfc8tm9y6OgbvEI_aJulP-Ti705xfgJ-UoS803rnylTXZHhZoteXI5B9T5CXf7fG0DHyzTobyibRYfoUbkjDvlZgYp_UhouAuUh7cKABZE/s320/Malaga+153.JPG" border="0" /></p><p></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8130305470577782552.post-17014755068986907122008-10-25T12:01:00.000+03:002008-10-25T12:01:00.195+03:00End of Daylight Savings Time<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="100" src="http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1006/1006801dfjsgcx2mb.gif" width="100" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">This Saturday night, Europe ends Dalight Savings Time!!!</span></div><div align="center"><br />This happens a full week before the U.S. changes its clocks back, so we will only be off the usual schedule for that week.</div><div align="center"><br />However, I never can remember what time it is anywhere else anyway. </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="80" src="http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1567/1567687yq0qsmnb2y.gif" width="90" border="0" /></a></p>Jenn:http://www.blogger.com/profile/16186913821204935058noreply@blogger.com1