Some recollections, photos and personal experiences from our trip

I woke up this May Day of ’09, aprox. one month after our return, with many thoughts of how our group was impacted by Spain, how Spain was impacted by our group and how blessed we parents are to have been along.

I have made many journeys to Spain beginning with a year of grad study in Barcelona, taking my first High School group from Hollister, CA. to Madrid and Denia, and many visits to friends who live near the Sagrada Familia. But, I have never been more impacted by a trip to Spain than I have been with this Incantato / YPAS Tour.

I would like to share with anyone who wants to read on .... some recollections – along with a few fotos and web links and explanations (you know you can't take the teacher out of us!) – to round it all out.

As all the parents and other adults on the trip would agree, we were filled with pride of all our kids; their talent and their comportment proved exceptional. In addition, I also had a bit of almost-motherly pride at seeing and hearing my ex-elementary students; Kayla, Logan, Steven, Connor, Jackie, Reece, Holly and of course Kylie and Garth, (all now semi-grown up) use their Spanish language skills!

My thoughts first turn to all of the positive energy shared on the bus rides; the laughter emanating from the back, the hilarious "Truth or Dare" moments, and getting to know all the parents in an authentic way that could only happen when "living together" the same experience for 10 days straight.

While in Segovia, it was wonderful enjoying the best roast pig in the most famous Mesón of the world with a few adventurous souls; Tim G., Mathew, Jennifer, Wesley, Amy, Billy, Jim, Paul, Reece, Chris, Richard. (Paul, you need to post some of your photos!)

I especially enjoyed seeing Dr. G’s surprise

at the ceremonial serving of the cochinito!

A terrific article about this extremely famous restaurant, the Mesón de Cándido in Segovia can be read at:

http://www.everywheremag.com/articles/473

To view a video of Alberto, the son, cutting up the suckling pig, just as he did for our group, go to;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8rUZR1H5H4

There is also a wonderful PBS series called "Made In Spain" by a well known Spanish Chef José Andrés. If you have the opportunity you could watch the program called "Land of Fire" where José Andrés explains the history of this Mesón.

• Season 1 Episode 16: The Land of Fire
  Sunday 10th May 3:30pm EDT

I am very happy to have this picture with the famous Alberto who graciously provided us with a tour of his historic restaurant and later served our group.

There were many proud moments hearing the wonderful comments from the many listeners in the many crowds where our students performed. I enjoyed sharing with them who we were, where we were from, and always our well wishes for Spain and the fabulous experiences the group was having in their beautiful country.

Anxo Figuera, a fisherman from Asturias, happened to be in the Plaza de la Quintana in Santiago the night Jennifer led the group in a moving performance of "Down by the River". He made sure to came back the next day to hear our group perform in the Cathedral. He said he had been in choirs in his youth but had never heard such beautiful combination of voices. He enjoyed meeting our very own Composer Richard as they shared stories about his upcoming trip to Africa.

More positive and amazed comments were spoken by the kids from the Coro Joven in Oviedo (I was seated just behind them during the concert) as well as many audience members after the production.

Enriching our trip were special people like Reverend Jim and his friend from childhood Mr. Billy Bradford who was able to share Jim's personal pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela to see the Cathedral of his patron saint. Everyone was touched by the "inclusive" mass Father Jim prepared with the priest from Spain in the Catedral de Santiago for a varied audience by combining languages into one message for all.

The expressions of the faces of our students as they first experienced a true Flamenco Tablao. I have taken students to see such events who did not "get it" ... nor enjoyed it ..... - all would agree that our kids "got it" and really enjoyed it!

Some moments stand out more than others, such as being serenaded with an Italian Aria in the Plaza Mayor by our beloved Timothy Glasscock (which we can all view repeatedly thanks to the wonderful posting by Mr. Wright). I know I have viewed this at least a dozen times, laughing again and again as he clearly stops a heckler in his tracks without missing a beat!

And, of course, that same evening, we had the dance "that started it all" (Cambron's quote) between Emily and Adam in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. On that last night we parents enjoyed as much as the students the explosion of youthful energy when two groups of outgoing teens came together with a common goal of meeting each other and having a great time.

I spoke with their teachers who said they were also on a school trip from Valencia to see Madrid and happened to be "celebrating" a traditional game of los Moros and los Cristianos at the beginning of Holy Week.

Now, some personal experiences that come quickly to mind, that I know not all on the tour had, but I'd like to share;

- I was lucky to be able to meet for the first time the parents of Javier,

a young boy sent to stay at our home last summer. I immediately felt like I had known Marisa forever with our non-stop conversation about politics, parenting, and work all over two typically madrileño delicious meals.

Also, we were fortunate to share this meal in the foto with my good friends Heidi and Ken.

-Jennifer Diamond's first words to me were; “You don’t understand, this is my DREAM trip”

Her last words to me; “Help me find a teaching or performance Grant to get back to Spain!"

-Reece Johns offered up many interesting questions throughout the trip (ask anyone on the 2nd bus about the "bidet" question) I especially enjoyed his “Come here, Ms. Gonzalez, you’ve got to see this!”

He was our scout in the Prado (for Scott and I), he never got lost and was always spot on with his observations!

In this foto he and Emily enjoy the company of two "typical ladies" from Santiago de Compostela.

-Chris Johns never allowed an opportunity to see more get past him. “What do you think is back there?” he'd say, as he encouraged further exploration.

There was a fabulous impromptu picnic of Jamón de bellota with Queso de Extremadura, Vino y Pan (succulent sliced ham, goat cheese, wine and bread) shared by Valerie, Tim, Kayla, Kylie, Chris, Reece, Lynn, Carry and I in the warm spring sun that broke up the 8 hour ride of our last day. (Val, you should post your photos!)
True to form, later, Chris encouraged a further exploration of the factory saying, "Just ask them about..." this or that.... Which lead to our getting a private tour of the curing process of the factory!
(BTW, there is a great Spanish movie of a few years ago, that the ladies might like, called "Jamón, Jamón", by Almovodar, that I teased the fellow about that gave us the tour.)

There were many other incidents including; the mysterious 6th floor in a certain hotel, easy encouragment of certain finicky eaters to "try the octopus", young romances, lost dress clothes left in a hotel, late late night talks, etc......
....and the enrichment of established friendships by getting to
share this time with my wonderful friends and next door neighbors Ken and Heidi Schultz and
their two sons Logan and Garth.

But, of course, my favorite moments were of observing my son Connor enjoy his experience;

Even after a month, the primary emotion that remains is the complete enjoyment that a parent feels when he/she recalls the fabulous noise those voices created when they completely filled the cupolas of some of the most reknown places of Spain and then slowly dripped down the walls before the applause could no longer be contained. I know that mine were not the only eyes welling up with emotion and pride when our souls were reached by our kids voices.... (Susan!)

I am not alone in saying that I miss hearing our kids voices fill all those lovely venues
and that I am already looking forward to the next trip. I hear that Asia is in the running?