Pilots Transcend Cultures

When I was little, while my dad would work at the airport, Johann and I would play. Running through the fields, watching airplanes take off, sleeping on couches in the terminal, collecting enough change for the vending machine, the airport became a second home. I still know all the in's and out's of that place. And still being at an airport, but especially the Boulder airport, brings a smile to my face. Home. 

                          ⚫️⚫️⚫️

Yesterday I was planning on a regroup day. I wasn't expecting that to mean sleeping till 11am. I guess I was a bit more exhausted than I expected. I caught up on emails, Skyped with friends, and split wood to get out some frustration- I mean to be helpful... Then Arturo, Elisa, and their friend (from the first lunch in the Pyrenees) Bernardo came home. I made hamburgers for everyone. Then afterwards we sat around a warm fire eating Whiskey Cake (an ice cream cake soaked in whiskey...), listened to jazz music, and drank the best gin and tonics in the world made by Arturo. I taught Bernardo how to pronounce things in English as he did the same for Spanish. We talked about politics, music, airplanes, and just in general enjoyed the company. It was a great evening. 

This morning Elisa and I went on an adventure. As the clouds collected on the mountain tops, we drove straight to the clouds. Luckily the rain held off till we were done. Our destination was the Castle of Peracense. We parked in the town below and walked up. We walked past tall red rock formations until we saw the castle. This castle was built in the 10th century. What's amazing is the fact it is built into the rocks. When you're looking up the valley towards the castle, it would be easy to assume the rocks are just rocks, without a castle. It's not until you get closer that you see the castle's structure begin to emerge. It's quite amazing. 

When we walked closer, we couldn't tell if it was open or not. So we hesitantly walked up to the gate. Sure enough it had been open for ten whole minutes. We bought our three euro tickets and went inside. The courtyard was full of medieval weapons. There was also a room of paintings from local artists. Impressive to say the least. We continued to explore. Amazing designs from top to bottom. The way they incorporated the strong red rocks into water ducts, housing, ovens, graves and everything else was inspiring. I climbed all over the rocks, up the walls (sometimes literally) around the rooms, through hallways and much more. I loved it. Absolutely spectacular. It led to amazing views of the valley as well. On the trip back down, we got some amazing views of the castle as well. Every view was a new angle and a new aspect of beauty to this original castle. 

 

When we got home, Arturo and Bernardo were waiting with three other pilots. They had their heads in the engine of a plane. I laughed because I knew that sight well. The seven of us went to lunch. I've thus far in Spain been able to understand the conversation around me. Maybe not join in, but mostly understand what's going on. This lunch was the exception. It spat me out as fast as they spoke. I could tell they were talking about aviation, which was not covered in my Spanish classes. I got lost quickly. We all went home for the evening. The pilots went back to the planes while Elisa and I cooked. Dinner was a bit different as Diego, on of the pilots, wanted to practice his English with me. But the conversation circled back around to airplanes, as it always does with pilots.

But I smiled because I didn't have to know the words they were saying to recognize the conversation. I've seen pilots sit over meals and discuss regulations, new airplanes, and tell stories my whole life. I felt right at home. I had to message my parents and let them know how amazing it was that conversations are the same no matter where you are in the world. My mom immediately said, "Pilots transcend cultures." I couldn't say it better. But for me, that means a part of home- a part of me- transcends cultures. 

The Wheels of Life

Yesterday, I woke up to a surprise. I looked out the window and it was as if it hadn't been snowing for days. Amazing! I decided to enjoy the sunny day and went for a walk. Once again, the views of the Pyrenees did not disappoint. 

After I ran down as fast as I could down the hillside, I happily went back to the apartment. Arturo and Elisa were preparing for our next adventure. One of their friends is a teacher in this small town. She had asked them to do a presentation on Alaska. They have done this frequently and were prepared with a slideshow. We walked through children playing on a playground into the middle school. They set up the projector as I looked around the classroom. They had a map of the world with some countries fun facts listed America's picture was Tom Hanks. I laughed that that is our claim to fame. Yikes. 

The children funneled in from recess. The teacher introduced us all. We've begun to tell people I'm from Alaska because we've found out people don't quite understand why I know Elisa and Arturo if I'm from Colorado. I don't feel like I'm lying, just FYI. I've spent 13- since I was 5!- summers there. I feel justified. So anyway the kids were very excited an "Alaskan native!" I smiled at them and quietly watched Elisa and Arturo talk about my home. I'm not going to lie. I felt the strings on my heart being pulled a bit. I even teared up at some pictures. I laughed because I was remembering being younger and us kids desperately wanting to leave McCarthy. And now I was tearing up about how far away I seem from home. Oh, how the wheel of life turns... 

But the kids absolutely loved it. They squealed with excitement at pictures of bears, Super Cubs flying over amazing scenery, and people climbing mountains. Arturo and Elisa confidently answered all questions and completey sold Alaska. 

After the presentation and some lunch, we packed up and began our trip home. We went a different route than we came so I could see a little medieval village. The road wove through a canyon with towering rock walls diving into a rushing river. It was amazing. My face was glued to the window. I tried to take some pictures, but as you can imagine, being in a car and being that close to tall cliffs left for only decent pictures. 

 

Just as I was getting cranky of being in the car, we came to our stop at Ainsa. We opened the doors to hear loud drumming. The three of us exchanged glances and laughed. What in the world could this be? Around a corner were a group of people loudly playing drums, dancing, and just in general loving life. I smiled because that had Boulder written all over it. We watched for a while as this group of people got lost in music. 

Did anything else in that picture catch your attention? Because it sure caught my attention. We kept walking as we entered the towering stone walls of this town. But I was interested in the mountain behind it. So we climbing the stairs to the top of the walls. I took my time marveling in the majesty of these mountains. 

 

After that we walked around Ainsa. It was the quintessential small medieval town. Stone houses met stone streets. Church bells rang out to the river running below the sturdy walls that enclosed the town. An open plaza area held restaurants and chairs to enjoy the sun. I can only imagine in the summer how crowded it must be. Arturo, Elisa, and I continued to explore. But I kept being drawn back to that one mountain with cliffs circling the top of it. It glowed in the sun. I couldn't help but smirk. That alone is enough to keep you going on the crazy wheel of life. 

We continued to head home. I watched the sun set over the windy plains. As we drove on in the night, the radio started playing a special on Johnny Cash. I askd Arturo to turn it up. I smiled hearing Johnny Cash sing about love. That amazing deep voice lulled me to sleep. And the wheel's of life kept turning along as the wheel's of the car sped home. 

The Gift of Stoke

I'll start this post by apologizing for how long the last one was. It was a lot packed into two days. I had intended to do two posts, but life told me to go dancing instead. Who am I to ignore that? So thanks for sticking with it. 

Now, quick update on the days after. The next day we went to Zaragoza. Elisa and I explored the nicest shopping mall I've ever seen- complete with outdoor rock walls and a lake to paddle around. It was amazing. There was a outdoor gear shop that Elisa wanted to go see. She told me I would love it, she was right. Imagine REI, but at 1/3 the price on everything. A Quechua down jacket: $20. A thermal base layer: $10. Climbing shoes: $20. Harnesses: $20. Needless to say, I'll be shipping something things home from that slice of Nirvana. 

The next day, yesterday, we loaded the car up and drove away. Our goal? The Pyrenees. Arturo and Elisa have an apartment in Castejón de Sos. This would be our home for the next couple days. We drove for about four hours. I watched as the landscape turned from rolling hills and warm sun to grey clouds, rocky cliffs, and soaring mountains. We stopped at one point next to a gorgeous lake to stretch our legs. We weren't even there yet and I was in love with the views. 

Finally we arrived in Castejón de Sos. It's a very small town. The buildings are mostly made of stone and perfectly fit the feel of the town. This town is known for its paragliding. Stores advertise "adventure" in every window. Before we went to the apartment, we went for lunch in a small cafe. We met one of Elisa and Arturo's friends. He was quite excited to make a new friend from Colorado. He spoke with me about my job in Alaska, why I took a year off from school, and more. I did my best to explain in broken Spanish. But he's a very fun man to meet no matter what. We enjoyed some warm food and cups of coffee as the snow began to fall outside. 

Finally we headed to the apartment. As Elisa and I were unloading the car and man walked towards us. She told me he's a famous climber named Jonathan Larrañaga. She introduced us, he kissed me on the cheeks as Europeans do, and he went on his way. I hadn't heard of him, but after looking him up later I can say he seems like a fairly incredible guy. So I guess you can say that was a big deal. 😉

We settled in to the apartment. After quick naps, we headed off to Banesque for dinner. Banesque is a lot like Castejón de Sos in that the buildings are the same style.  However, it's a bit bigger. By this time the snow was dumping. The light posts have Christmas lights on them that glowed through the falling snow. It was magical. 

Banesque is at the base of a mountain with a ski resort on it. It's also a prime location for beginning mountaineering trips. So the people there are very outdoorsy types. Which means there are gear stores everywhere. Northface, Mammut, Patagonia, Black Diamond, and much more cover the store fronts. Elisa and I went straight for the infamous Barrabes. It's one of- if not- the best gear shops in Europe. They used to sell online to America until the government said no more because no body was buying in the states anymore. It quite literally took my breath away. One wall was entirely ice axes, ice screws, carabiners, cams, and the like. One wall was all harnesses and rock climbing shoes. One was all crampons, crash pads, and chalk. That was one floor. There were four floors. Needless to say, I was pretty stoked on it all. 

(Yes, that jacket is emerged in water. Testing to an extreme.) 

Elisa and I contined to walk around the snowy town. I loved the feeling of this town. I could spend a long time there. It was quite amazing. Finally we met Arturo and some more friends at a bar for drinks before heading home. 

This morning I woke up to an even more intense snowfall. I smiled knowing it could only be good. I sipped my coffee watching the thick snow swirl through the sky. Eventually, Elisa and I bundled up, testing out our new gear, and went for a morning snowshoe trip. For some reason I couldn't stop thinking about REI's slogan for Christmas. Don't ask me why. Maybe I've been in to many gear shops lately. They said, "Give the gift of stoke." I always liked that. Because really isn't that life? Finding the gift of stoke. And for me? This morning? I was super stoked on life as my hair dripped from melted snow and a smile was pasted on my face. It was a really great morning to say the least. 

As the snow kept falling, Elisa, Arturo, five of their friends, and I headed to lunch. It was a special lunch. The place we were eating was a culinary school. Once a week, they let people come for lunch. What makes it even more spectacular is the location. In a renovated 12th centurey monastery that over looks the entire valley, you eat the best food and sip the best wine. It doesn't get better. The friend from yesterday's lunch met us after he skied up to the monastery. The students loved that and came outside to take pictures. The view was unfathomable and the food was perfected to delectable goodness. What a neat experience! 

We headed back home with smiles on our faces and happy tastebuds. At the bottom of the hill, I saw the final thing that secured my love for the Pyrenees. And the search for even more "gifts of stoke" continues... Life is good!