Peace in a Spanish Sunday

 I knew there was a reason I loved Spain. This morning, after another sleepless night on my end, I went to the kitchen. As Diego made me coffee, Sonia prepared breakfast. For breakfast we were having chocolate churros. Let me break this down for you. Take bread sticks and deep fry them. Then pour sugar on top of them. Once that's done, you dip the sticks in chocolate. Bon appetit! I chuckled at how many American mom's would be losing their mind if their kids had this for breakfast. Ah, but the magic of Sundays in Spain are not to be disturbed.

Afterwards, the kids studied and I worked on college stuff. I had spent the wee hours of the morning talking to people and researching. So after my churro break, I continued my work. I was feeling a bit better with more work under my belt. I'd like to take a moment and tell people a bit more about this dilemma.. Before this trip I was certain I had my mind set for this fall, but surprise surprise this trip has changed how I view life. Who would have thought a life changing trip actually changed me! Well, so I've been soul searching, wallet searching, and weighing the never settled scale of experiences versus money. I still don't have a solution, but I'm confident I'll actually sleep tonight. That may also have something to do with the last two nights of little sleep. Still, I'm counting it as a win.

Around ten, we all loaded up into the car. Today's adventure Castillo Manzanares El Real. We drove to the Sierra de Guadarrama, the mountains outside of Madrid. The little town of Manzanares el Real is between the rocky cliff edges of the mountain and a glistening blue lake. While the whole scene was picturesque my eyes were continually drawn to those rock cliffs. Someday I will need to explore those because I can tell a grand adventure is there. 

We walked through the little town. A medieval themed market was taking place in the main streets. As aforementioned, the town is quite small. Appropriately, the market was quiant as well. But most everything was handmade and quite spectacular to view. 

After a quick exploration through the town, we went to the castle. This is obviously the main attraction of the town. People flooded the area. Have you ever had that moment where you have to wonder is this worth it? It's the feelings parents get at Disneyland and kids get at... well probably many places in all honesty. But we funneled in with the crowd. At the ticket counter they informed us we couldn't enter for twenty minutes. They try to space the people out so it's not as crowded. I was grateful they were doing that. I can't imagine it without. So as we waited for twenty minutes, we explored the outside of the castle. A path under vined arches led down the hill from the castle. At the bottom labryinths of paths twisted around. Hugo and Iciar raced on the paths. I tried racing with Hugo at a later labryinth. He laughed and laughed as he a corner in order to immediately win. The sun rose in the sky encouraging us to take off our jackets and enjoy the day. 

We finally entered the castle. It was in very good condition. A sign outside told of how the restoration process had taken time and money. Some of the castles I've have been simply ruins. Some have been restored just to the point that they won't fall. But this one was redone as if it were being lived in now. The rooms had beds, paintings, and were carefully designed. The walls were in perfect condition and made for a picture perfect castle. We went through on the path. It wasn't exactly the kind of place you get to explore. It was more of a "get moved around by the crowd" type of place. You followed the one road you're on to the end. It was still a very incredible castle to see. I was pleasantly surprised. At the end of the tour, as we exited the main section of the castle, stood two big rocks. Hugo and Iciar tried to climb them, as all kids do. They were unsuccessful. I climbed up the biggest one. They were very excited about that and were determined to join me. Diego would lift them half way up to me, and I would pull them up the rest of the way. Both kids were very happy with this solution. 

"Tengo hambre," the kids declared. Sonia, Diego, and I all agreed. Lunch time it was! Sonia had packed a picnic for us. We drove to the lake and looked for a picnic spot. We settled under a shady tree next to the lake. The actual shore was designated for fishermen, but we got as close as we could. The grass wasn't lushous, but had some prickly thorny parts. Nothing a jacket on the ground could't fix. Still, Iciar declared me "muy valiente" for just sitting down. I accepted her declaration. The shade provided the perfect touch to a perfect moment. We enjoyed our lunch and cold drinks. Iciar learned the important lesson of being quiet when next to fishermen. Hugo kicked a soccerball around. When the kids were finally antsy enough, we took off. 

Sonia and I decided we wanted some coffee. We drove to a little cafe near the house. It has a park right next to it so it was perfect. Sonia and I were in search of the sun. After dragging chairs into the sun, we enjoyed the quiet peaceful scene. Our coffee trip turned into a ice cold gin and tonic trip. I commented on how excited I was that I was getting a tan. Diego laughed and wondered if it was more of a red tan than a brown tan. Well, maybe a little. It'll come around with more time in the sun. ... That's how that works right? 

We came home after that. Hugo and Iciar went outside to play. Does someone know where kids get all their energy? Sonia, Diego, and I laughed at how badly we wanted naps while the kids just wanted to keep playing. Diego took them outside while I continued to work on my college dilemma. I finally took a break to talk with my family via Skype. Iciar and Hugo came back halfway through my talk with my parents. Iciar was thrilled with the whole video Skype idea. I had to pry her away eventually. Hugo tried to speak English with them, but later informed me they spoke to fast. I laughed and said, "See? It's important for people to speak slowly!" An hour on the phone with my brother and an hour on video conference with my parents. I sure do love my family. They are always capable of putting me at ease and reminding me life works out how it's supposed to work out. I thank God I have them. 

After I hung up with my parents, I went into the kitchen for dinner. I took a moment to realize how at home I felt here. This family has completely taken me in with open arms. We barely speak each other's languages and yet I feel 100% comfortable here. Not only comfortable, but very happy. I think about traveling and just going. But I can't imagine how much you lose without stopping to really get to know people and places. I am so glad I've done it this way. Certain Spanish Sunday's help create peace, I know I'll sleep well tonight. 

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Here's where I need your input! Big news! This morning I got a little notification from Google saying they would like me to consider AdSense for my blog. They think it would be very beneficial for me (and I'm sure them.) This means they consider my blog big enough to really profit both me and them. I couldn't believe it! However, I don't really want to put ads on my blog out of consideration for you, the reader. I know our world is full of ads and I like the idea of this being a space to escape them. That being said, I'd be lying if I said as a self-supported traveler and future college student, some extra income for the work I put into this blog is appealing to say the least. My idea to combine the best of both worlds is to set up a PayPal account. If you like my blog, you can donate as you see fit. You will also be able to fund your own post. By this I mean, if you see I'm in Madrid, or wherever, and say "Man, I've always wondered what this museum was like!" You can donate the cost of the museum, then I will go and write a blog about that spot! How fun would that be!?

These are all simply ideas right now. I want to hear from YOU! Email me, comment, whatever you want. If you prefer the PayPal idea, let me know! If you thinks ads are the way to go, let me know! If simply want to tell me you like turtles, let me know! I love feedback and in this case am basing a decision off of it. So PLEASE let me know what you think. 

I am so so thankful that I have such amazing friends, family, and new readers around the world (Yes!! Around the WORLD!) to support me. I've grown to love doing this blog. I now consider it an incredible opportunity for me to share stories and maybe even inspire people. I've still been receiving emails saying it's helped people see how beneficial traveling is. That's the best thing I could ask for. Thank you all very much. And as always, the adventure continues!