May flowers grow taller.

Hola, familia! I know it's been forever, but life hasn't been very exciting since March. Here is a photo-heavy update in lieu of any real news!

For Earth Day, I volunteered with Starbucks to plant trees and do clean up at Millerton Lake.

Indiana was lots of fun: Banging my head on the Munchkin Rain Gutter, grocery shopping, Steak & Shake-ing, Abbey graduating, and eating!

Back at home, I've killed an African violet, and actually I'm almost proud of that. Mom said they're impossible to kill if you water them at least once in a blue moon. I DID water it just a bit once a week or so LIKE SHE SAID, and it still died. Impressive. Especially considering they LET me plant trees in the wilderness.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

Clementine has figured out how to jump into the dryer. Oh, joy.



I got my hair did: cute and highlighted. Love it!
BEFORE:


AFTER:


That's all for now. Hope everyone is well.

Day trip to Avila.

I went to Spain and lived to blog about it: Did you see?

Day 5 was our trip to Avila. John, Carlos, and I planned to be up and out in time to catch the 830a train, but the boys slept in and I wasn't going to be THAT guest who awakens everyone. Perhaps I should have been because we ended up missing the train by fifteen minutes. Ah well, more time to hang out in the station, lucky us.

(Again, all photos are courtesy of Carlos and John because they are good friends, and I am a lousy photographer.)

First was a common Spanish breakfast of café con leche and napolitana de chocolate (coffee with steamed milk and a chocolate croissant -- breakfast of champions!). We wandered around outside a little until we were driven inside by the window and settled down to play cards in front of a closed Burger King (which sells beer, which is so weird).



True to form, my competitive nature emerged during our first round of Egyptian Rat Screw. See the concentration? But then Carlos taught me Spit, and it was downhill from there -- note the evil gleam in his eye!


Our train left at 1130a, and we were on our way. The Spanish countryside reminded me of the lakebed of Kaweah when the waters are low -- hills and valleys spotted with trees. Two hours later, we arrived in Avila. It was freezing, but at least there was no snow.

Avila is famous for its fortress, constructed of brown granite in 1090, surmounted by a breastwork, with eighty-eight towers and nine gateways (thank you, Wikipedia).


Once inside the old city, we stopped at the Iglesia de Santo Tomé. Once a church, it is now a museum of Spanish and Roman artifacts. (Or so I gathered from my limited ability to read Spanish signs. The boys were of no help!)


We admired to the cathedral.


It was guarded by lions and built into the fortress wall.


The cathedral was open for visitors, but for a price. Instead, we decided to look for a restaurant recommended by John's coworker from Avila -- Tres Siglos. It took forever but wandering around the narrow streets surrounded by ancient stone was neat. Until it was just plain COLD and we were ready to eat.


Appetizers -- pickled white aspargus drizzled with mayo (me) and patatas revolnados (the boys).


Dinner -- fillet steak (the boys), barbequed beefsteak (me). Yes, that piece of meat is so long that it had to be folded under to fit on the plate. Yes, it was riddled with fat, and I had a heck of a time making my way through it. Yes, it was delicious and worth every bite!


After the wonderful meal, we made our way to the wall. Whoa, that's high.


Looking out over the rest of the city.


Evil Knievel -- I mean, John.


"Sir John, the marauders are coming!" "Never fear, Lady Erica, I'll defend you!"


One last look.


After coffee, the train ride home (beautiful sunset), and Renting it up on the metro, we were finally home. What a great day.

I went to Spain and lived to blog about it!

My friend, Carlos, moved to Madrid in December. Come February, great price on a plane ticket + free place to stay = so going! The trip was amazing; Carlos and roommates, John and Clint, were wonderful hosts -- home cooking, walking, sightseeing, lots of discussion and story-sharing and late nights and relaxation with three wonderful guys I'm now lucky to know.

Carlos hadn't done everything there is to do in Madrid, and I've only ever cared about Spain for pretty Spanish boys and el Prado (right?) so we took a lot of time to walk and talk and see things: Parque del Retiro (huge park near the apartment -- lake, gardens, fountains, lots of people), Puerta de Alcalá (used to be a gate to the city), Biblioteca Nacional de España (National Library), Palacio Real, Plaza Mayor (heart of Old Madrid), Puerta del Sol, Gran Villa, Museo del Prado (famous musuem), Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (famous twentieth century art museum). On Saturday, we took a daytrip to Avila, two hours outside Madrid via train, to see a real fortress! Like, where people used to defend their city and stuff! That was pretty awesome.

The trip wasn't nearly long enough; I could have visited for a month and still not have been ready to come home. On my last night, I actually picked through one of John's Spanish travel books and wished I hadn't waited so long because there were some neat things to see and do that I hadn't know about. Gives me a reason to return someday, eh?

Now, pictures! (All courtesy of Carlos and John because I am a slacker who doesn't actually like taking pictures.)

Me in el Retiro in front of el Ángel Caído (and such beautiful weather).


Lions in the park for Mom.


Puerta de Alcalá. Biblioteca Nacional de España (we tried to go inside, but the guard spoke so quickly .... Went in the library museum instead).


El Retiro in the rain. Plaza Mayor (There were For Rent signs. You can live there!).


Carlos Villa in la Plaza de la Villa. A butcher shop (Carlos thought of Shrek; I thought, EW.).


Of course, we found a Starbucks, and I got really excited. Handwritten menuboard! Pretty pastry case! The Promise in Spanish!


Palacio Real.


Local foods -- Jamón ibérico (Iberian ham, Spanish delicacy that costs at least $52 a pound). Paella.


And yemas, the traditional candy of Avila. One of John's coworkers suggested we try it -- when in Spain, do as the Spaniards, yes? Well .... We opened the box; it smelled like stale fish and stagnant water. Yuck! Carlos and John were brave and each took a bite; what did they get for it -- GAGGING! Suffice it to say, I was NOT going to eat a yema. Until Monday night, all the peer pressure: "Erica, you have to try it!" "Erica, you're in Spain!" "Erica, we had one; you have to, too!" So .... I gave in and had an eensy bite of yema ... and it wasn't bad! Apparently, yemas age well -- it tasted like and had the consistency of cookie dough. Score! Then the aftertaste hit. But I can still say that I have eaten a candied egg yolk in Spain!


Pictures of Avila will be in another blog because this one is photo-heavy already. And that was Spain. Amazing, wonderful, exciting, relaxing, never-forget-it Spain.