2017-July-30 Spain, Madrid: Vaughan town

Entrance To Gredos Resort

We have been in Spain one week only.  Some people would say that we have not seen anything of the country as we spent 6 days in the ‘middle of nowhere’  (Gredos National Park) at an English school for Spaniards.  We think we have seen more of the country than most tourists as we were let into the heart and souls of the Spanish students and made friends that we hope to come back and visit one day!

Fo Drinking Morning Coffee

T

Nearby River Where We Swam

he company is called Vaughan town.  There were 9 Spaniards and 15 Anglos from NZ, Australia, Canada, USA and UK.  Normally there are even numbers but because there wasn’t we got some free time which was nice too. 

Our daily program looked something like this:

09:00 – 10:00  breakfast (with at least one Spaniard at the table)

10:00 – 14:00  one-on-ones walking with a Spaniard OR group activities

14:00 – 15:00  lunch (with at least one Spaniard at the table)

15:00 – 17:00  siesta (usually a swim or emails catch up etc)

17:00 – 20:00  one-on-ones walking with a Spaniard OR group activities

20:00 – 21:00  entertainment (skits, presentations)

21:00 – 22:00  dinner (with at least one Spaniard at the table)

22:00 – 24:00  more socialising

Drinking Beer While Speaking English In The Town Plaza

They were full days but we absolutely loved our week and will look back on it with fond memories.  We saw such an improvement in the English of our Spaniard team members that it was very fulfilling.

We have had a weekend back in Madrid which we have thoroughly enjoyed despite the 37 degree heat (at least it is dry heat).  Yesterday we walked around the city looking at all the beautiful old buildings, visited the Thyssen-Bornemisza art museum (Jean particularly wanted to see the impressionist paintings) and today we walked up Gran Via, the main shopping street and then spent some time in the huge city park, Parque De El Retiro. We were lucky enough to hear an orchestra playing in the rotunda. It was lovely reclining on the grass watching the trees above and listening to the classical music. 

Anthony, Don Quixote And Sancho Panza

Changing Of The Guard At The Palace

Palacio Real

Meat Snack Cones At Mercado De San Miguel (Near Plaza Mayor)

Vincent Van Gogh 1890 - Les Vessenots in Auvers

Pierre-August Renoir  1875 Woman With A Parasol In A Garden

 

 Palacio De Cristal in Retiro Park

Off to Portugal to meet Jean’s family tomorrow  . . .