home sweet home for some....

Well, right now in Amsterdam it is about 2pm. I'm assuming that the group has returned home and that all or most are probably asleep right now. =) As you can probably gather, I have arrived safely to Amsterdam. I had a good nights rest and I washed all my clothes and now I am trying to figure out how to work a computer without a mouse. hehe...
Our last day in Madrid was fun and relaxing. I think most were quite ready to go home and I must admit that I was a bit jealous. It's weird to think that I may have said goodbye to Spain forever. But I am thankful for the time I had there. My three weeks with this group were definitely weeks of learning. I learned many things beyond the different cultural influences we observed. Things about myself, group dynamics, different cultures and people in general.
I'm now getting ready to further my journey through Europe with my good friend, Erica. She arrives to Amsterdam tomorrow and I'm hoping that that kicks in the rush of adrenaline and excitement. I'll be sending out emails when I can and pictures, too. I may or may not use this blog but I will let you know soon. Please be praying as we embark on this journey. Thanks!!!

gRaNadA

Violet, Leilani and Kaitlin enjoying some snacks.

Kaitlin playing around in the Arab market.

The girls smelling roses in the royal gardens of the Alahambra.

Leilani, Kaitlin and Violet trying to get a picture with Granada in the background.

Just one view of the Alahambra in Granada, Spain.

a quick update

look below at the pictures we've posted. we hope you enjoy! we're having so much fun and seeing so many sites it's been hard to keep you updated. please forgive the randomness but enjoy!!!

mAs fOtoS...

A couple of nights ago our professors surprised us with tickets to a flamenco show, a popular Spanish dance.

In Córdoba we decided to embark on a biking adventure. Behind us in this photo is the Mezquita.

Along the way we stopped and played. Here is Kaitlin climbing a wall. She's such a kid!

Monica admiring the soldier in the old Moorish castle wishing she too had a sword.

The professors posing with their water for a picture on the Seville Tour bus. Silly ladies....

Posing in the gardens of the Real Alcazar.

All the girlies in front of the fountain of la Plaza España.

Sitting in front of the Granada picture in la plaza España. =)

Walking in the rain on the city streets of Madrid. (Las profesoras y Violeta)

Posing for a picture outside an old Moorish castle in Segovia. Only the person taking the photo forgot to capture the castle in the picture. (Alisha, Monica, Violet and Leilani)

Visiting the Real Alcazar, an old Moorish palace in Seville with beautiful grounds.

Taking a break from our bike journey to pose on some old ruins. (Monica, Leilani, Violet and Kaitlin)

Pretty smiles for the camera. =)

Debbie and Monica standing in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compestela.

Leilani enjoying her Spanish dish--Paella.

Monica, Kaitlin and Violet posing next to the statues outside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compestela.

Alisha, Monica and Kaitlin posing for the camera.

The beautiful Cathedral of Segovia, Spain.

Some long awaited photos.....

Enjoying a nice boat ride on the river.

Some foxy ladies posing for the camera on the waterfront.

Porto from the view on the boat.

Our group with Ivonne, a missionary here in Portugal who has been so gracious as to open her home to us and serve as our guide in Porto.

Viki and her new man that she ran into on the street. Too bad he's planted and can't leave. :)

Just a view of the one of the many city's streets that we strolled down today.

Debbie patiently waiting on the waterfront for us to unboard the boat.

We were able to ride in a boat like this. Our guides really wanted to go to the wine cellar but since Fox's contract takes all the fun out of that we opted for a nice cruise along the river. Not that we would ever go wine tasting, anyway..... (wink, wink)

The Pena Palace in Sintra that we breezed through in an hour.

Most of us girls with one of the Popes. Can you guess which one???

Fatima-- a holy place that we were able to spend hours visiting.

Violet and her Portugese hostess, Maria. She's been teaching Violet lots of Portugese.

Riding in the most beautiful, luxurious van ever!