Madrid Spain

 Our Presidents Day adventure took us to Madrid Spain. A wonderful city with a friendly atmosphere.  My Spanish is no better than my French, but communication seem easier. We spent almost 4 days in a city that had KFC, BurgerKing, McDonald's and Starbucks. I heavily used the Starbucks where I ordered my American coffee and enjoyed every drop.
We did the usual tour of the city and spent time watching the street performers in the plazas. They had some things we had not seen like these levitated folks.

 

 

 

 

While we were there, protests were being held. Several times traffic was blocked by peaceful protesters walking in large groups. It seems they are unhappy about the austerity programs. My understanding is that there are many governmental cuts.

 

As with any trip to a 1st world county we frequent grocery stores and admire the pork selection. We found this store along the main walk between Isabella plaza and Puerta Del Sol.

 

We returned from Spain with 10+ pounds of hot dogs. The all American food right?



My Knight near shining armor

We also ventured into the county side to visit Avila and Segovia.  Both were fascinating towns with old churches, monasteries, and synagogues from early times. We visited a castle which sat high on a hill and the river had cut cliffs so it was only accessible one way.

Segovia also boasts of Roman aqueducts 16 km long and intact. It was impressive considering they were built in 77 AD with no mortar.





Attitude of Gratitude

It has been quite a while since I posted and in some ways much has happened, then again much is the same. Mostly I am grateful, we are grateful. We had the privilege of being in the United States for the holidays where we were surrounded by family and friends. There is nothing to be more grateful for than family and good friends. They are the backbone of your well being.

         While Christmas is full of commercialism, gimme-ism, have to have the latest, greatest, best-est of everything, I focused on what is important. Living overseas makes you appreciate how easy many Americans have it. While we laugh about our tales to find adequate toilet paper or transport pork to a porkless country, I can now recognize and respect what it's like not to have the simple things.
       
         Algerians have a currency that is only good in Algeria. Think about that. They cannot go online and order from an online company for the latest, greatest. Their money has no value outside the country and they do not have credit cards, no checks, cash only. If they want to travel they go to the airline, pay cash for their ticket, then they go to the black market and buy euros at some outrageous exchange rate. They have no alternative. 

         They focus on family and friends. They are grateful for the simplest acts to enhance there life.
Recent events in country bring to light how unstable this part of the world is. How much everything can change in on instant.

        Having an attitude of gratitude makes it easier. I am grateful for all the things it means to be an American, and I assure you it is not about the latest, greatest, best-est object, but family and friends.