Once again I participated in Ciclonudista, Madrid’s annual bike ride and protest. The intention is to increase visibility of cyclist and demand more facilities such as bike lanes and rack in the city center. And the nudity is symbolic of how exposed we feel to traffic. This year José joined me as well on his new little, slick folding bike. There are pictures for those brave enough (or foolish enough) to look.

This past weekend, the boys, Isabel (José’s sister), Carlos (Isabel’s beau) and I went to Frankfurt to visit José. I had, of course, been there before, but it was the first time for the four of them. It was cool and rainy but we still had a wonderful time. Mainly due to the company. Definitely not because of the city itself which is a bit boring at the best of times. Anyway, we took tons of pictures. Check them out.

Just posting a link to photos from José’s and my trip yesterday to the World Heritage city of Aranjuez. It’s a small city on the southern edge of Madrid province about a 50 minute commuter-train ride away. It’s famous for its royal palace and beautiful gardens. It was actually my second time there having gone with the boys 3 or 4 years ago. And I enjoyed it as much this time around. Expect for the heat. (Yesterday was unusually hot).

Here are the pictures from José’s birthday party which we had at home last Saturday. He was celebrating his 34th year. What a baby!

José, the kids and I spent a great week visiting with José’s family during Holy Week. First we spent a couple of days at his father’s in the foothills of northern Cáceres province and later we headed to the south. We stayed in the medieval town of Trujillo but spent most of the time at his sister’s in a nearby village. She was hosting the Trocolada, the 3rd annual gathering of all the cousin. A lot of Family!
But then again, last July I subjected José to my family’s annual reunion which dwarfed his.
Photos: Torremenga, Trocolada, Trujillo, Guadalupe

zipper boy

K is healing fine from his recent accident and surgery. He says he is walking around with a big zipper on on his shoulder what with the row of staples they put into him. I just wish they could do an operation on his attitude. Teenagers!

I finally got the pictures posted from José’s and My trip in March to the island of Fuerteventura in the Canaries. With all the craziness surrounded K’s accident, hospitalization and followup treatment, posting had fallen way down the priorities list.

As promised the birthday celebrating has continued all month. I followed up my party from a couple of weekends ago with a little getaway this past weekend. José and I met up in Palma on the island of Majorca in the Balearics. It wasn’t exactly tropical what with the horrid wind storms that hit all of Spain, but at least it was much warmer than Madrid.
Palma itself is quite nice and retain many things from its glory days as the capital of an independent kingdom. And though all of Majorca generally gets overshadowed by its little sister Ibiza, I would recommend it very highly.
Photos

Thanks to all of you who helped me celebrate my birthday (or rather birthmonth as I plan to celebrate all month). The gifts, emails, cards, calls and text messages were all appreciated. And especially to those who came out to the party at my house. We had 30 people eating drinking and dances, and I think an excellent time was had by all. Definitely by me. See the photographic proof.

 

opera snow man

Check out my photos from our latest snowfall in Madrid, something that doesn’t happen too often. This was only the third time in my 5 winters in Madrid. And like a kid I took advantage of my classes being canceled and went out to frolic in it.