Goodson’s Travel Photos

* NOT FOUND *A while back I wrote a piece describing Semana Santa and the parades that occur during Holy Week. We had the opportunity to attend the parade in Jerez, with what seemed like, the rest of Spain! The streets were packed. People were literally standing right next to each other- no personal space allowed so they could catch a glimpse of the floats as they were carried past. Sometimes it was hard to tell where the parade ended and the people began as they stood along the sides watching.

It truly was a sight to behold and unlike any that I have ever experienced before. It was hard to believe that these enormous floats were carried by men for hours at a time thru the winding streets. They started in the early afternoon and by the time the parade was over, it was in the early hours of the morning. They would switch out the men carrying the float every couple of hours as they went along the streets.

This will be a Spanish experience that we will not soon forget.

The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation can be found at www.realescuela.org

If you watch the introductory presentation, rather than hit entrar, (as that will take you to another web site), hit skip presentation (bottom right hand corner) and that will take you to the Foundations home page.

This is an incredible website that you can visit to check out all of the information about the School and Foundation. It offers virtual tours of the facilities and the grounds. You can also find out the history of this magnificent place. We had the opportunity to visit this Royal School, Carriage Museum, Museum of Equestrian Art , stables, tack room, as well as watch a training session of some of the horses. We could not take pictures within the arena and in the museums. (more…)

We have been trying to take advantage of every field trip, tour, outing- whatever you want to call it- so we can immerse ourselves in Spanish culture. Last week the boys and I went on a trip to Carrefour, located inside Jerez Norte-one of the local malls. We had a translator with us, Senor Clemente, and he informed us about the store and the local fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and wines. Carrefour is like the Super Walmart stores in America. We toured the “sites”- food and wine sections for about an hour and then we were able to spend about half an hour on our own for lunch before we had to get back on the bus with the rest of our group.

We, the boys and I, decided on a small sandwich shop in the mall to get our lunch… the line was too long and the glowing, golden arches of McDonald’s beckoned to us from down the hall. I headed towards the McDonald’s, euros in hand ready to purchase our lunch- then it occurred to me- how could I order? The entire menu was in Spanish. I turned around and Justin said, “I’ll handle it Mom.” He ordered our lunch for us-even asked to have his chicken sandwich prepared without mayo! I was shocked- he has been studying a Spanish book on his own as we have not started our Spanish classes yet.

So, the meaning behind all of this? We need to learn Spanish!!!!