Spain

Jeff and I returned from an incredible trip to Southern Spain last week. We went with my sister, Amy, and her husband, John. Amy served her mission in Málaga, Spain 15 years ago and had no problem speaking and understanding the Spanish people. We had a wonderful time touring and learning the history of Andalucía. The kids went on "vacation" to Jeff's parents' house and kept busy visiting the zoo, train museum, and neighborhood playground.

We arrived Saturday evening, rented a car, and stocked up on groceries for the week at the supermercado. Jamón: cured ham (hoof included). I had to try it, but it was thinly sliced like prosciutto and not as fresh as this :)We quickly learned how to navigate the highways and to cambio de sentido--literally, change our "feelings" by getting off the freeway and going the opposite direction in order to get to our destination.

Day 1--Cádiz, one of the oldest European cities, founded in the 8th century BC. This was the most important stop for Amy because she served six months of her mission here. Here she taught and baptized a young woman, Zulima, and later Zulima's parents and brothers joined the church and they were all sealed in the Swiss temple. We visited Zulima and her parents.It was really neat to meet people from Amy's mission.

We explored the old city and walked to La Caleta, an old fort which sits on the Atlantic Ocean.We walked along the Playa de la Caleta to the yellow-domed Cádiz Cathedral.The cathedral sits on a plaza lined with palm trees and is beautiful. Enjoying gelato outside the cathedral. Why does ice cream taste better in Europe?? We toured the inside of the cathedral and the crypt downstairs. Then we walked to the top of the Torre de Poniente (tower) and enjoyed spectacular views of the city.We walked around the narrow cobblestone streets of Cádiz and stopped for tapas--pescado frito and paella were a must.