Message to my children Cody, Shannon and Alex

As each of you are all very intelligent and conscientious students,you must know how very proud I am of your academic achievements,  I thought you might like to know that I have been very good about completing my homework on time, as well.  Always be a life long learner and you will go far.

Cody

Shannon

Alex

Cody, Shannon and Alex

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The Art of Living

In addition to all of the water sports and cultural events one can participate in here in La Herradura, there is also a vibrant and fluid music and art scene here.  You can find live music every night of the week.  Last night I attended a concert of classical and flamenco guitar players.  The musicians played their own guitars that they had made through an intensive one month course at Stephen Hill's guitar shop located in La Herradura.  Musicians come from all over the world to make guitars with Stephen Hill.  The concert was held in the castle of La Herradura.  There was a reception to follow at the castle.  

Many of the same people from the concert at the castle then participated in jam sessions with numerous guitar players, both classical and flamenco, as well as both male and female singers rotating their play time and joining with the others in the spontaneous creation of music for the audience at the Marina del Este.  You can never get bored in La Herradura if you just poke around.

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On line Lessons

Although I highly recommend the opportunity to attend the Spanish School of La Herradura in person I am aware that not everyones' schedules are so accommodating.  The good news is that options for utilizing an online platform are available through the Spanish School.  Visit the school's website to learn more about this option.  Additionally, one can also arrange to continue private lessons with your teacher after your departure through the use of skype, should you wish to continue your learning remotely.  Spanish Online

Scuba Diving as an immersion experience

Today I went scuba diving in the Mediterranean Sea.  It was only a 5 minute walk to the dive shop, Buceo Natura from the school.  We took a boat to the Cerro Gordo point and explored the underwater environment there. The experience of discovering new environments through total immersion where a different mode of communication is utilized - in scuba diving one uses hand signals of course - was parallel to my experience in La Herradura as an immersion student at the Spanish School of La Herradura.  My world view has been expanded both above and below the sea by being here.

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Cool Pics

Sustenance at El Copo

I have found that volumes can be communicated here with just a smile.  It's not so good for my language acquisition but wonderful for the soul.


I just want to say Muchas Gracias to all my Spanish friends at El Copo as well as to the friends I met along the way in passing through there.  Thank you Begonia for making sure I was fed and for being so patient with me in helping me practice my Spanish with you.  Thank you for directing me to unique places in your very special town, as well so that I could really immerse myself in La Herradura not just as a tourist but as a student of life and a traveler.  You made me feel very welcome here from the very first day.

Thank you Teresa for telling me about your daughter's flamenco class.  I did enjoy watching them learn this fascinating Spanish dance.  Thanks also Sebastian and Luis and little Begonia for your generosity of spirit and smiles of encouragement.

If you ever get to La Herradura you must go to El Copo.  You have to pass it to get to the Spanish School of La Herradura.  The food is fantastic and the good people you meet even better.

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Listening practice with the seniors of La Herradura

Listening Practice with the Seniors of La Herradura

I am finding Spain to be a country whose people honor the dead with tremendous respect and tribute.  Twice I have encountered seniors who wish to show me pictures of their deceased love ones.  One was a mother of a son who was killed tragically in a motorcycle accident four years ago leaving behind 2 young children.  She tells me that she visits his grave every day of the week and brings flowers on Saturday.  Another is my neighbor here in La Herradura who is still grieving the death of his wife as recently as one year ago.  I am reminded of how life is fleeting and one must make the most of every day.

I am finding that I am able to have these conversations with the Spanish people of this town as the Spanish School of La Herradura is giving me the communication tools to connect with people in this way.  It is challenging, however and my teacher, Amelia tells me that even she has difficulty understanding the way that the seniors talk here.  They speak rapidly and seem to mumble their words together.  She encourages me to continue with my efforts, however as it good practice for listening.   

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