R-E-S-P-E-C-T: What It Means To Spaniards

When visiting Spain, be sure to show respect to the locals. It is a courtesy highly regarded by the Spaniards and one of their strongest traits.

It is in no way to be trampled on. Respect for others and for oneself is a sign of strength. It is not courteous to abruptly pass an elder on the street. They tend to frown on that.

Even their pets are trained to obey the commands of their owners. It was common to see a dog or two waiting outside a restaurant or store waiting patiently for their master. The condition of being esteemed by others is a big part of the Hispanic culture.

Ordering lunch one day, our waiter told us that the meal we wanted had to be placed a day in advance. Gary, our tour guide, said, “Are you kidding me?!” The young waiter replied, “No sir. I would not disrespect you in any way or joke with you about that.” Gary had to make it clear that he did not think the waiter was being disrespectful, only that he was surprised by the time
required for ordering paella. I was taken aback by the seriousness this waiter had placed on what I thought was simple banter. “Gosh,” I thought. “It was not that big a deal.”

The demand for respect and intolerance of disrespect was made clear to me on several occasions. A group of us were waiting for a flamenco show to start at Casa Patas. We decided to stop at a bar for a drink. About eight of us were present. No one else was at this bar. The bartender began taking our order. One of the girls asked in English, "How much is it for a beer?" He looked at her, smiled and shrugged his shoulders. She repeated herself in English, only this time much slower and a bit louder, "HOW MUCH FOR A BEER?” He replied in
Spanish "More than a bottle of water and less than a mixed drink.”

“I'll have a beer,” she said, sounding annoyed.

Another girl asked in Spanish for a common American mixed drink. He was not familiar with it. He said, “If I went to your country and asked for a Spanish drink, would you be familiar with it? Obviously not. So what can I get you?"

My heart started pounding. I felt we had offended him in some way.

He walked out to fill our order. I followed him. "Hi," I said speaking in Spanish. “My name is Sonia. I am sorry if taking our order was a bit frustrating.” He replied “Hi. My name is Fernando. I am working here. All I ask is for a little respect. I would not disrespect you all in your country, and all I am asking is that you all don’t disrespect me in mine. Vale?” “Okay,” I said.

I walked back out to where my group was sitting just in time to hear someone say, "That bartender is a bit rude."

I was a bit confused. We walked into his bar, in his country, speaking our language. Yes, we are Americans, but we are in Spain. Maybe we could be more polite and courteous? We should attempt to speak their language. Even if we butcher it, it would be more polite than expecting them to speak English. I tried to blow the encounter off and enjoy the show.

We then traveled to Pamplona, where the famous running of the bulls festival is held each year. The bullring was closed. The bull entrance had barricades in front of it. Two young guys in our group decided it would be fun to jump the barriers and take a peak inside. They were chased out by a man on a forklift. No se puede,” (It is not allowed) he yelled in Spanish. “Those barriers are there for a reason.” The two young guys laughed and said, “Oh well! You are only in Spain once.”

One of the women in our group shouted, “Si, se puede.” and laughed. She continued shouting it and raising her hands, laughing the whole time. The phrase, coined by the Mexican-American civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, was the motto for the United Farm Workers. It has more recently become a rallying cry for immigrant rights activists in the United States. Ironically, we were the foreigners and we were breaking through the barriers.

At that moment, I was very embarrassed to be clustered with arrogant Americans who were shouting boastfully. Respect it is a big part of the Hispanic culture. Lack of respect, sadly, is a common trait for Americans touring another country.

Spain Experience

As long as you have air in your lungs, a beating heart and a dream, it is never too late to accomplish any goals. A study abroad experience does not compare to a regular classroom experience.

In a different setting, your perspective changes if you are keen on what to look for. Because of the intense challenges of making this trip possible, my mind was open and ready to experience as much as I could. I did not hesitate as I normally do to try something new. Whether it was a new food, a show or a simple visit to a museum, I wanted to try it.

I was able to fulfill my dream of studying away from home. I was also able to experience, first hand, the thrills I hope my children will take. I plan to encourage them to travel to states or countries for an opportunity to learn about other cultures, other governments and other people.

This has altered my view of the world in many ways. I learned more about who I am as a Hispanic woman living in the United States. I have gained more pride in my culture and my upbringing. My most favorite lesson, however, has to be the new perspective I have of the world. Days after we returned from Spain, I stood in front of a world map and it appeared smaller. Having traveled across the Atlantic shortened the distance of what once seemed worlds away. I now truly believe it is a small world after all.

The Yummy Food

The food in Spain is not like in Texas; that has been both a good thing and a bad thing.

I suppose the ships were overloaded with gold from the Americas that spices were not a top priority. Salt and pepper are not at every table. Instead, you find oil and vinegar. When I ask a waiter for pepper (looking for a hint of spicy) it has been brought to me in its original container. There are McDonald´s and Burger Kings in every city. I have not made it in yet. Today I craved a taste from home but was recommended to try Bodega SantaCruz in Seville. The taste combined with the atmosphere was delightful.

The restaurant I suppose was a fast food place. It was a bar with many small tables and only a few benches in the corners to sit on. Most people were standing. I walked up to bar, stood and watched for a few minutes. I like figuring out the process. There were two chalk boards with a list of specials to choose from. I ordered a pringa, a tortilla española and a beer. The pringa tasted like a grilled chopped bar-b-que sandwich but was half the size. A tortilla espanola is scrambled egg with potatoes in it. I´m already making plans to make this at home. The bartender wrote my order on the bar with a chalk. He brought me my food and totaled my bill. After I paid he wiped it off.

This was a great recommendation. I have been willing to try anything new. Kim has a travel guide with suggestions of restaurants to try in each city. Our stop in Bilboa directed us to Ojo-Rio Bar. Kim ordered white asparagus served with a glob of mayonnaise and delightful lamb stew. Richard had a fresh garden salad and bacalao (cod in a bubbling lemon sauce.) I enjoyed a tasty garbanzo and pork rib soup and a very rich simmered ox tail with veggies.

Our breakfast and dinner meals are included as part of our tour. Spaniards like eat jamon. I do to just not at every meal. I am not going to want eat type of cured meat for a long long time. I am looking forward to a piece of fresh grilled tenderly seasoned meat.

Friends in Spain

OK!! The days have been increbible here in Spain but I am ready to go home!

I miss my husband Ric, my boys Ricky, Josh, Peter and Andy. We have been in Spain for what seems like an eternity. The last few days are a blur. I understand why musicians find it difficult to remember dates and names of cities. I am glad I have taken so many pictures. I am on second 1 G memory card.

My roommate Kim has been wonderful. She is amazed at how quickly I get ready in the mornings. Not having to rush any boys to get dressed has cut my time in half. I have been trying to keep things organized but moving nearly every night to a different city has made it extremely difficult.

I have been blessed with an incredible new friend Richard. We share many interests. We are both the youngest child with a our closest sibling more than five years apart. A rule we established from the beginning was to speak as much Spanish while in Spain. I am sure he has tired of hearing stories about Ric and my boys. If he has he has been gracious enough not to show it and just listen.

Being in a group of so many people can obviously get overwhelming. Personalities clash and situations arise that can very easily cause tension. I am thankful for not being a girly girl and getting wrapped up in the drama. I live in a house full of males so I have learned to get over it and move on.

Thankfully Richard and Kim have been awesome. At lunch meals we have together each one of us orders a differnt dish and then enjoy a variety of flavors.

La Reconquista

La Reconquista lasted almost 800 years. It was a long process by which the Catholics conquered the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslim and Moorish of Al-Andalus. The Moors had their greatest influence in the cities of Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. The Alhambra and Generalife we toured in Granada were breathtaking. The architectural magnificence here is overwhelming. I sat in the garden thinking of my former employer and agreeing with his opinion “This was a creative civilization.”

The cities of Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada were highly influenced by the Moors. Evidence of the transitioning between the Moors and Christian is seen in the architectural design of churches. The Christians chose not to destroy such splendid works of art. They modified buildings to reflect a church instead of a mosque. Queen Isabella I and Ferdinand II were known as the Catholic Monarchs. Queen Isabella is a woman I greatly admire. She laid the foundation for the political unification of Spain. Together they oversaw the final stages of the Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula. Granada was the last stronghold for the Moors. The same year that Spain took control of the peninsula Queen Isabela authorized the expedition of Christopher Colombus. He became the first European to reach the New World.

I am currently sitting in an internet cafe across the street from the cathedral where apparently part of Christopher Colombus´s remains are. DNA tests have been done to confirm that was him. Although there was some debate about his remains also being in Santo Domingo. The remains here in Seville were brought from Havana, Cuba in 1902.

It is intresting to think what the world would be like had the Christians not taken over the Iberian Peninsula. Those of us in San Antonio may have been influence by a different religion.

Goya - Prado Musuem

Our visit to the Prado museum was breathtaking. I stood in front of artworks created by Goya, Velasquez and Rubens just to name a few. Their interpretation of stories I already knew were mind boggling. The story of the Virgin Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth is a great example. I had always envisioned two young pregnant mothers. One of the artists depicts Elizabeth as an elderly woman. Knowing the story I recognized the facts shown. Yes, Elizabeth was much older.

Standing in front of Goya´s The Third of May 1808: The Execution of the Defenders of Madrid gave me goosebumps. His ability to capture so much emotion using oil on canvas was incredible. Both the darkness and composure of the subjects create such drama. The men about to be shot express so many emotions. The men with both hands at their face hide the feeling they would rather not have. The eyebrows on the man with both hands upraised are like two question marks of the situation. We do not see any facial expressions from the soldiers only their backs. Perhaps Goya did not want us to see a soldier but rather a killing machine.

Goya painted many members of the Spanish royal family, including Charles IV and Ferdinand. His work ranged from festive tapestry to cartoons to scenes of war and corpes. This evolution reflects the dark change in his later years. Near the end of his life, he became reclusive and produced frightening and obscure paintings of insanity, madness, and fantasy. His contributions represent a beginning to the expressionist movement.

Barcelona- Gaudi Creations

You have to experience it! We toured two of the sights created by the artist Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi was a Spanish architect famous for his unique style. He belonged to a cultural movement led by highly individualistic intellectuals. These progressive thinkers aimed at updating their culture with arts and ideas by bringing Catalan up to date with the rest of Europe.

This is an experience I want to share with my husband Ric. Setting my eyes on this church was like peeking into heaven. The scaffolds seem to disappear as I stood in awe of this master piece. La Sagrada Familia is a Catholic church currently under construction. Gaudi worked on this for project for over forty years. He died before its completion. In the twentieth century some of the most talented artists have made a contribution to this endeavour. Most recently since the 1980´s computers have been introduced into the design and construction process. Parue Gruell was originally part of an unsuccessful housing project. Only two houses were built. The park is skilfully designed to bring peace and calmness.
Violinists, guitarists and artisans can be found adding performing and showcasing their talents. I tried taking picture of a violinist. As I made my way in front of him he turned his back to me. So enamoured by the sound and sights I did not realize what he was doing. I was chasing him like a dog trying to catch his tail. Someone in my group finally tapped me on the shoulder and said “He won’t let you take his picture.” Gosh! I thought I should remember the photo rules in this country. The music adds a fine touch to such a relaxing atmosphere. Benches and large beads are found along a pathway surrounding the home. The intention was to leisurely stroll around the passage while praying the rosary.

The architectural ingenious of Gaudi is remarkable. He is considered one of Spain’s, and the world’s most best and brightest.

San Sebastian - Adventures in a small town

About ten of us decided to venture out into the small town of Errenteria just outside San Sebastian. The walk was a great lesson for trusting strangers and relaxing a bit, not too much, just a tiny bit.


We head out of our hotel just before ten o´clock. There was still a little light out. We stopped at a gas station and asked for directions. The clerk behind the counter pointed us in the right direction. " Across the bridge, under the tunnel and to the right" he said. Everything is always to the right. We waited hesistantly in front of the tunnel wondering if it was too long. The headlights for a car lit up the short distance. I kept thinking ´all this for a just a drink. I have four boys. I don´t need to be out here.´ Obviously I was a bit terrified.


We enterred a residential area. I heard one of the locals say "They are not from here." One of the girls with us asked a man for directions. "Down alongside the river until you get to the main plaza." Being overly cautious, I was looking at everyone we passed by. I relaxed a bit when we walked by an elderly woman. It had to be safe. It was late at night and she was out alone. We came to fork in the road and did not know which way to take. The sweet older woman stopped and asked "Do you need help getting somewhere." I felt guilty telling her I wanted a beer. She reminded me of my mother and out of respect I do not like to drink in front of my mom. "We´re looking for a bar" I heard someone say. " Ah yes this way" she said.


"This is a small town. If you want a bigger party take a bus into San Sebastian. You´ll think of me when you get there because you will have a great time." She walked us just a block short of the main plaza. "Muchas gracias" we all chimed together.


We sat and enjoyed a couple of drinks. Heading back to the hotel was really dark. We crossed the tunnel using our digitial camera LED screens to light the way. We laughed and giggled all the way both caused by the drinks and the nerves of walking in an unknown neighborhood.

When we finally made it back to the gas station we had originally stopped in I popped my head in and thanked the clerk for the directions. He seemed pleased. This was an adventure we were all proud we had taken. Thanks to Richard none of us chickened out!

Valencia- The Gypsies

Valencia is a small quiet town with a big city problem. Our stop here was a delight with only a small smudge of crudeness.

It was a warm sunny day in Valencia. A nice change from the cold wet weather we had days before. There was not a cloud in the sky, only the celestial deep blue that can bring comfort and peace. This town is known for its paella, a rice and seafood dish prepared by simmering together chicken, seafood, rice, vegetables, saffron and other seasonings. It was delicous. Kim, my roommate, Richard, my travel partner, and Gary,our tour guide, sat on the terrace enjoying a tasty serving of paella followed by a second course of fish served in an orange-flavored sauce. After lunch we headed to the cathedral where the Holy Grail is said to be displayed.

On our walk to the church, Gary cautioned us about the gypsies walking on the opposite side of the street. I saw three teenaged girls walking upstream into the crowds of people. The young girls were dressed in t-shirt and blue jeans. The gypsies had dark skin and long dark black hair. They laughed and mocked people as they passed by. When we arrived at the church, their demeanor changed. The girls shrugged their shoulders, curled up and stuck their hands out asking for money. "I need money to buy food for my child" I heard one say. I found it interesting that they did not subtly change their behavior. It was as if they had clocked in to get to work.

Needless to say, we avoided them and walked in a different direction.

Barcelona - Conversations

Striking up a conversation with a stranger is like getting into a swimming pool.

For some, it customary to walk right up to the edge, dip one or two toes, check the water and slowly immerse their foot. Others would rather stay away from water and avoid it at all costs for fear of the unknown. I, however, am comfortable running to the water and jumping right in.

In the last few days, I met people from many countries: Germany, France, Portugal and Brazil, to name a few. Initially I hesitated for fear of incorrectly pronouncing a word or phrase. I find Europe to be a place where a smile and an "Hola" are all you need to engage in a conversation.

I met a nice man named Alfonz. "Are you from Indonesia," he asked? "No" I answered. "I´m from the USA." "Yes, but where are you from?" Did he not hear me, I thought. " I am from the United States," I said. "Yes, but where is your family from?" Alfonz asked. "Oh, Mexico," I responded. "Both my parents are from Mexico." "Very nice to meet you," he said. The conversation continued for a while. I shared how I was in love with Europe. As we ended our conversation, he instructed "Beso de dos lados" a kiss on both cheeks.

At dinner the following day, I overheard a conversation that helped me analyze the one with my French friend. "I had not tried macaroni and cheese until a year ago," said a teen aged girl. "There are American foods my mom rejects. She is Asian and not willing to embrace the American cuisine." Did I hear correctly? `She is Asian.´ The girl had not said "WE are Asian." My French friend assumed most people migrate to the United States as did my parents. Overhearing this young girl reminded me, yes I was born in America, but I don´t want to forget my Hispanic culture.

San Sebastian- The View From The Top

Oh! How I would like to bring my kids for a beach outing to San Sebastian and show them what I’ve seen. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder ,today my eyes overflowed from the scenery. The panoramic view of the bay was breathtaking.

Our guided tour given by Eduardo was educational and hilarious. He kept my interest by cracking a joke in every other sentence. “Shall I conduct this tour in Italian, French or German? Better yet, why don´t I just do it in Basque?” Basque is a language used by some inhabitants of Northern Spain.

San Sebastian has three beaches and the island of Santa Clara in the bay. Several people in our group braved the small ferry to explore the island. We found a flight of stairways that seemed to stretch all the way to heaven. Without hesitation, I took the first step. “I am not going up all those steps” I heard someone say. “I´ll wait for you all down here.” I continued up the stairs. About half way up I thought, “How much more do we have to go?” I was gasping for air. I took in such a deep breath. At that moment, the fragrance of the yellow mimosas filled my lungs. I knew the walk would be well worth it.

When we finally reached the top, my suspicions were confirmed. The view was incredible. Ironically enough, we found a ramp leading to the top.

As I stood admiring the scenery, I was reminded that the climb to the top is never easy. If it was, everyone would do it. Everyone can, but only those who choose to take the first step and complete the journey delight in the view.

Burgos - La Catedral Y La Españiola

Living so close to the Rio Grande has caused a division in my culture. Soy Americana. Both my parents are Mexican. I have never felt fully Mexican nor have I wanted to embrace the over indulging American way.


Traveling through Spain and learning about their traditions, history and culture has allowed me to learn about my roots. The magnificence of the Burgos cathedral is indescribable. Our travel guide, Carlotta was wonderful. She possessed an energetic personality and lead our our group through the grounds.



She communicated with us using not only her words but also her facial expressions and hand movements. "The construction of this cathedral spanned over five centuries" she said with a smile on her face. "There are several different types of architectural styles found here."She went on to explain the history both good and bad of her country. Carlotta directed our attention to the beautiful sculptures made of gold. "Much of the gold used to mold these figures came from the Americas. The Spaniards took from the land and brought it here. " With an apologetic look on her face she regretfully said, "I´m sorry for that."



Part of our sightseeing tour in Burgos included visiting the Cartuja de Miraflores. In this church lay the remains of Juan Carlos II and Queen Isabel de Portugal. They were the parents of Isabel I. Also is a shrine dedicated to Prince Alfonso, brother of Isabel I. He died when he was fourteen.

I asked our lovely tour guide if Alfonso had lived would he have been in line for the throne? I knew I had asked an interesting question when she dashed across the room, grabbed my forearm and said "NO! The king and queen had an older son named Juan. He had a daughter who would have been next in line to the throne. However, Prince Juan died but ruled his daughter an illegitimate child. He claimed she was not his own daughter but that of a noble man."



I loved the way she told the story. "It sounds like a family soap opera. Tell me more. I want to know all about it," I said. "I am very interested." "Well of course you are, " she said. "you are a descendant of Spaniards."

With that, I began embracing the culture, the Spanish culture. It is my culture.

Madrid: Plazas and Castles

If you ever have trouble sleeping, take a 15 hour connecting flight to another country, spend an hour at the airport waiting to claim your luggage, drive through a city taking snapshots at ten or so monuments and plazas and take a tour of a 2,800-room castle. By the time you get done, you will not have a difficult time sleeping.

On the first day we arrived, we hit the ground running. Well, it was more like plowing through a field churning up a huge load of information. Visiting plaza after plaza, the names were too many to remember. I am glad I snapped a picture of each plaque to keep track of what monument was dedicated to which honorees. The quick (well about one hour) sightseeing tour helped me get my bearings. I was able to recall the plazas we returned to later the next day.

After the plaza speed run, we stopped at the Palacio Real. The main staircase is a long flight of very wide low ascending steps. The purpose of the slow incline is to create a graceful ascension for the king and queen. Sixteen of the rooms are available for public view. The first few rooms were fascinating but towards the end the combination of jet lag and so many decorations began to seem gaudy. However my spirits were re energized when I walked into the throne room. The gold garnishing, beautiful crimson velvet wall coverings and rock crystal chandeliers left me in awe of the position of king and queen. The canopy above their seats is a symbol of authority. My spirit stirred with admiration.

Madrid: Bienveñido a España.

The combination of excitement and uncertainty overwhelm me when I arrive in a new country. The words “Toto, I have a feeling we are not in Kansas anymore” always come to mind.

Arriving at the airport in Madrid extremely increased those emotions. As I heard the landing gear come down, I bit my bottom lip. We had arrived in Europe. Peeking out the window, I read the names on the side of airplanes I had not seen before: Spainair, Icelandair, Saudi Arabian Airlines.

I wanted to run off the airplane and begin exploring this new land. With camera in hand I was ready to capture every bit of my trip. I asked my travel partner to snap a shot of me waiting in line by the Aduana sign. I still had a smile on my face, so I was ready. As soon as the flash went off a woman security official approached me. “Photos are not allowed at security points,” she said. “Please delete the picture.” Oops! I thought I must have missed that sign. I purchased a new camera for this trip, so it was taking me a while to find the delete function. The line was forming long behind me. The clerks at the desk directed travelers to proceed around me to the left. Finally, I found the delete button admired the photo for one second and said goodbye to my first picture in Madrid. “Please show me the rest of your photos,” the security official said. I only had a few pictures from the airplane ride. “Vale” (which I understood to mean OK) she said and walked away. I stepped up to the counter, where a handsome European man was smiling. I recognized his cologne. It was Curve by Liz Clairborne. His scent was familiar and comforting. “Was it a good picture?” he asked. “Yes,” I said “too bad I couldn’t keep it. I’ll be careful to obey the laws.” He chuckled and said “Bienvenido a España.”

The event was much more memorable than the picture would have been.

San Antonio: Medieval Spain

For three centuries the Visigoths ruled Spain. Yet the remnants of their legacy are minimized insubstantially to a rough-hewn country church, a few pieces of jewelry, an obscure law and a regal crown in a museum. The Visigoths did manage to erratically unify the country. This was Spain’s first attempt to unite as a nation. Building a capital on the meseta, a central plateau in the heart of the peninsula, was their greatest impact. Political power was shifted to this area. The more advanced coastal regions focused to the interior of the country for the first time.

This change did not radically transform the country. Ortega y Gasset, one of Spain’s foremost modern thinkers, blamed the nation’s problems on the Visigoths. He accused them of being weak barbarians who never achieved any unity or stability found elsewhere in Europe. Once again Spain was “different.”

The religious entanglement created in this region made it susceptible to more invasions. The Goths persecuted a large Jewish population that resided on the peninsula for centuries. This stirred a plot between the Jews and Moors. The Moors refer to a Muslim population that lived in North Africa known today as Algeria and Morocco. They succeeded after a second attempt to conquer the Iberian Peninsula. The Moors ruled Spain for almost eight hundred years. They planted new agricultural crops, such as the orange, lemon, peach, fig and pomegranate. Today, these are some of Spain’s most important products. The Moors also brought Arabian horses. These horses later developed into the Andalucían breed which were brought to the Americas.

San Antonio : A Trace of Spain

Several different civilizations have left their imprint on the country of Spain. One of the first groups to make a conquest here were the Iberians. Present day Spain and Portugal are located in the Iberian Peninsula whose name originated from these important people.

Iberians settled in hilltops that were easily defended. Iberians were feisty, devoted to horses, suspicious of strangers and respectful to their elders. Individualism was what an Iberian prized most. Least favored was organization. Spaniards throughout history have reflected these personality traits.

Historical debates have been started about the presence of Celtic people in middle Europe. They, much like the Iberians contributed a lot to the Spanish race. Today skepticism still exists about their time in Spain. The Greek historian Herodotus made reference to the Celtics specifically by the fifth century. The problem is in distinguishing indigenous remnants that predated invasions and the Celtic. The facts that support the Celtics introduced iron metallurgy, a short broad sword and the custom of wearing trousers.

While the Celts were taking over the north, the Phoenician traders were gaining a stronghold in the south. Phoenicians were a commercially oriented empire. The alphabet we use today is their greatest legacy. Phoenicia controlled Mediterranean commerce but never established a military power.

The Romans brought the best and the worst to Spain. They mercilessly destroyed their enemies and violence became the national sport. Yet, they also brought peace and culture to the Mediterranean area. The Romans built roads, bridges and aqueducts. The law prevailed. However, it was not an easy task. It took over two hundred years to conquer the Hispani people. The fact they the Hispani never learned to have a united front is what made this lengthy battle so amazing.

San Antonio - Woman: The Beauty Within

“If Mama ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy.”

I am a 33 year old Hispanic woman. I am a mother of four boys. I will be celebrating my twelfth anniversary in just three weeks. The youngest of six children, I will be the first one in my family to graduate from college. Yes, I am woman. Hear me roar!

The strength of a woman is found in the gift of having been created a woman. Unfortunately, the places she tries to find meaning in are sometimes not the right ones. Often times a woman looks to her mate to define her. We were created with emotions and intuitions that men many times can not even comprehend. A woman will sometimes seek her mother’s advice and follow in her footsteps. If this cookie cutter recipe worked, we would all still be stay-at-home moms, serving up hot meals and would not have a right to vote.

I live in a neighborhood with two of the kindest women I have ever met. Sadly for different reasons, our personal goals and dreams were pushed aside. Last summer during our daily walks around the neighborhood I began sharing my dream of returning to school. A flicker of hope sparked in their eyes that flared up in me the confidence to achieve my dreams. Since then one of them has also registered for school. I would love to meet and surround myself with women who are driven by a passion for life. There are many hidden treasures in the hearts of women like this.

A woman’s words and attitudes will usually be the setting for either a peaceful or disgruntled home. However, the challenge becomes finding the inner peace as a woman. We can buy the prettiest outfits, the most expensive jewelry, have our hair and nails done every week, but they are of no worth if we do not grasp the beauty within. Sometimes we just need a friend to help us find our way.

San Antonio: Once Upon A Time in Spain

I love a good fairy tale. My imagination can run rapidly wild with hopes and expectations. I tend to conceive aspiring stories quickly about locations, relationships and situations. Our group is one week away from traveling to a land far, far away from my home and my family.



From the moment I was told about this trip I was overwhelmed. My husband and I sat down for two days listing the pros and cons of me traveling to Spain for a summer course. My dream of traveling and studying far outweighed the extensive list of reasons why I should stay. With a home filled with four young boys, a full-time job and attending school full-time, taking a trip like this is not an easy arrangement. We began creating solutions that would make this trip possible.


Most of my family and friends supported my decision to go and the ones that did not, well, let’s just say they are not on the souvenir list. As I began sharing the news of my trip, I heard similar phrases of people who had traveled there before. “Spain is a magical place.” “Once you land you will feel like you are in a fantasy world.” I began to wonder if people were not confusing it with Disney World. I have researched the beautiful destinations full of history and rich in culture that we will be visiting. The Alhambra is a palace in Granada, Spain. I have stared at pictures in awe of the creativity and inspiration found at this place. I may have misconceived ideas of romance and grandeur but the mysticism of a castle and the enchantment of Europe overshadow rational thought. This trip for me began the moment I decided to make the journey to Spain. Perhaps I am most excited about visiting The Alhambra because it seems to tie in so well with my hope that dreams can come true when you just believe.