Indulging in Italy

Happy 2012!  We were fortunate have Carl's parents, Bob and Ann, come visit us just after Christmas.  We took a wonderful trip to Italy, where we made three stops- Venice, Tuscany, and Rome.  Italy was even better than I imagined- so rich in history, beautiful landscape, friendly people and amazing food.  In Venice we toured St. Mark's Basilica, took a boat tour down the canal, experienced water taxis, window shopped the classy Italian stores and brought in the New Year with a bang in St. Mark's Square.  From Venice we took a lovely train ride through the countryside of Tuscany to where we stayed in the hill town of Cortona.  In Cortona we experienced Italian culture at its best, since it is off the well-traveled tourist path.  We took in beautiful panoramic views of the valleys of Tuscany, ate at family-established restaurants, sipped on cappuccinos and ate pastries for breakfast, sampled organic Italian wine and shopped for authentic Italian leather products.  And a highlight from our time in Cortona was taking Italian cooking classes with Ann in the intimate setting of an Italian lady's kitchen.  We learned to make delicious antipasta dishes, risotto and handmade ravioli.  We finished our meal with limonchelo (sweet liquor).  The Italians having a saying that when life gives you lemons, you make limonchelo.  The Italians, much like the Spanish, have mastered the art of taking the time to do nothing or simply enjoy life to the fullest.  From Cortona we took another train ride to reach our final destination in Rome.  Rome is a sight to see.  It is a bustling city that requires being a professional driver to navigate your way through.   It is stunning to see ancient ruins among this big city life.  Highlights of Rome include seeing the Colosseum, touring the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. 

We really enjoyed our time in Italy and with Bob and Ann visiting us in Spain.  We are off to a good start of the New Year and enjoying another round of company, with Jalen and Stephanie visiting from NM.

Best wishes for 2012

Click here for link to Italy album

Dicembre!

One thing about being far away from home this time of year is that it is easy to miss traditions with family and friends.  So we’re doing our best to create some new ones starting with our trip to Portugal for Thanksgiving.  We spent Thanksgiving soaking up sun on the golden beaches in southern Portugal with Rudy.  Highlights of the trip include the breath-taking walk along the cliffs where you can hear waves crashing, our Chinese feast on the beach as our Thanksgiving meal, almond crusted fish (Portugal special) and walking Rudy at sunrise on the beach.  Lowlights include our cheap hotel room that did not include a bed (really, just cushions on cement).  We are working on Christmas traditions.  We were very fortunate to get a REAL tree shipped from the US as part of the “Trees for Troops” program.  With our real tree we received hand-made ornaments from children in the US thanking us for our service and for being away from families.  The ornaments look great on our tree with our NM red chili lights.  We’ll be doing Christmas Eve service on base and share a NM dinner with the other pharmacist and his family on Christmas day.  We are truly blessed to have good friends and neighbors, especially this time of the year. 

Carl continues to enjoy work, especially the people he works with.  He shares a lot of responsibility with the other pharmacist, but has a great team to support him.  Between him and the other pharmacist someone is always on-call for the hospital.  He makes big decisions daily and shows great character doing so.  I am very proud of him.  And he is now qualified in shooting a rifle and 9-mm.  As for me, I find myself dabbling with various opportunities in areas that I can be helpful to the base community.  I will start volunteering with the OT on base in January.  I will also be working as a personal trainer for the gym on base, which currently has no trainers (part-time).  I will be coaching gymnastics classes on base, being very creative with the little gymnastics equipment and space available to me.  And I will continue to work with the varsity cheer team as their tumbling coach (they are really pretty good, ranked 1^st in their division). 

We wish you a joyous holiday season with loved-ones near you!

 click here for link to album

Our Casa Blanca

It's been about a month now that since we moved into our Spanish casa out in the community of Puerto de Santa Maria.  With an adventurous spirit we are learning to love our Spanish house for all that it is and all that it is not.  We are feeling more settled with each day.  It's more space than we need, with plenty of room for guests to stay with us.  Every room is white from wall to ceiling and the floors are a white-grey marble.  The highlights include a grassed yard for Rudy and large patio, a balcony from which you can catch a glimpse of the water, a six minute walk to the beach and nearby beach restaurants, as well as a bike and running path along the boardwalk.  Lowlights include too many small rooms and bathrooms with wasted space, European appliances, the entire kitchen, and I come up with more each day…We have great American neighbors that are always looking to have a good time and really good landlords who get things done (even though they speak little English).  Being out in the community is a great way to embrace the Spanish culture.  There are tons of cafes and shops in our community that we continue to learn about.  Rudy joins us for eating out at restaurants by the beach where many of the servers know him.  Rudy is a big hit around here and not just because of he is loud and bursting with energy, but because chocolate labs are very rare in Spain.  Most people in Spain have small dogs, and the labs that are here are only white or black.  Rudy thinks the beach is one big park for him to enjoy and chase birds.  And he will swim when the water is calm.  We have plans to visit Portugal for Thanksgiving and will post pictures. 
Our love, Aubrie and Carl (and Rudy boy)

 

Click here to view album

Monkeys in Gibraltar

This weekend we took a day trip to Gibraltar, which is actually a territory of the United Kingdom.  It was a short hour and a half drive from our house to get there and a beautifully sunny day.  We road in what they call a "cable car" up to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, where the monkeys live.  The cable car is similar to the tram in Albuquerque, only a shorter and less stable ride.  The monkeys were awesome!  Never have either of us seen anything like them.  They are easy to spot and more friendly than you'd like them to be.  Apparently they have become addicted to the sugar and salt in human snacks (could make for a great study) and this is why they attempt to steal bags from you hoping to find some yummy snacks.  They are playful and incredibly acrobatic to watch.

Click here for link to photo album

A happy ending...

Rudy has safely arrived to Spain, after a very long journey.  We are happy to say that he is in good spirits and resting up from his travels.  Later today he’ll get to play at the beach for the first time.  We met up with a vet in Madrid to pick him up from the airport cargo area.  After a very long and stressful wait, he was brought to us in his crate on a fork lift.  He freaked out with excitement the moment he saw us, and in that moment we knew he was right where he should be.  I call it resilience, while Carl calls it amnesia; but either way he is a trooper!

The Navy Ball

The Navy celebrates its birthday each year with an annual ball.  This year it was held at local "bodega" which means winery.  We met up with the other pharmacist and his wife for this fun event.  The evening included several speeches from highly ranked Spanish and US Navy officials, dancing, and of course wine! 

A trip to Granada and la Alhambra Castle

We took our first road trip in our Spanish car to visit the the city of Granada, Spain.  Granada is an old, beautiful city featuring an extensive Moorish castle known as Alhambra, which perches on a hilltop.  Granada is also the launching point for skiing the Spanish Sierra Nevadas.  And although we didn't check it out this trip, on a clear day you are suppose to be able to see Morocco from the mountain's summit, which is pretty cool.  Our highlights of Granada include tappa hopping and observing the free-spirited Gypsy population. 

Click here for link to view album