Last Light

Last picture, sun setting, time to leave the mountain.

King's Canyon - Part 2

After we finished our hike, met the park ranger, and browsed the nature center for magnets and postcards, I managed to convince our group to head down to the Hume Lake for a few minutes. Convince, I say, because we had to time things perfectly to be down off the mountain before dark. None of us wanted to be going down unfamiliar mountain roads without guard rails or street lights at night. Scary! The lake was beautiful, though, and definitely worth it. Can't you see it in the happy faces?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

At first it seems like the tunnel is all that is, or ever will be. 

But if you look closely, there is more. There is a reality in the distance.

I just wonder if heaven is a little like that - a beautiful reality you see when you focus outside yourself and the physical reality around you. 

King's Canyon

After a night in the outskirts of LA (we didn't get to see the city due to a fender bender the evening we had allocated for tourism), we drove through the fertile San Joaquin Valley and up into the mountains, to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks. Kings indeed. Once the narrow windy road (with no guard rails I may add) broke through the clouds, we could see the immense trees towering over us. We had grabbed burritos and hamburgers at a roadside stand and sat outside without jackets, snow surrounding us, to eat lunch. Sometimes in February, the roads are closed to those without chains on the tire, but this year's lack of rain and snow left the roads and trails fairly clear. After lunch, we took a short hike to mingle with the ancient residents.

  

Ghost Town

(Disclaimer - these posts are still from February.)

The day we went to the abandoned mine town, Calico, I must have sabotaged my camera because all of my photos came out burnt by the light. I managed to salvage three.  

Our visit here was a stop off the highway en route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. It was pretty kitschy and small for a not so small fee, but it was interesting to see the remnants of an old mine and imagine what life might have been like there in another time. I'm sure it was not that much fun, full of work, heat, and booze.

Zion National Park

Last February, Isma's parents came to visit. With sub-sub-sub zero temperatures, we took them on a trip out west instead of showing them the charms of the coldest winter in 100 years in Indiana. Our first stop was Las Vegas, which I do not like, so there are no pictures. The hotel room, however, was phenomenal. We spent our first Vegas day on a road trip to Zion. Below are some shots I took while we were there. A few more images of our trip are here: http://arenzanaphotography.com/blog/2014/03/06/some-news/.

Isma was cold and not wanting to pose for my picture.

Amsterdam

Over Christmas break, Isma and I flew to the US for the holidays and to make the trip there lighter, we stopped off in Amsterdam for the night. A friend of Isma's, Vivianne, showed us around and kept us good company. The food is like traditional American food (liver, beets, chicken, cooked carrots, salad, apple sauce) and their cheese is good too! We got to see Anne Frank's house from the outside, since it was much too late in the evening to go inside and visit. We walked by the red light district as well, though it was a bit scary and saddened me to think of the women who work there, their broken spirits and used bodies. 

But leaving all of that aside, I'd say the one true characteristic of Amsterdam is the bikes. They are everywhere! There is even a two-story bike parking garage next to the central train station. There are many more bikes than cars, and perhaps almost as many bikes as people. It's no surprise though, as the city is so flat that biking is not as difficult as in Spain or other hilly places.

It seems like the city hasn't changed.

Beautiful lights and the shops by the canals.

Our Dutch friend Vivianne

The red-light district.

La India

This summer, the youth from the federation of churches to which my church belongs will be going to Chennai, India to participate in some ministries begun by the local church there. This weekend there was a youth conference here in Madrid and I got to be involved in the stand (along with many others from the youth group) at the conference to inform about the trip and the materials they are bringing for the school kids at the children's home. Here's what we sold:

Along with the clothes (they will use the money to buy the clothes in India), we put together bookpacks with school supplies to take, and raised money to buy chairs for the church as well. I wish I had a picture of the stand, but I was horrible at taking pictures this weekend. Overall, youth at the conference donated some 4,000 euros!

The conference was wonderful, though tiring. It's the first time I've gone to a camp/conference as one of the leaders of a youth group. Nothing like having to scold for sleeping during messages, go look for straggling youth, and take care of those that aren't feeling that great. On the other hand, it was great to see the steps they are taking in their faith...moving closer and closer every day to God. And now, since I think I've gotten about 5 hours of sleep for the last few days, I am going to turn the lights off, pull down the blinds, put the earplugs in, and say goodbye to the world for at least 10 hours. Good night!!

Weekend in Castellón

Back in September, Isma's family, plus two extra girls, went to Valencia for a weekend to bid farewell to summer at the beach. I suppose that those extra girls, myself and Laura, would more formerly be called girlfriends. We all had a great time...so much so that we didn't touch the camera at the beach. Ah, that explains the lack of photos! We were much too busy swimming, throwing each other in the air, burying each other in the sand, and visiting with their old friends.

For me the highlights were the "women" times in the kitchen with Elena and Laura, tasting Paco's sangria and eating cheese and toasted bread soaked with tomato and ham on top, visiting Regina's orange grove, sketching in the mornings and at the beach, playing padel, and playing in the waves.

Here's some pictures of the trip.

Castellón: Torre Nostra

Isma Comes Again

Actually, it's the same visit from August, but I wanted to post the pictures now, rather late. Notice: Isma had the camera most of the time. But I did sneak a few shots of him! Thanks Linda and Sonny for letting us stay at your house...we had a wonderful time!

Summer with Isma

Visit from Panama

Around the middle of August, I got the opportunity to spend a few days with my friend Arielle, who was in the country to visit family and go to a friend's wedding in Arkansas. Such fun! We went to the Cuban sandwich shop with Isma, wherein I embarrassed myself by failing to understand a word of Spanish (and how is it that I've lived in Spain two years??). Later, we played Bananagrams with Sandy and the rest of the girls and Isma took a look at their computer (qué majo, no?).

The pictures I have are from the weekend that Laurel and Arielle came up to the lake, the week before Isma came to visit. We beat ourselves up on the tubes, swam, played...of course...bananagrams, and generally had a good time. I've posted some pictures of us being lazy and of the awesome sunset that evening, if you follow the link below.

Arielle Visit

Best Weekend Ever

August 1, I took Isma to visit downtown Chicago. We walked up and down Michigan Avenue, visiting Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the John Hancock Center, the Water Tower, my favorite the Tribune building, and the Transformer's III set along the river. We were pretty excited about all of the foam destruction and overturned cars. The day wandered on pleasantly, even though we couldn't find a place to eat the salad and milk shake we both wanted. Strange cravings? Getting to wish the barista at the tea shop where we ate supper, "Happy Birthday!" met up for the lack of a cold chocolate milkshake.

At dusk we strolled down to the aquarium and planetarium to sit and look at the city skyline by night. The lights meandered down the coast for what seemed endless miles before disappearing into the fog and up to the skies on the tall buildings, which from so far away seemed to lose a little of their stature. After sitting and messing with the camera a bit, Isma suggested we stop playing and taking pictures. I wasn't too happy, but I supposed we could talk for a bit before heading back. Not his idea. He knelt, not paying attention to the concrete below, and asked me to marry him. If I would like to start going down a long road with him, referring to the longest highway in the US that goes through Chicago, starting that evening. I am so happy! (Yes, I said yes) It took me longer than my answer, though, to realize that he was still on his knees, on the cement stairs. Ouch.

I put a picture of the ring up for Grandmother and those female relatives of mine whom I'm sure would love to see it. If you're a guy...just ignore. :) We'll have to get it resized/replaced when I get back to Spain. If you wonder why, look at the picture of it on my finger! I really like it though, it is just like what I would have picked out. Plus, the guy is much much better.

chicagoland

Tomorrow I go to Chicago!! Isma flies in at 6 pm, and hopefully no one will mistake him for a terrorist or anything, and let him into the city. And so for the second time in a row I will be picking him up with one of my uncles (a different one this time) and taking him to a home not my own. Three things to be excited about, all at the same time. Isma is coming here, I'm spending the weekend in Chicago, and I get to see my cousins (cross fingers) and Aunt Linda and Uncle Sonny. That's like having your cake, eating it too, and then finding out that you won 1 million dollars. Perhaps not quite that dramatic, though. It's supposed to be hot, about 90 on Monday, so I hope we don't wilt! After making a few visits to people and walking through downtown, we'll be heading to Fort Wayne, and next weekend to Coldwater Lake before Isma has to leave.

Manyana voy a Chicago! Isma llega a las 6 de la tarde y con suerte nadie le confundira con un terrorista ni nada asi, dejandole entrar en la ciudad. Por la segunda vez (pues, es solo la segunda vez que Isma ha estado aqui con mi familia) voy a recogerle con uno de mis tios (uno diferente esta vez) y llevarle a una casa que no es mia. Tengo tres motivos por estar emocionada: viene Isma, voy a pasar el finde en Chicago y voy a ver a mis primos (espero) y Tia Linda y Tio Sonny. Es como tener todo lo que quieres y mas. Preveen que va a haber calor, como 33 el lunes, asi que espero que no marchitemos como flores! Despues de visitar algunas personas y andar por el centro, embarcamos para Fort Wayne y el fin de semana despues al lago Coldwater antes de que Isma tenga que irse.

Edinburgh

Friday:

Off to Edinburgh, or Ed-in-bur-ah as the locals say. Isma drove today and Ricardo rode in the back with me. We parked near the castle in Edinburgh and climbed the hill to the top to start the Royal Mile at the castle. It's spectacular from behind, cropping off of the rocky cliffs and overlooking the city below. We did some more souvenir shopping-not my favorite thing-and then settled in for lunch at Deacon's Tavern. Apparently Deacon was a respected cabinet maker by day an a thief, gambler, and visitor of brothels by night. When he planned a robbery on the Excise Office, the police set off after him, and he ended up hung on the very gallows he had designed the year before. It seems that his double life was inspiration for Stevenson's book, " The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." I ordered haggis, a dish of sheep innards. It was a risk, but tasted okay...though far from my favorite food. The boys ordered meat pies and fish. 

After lunch, we strolled down the Royal Mile, a main street of the old city, until the Holy Rood, stopping along the way to enter a church, the museum of childhood (built by a man who hated children), and to read various plaques. I drove Isma crazy reading the plaques...every single one there was. I just like to know everything!

Apart from the Royal Mile, we saw monuments dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, David Livingstone, and soldiers from WWI. This was our last night here. I'm sad to be leaving Scotland. The mornings waking up and eating breakfast with the others, beautiful views, and having someone dear to say good morning and good night to: that I will miss. On the other hand, I'm ready to get back to work because I'm well rested. Good vacation. 

Campbell Land

Thursday:

The sun came out today! Early risers get the worm-or a good breakfast before heading off to Argyll and Bute, Campbell territory. My dad's middle name is Campbell, his grandmother's last name. They're a relatively easy family to track down in Scotland's history, so that's why I was able to visit the lands of these ancestors. On the way to their castles, we did a quick detour in Glencoe, where the Campbells massacred the Macdonalds, one of their rival clans. The MacDonalds had delayed in giving their allegiance to the king, and so some officials took advantage of the Campbell's hatred for the MacDonald clan to punish the MacDonalds. The Campbells went to the MacDonalds' home, stayed several days there, and then at dawn a shot went off. Many died from gunshot wounds, more died from exposure in the snow covered mountains. It's one of the more shameful parts of our history.

Next, we stopped in a country church to take photos in the cementary. I believe I'd been driving the guys crazy wanting to visit a cementary to read the epitaphs and last names. This one was full of Campbells and MacDonalds.

After driving through barren land and spotting some deer, we arrived at Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, now in ruins, in a high spot partially surrounded by the lake and the other half by low wetlands. It was built by Colin Campbell, the same man who built a castle earlier in Inveraray our next stop. Inveraray is the seat of the Campbells, one of the most powerful clans in Scotland and still and powerful family. When we toured the new castle, the guide recognized my scarf and asked if I was a Campbell. Why, yes, at least partially, I happily replied. What history and stories the family has! I hope to be able to see where my family more specifically comes from, but I'm not sure I ever will because I'm sure to be occupied with other tasks.

After the castle visit, we went to jail. Isma had murdered someone (not his fault) and I'd stolen a pie. I'm not sure what Ricardo and Marcos had done; they didn't talk much about it. Just kidding. :) We actually went to the Inveraray Jail, a museum detailing the history of the jail system in Scotland. I highly recommend it. For supper, Scottish Pie with baked beans. Mmmmm. The darkness fell as we drove away from my ancestral lands, and I as usual, fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Wind and Blizzards

Monday:
Up at 7, breakfast together, then bundled up for the long drive to the Isle of Skye. In the first stop, I braved the frosty hill down to a pristine lake with dark slate shores to breathe in the crisp air. I'm glad I could convince the guys that it wasn't icy so that they'd come down too. The views here take my breath away.

Second stop was Eilean Donan Castle. The tide was out and black weeds frilled the gap between the still waters and the stone seawall. We entered the store, but not the castle. Isma got me a scarf with the Campbell tartan.

Then, up over the bridge to Skye. The highlights of the drizzly day were having a tea with a tart, hot chocolate and scones, a photo with a classic red phone booth, sheep crossing the highway, road works with the convoy system (interesting at first, a pain when repeated), a short muddy walk to a waterfall, braving the wind to see a huge waterfall off the side of a cliff in the Atlantic, and basking in the raw beauty and power of the island. The wind was cold and biting and it rained off and on throughout the day, but what else can you expect in northern Scotland at the end of March?

Tuesday
Today, Loch Ness and Inverness. We (fortunately) got to sleep in a bit because Loch Ness is so much closer than Skye. Outside was white, but the roads were clear as we headed out to find Nessie. The closer we got to the coast and inverness, the more the snow decreased and it started to rain. The only explanation I can think of has to do with the distance from the sea and change in altitude. Loch Ness must be beautiful,but it was awfully rainy to fully enjoy the scenery. We went through the museum "The Loch Ness Centre" and learned about Britain's largest lake, the legends, and what they think may have caused sightings and strange fish findings. Isma fulfilled his goal of buying a a kilt in Inverness. Handsome, I must say. Though I'm afraid it'll have to be just a costume in Spain.

Wednesday
Day of rest. Snow in the morning, continuing from the drive the night before, caused some roads to close and blizzards in the high hills. In the morning we tried to go to a distillery, but they were closed for tours. Instead, we bundled up and trekked into Newtonmore. Lunch there, carrot adn cilantro coup and grilled cheese, was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. In the afternoon we tried to go to the nursery tea shop again, but as can be expected, no luck. At least Isma got a picture with sheep! And lots with snow. Once home for good, I made a fire in the fireplace. Reminded me of when Dad and I used to make fires in the wood stove. And Colin too...except I don't know why I always erase you from my stories, Colin. Sorry!

Scotland Photos

I finally got the photos organized, labeled, and uploaded. There's still a lot, but I cut out at least half of them. Hope that you can see that, despite the cold wind and rain, we really enjoyed ourselves in beautiful Scotland!

Scotland 2010

Reindeer Brunch

Saturday:
Up before the crack of dawn. Isma's dad accompanied us to the airport at 4:45 am to drive the car back to their house. Bleary eyed and with bags on our backs and in hand, we waited in the long Easy Jet check-in line until both Ricardo and Isma's cousin Marcos joined us. First we flew to London, then caught a plane to Inverness, in the Highlands. The first flight was packed, and we all had to sit separately. Much more luck on the second. After landing in Inverness, it was a couple hours' drive on a windy highway bordered by green fields to Newtonmore. Green fields covered with rain.

Sunday:


Our guide

Wishing I had my snowboots. After a breakfast of toast, tea, and milk, the four of us set out to see the reindeer in the Cairngorms, a national park. In the Scottish language, "cairn" means "stony hill" and "gorm" means "blue / green." We rented some wellies (rainboots) to make the short muddy walk up the mountain to where the reindeer were grazing. I loved the trek: the black earth, the bright green grass that reminded me of snake grass, the purple heather, and the low hanging tree branches bejeweled with rain drops. The reindeer were enclosed in a fenced area that covered several mountains and valleys...enclosed but free. The guide brought the reindeer to us in a way that evoked images of the Pied Piper of Hamilton. We fed them grain by hand and they greedily ate, occasionally brushing up against us with their antlers. It surprised us all how small the reindeer were after imagining them bigger with Santa's sleigh. With antlers, they came up to my shoulder perhaps.




Loch An Eilein

After eating lunch at the cottage, we explored the area a bit more, stopping to walk around Loch An Eilein to see some castle ruins when the rain stoppped for a bit, and stopping by Ruthven Barracks on our way home. We tried to have tea at a much recommended nursery/tea and cake shop, but they closed at 5, like everything else. And we thought teatime started at 5. Apparently one must have tea at home.



Ruthven Barracks

by yon bonny banks and by yon bonny braes

Can you hear me now?? If you look in the glass door, you should see Isma's reflection as he takes the picture.

I'm back now from a week in Scotland. The four of us (Isma, Ricardo, Marcos, and myself) arrived in Madrid about 9:30pm and Isma and I were in house a little before 10:30. We had a little bit of all weather: rain, snow, blizzard, sleet, fog, sun, and wind. It's kind of like going to a weather buffet...you try a little of everything before deciding what you want. The only thing that didn't change was the temperature: the thermostat stuck on "cold." I kept a journal, so this coming week I'll leave a basic itinerary and upload the photos so you can see. I enjoyed the journey back to ancestral lands throughly: between the breathtaking landscape, the heavy white snow, crackling fires in the fireplace, and good travel companions, it was just wonderful.

SPRING BREAK!!

First day of spring break, and what have I done? Gone in to Madrid to teach for a few hours...by teaching I mean talking for 2 hours with a 13-year old in English about diseases, cars, and vacation plans. After I came back I ate some half-burnt pizza, some good fish from Angelita, shoved some things in my backpack, and headed with Tamy to Isma's house in Guadalajara. Not Guadalajara, Mexico. Tomorrow starts the good part: 4:45 AM departure to the airport, arriving in London for a layover and then to...



Yep, Scotland. The home of the Dad's family the Campbells (mmm...good soup) and Mom's family the Lindsays (who helped the Bruce and William Wallace). I'm so excited! Isma, his cousin Marcos, a friend Ricardo and I are going to be there from this Saturday until the following Saturday, staying in the town of Newtonmore. We're going to Inverness, Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Inveraray (home of Campbells), the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, and to visit some castles enroute most places. We'll try the food (which I've heard is bad), I'll soak in the wonderful accent, and try not to get too wet. I'll let you know more later!