Merry Christmas

     


                     from all of us to all of you!!

the Basilica in Alicante

Saturday evening, we decided to walk to the Basilica De Santa Maria. We weren't sure how late it stayed open, although it seemed as though many of the churches were open late into the evening for visits. We followed the narrow streets, getting somewhat distracted from our destination,  by all the interesting things to look at and take photographs. Just so much to see! We made it up the street and came around the corner to see the beautiful Basilica.

Gorgeous. Ornately gorgeous, as the sun was casting its glow and the shadows from the building across the street danced across the facade. We had only seconds to look at it as a fancy Land Rover turned the corner into the plaza and parked. A very handsome Spaniard in a suit with tails stepped out and walked over to a few people that were waiting in the plaza. Hugs and cheek kisses went all around just as a small car pulled up the narrow street and turned in front of us as into the plaza as well. Two of the men, including the handsome Spaniard immediately went over to the car and opened the back door.

Out stepped this beautiful woman in a blue dress wearing a mantilla . My heart actually started racing with excitement! We knew instantly it was a wedding and that we were in for a treat. People were arriving from both sides of the plaza. Cabs were pulling up and stopping to drop people off as others were walking up the same street we had just walked. And, it was a visual fashion show. I was discreet as I snapped some pictures...as were other bystanders such as us.

                                                                 She looked almost regal.

Most of the men had tails with their tuxes and many of the women wore hats.

It really was so special to see everyone dressed so nicely for a wedding.

Guests were gathering.

     Hugs and cheek kisses for everyone! We learned quickly, when meeting Leah's friends, that a cheek kiss to one side and then the other was the custom. Look at the guy in the middle with the long hair! It's ok that I can comment on his attractiveness...Chuck agreed... there were some beautiful people in Spain...men and women!

I zoomed in on the mother with the mantilla. So pretty!

The woman with the big hat in the doorway looked pretty stunning. The pheasant feathers on her hat were the best accessory. For other accessory lovers out there....notice the woman in the purple dress. A bit of turquoise accenting her hat to coordinate with her handbag. And, I'm sure you noticed the back view of the mantilla lace. Now you can understand my audible gasp when she exited the car!

Another pretty hat on the woman in the middle. And if you are keeping track...the groom is all the way over on the right.  Look at that handbag! This whole group is so coordinated!

                       I just had to add this photo, zoomed in. Notice all her accessories?

We decided to switch sides when there was a lull in the arrivals. We joined the group at the top of the stairs. Guests were really rushing to get there, I think they were a little late at this point. This is when I started to wonder if perhaps the bride was not inside where we would assume she would be. I was so hoping that we might be lucky enough to see her. There were a few young women dressed more conservatively in black. I could tell they were the wedding coordinators. I could also tell that they were starting to look a little concerned. They were hustling people inside and constantly looking at their watches. This could only mean one thing... bride?

This couple rushed up the stairs and she was wasting no time getting herself inside. The people at the restaurant right on the plaza had the best view of all. They were sipping wine while watching the extravaganza!

This was only older couple that we saw. If they were the grandparents, someone should have given them a car ride to the plaza!

This couple rushed up the stairs and were quickly escorted inside. I didn't get a picture of the back of her coat but it was lovely. A bow adorned the back. She was so classy with dress pants and that silk coat. I was trying to conserve my photo taking because during these last shots, my camera battery warning was blinking!!  Just as the wedding coordinators had everyone inside and the plaza was just filled with bystanders...we hear a booming voice from below. I don't know what he was saying, but he was shouting out in a singing voice and waving to people on the streets. I looked over the wall...

                                and saw the father-of-the-bride escorting her through the street!

Up the long stone steps they came. Both smiling and greeting all the people that were standing and watching. The crowd even started clapping!! Yep, I was smiling pretty big at this point!

I was struck by how simply beautiful she looked. It was not what I expected with the mother wearing the mantilla, I somehow thought perhaps she would have something similar. But this was just very princess bride-like. So pretty!

The back of her dress and her plaited hair. Gorgeous. I loved her flowers too. I also loved that her dad was speaking quietly to her as they walked by.

               They stopped in front of the doors for one last pause and to drop the back of her dress.
                               I can only imagine the picture the photographer got at this moment.

                                                       I love the quietness of this photo.

And then they slipped inside.

To my amazement, so did many of the people who were standing outside. The bystanders. So I walked over too. I thought, "when in Rome...do as the Romans." Sure, we were in Spain, but I figured it applied. Everyone was standing at the back. I stood at the doorway and I really felt a bit intrusive, so I held up my arm over the heads of those in front and snapped off a few photos. Two or three to be exact and then my camera died. The battery held up just long enough. The organs were playing beautifully and the priest was just coming to the alter where the bride and groom were kneeling.

Isn't that just gorgeous?!


Later in our trip, while visiting a cathedral in Barcelona, I was marveling at all its incredible beauty.  A woman that had been taking tickets for a tour was standing near me. I went over and asked her a question and then I asked if they ever held weddings. She said "oh yes, every weekend". Many each weekend in fact. She went on to explain how they drop the chandeliers and add flowers and how they light all the side sconces and add candles and flowers to the aisles. It all sounded so pretty. Then she told me I could come to one. She said they never close the churches, basilicas or cathedrals to the public. That explains why we were seeing people going in, occasionally, to the basilica in Alicante while the guests were arriving. I thought people were just being bold. We were not in Barcelona over the next weekend. Enjoying the arrival of this wedding was good enough for me. It was exciting to have just stumbled upon something so special.

Just married!

quote monday

                                               Take time to step away,
                                                         reflect,
                                                             recognize,
                                                                and appreciate
                            the beautiful life you have been blessed with.


I was thinking about this very thought last night as I was putting ornaments on our Christmas tree.  Each time I picked one up I held it in my hand and remembered who gave it to me or who took the time to make it by hand. We have a lot of ornaments that were made by hand. My favorite kind.  The most favorite, of course, are those the kids made in school. I can remember their smiling faces when they gifted them to us! I was thinking about how many years Chuck and I have set up a tree together and how all the ornaments were a reflection of so many people and experiences that have been a part of us.
Memories made by hand.

Happy Monday everyone!
~norma~

Photo taken in Barecelona Spain. A young woman was making giant bubbles with a handmade wand. Kids and adults were marveling and chasing the giant sized bubbles that grew and escaped up into the sky. It was a beautiful scene. 

Universidad de Alicante

We were able to take the bus to the campus on Saturday.

It's about a twenty minute ride from where Leah is living. It starts in the city center and goes through neighborhoods, businesses and out into the newer parts of the city.  I have a tour of photos here for you to see, but when I asked Leah (after loading them here to my blog) to remind me what the buildings were, she said she didn't know. I said, "but when we were there you were telling us what the buildings were and that is why I took pictures of them." She replied that she had been reading it off the signs and translating to English for us, but didn't really know all of the buildings. So, you get to see some of the campus, and the pretty grounds, but I won't be able too tell you much about the buildings. 

The university was founded in 1979 and was built on the grounds of a landing strip and old airport. Being Saturday, the campus was closed and we were not able to go into any of the buildings, but certainly enjoyed seeing the buildings and surrounding grounds.The school is largely a science and engineering university and if you click here you can read a little about the affiliate to NAU here in Arizona.

This first photo I pulled from the internet, as we were not able to get such a nice aerial view. 

This was the first image we saw as we walked up to the campus.

The large hand statue sits prominently on the campus grounds.

The buildings are certainly more 'modern' in comparison to the very old buildings in the city center where she lives and where we were staying. 

 They have several outdoor community area where during the week she says is a very popular place to socialize. Being a European country as it is, wine and beer are served during any given school day.

We were very struck by all the beautiful landscaping and foliage on campus. They take very good care of the campus and certainly have many types of trees and flowers that we have never seen before. Such as this, which Leah said she calls it a Dr. Suess tree. Yes, I would agree.

                                 But the flowers are beautiful. Some type of orchid tree I think.

       And another one. We saw these trees in other parts of the city and I just loved the flowers on them.

So pretty.

A building that cannot be identified now, but she did tell us that the fountains and shallow pools are very pretty when running.

The walkways and open areas are all vey lush with grass and trees.

And trees with flowers!

There are actually about five different Spanish languages in Spain. The two most prominent dialects in Alicante are Castilian and Catalan. Here, and on most of the signage on campus, those two spanish dialects are represented.

A pretty reflecting pond and sculpture.

Many of the sidewalks and walkways were brick or stone with trees growing over forming archways.

Another common area with the tables and umbrellas for outdoor dining, which is very popular throughout the city. These are great social gathering areas that Leah says are always full of students.

I was certainly surprised at how tropical Alicante is. Leah had told us after she arrived there that she felt it was a combination between Phoenix and California. I certainly saw what she meant with all the palm trees and the ocean!

Wouldn't it be nice if I knew what building this is? Oh well, it just gives everyone an idea of where Leah is and where she is studying and walking and enjoying every day.

This tree trunk caught my attention!

Ok, finally, I do remember that Leah actually has one of her classes in this building. Does anyone else see the seal under the tree? I didn't notice it the day we were there, only just now as I'm looking at this picture.

More interesting trees. Now, interestingly, it was October which is technically fall.There were some trees that were changing color and dropping their leaves.These trees didn't have a lot of leaves, but they were full of small berries.

The berries.

Of course some orange trees. The fresh orange juice served everywhere was just delicious.

Another pretty building and park-like area in front of it.

We spotted these up in a tree. Maybe some kind of date?

This I do remember. It was an International Building with flags representing all the countries that students come from on campus.

Another angle.

And another walkway that was just gorgeous. The bougainvillea that covered it was so beautiful.
                                                                      Oh, hi Leah!

Dad and Leah walking on ahead while I was snapping some photos.

 As a contrast to the beautiful full green foliage they had a full cactus garden as well.

And...they had a rock garden too!

So, for my rock loving science-teacher daughter, I took these photos for her!

It was actually neat that they had all the rocks identified.

I thought this view was interesting with the arching diagonal trees and the straight vertical tree and lamp post.

I was struck by the starkness of this white building against the green lawn and blue sky.

They left the structure of the old hanger buildings  and planted gardens throughout. A good juxtaposition of the lines of metal structure and the green plants.

We thought it was nice that they left part of the integrity and history of the air field on the campus. This is a main walkway through campus, not just an area to purposely visit.

So, on any weekday, these brick paths are filled with students taking off on their educational path.

We were happy and felt very glad to be able to visit Leah and see where she is going to school this semester. She doesn't let a day go by that she feels lucky and thankful to be learning in such a beautiful environment.

Buenos dias!