When Don and I first met, almost twenty years ago, we shared our individual travel experiences and future travel wishes. One of the things Don wanted to do was to travel to a Spanish speaking country to improve his Spanish (his mother's first language). I too wanted to learn Spanish and tried a few courses locally but it never quite worked out. We had the girls very early on in our marriage and while they both were airborne at a few months old, the travel wish to spend an extended time abroad doing language immersion was put on the back burner. Even though that wish was put on hold, we knew it was imperative the girls learn (and eventually be fluent in) Spanish.
We initially had high hopes for the girls acquiring a knowledge of Spanish through their elementary school but sadly, it was a pretty poor program. They learned virtually nada! Amara and Havana both expressed disappointment repeatedly over the years that the one lacking academic piece of their education was not learning Spanish. Once Amara hit high school, she signed up her language choice and Spanish quickly became one of her favorite classes. It did not surprise us that she excelled. We were thrilled she was getting real lessons, several hours a week consistently. But this did not seem to be enough. With Havana's promotion to high school, I knew it was time to accelerate the process.
The question was where. While Don had initially wanted to go to Central America, after discussion and research, Spain seemed a much better option. After years about hearing about Spain from Don and his family (and with both of us have Spanish roots), the place to send the girls to learn Spanish in Spain was decided. The girls would visit the country where there family came from (in part and on both sides), attend a summer immersion camp and we would have a great family adventure.
Don had been to Spain and other European locations on multiple occasion. Amara had spent eight days in London, But I had almost no experience on this continent and Havana had zilch. Don and I had a nine hour layover in London on our way to Ugandan in 2005, which allowed us to see a few sights after hopping on the tube. I also had a three day excursion to Greece, during a trip to Israel as a teen but other than that I had avoided Europe (I won't get into reasons for that during this post!) And Havana, well this would be a first for her. And even though Don had been to Spain several times, it had been decades since he last visited. So this would allow us to see things as a family with new/fresh eyes.
With decisions made, I did my research. I am glad my tendencies to plan ahead are strong. I signed the girls up last Fall, at the end of the strike but before all the issues with Nana came to a head. But I was unable to find flights or an Airbnb until I got her situated in a new and safe home. I felt a lot angst not being able to finalize the details until much closer to departure time than what normally feels comfortable. But, it all worked out. We got flights (tickets were a challenge for sure) and a great airbnb just outside of Valencia (where the school was), not on the beach, but with the Mediterranean within view from the balcony; the beach just a 3 minute walk around the block. We'd have just twenty-four hours in Madrid, to rest and refuel before taking the high speed train to our temporary home by the sea.
It's only been a few nights so far, jet lag has been rougher than usual (for all of us; the girls slept sixteen hours yesterday) but already, the sea air, not being in our home with all the chores and to do items callings; not being on a schedule (yet) has been good medicine. We did a trial bus run into the city, to time how long it would take to get to school. It was quick, relatively easy and we are excited the girls will eventually take public transport on their own. The girls could not pass up the chance to go to a Brandy Melville in Valencia. Poor Don, he had to put up with two teens who love shopping as we walked up and down the shopping district (but lucky him, they bought him a Brandy baseball cap for Father's Day!) but we got a chance to get out a bit.
Tomorrow starts the beginning of their 3 week, 30 hour course. We hope it will provide the instructions we are seeking as well as the opportunity to make new friends, see new things and open up hearts and minds, the way travel usually can.
Here are some random shots from out trip so far.
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