Not Marruecos, but Los Barruecos!!!

So, after my whirlwind Holy Week trip, I was ready for a break.  Especially after Wednesday when I did an 11 page Spanish-English translation in 6 hours about Dance and Ritual in the Iberoamerican Heritage – never seen the word “etnomusicología” so much in my life!  Debated going to Morocco for a while (in Spanish called Marruecos).  On one hand new country and continent, on the other hand way too exhausted, homework to do, a little travel weary, and wanted to stay in Cáceres – I’ve only stayed here like one weekend!  So took the opportunity to enjoy the GORGEOUS weather (Spring has finally sprung) staying here in my beloved Extremaduran town.  I’d heard a few times about Los Barruecos, this nature preserve near hear – popular place for storks and tourists, seeing the huge rocks as well as this modern art museum.  So, Friday I went to check it out!  Grabbed the €1 bus out of town and was in Malpartida de Cáceres before you could say cigüeña (Spanish word for stork, of which there is an excess in Los Barruecos).  It was indeed gorgeous – strange strange art at the Vostell museum, reservoirs around the dramatic endless boulder piles, herds of sheep wandering past with their shepherds, and miles of trails to enjoy in the hot afternoon sun.  Picnicked on top of a huge boulder overlooking the area, and returned to Cáceres after a successful and tiring day.  Saturday there was a tapas festival in the Plaza Mayor (which I had to check out of course! – like the State Fair except less fried things on sticks), before the BIG soccer game – Madrid vs. Barcelona.  Kind of like the mid-season super bowl.  All TV stations all day had pre-game coverage, and I went to watch it with some friends from choir.  Didn’t really gain any more knowledge of the game, but it was at least fun to experience it with people who get it.  For me, we were given hands and feet, so I just don’t understand why you can’t use them both in soccer!!!  Sunday was a great day – just a great day.  

I got invited to the “día de campo” with some people from choir.  Literally “field day” but translated picnic.  And where did we go?  Los Barruecos of course!  So, instead of going to Marruecos, I got to go to Los Barruecos – twice.  I could go every day and still find it beautiful.  I had SUCH an amazing time playing games, including the diabolo, unsuccessfully kicking around the soccer ball, playing “tennis,” Spanish playing cards (different than ours).  We ate lots of good food (way too much) like chicken, some egg dish, empanada pasty, and of course tortilla española!  That was a legitly planned picnic.  And 8 hours of speaking colloquial Spanish will always do you good.  This kind of thing is not something I really find time to do in the US, but that I will make a priority to do next year – so fun just to get away, be with people you enjoy, have fun and relax.  

As the sun set on my fantastic Spanish “día de campo” I was so thankful for the amazing opportunities and experiences I’m having here in Cáceres!!!  And a shockingly short time left here – 3 weeks and counting.  Yikes – here goes the Sprint to the Finish – got to make the most of my time!!!