Just Beginning "35"...

On Saturday August 28, 2010 Geri and I celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary.  I had to travel for work that weekend and was in Kyiv, Ukraine for the Temple Dedication.  I worked all day in the Temple clothing Store at the Temple site.  When I arrived home the next day, I found a note in the apartment that led me on a two day hunt in closets, books, pictures, etc. in an attempt to find my anniversary gift.  What a surprise when I did find it. Geri knows that I cannot live or breathe without putting on my watch first.  This watch is a real Treasure - but not as much as the one I found when I convinced her to marry me.  That is a treasure of infinite worth.  And she is right, 35 years is just the beginning. It has been wonderful but the best is yet to come. :)

Madrid, Spain

I arrived in Spain and took a taxi from the airport to the Church's Missionary

Training Center, where I would get the information needed to renew my Russian visa with the Russian Embassy.  The MTC processes hundreds of Missionaries so that is why they know how to get visas, thus my visit there.  The taxi drove thru the streets of Madrid until we turned a corner and I nearly shouted "there it is!"  The Temples are such a wonderful, comforting, familiar landmark.

I met Manuel, the Director of the MTC and had lunch with him and some of the Missionaries at the MTC.  I gathered the requred information and headed for the Russian Embassy. When I arrived, I was told to go accorss the street and get some more passport pictures.  The woman in the photo store only spoke Spanish and I only spoke English but somehow we were able to communicate. She was so friendly and helpful and kind.  I have found that no matter where we go in this great world, there are wonderful, beautiful people who like to help.  This was a great introduction to Madrid.  While I was waiting for the pictures to be processed, I sat outside on a bench on the walkway between the two streets.  As I was sitting there watching Spain go by, a man came walking by carrying this hind quarter of beef.  My first introduction to Spain.

I was able to go back to the Temple and spend more time there and do some Temple work. I always love the flowers at the Temples so this is one of the beauties at the Madrid Temple.

When I finished my work in the Temple, I met Garry Moore, the Temple President. I knew Garry from Church Headquarters in SLC.  He was kind enough to give me a tour of the inside of the Temple. When I finished, I went back to the MTC next door and went to the 6th floor where I took the next picture.  I was there, I asked the receptionist where I could find a restroom.  She gave me a puzzled look and said we only have the staff offices on this floor.  Let me check around. She hurried about going into several offices talking to some of the Teachers and some of the Missionaries.  After about 5 minutes she came back with one of the young Elders, and said: "This Elder said you could rest in his room!"  Now I understood what she thought I meant.  She was trying to find me a "rest room."  Then I remembered I was in Spanish speaking territory. I then asked for a "banjo" (not the guitar like instrument) and she laughed and led me down the hallway to the men's "banjo"

This is the Grand Via - one of the main streets in the busy city of Madrid.

The people at the MTC told me about this little restaurant in Madrid that has been operting since 1897 and they have been serving the same thing - hot chocolate and churros.  Other than a few other cake like things, that is all they serve.  Of course I was not going to pass this up.  It was in a tiny alley street and I went in and filled up.  The Hot Chocolate was very thick and dark and just right for dipping the churros.  This is a must visit for any trip to Madrid.

Below is the inside of the restaurant.  It's always packed with people dipping churros into the hot chocolate.  MMMMMM Yummmmy

This was the center of the city and a very happening place.  I listened to this very lively and entertaining band - they were extremely good.  Matt - maybe you could get a gig over here.

I traveled to Segovia which was a 2 hour train ride outside of Madrid.  The highlight of this city is the Aqauduct seen in the pictures below.  The Aquaduct is 500-600 years old and was made with granite blocks without any mortar.  There is a canal that runs along the top that carries water to other parts of the city.  Fascinating architecture and engineering.

Notice the arches that are held together without any mortar.  Ponder the significance of the "keystone" in the Arch. 

Below is an interesting castle on the outskirts of Segovia city.

Another day I traveled to another city outside of Madrid called Toledo.  I think this might be where the saying "Holy Toledo!" originated. Below is small train station on the way to the city and a view from the road leading up to the city.

This is a view of the city from across the river.  The roads are small and winding and just looking at the city you can maybe imagine why I got lost wandering around the small streets that are only wide enough for one car to pass.

There is a story about this nice "Grandpa" I met in a small shop in Toledo.  We had a great conversation and had something in common that was very important to us.  You can see some of his trades in the window on the right. Geri will be especially interested in learning about this kind man.

I passed this one of many stores in Toledo where they are famous for swords and knives.  Toledo is a very famous steel that is still used in making these swords and knives. A connoisseur of swords would recognize the Toledo brand of steel.  I thought of Matt when I passed this store.

Below are two of the many streets in Toledo.  I really did get lost in this maze when I was wandering around.  I felt like a mouse looking for cheese except I was looking for marzipan  - Toledo is also famous for marzipan - the grandkids are probably going to be able to taste it.  :)

This the lonely "Zombie Tourist" on Plaza Mayor, the main central plaza in Madrid.  The perimeter is surrounded with shops and restaurants and always something going on.

And what big city would be complete with a McDonald's and KFC???

Adios Madrid - hope to see you again!