WOW! People told me El Escorial was going to be really nice but I had no idea just how nice it really is. It is SO nice that nice is probably the worst word to describe it! El Escorial is a little town about 50km out of Madrid, or a short one hour train ride. This town is pretty much known for the amazing monastery that is the resting place for all the Spanish royalty and dominates the skyline of the city. I went to El Escorial for a retreat with a group called Syncronations. What this group does is help Christian study abroad students meet up with Spaniards, helping set up intercambios (language exchanges) where both people can learn from each other and practice their speaking skills. At the same time, you, of course, share your life and minister to your new Spanish friends. They also provide a bi-weekly Bible/culture study of Spain and a place for some great fellowship. It is a fantastic organization that I am extremely excited about being a part of while I am in Spain. Plus, I can tell that God wanted me there for sure…after all, how common is it to meet the twin sister of a friend from high school that is from Harlingen, someone that goes to the same small school in Massachusetts and knows a friend from high school (*cough* Angie *cough*), and be with like a bajillion (or about 10) people that actually know where Harlingen and the Valley is? Yeah, you read that right. Apparently you have to leave the country to meet other people that know Harlingen or the Valley…
Ok enough chatter and more pictures! Well, this is the sweet view we had from our hotel.
Enough to make you really jealous for a bit isn’t it? It’s ok. I’m pretty sure I’d be extremely jealous if I was looking at your pictures right now. Before we got to go inside the actual monastery, we went on a hike up to the Silla de Felipe II. From atop a nearby mountain, Felipe II, who commissioned the building of this gorgeous place, watched the progress made on the construction. He had a good eye because look at what he was able to see…
Well, after the retreat was all done, a few of us went to check out the monastery. What a great move that was! Just look at what I found inside…
Sorry if the pictures are a bit blurry, but taking pictures without flash is tough! Hard to believe people lived with this sort of luxury. That last picture is just the ceiling decoration! But I have saved the best for last! When I saw this, my mouth seriously fell open and all I could say was wow…
This is another ceiling decoration but a painting of course. I could seriously just stare at the ceiling forever!!
Ok, well that’s all I got! This weekend I am off to London all by my lonesome so I am in for quite the adventure. I leave on Friday the 13th so as most of you know I’m pumped! Don’t freak out because that is, first of all, my lucky day and, secondly, the day you can find the cheapest tickets ever!! Flight for about 75 Euro and bed & breakfast for about 25 Pounds. Yeah, I’m a bargain hunter, I know. Hehe…Two and a half months before I see all of you lovely people again!!
2 comments:
wooow eso si que me impresiono de veras que ha de ser algo maravillosos estar alli presente y a todo color, ojala que tengas un buen tiempo en londres, y ya sabes lo que te digo siempre, mucho cuidado "y no hables con extanos, ya sabes mucho ojo chavo. I love you .
WOW! I'm totally, archirequeterequte jealous (none of your buddies from O - state will be able to read that). But you're proving to be an excellent photographer and quite the traveler. Have fun in London, take lots of pics and don't forget to buy something for your big sis (even if its just a postcard). Love you and listen to the advice mommy gave you, don't talk to strangers, y OJO, MUCHO OJO! love you.
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