The Rock

I like to travel. My family likes to travel too. In fact, my slight obsession with running off to different places for a change of scenery and some fresh air more often than is probably normal has most likely stemmed from my family's equal love for seeing and experiencing new places. Fortunately for me, this means that when I spend months and months overseas in other countries, it's usually not too hard to convince my family to come visit me ;)

As I mentioned in my last blog, my dad and sister came during my last week at G42 to see a little of what my life is like here in Spain and to travel a bit with me once I finished the program. During the week, I was in class and didn't have too much time to travel far, but Shawna and my dad certainly enjoyed several day trips to places like Granada and Morocco.

Once classes and graduation were over however, we got a chance to take a trip to the famous Rock of Gibraltar all together before Shawna had to leave the next day. We set out early in the morning (much earlier than my own preferred start time... which might not really be considered morning anymore), and drove just a few hours away to the interesting lump of British land in the middle of the Mediterranean, only a few hundred meters from the shore of the Costa del Sol.

If you don't know much about Gibraltar, it's a highly envied piece of land due to its strategic military and defense position. Consequently, the Africans, Spaniards, British (and most likely another people group I can't remember) have fought over the Rock for years. Needless to say, the Brits won, and now there's an unquenchable rivalry between the land's rightful inhabitants and those who logically want the land to be part of their country.

Driving straight across the airport runway to enter the city!

Since Gibraltar is technically the UK, we expected it to have quite a British feel. It didn't. It felt just like Spain, except we were actually able to communicate with people (residents of Gibraltar grow up speaking both English and Spanish). I found it to be quite a curious country. For some reason I never quite felt settled while we were there, perhaps due to the mesh of cultures that never seemed to arrive at a defining conclusion but rather uncomfortably floated somewhere in the middle... or maybe due to the unique landscape of the country that enclosed the inhabitants onto the island with access by only a single road, which conveniently (please note sarcasm here) runs right through the country's one airport runway, thus closing five times a day, prohibiting entrance and exit from the country, to let the daily scheduled flights land and take off.

Whatever it was, it ensured a fascinating and entertaining trip. Because of wind, the cable cars that normally take visitors to the top of the rock were closed for the day. Instead, we found a company that offers complete tours of the island and hopped in a van for a slightly perilous journey up the steep and jagged cliffs of Gibraltar's rock.

At the windy top we saw three things. Our first stop was at St. Michael's Cave, an incredible cavern that granted us access to the inside of the Rock, allowing us to observe the intricacies of the earth's natural formation of such a magnificent landscape. The cave has been utilized for centuries, having been occupied by military forces and ammunition in previous times when war remained a constant threat to mainland Spain. Now, however, the cave is decorated with colorful lights and strobes that illuminate a unique setting for classical concerts and prestigious events like the Miss World competition. It's a bit musty and dank inside the cave, with drops of water dripping every so often onto the dark floor, but I must admit a concert there seems like a fabulous experience, and one would be more than fortunate to be able to attend such an event.

Our next destination was by far the most popular and definitely the most enjoyable part for our tour group an travel companions. Apparently when the British began to occupy Gibraltar, they also brought with them monkeys (or is it apes? Forgive me... I can never remember the difference), so now the country is well known for its abundance of curious and knivving little creatures roaming around the hills. Oftentimes, these monkeys end up wandering out of their habitats and into human territory, where they have no qualms in rummaging through your belongings in order to confiscate whatever they might want. In fact, it's well known among inhabitants and visitors that if you don't watch your things, they might get stolen... By a monkey!

Photographic proof of my dad always pushing the limits!! ;-)

We laughed at the thought of such thieving little animals until we realized the reality of the situation when my dad bought an ice cream cone. We can't say he wasn't warned, because the shop he purchased it in had more than a sufficient amount of signs warning visitors of aggressive monkeys. Being my dad, however, he thought it would be funny to test out the theory and see what the monkeys would actually do. Of course, the signs and shop owner were right, and the moment my dad stepped out of the shop with ice cream in hand, at least two monkeys sprung at him, aiming for the delicious treat. My dad managed to protect his ice cream (and himself) by hiding behind a gate for the next few minutes while he ate, but my sister wasn't so lucky.

Being the less risky one of the bunch, Shawna decided to wait until we got back in the van, safely away from the monkeys, before opening her Snickers bar. What she didn't consider though, was that she wouldn't finish it completely before we reached our next stop - the monkeys' habitat area. Without thinking much about it, I opened the car door and jumped out to be greeted by a swarm of monkeys all around me, including a crazy monkey that jumped down from on top of the van and onto my sister as she was getting out of the car!

Maybe the most epic picture ever. Caught by my dad seconds before the stealthy attack.

I have to admit, even though it startled me for a minute, it was a hilarious scene to watch. The monkey scrambled all over Shawna trying to snatch her last bite of Snickers. Not the least not concerned about the candy bar, she threw the rest of it on the ground in hopes that the monkey might go after it instead of her. Unfortunately the monkey wasn't too smart so he proudly snatched the Snickers wrapper out of Shawna's hand, only to be left in grave disappointment after finding it empty.

After our scintillating introduction to the monkeys, we each snapped a few pictures holding a monkey (or three in some cases) before loading back up in the van to head to the Great Siege Tunnels. The tunnels are actually man made pathways carved out inside the rock for the use of military advances and protection. Throughout the long, dark, windy tunnels were numerous caves and niches that had been created to store weapons and resources. There were also rooms used as offices, where the generals worked and called orders from. Every so often we'd come across an opening in the rock wall that allowed us to peer out to the sparkling sea and even the coast of Spain hundreds of feet below. We were informed that these openings were used both as windows to keep watch on the seas for intruders and also for slots to places guns and cannons to shoot anyone who tried to invade or attack. Considering the abundance of openings and the strategic placement of them on all sides of the rock, it's a wonder how anyone ever survived an invasion!

After our van tour was over, we sat down to eat at a cute little Italian restaurant back down at the bottom of the rock. Over the week that my family was in Spain, we ate out almost every single meal and discovered something quite clear about Spain: the food is just not that great. It's not only that I don't exactly prefer greasy tapas, seafood dishes, and the traditional Paella that Spaniards eat so often, but we also found that the quality of the food (at least in the restaurants we went to) was not very good. I realized by the end of the week that I actually preferred staying at home and eating whatever we cooked that night instead of going out because it was simply way better than what is served at the restaurants in our area.

All that being said, we finally sat down to a quality meal with excellent food and delicious flavors, served at the little Italian restaurant we ate at. Honestly I did not expect it to be more than a Sbarro or something of the sort, but it ended up being one of the best meals we had that whole week!

Stuffed to the brim from focaccia, pizza, salad, and calzones, we got back in the car to head home, but not without stopping in the ritzy Puerto Banus, a section of the high class city of Marbella where you can't find a shirt for under two hundred euros and any given car on the street most likely costs more than your entire house.

We quite enjoyed our brief little tour of the Costa del Sol and the unique country of Gibraltar, but unfortunately it was Shawna's last day before she had to head home to the U.S. I was very sad to see her go, but at least I still had some exciting adventures ahead planned with my dad as we continued our tour around southern Spain.

A Dream Fulfilled

 Some of the most defining and memorable moments in life happen in the most random and unexpected places. For me this was in Panera Bread a few years back. It was a sunny spring Sunday afternoon, and I had set up encampment at a corner table to eat a delicious lunch and spend a few hours studying. As I sat going over notes from class and listening to 311's Amber on repeat, a boisterous and lively group of about ten or twelve people walked in. They all seemed a few years older than me, in their twenties and thirties, and I watched them closely as they pulled some tables together next to me and gathered around to enjoy their Sunday afternoon meal.

I don't know what it was about this group that stood out so much to me. In fact, I still can't really pinpoint exactly what it was that enthralled me so much, but I must admit, I was captivated.

Just some pictures of our group at the beginning of Graduation night

They were nicely dressed, and I could have guessed that they had just come from church. Not only that, but they all seemed to be attractive and well-kept people. But I don't think it was their clothes or looks that intrigued me. I couldn't help but watch out of the corner of my eye and notice how lively this bunch was. The calm and peacefulness that had permeated the restaurant earlier in the morning while I sat in my lonely little corner was now invaded by joyful eruptions of laughter and an excitement and enthusiasm that victoriously dominated the atmosphere.

The Amber song I was listening to seemed to be the perfect score to accompany the scene that was set before me: good friends, enjoying a meal together, enjoying each others' company, laughing,

celebrating and cherishing life.

Playing a game at the dinner table. Guess who won that one! ;-)

My words lack in describing what I saw. But maybe it's not my words, maybe it was just as simple as that - a group of great friends that lived life together and ate together. What I can't explain though is how it affected me so much. For years, I have remembered this brief experience. I have pondered it, dreamt about it, and continually find it being brought back up in my mind at the most unexpected moments. Why such an impacting moment from such a simple encounter? I think something in my heart deeply yearned for what I witnessed that day. Somewhere deep inside me, I knew that this was what life was all about; it's what life was meant for, and everything in me wanted nothing more than to experience the vibrancy and abundance of having a thrilling loving, and exciting community to be a part of one day, just like the one that crossed my path.

I can say with incredible awe and amazement that that dream was finally fulfilled for me recently. And was it ever so unexpected!

All the G42 interns from October-December 2011

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We had our last week of classes, winding down our lessons and summing up all that we have learned. Many of us scheduled one on one dates to spend time together as our departures neared, on top of planning several group hang outs just for fun. We cleaned, packed, moved out, and all the while prepared for our graduation on Thursday afternoon. It's not a formal ceremony or anything, but simply a chance to get dressed up and celebrate together the change that had happened in each of our lives since we’ve been at G42 and to send off the graduates into the exciting future they have ahead of them. For my graduation I was fortunate enough to be able to have my dad and sister come visit Spain for a few days and participate in my community at G42 during our last week, as well as attend our graduation dinner.

We began the celebrations at Andrew's house for drinks and appetizers. As the sun was setting off the coast of the azul Mediterranean, we snapped some photos of everyone all dolled up in their shnazzy outfits and then relocated inside where it was warm and toasty. People grouped up and began their conversations. I walked around on my own for a bit, capturing some precious moments through my camera lens and feeling revitalized and joyful at the sight of so many of my good friends together, alongside my family, enjoying a beautiful Christmassy night.

December 2011 G42 Graduates!

After everyone was sufficiently full from the appetizers and snacks, we set out for the restaurant where we had a delicious three course dinner awaiting us. Upon walking into the restaurant, I encountered a large square table, beautifully set up for all 20-something of us. It was ironically reminiscent of the romantic Italian dinner table set up in Castagnola, Italy where I celebrated Christmas and several other holidays last year. We took our seats at the table, and the feast began.

Throughout the dinner, we talked, joked, told stories, and played games. We even had a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself, who looked strangely like one of our teachers at G42... ;-)

 

After the main course, we began the handing out of our "diplomas" and the delivery of the graduates' speeches, basically just sharing our heart about what we've experienced and learned in G42 and what we are now walking away with. I am not usually one to be shaky or apprehensive speaking in front of groups, but it took me a few minutes of nervously fumbling through words before I finally settled in the flow of what I was trying to communicate. I think that's what happens when you have something of great value (and great emotion) to share with people you greatly love and respect.

The atmosphere was glamorous and joyful, and filled with a peace that flowed freely between these wonderful people sitting around me.  As my eyes panned around the square table, my heart was warmed at the bright smiling faces of my laughing friends - faces wet with hot sticky tears of overwhelming laughter and sentiments for the special moments we were sharing from our hearts. In a moment, my heart was suddenly aware, and the revelation snuck up on me before I was even prepared to bear it.

This was it. This was the scene I had been dreaming about and hoping for for years... the same magical scene I had seen in those lively people in Panera that Sunday afternoon four years ago – A table of good friends, dressed to their finest and looking sharp as ever, laughing, eating, reminiscing, sharing their hearts,
 Living.

Another simple moment. A special occasion, to be sure, but nothing extraordinary besides a group of loving and joyful friends.

And yet my heart found fulfillment in that moment like it never has before.

 
To be sure, that night will long be a night that I cherish close to my heart for many years to come. One can never forget the feeling of a dream fulfilled.