week in review – Molly On the Move

Week {20} in review

March 18, 2014March 20, 2014 Molly On the Move

This past week has been brimming with sun, and I have been eating it up like chocolate. I have been positively glued to my Chacos, froyo, shorts, and the park. The Spanish do this odd thing where instead of dressing for the weather, they dress for the season. So even though it was sunny and 70 degrees outside, coats and scarves were everywhere, and my attire was met with choruses of “fresquitaaaaa!” (“chilly,” more or less). Because I care. Anyway, last week, I

Scandalized the teachers at my school by wearing Chacos in March. The temperature of my toes was of grave concern to everyone.
Cheered Escarabote on to second place at the Annual Boiro Primary School Smackdown (a.k.a. student foot race on the beach)
Witnessed a riot
Learned how to make gluten-free orejas (a typical Carnaval food) with a teacher from my school
Guided a couple of visiting auxiliar friends around Santiago

The "carrera" (race) — “Carrera” on the Boiro beachside

Destinations, Spain

Week {19} in review

March 10, 2014March 18, 2014 Molly On the Move

Parque Belvis, Santaigo de Compostela — Parque Belvis (Santiago de Compostela)

THE SUN IS OUT.

Are you as confused by that as I am? This week, Santiago’s rain decided to cash in its vacation days. I had no idea so many people lived in Santiago until I saw them overflowing from the terrazas outside every restaurant, café, and bar in sight. I scrambled for my sunglasses (that antiquated word for the things you need when there’s, like, sunlight), and celebrated with a picnic in Belvis Park. There were bare feet and strawberries and even tinto de verano with lemon slices. And to cap it all off, last weekend’s rain meant Pontevedra moved their carnival parade, so a few friends and I headed there to catch the festivities and some rays on the beach (pics to come). It was a total contrast to Santiago’s umbrella-clad affair. Fingers crossed the sun is here for keeps.

To Vitamin D!

Tinto de verano

Cathedral graffiti

Real flamenco dancers use umbrellas (Carnival parade, Santiago de Compostela)

Buds in the Alameda

Near Parque do Monte de Almáciga

Destinations, Ruminations, Spain

Weeks {16-18} in review

March 3, 2014March 18, 2014 Molly On the Move

I am in bed and suffering from some post-Carnaval stress to the system. My nose is dead to me. I may have just eaten spoiled yogurt but will never know because I can taste nothing. Dulling effects aside, Carnaval has been quite a grand affair. But let’s back up. In the past three weeks, I:

Royally ate pavement while running in the Alameda, much to the dismay of my hands, knees, and iPhone screen.
Got bullied by 5th graders
Inhaled a couple more rounds of pulpo
Attended an antique car show, lacking in all things MG
Saw Santander, a good friend, and the sun, all at the same time (yes, this is an achievement)
Celebrated a very merry Gal-entine’s Day with wine, strawberries/spoons dipped in chocolate, and…kombucha
Rang in Carnaval in a town that starts with an X
Got a new teaching gig
Ate pig face

So yes, things have been pretty busy around here. There’s a whole lot of visual that will make its way over here eventually.

Cheers my dears!

Retro Galicia (car show in Santiago de Compostela)

Destinations, Ruminations, Spain

Week {15} in review

February 9, 2014March 18, 2014 Molly On the Move

Playa de las Catedrales — A few blessed hours of sun at the Playa de Catedrales.

The perfect coffee spot to watch the rain: Hotel Costa Vella.

Rainbow — A half dozen “arco iris” (rainbow) sightings, including this one on my way to work.

A run up Monte Pedroso (…I use the word “run” loosely).

Churrasco y patatas with the English profe.

Oh yeah…and this.

All day, every day:

I took this screenshot with the idea that a forecast of 100% for all eternity would be a novelty. Well.

Casualties.

This week’s biggest news is that I am drowning. It’s been raining for FIFTY-TWO DAYS. Did you get that? Fifty-two. Every day, Galicia wakes up and grumbles, “Today is going to be a bad day,” pulls the clouds over its head, and proceeds to cry. It is just.inconsolable. In the past week, the wind has also joined the fun, pushing the rain (and me) in all directions.

I am tired of being cold and I am tired of being wet. But Galicia compensates for its weepiness with incredible natural beauty, and for now, that is enough!

Stay dry!

Destinations, Ruminations, Spain

Week {14} in review

January 31, 2014March 18, 2014 Molly On the Move

Humans of Santiago.

Parque de la Alameda, Santiago de Compostela.

“Risoterapia” (laughter therapy) with 2nd and 3rd graders.

A new café discovery: Pan e Chocolate, Santiago de Compostela. — New café discovery: Pan e Chocolate, Santiago de Compostela.

Don’t ask me where “Weeks 4-13” are…seek and ye will not find. We’re now running on 43 straight days of rain here in Galicia…not that I can complain from what I hear about the weather back home. But I’m pretty sure I’m not leaving my bed today.

Peace, love, and lluvia,