We went to El Rastro (the Sunday Market in Madrid) early a couple of Sundays ago! It was really interesting and there were so many antiques and collectables around.  If we had loads of money - and probably more importantly a place to put it all - then we could have bought a few things but we were very sensible!

We then went on around the southern area of central Madrid for a bit of a tour with Lucas.  The other girls are Isabel and Meg - both two Americans that were absolutely lovely to have spent time with and fingers cross we will see them again!
It was Meg's last day in the city.

We then went to Lucas' parents' house on the Saturday to watch the football - and Spain win again!  Lucas cooked a bit of food outside while Danielle and Isabel went for a swim!

On the Monday we headed off to the hills again - on the Madrid side - and we went walking for a few hours over.  Too much exercise!

It was Isabel's last day with us and it was a bit hard to really let her go! But she is  now off with some other tourists (mainly Oz and Yanks) to visit all the sights of Spain.

This pic was taken in Segovia - just on the other side of the hills north of Madrid.  It started out as a lovely warm day and then it turned nasty with a cool Lightening storm that kept me entertained for a hour or so!

This was taken as the wind had really picked up - one of the parasols was lifted right out of a café table and came flying down the street, tumbling as it went.  I quickly lept into action (mainly because everyone else just stood and watched as it headed closer and closer to some children and a woman with a pram) and I took a hold of it... then one of the staff from the café finally turned up as I was taking it down and therefore I left it to him.  Another day of service to the world....

Its been a while!

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Originally uploaded by DKDance.co.uk

In order to try and catch up on this blog I'll try and post a few pics to explain whats been happening!

This pic is a photo on our way into Toledo during our first Saturday between the Valdelavilla weeks - so it was some time ago now!
It was quite a pretty town - very old and with lots of different influences - but it was steep and too warm so we ended up sitting in the town square for ages (see the pic of me asleep! lol) waiting for the heat to ease a bit!

Valdelavilla Week 2

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Originally uploaded by DKDance.co.uk

This photo is from a much sunnier, and warmer, week in Valdelavilla!

It was a very different bunch of people but just as much fun as the previous week.

We again made quite a few new friends and have since spent quite a bit of time with both the Americans (Meg and Isabel) and also the FT Masters students - Lucas (the tour guide), Luis (the daddy) and Almu (the talker).

They have really made our extra week in Madrid worth while and helped us enjoy it - especially going off to Lucas' parent's house to watch Spain beat Portugal last night!

At present Danielle and I are working away in our hotel room trying to complete assignments and prepare lessons for next week as we will be starting a month of teaching English to 10-14 year olds in Uclés in Cuenca.... really not expecting the best of mobile reception or internet connect there either! doh!

Impro Skit

Impro Skit
Originally uploaded by DKDance.co.uk

This is from our second night at Valdelavilla - and the group of performers were a mix of Anglos (Native English speakers) and Spaniards.

It was extremely funny to watch at the time and we felt that it broke the ice for a lot of us as it allowed us to laugh at each other and ourselves - especially the Danielle and Colm 'Just Married' carry on!

Michael did a great job of playing Gregg and the phrase 'More Wine' will haunt my head for the rest of my life!

Glass Market in Madrid

glass market madrid
Originally uploaded by DKDance.co.uk

We actually went here before Valdelavilla but never had the time to upload the video footage!
It was very busy and lots of people were chomping on all the varieties of lovely food available.... and I don't think it was merely because it was cold and wet outside!

This place is just outside Plaza de Mayor.

Valdelavilla Week 1

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Originally uploaded by DKDance.co.uk

Here is a quick pic of everyone on week 1 - including the dog!

Such a great week will be hard to beat - though I know that the Yanks and Spaniards that are here this week are determined to beat them... don't really know that they can to be honest!

I'll wait and see if they prove me wrong!

A massive thank you to all of you and I hope to see as many of you as possible again - either in Belfast or here in Spain!

C