Trip to Galicia

Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important holy ground for Christian. For many centuries, pilgrims walked all the way to Galicia to visit Santiago. The reason that the city became so important is that the grave of St. Jakob (in Spanish, Santiago) is found in this region in 9th century. Since then, many pilgrims from all over the Europe have visited Santiago in order to pray.



Santiago is academic, holy and rainy city.




The day I visited was also rain. The Plaza Obradoiro (Spanish) looked darker than I thought.




As I entered in the Cathedral, I found information of the history.
It is very old architecture built in 11th century.



In the middle, there is a golden statue of saint. People could walk up the narrow stairs and go behind the statue. Some parts of the statue was worn off due to the handprints of thousands of people.




It was very big cathedral. Even now in this age, people follow the same route which old pilgrims took from France. Now people can use car or other transportations, but truly loyal Christian still walk or use bike for sacred visit.




As I wrote last time, I'm never been religious person but these stories of loyal Christians continued many centuries impress me.

I personally believe in my internal god. But sometime I feel something warm from the statue, for example the photo above. Then I think, my inner god might look like this.

The day we visited Santiago was raining all day. It was the real aspect of the city which is known as "Rainy City".



Next day, as we drove back to Madrid, slowly sky has cleared up.






Medina del Campo where we stopped by was also very pretty. The collaboration of scenery and old architecture is beautiful.

As we left Galicia, the sky completely opened and real Spanish summer came back.

Even it was a very short visit over the weekend, I saw many different faces of Spain. I touched not only it's passion but also the deepness of the history.

Yuka's Cocktail

A Big Birthday and my Family

2nd visit of Spain was first experience of traveling with entire of my husband’s family. What plans this family is always jumbo scale. My mother-in-law celebrated her birthday in Romania for about two weeks. This time, all the family traveled to Spain to celebrate 30’s birthday of my sister-in-law, Fay. Normally, birthday with “0” has special meaning in Switzerland. People tend to celebrate it more than normal birthday.




First celebration was done exactly when the clock hits 12am on July 22. We were at the restaurant, dining around the big round table. We sung a song, 3 TIMES!! and then came big dessert arrangement with candle and message. The restaurant was very nice, organized by parents. We could overview the Atlantic Ocean in Laxe.

Satisfied by beautiful night, we slept next morning until almost 11am.



We woke up in Ponteceso by the knock from Ursula, my mother-in-law, telling us that we will sing a song once again. When we went into the room, another big Tiramis with a message was there, and beautiful flower arrangement by the window. Ursula and Juerg woke upon early in the morning in order to organize another special cake and flower decoration.




Ursula gently picked up flowers from the neighbor. It was as professional as normal flower shop. I could imagine it sold in the shop but what makes it different is that, warm wish of Ursula is included in this arrangement. I believe, she picked up every flower thinking of her daughter.



Fay, a birthday girl.



And everyone celebrate with a joy.



By seeing this photo, you could imagine the family very peachful and merry.
BUT!! This family is the most eccentric and aggresive family you could find in the world!

I experience 2 big fights only during 3 days. If I include small arguments or discussion, I don't know how many they were. Even before the birthday dinner, after checking out the hotel and leaving for Madrid, the family doesn't care about the situation. Everybody speak out until convince the other. (which never happens!)

3 children were raised up to state their own opinion. Even their opinion is against to that of parents, they are allowed to speak out.

I asked Juerg, my father-in-law if it's not too offensive for him. During the middle of fight, Juerg said "it's always practicing. The children might become a leader tomorrow".

This is exactly the opposite education I had. I was never allowed to stand against my parents. I learned how to obey, be patient and accept. It helped me a lot in Japanese society where I had to agree with whatever my boss says.

Here, in the family of my husband, nobody really has a boss. (ok, my sisters do) Juerg is artist, Ursula is doctor and my husband is self-employed. The ability they need is to make decision and not to obey. This does make sense.

I admire how they could be confident with their opinions. But same time, I think it's also nice if they could at least accept the other's opinion, even though they don't agree. This is my small opinion who is pacifist.





Family fight a lot but have fun a lot as well together. Even after lunch, we ordered some dessert and again sung:)
It continued until Sunday night. Juerg, Ursula and Aruischa (older sister)left to the another bar again to organize one last birthday cake for Fay.





And we talked until late.



It was such a densed days. Maybe the stregth of family gets stronger by fighting a lot and laughing a lot all together. At the airport, when we had to leave Madrid and Fay, we are all satisfied with trip and sad to say good bye.

Marriage is interesting. Me and my husband is already a family, only 2 people, but now I really feel that I'm also belong to the family of my husband. I'm grown up in typical nuclear family but I feel very warm when surronded by family of 5 people.
I don't know if I'll have 3 children but one thing I know "I like this family a lot!"
And I would never get bored with this family:)

Spain, second visit

Espana!! For me, second visit. First one was 3 years ago. I visited my friend in Balcelona and then spent 3 days in Madrid alone. I clearly remember how it’s like exploring the city all by myself. It was fun, but now I’m happy to be back in the city with my husband.

The reason of the visit is that the sister of my husband will have a birthday. She is now living in Madrid, already speaks very good Spanish. It is family’s event to celebrate for birthday.
After spent one night in Madrid, me and my husband and a birthday girl, Fay drove down to Galicia. It was about 6 hours ride.



Madrid, Saturday morning.



Leaving the city. Found modern monument!
Some points in the way to Galicia reminded me of California. There is some hills but when the land is flat and brown, it's like the I6 between Los Angeles and San Francisco.




Took a break twice and finally reach coast of Atlantic Ocean!

Fay arranged pretty pension, owned by a Spanish woman. Each room has designed differently. Our room has balcony and the bed was covered by white linen. Looks really southern European.





My husband forgot his swimming pants so we went to a shop to buy one. There was quite a variety of Swim pants and I was recommending some. Then suddenly, a shop staff showed him some other selections which is the last one he may choose. They are very short. Me and my friends often laugh at men who wear such a swim pants. Too tight and looks funny. But somehow he chose them, even bought two!! Of course it was not funny for me at all that he chose something which I hate. My mood for the trip drop down to the bottom.

Anyway, it is family’s event. I cannot be upset forever so I joined and went down to the beach. First time seeing the course of Atlantic Ocean!! It was much more beautiful than I thought! I haven’t seen sand beach for a long time and that made me even more excited. It was such a joy to run on the sand toward the see. Water is not warm but at least warmer than the Lake of Zürich where I always swim.



Above photo, there is a Godzilla in the middle of the ocean. (my father-in-law:)


I enjoyed how I float in salt water, the soft touch of sand and fresh breeze. It was perfect first experience of Atlantic ocean.

When I went back to the beach, my husband was there with ugly swimming pants which doesn’t look sexy at all. But I didn’t know this stupid pants will create one big art.....!

I doubted my eyes when I saw my father-in-law with his new swimming pants! Light blue and there is a big Taurus in the middle!!! The Taurus is insisting himself so strongly and drag everyone’s attention to this certain spot:) My father-in-law, whose nickname is Godzilla was very satisfied with his new pants.




So here is the photo of two crazy men who have exactly same legs. The title of this masterpiece is "No father, no son".