Friday, June 26 - Graeber visit day #4

Friday Scott was able to take the day off.

The day started with early riser that day Devon eating breakfast in the kitchen while we tried to let Carla and Jim sleep a little bit longer.

Smiling Eliza came in to join us.

Scott also grabbed a quick bite to eat.

Then Scott and I headed over to the school for a parent/teacher conference with Rosa's Spanish teacher.  She had been a wonderful teacher.  In the 3 short months that Rosa had her, she had been an incredible educator and also great at providing Rosa the individual guidance needed.  She recognized Rosa's strengths and also helped provide Rosa with extra support for the Spanish subjects (language, math, and religion) so that Rosa could keep up with her classmates.  And Rosa did that and more.  At this school, Rosa was in 2nd grade (while in 1st in Denver) and the 2nd grade learned the multiplaction tables through 10 as well as 3-digit subtraction with borrowing numbers.  There was also a lot of science. Luckily for Rosa (and us) that was taught in English.  And much of the learning materials and answers were in cursive.  We lucked into finding this school and the school having room for the 3 kids.  What we also lucked into is finding out that the school is one of the top 10 in Spain and that the teachers, support staff, families, and students are wonderful!

It was a stop at our bank's ATM (nearby the school) and at Starbuck's before returning to the apartment.  Once there, Scott made pancakes and bacon for everyone and then it was off by bus to visit the Cathedral.  Jim, Owen, Rosa, and I headed to Iglesia del Salvador to buy tickets to the Cathedral and to avoid the lines at the Cathedral while the rest of the gang waited at the Cathedral.

Once inside, the 2 biggest highlights for our return visit were seeing Christopher Colombus' tomb and going up the 34 ramps to the bell tower.

Afterwards, we went into Iglesia del Salvador to see a paso (religious float).  

Lunch was at one of our favorite restaurants in Sevilla, Taberna El Panduro.  We walked by this restaurant everyday on our way to and from school and while we've only eaten here a few times, the waiter knows us and has always been fabulous with us.  We were also thrilled to get this great picture of all 9 of us together.  Gotta love Eliza's pose!

Then it was indoors for siesta time and shower time.  The girls got dolled up.  Carla did nails and I did hair for our lovely flamenca daughters.

Here's Eliza and Rosa in the courtyard ready to go out.

And Devon with his new fan.

Eliza and Cody.

Devon and mama.

Our first stop was to see a flamenco show.  We found one at an early hour (7:30pm) which was perfect for our crowd.  Plus, it was only 1 hour long.  Again, a plus.  We snuck the boys in by saying that they were 6, the youngest allowable age for viewers.  We saw the show at Casa de la Memoria.

The show was beautiful with talent:  guitar, singing, and dancing.  

We were only allowed to take pictures during the last 5 minutes.

And then it was off to dinner at El Rinconcillo, another favorite place of ours, and one introduced to us by our dear American friends.  Cody ordered anchovies.  He liked them, but not as much as he likes the ones at Eslava.

Two group shots in one day.

From dinner we went to the mushrooms (Las Setas) and walked along the rooftop just after sunset, admiring the view of the city below.  And then it was back to the apartment for some much needed sleep.  While most of us did that, Scott and Jim headed off to one of our local bars, Bar Rodriguez, for a drink.  While there, a garbage truck pulled up and one of the workers, in full uniform, came in and ordered 3 beers to go.  Then he returned to the truck (and to work) while he and his co-workers enjoyed their beers.  The last Scott and Jim saw of the truck was it pulling away and one worker hanging off the back enjoying his beer.  Gotta love Sevilla!