santander

this weekend was just what we needed. We, natalie, tiffany, aubrea and I, went to Santander on a whim. We didn't know much about the place but it was MAGNIFICANT!!! we left on saturday morning and were able to have most of the day to explore. We stayed in a hostel that felt more like a cute little cottage. It was great location to town and transportation and had a very cute old couple running it. We unpacked and head out to the town. We ate lunch at a little cafe and then did one of the most memorable things ever!!!! we were able to use bikes, FOR FREE,and biked around almost the whole town, right along the beach. It was unreal. We took these paths that were seriously on the sand made out of wooden panels all the way up to this castle that looked over the ocean. It was beautiful. We passed a huge park and felt as though we were part of sound of music when they bike next to these beautiful trees and are singing. :) Soon we will have pictures to put up but just imagine feeling like your in a movie and then realizing, wait...this is real, IN SPAIN, with amazing friends!! WOW. on top of all of this, it was supposed to rain all weekend, but nope-we brought the sunshine up until the second we got on the bus home haha. Anyways, the biking was great and then we came back to the hostel, freshened up and found an outside dinner cafe. This worked out perfectly because after dinner all we had to do was walk next door for our choice of ice cream flavors Haha. We walked around town for a bit after and becuase it was halloween all the little kids were dressed up-it was precious. They don't do trick-or-treating quite yet but the costumes were pretty cool. All of a sudden we heard massive drums and people cheering, so of course we followed the crowd and it was somewhat of a mini parade of the human x10 sized dolls shaking and a shiming??? all down the streets with drummers in front of them. It was very cool to see. One of the things I have fallen in love with about Spain is that there is ALWAYS something go on to be part of but they never portray a feeling of busy busy busy but rather just casual fun. It is hard to explain but its just a relaxing eventful atmosphere and I LOVE IT!!! the next morning we slept in a bit because we don't have that opportunity any other time. We went on a walk and found some lunch and then decided to bike again. This time we took the bikes to the FREE ZOO!!! it was fun, we saw seals and penguins and lots of birds. The FREE ZOO was right next to the ocean so we also were rebels a bit and stepped over the fences to take some pictures. Don't worry, old spanish guys were doing the same thing but with their fishing polls haha. We then made it back in time to catch our bus and headed home just as the rain began to poor. We had a 30 minute stop in one of the pueblos on our way home and if it weren't for our umbrellas we would have been soaked, i know this becuase other people were haha. However, we made it home and slept safe and sound and today-monday, we have off of school because yesterday was a holiday-day of the saints. Today all the spaniards are with their families and go honor those in their families that have passed....at least so i have been told. This is just another example of how important family is here-it's amazing to see and I feel so blessed knowing that I have such a close family at home. I LOVE YOU MOM DAD KEITH AND KELL!!! !