Spanish games.

During the summer, the World Sailing Championships were held here.  We participated in some activities, but mostly just enjoyed the constant sail boats in the Bay of Santander.

One day we ventured to the Jardins de Pereda and partook in traditional Spanish games with local kids and families.

School in Santander

We met a woman who was a teacher at a bilingual school and runs a little tourist company. She offered to take the guys to her school a few days a week.  In Spain, in September, kids go to school from 9am-12:30pm.  Colby and Willie are going less than that...  In October, Spanish kids will go until 2:30pm.  Currently, we see kids in large numbers playing after school either at the beach or in parks.  There is a surf school nearby and it appears to have an afterschool program.  We also saw what we think was an environmental ed program for teens on the beach as well.

Here are some pics of their school...their art teacher from Winchell, Kathy Murphy, would love the peace poster.

After - Colby

Gym, for both the school and the community

Cute smocks for preschoolers

Cafeteria...yes, that is glass-ish wear!  Kids pour their own water! How civilized!

The will also help with preschool and read in English to younger grades.

Reinosa

We visited a little town by train in south Cantabria called Reinosa.  It happened to be the Fiesta de San Mateo ( Festival of St. Matthew).  Sweet little festival featuring Cantabrain culture.  We enojyed some of the entertainment and a coffee, but soon hit the trail....our reason for travelling.

It was Jeffrey's birthday and he wanted to hike.  Reinosa is at the headwaters of the Ebro River and the base of part of the Picos de Europa.  While we didn't get right into the mountains, we did gain altitude and walked a long way with almost no complaining.

At any rate, it was a super lovely day and we all had a great time.

Train selfie

Traditional Cantabrian dress.

Cantina

trail

village

nice casa rural

Finally.

After a good week of homeschooling, 2 boys I know finally received hard earned skateboards and made a trip to the local skatepark. We've been schooling on the weekends too, whenever we can fit it in and it seems to work.

Coming soon, more pictures and some ideas for a new blog name....

Santander

We arrived on Monday, September 8, but bus...a long 10 hour bus ride!  Que mala suerte!  Actually, it wasn't that bad and everyone was comfortable and entertained.  We watched both Saving Mr. Banks and the Krudes in Spanish....

At any rate, we took a taxi from the bus station to our beautiful apartment. It is more lovely than the pictures on Rentalia led us to believe.  And the view is spectacular.

We are also a short walk to the beach, which looks like this.

Since we have been here for 6 days we have:

• found several cafes with wifi
• successfully navigated the local bus system
• found a gorgeous park right next to the apartment
• grocery shopped in an entirely Spanish Super Market, Mercadona
• begun homeschooling in earnest...that's a lot of fun! 
• swam in the Atlantic
• hired a Spanish tutor
• drank a lot of wine
• eaten a fair amount of Jamon
• made homemade Mac and Cheese
• read a lot

Santander is currently home to the Mundial de Vela, a world sailing championship and each day we see some 300 sail boats out racing.  Before it ends on September 21, we'll make it to the sailing center and try to get the gist of what is going on.  

At any rate, I have to go home now....a few more pictures.