Unexpected joy

We had a relatively light schedule today so both teams walked about 10 minutes to Santa Teresa. The sun was bright and the air was crispy cold. I couldn't see my breath but it was close. It was one of those occasions that if you walked in the sun it felt real refreshing.
Everyone was talking about what they experienced the night before as they ventured out for dinner at 8:30. In Basque country they each lunch around 2PM, late afternoon is through 8pm and dinner is 9PM or later. I was too exhausted to even eat the night before. I went to bed, woke up about 2AM, about 4PM (the day before) for the Northwest and could not go back to sleep. I decided it was a good time to catch up on the blog.

There was some talk about the differences they encountered so far while being in Spain.

• you flush the toilet by pushing a button on top of the toilet
• some toilets have 2 buttons to flush
• some bathrooms have the toilet paper dispenser was outside the bathroom (one had to take their proper amount before entering)
• shopping carts have all four wheels swivel
• a whole lot more roundabouts on the roads
• narrow roads and fast drivers

Some unexpected joy cam while visiting the schools. At Santa Teresa Jon was walking and praying on the side walk leading to the school when we heard this call, "Jon!, Jon!". It was Mikel, a student who had stayed on Bainbridge last summer. Mikel, another student and Mikel's mother (the teacher) were excited to see him. Jon went to the classroom to help with the presentations. Syd Brown also knew a couple Basque students at the school and help with the presentations so he could spend time with them.

My team of people walked down to another school where we were going to be the next day. The students have a 30 minute break in the morning and we were going to see if we recognized anyone. Jane went inside the school to find the teacher she knows and was pleasantly surprised to have a person tapping on her shoulder - it was Sara Diez. She was in the USA two years ago. Bev and I had her over to our house to bake cookies one day. It was good to see her and to learn she was going to study medicine.

Marcy Schroder from the New Life Home Base met up her Basque daughter when she surprised her by coming to Olarain where we are staying. We all got to meet her. It was a good day.

Family and relationships are cherished. We seek to understand and know each of our students and family better.