The Malaga Feria (Fair)

Every August in Malaga, they have a huge fair/Carnival. After our huge assembly last night we went to the much anticipated fair. Apparently, the fair gathers over a million people, including tourists in one week. The fair itself was essentially a huge carnival complete with two ferris wheels, tons of juegos mechanicos or rides, ice cream, churros, other food, stuff for the kids and classic games where people pay money to fail at some ridiculous tossing game to try win a cheap prize. The fair also had streets with small casitas with live music and people dancing and eating with families. There were also shops selling dresses, toys and other things. it was super crowded and we had to split up our huge group and Ashley and I went exploring.

The fun thing about the fair is the culture behind it. Like Octoberfest or Wurstfest, many people, especially children dressed up in traditional Spanish Flamenco clothes. Little boys are running around like mini-matadors and the girls have long earrings, ruffled dresses of all colors and tacones (heels). The fair can be too much of a party however and many people drink all day and all night. Also, you can't help but notice a large number of women dressed up like they are going to a club. Teto (host dad) said people hook up often during the vacation month of August. It was a bit sad to witness such desperateness.

We braved the crowed and walked around to see all of the rides. You would not believe the lack of security on some of these rides! Some kids would be standing up on a spinning ride wiu no seatbelts! One rocking pirate ships had two cages with kids just throw in, and countless others were just nauseating to look at! Ashley and I went for the more fame yet always impressive ferris wheel to see the whole fair and take pictures. We sat with some friendly malagenos.

We walked around and saw all of us pretty lights around until we got picked up at 1:30am, after sharing a chocolate dipped, cream filled churro!

fbt&<3

Sabrina

The Catholic Olympics

It's Saturday night, and for the first time we get to gather with all of the peregrinos (pilgrims) from all of the Days in the Diocese participants. We met up with our group and went to his huge concrete outdoor auditorium. We sat up near the top and the entire place was full of people literally from all over the world. We were waving flags, singing and chanting "USA". We met people from Amarillo, TX who sang Deep in the Heart of Texas and other English chants with us.

We had a normal sack dinner of a tuna bocadillo, a ham and cheese one, yogurt, water and a coke. We ran around a bit and met some Canadians and danced around with a conga line. There were groups from Argentina, Italy, Iraq, South Africa, Congo, Australia, France, Chile, Venezuelans, and more! We had about 6,000 people there! There was a mass like service with the Bishop of Malaga and countless other bishops and priests in 4-5 languages. Then a group from each continent sang a song. Canada represented Americas and sang a Matt Maher song (Our Father!) and Congo got us all on our feet with their rhythmic African Beats. Italy and Australia represented Europe and 'Oceana' respectively and Iraq did Asia. It was amazing to be shouting and dancing with people from all over the world, flags of every color, snapping pictures and asking questions. Everyone was so happy to be friends and we had a great time.

I have never been with so many people from literally all over the world before. And to think, this is probably only 2% of what Madrid is going to be like! It makes me excited. To know that there are this many young Catholics that are on fire for God is awe-inspiring. It just bewilders me that we all have this important thing in common, and that it unites us worldwide, no matter what language and culture boundaries may arise. Our host mother, Estelle, was sharing how she feels that we should be helping the poor and hungry. Even if you don't know that person in Africa, you should help them because they are a person too. It's amazing to reflect on that and remember our callings as Catholics.

Amazing.

fbt&<3

Sabrina

The Feast of the Midday meal

As you might know, the main meal in Spain is lunch which begins around 2 pm. Luckily, we got to come home today after a tour of other parishes to eat with our host family.

We got picked up by another Antonio (he jokingly called himself the taxi driver) and went back to meet Rosario and her baby daughter, Maria. We had nothing short of a small feast. We poured tall cool glasses of Tinto de Verano, and started off with salad, bread, cheeses and my love, gazpacho. After that we had some paella, Spanish tortilla, veggie quiche and empanada de Galicia. Spanish tortilla is usually eggs and potato and baked like a quiche. He empanada was a pastry filled win tomato sauce, tuna and other spices. Woo! Then Estelle fried up some chicken patties that were flavored with herbs, some sausages, and her favorite, morcillo -- blood sausage. We also tried little round pasties filled with something similar to coleslaw. Somehow we managed to finish the meal with a serving of watermelon and dewmelon. We were stuffed and enjoyed a nice siesta after that escapade! I know with all the waking we do we must burn it off.

Are you hungry now?

fbt&<3

Sabrina

I would walk 500 miles...

It's 11:30 pm and the night is young. We are sitting at a very fancy park by the water waiting to watch the midnight firework show that celebrates the beginning of the Malaga Fair. We are very tired from our first full day in Spain. He pedometer reads almost 9 miles today. I guess it's pretty accurate.

After lunch at at small park we went on a number of tours all around town. First we went to the Malaga Cathedral. It was huge! So breathtaking. I heard that we get 3 special graces for visiting a new church, so I was happy to pray for 3 intentions. We then took a loooong walk to the Alcala, and old Moorish fort/castle. It was a great place to see the entire city and take great pictures. We then went to see Picasso's home where he was born! It was small and we saw some o this work and childhood photos. We spent some free time walking around Malaga and had some vino tinto de verano (red wine with Sprite or Fanta). We gathered up, and sang our way to this huge park by the pier. Ashley and a new friend, Elizabeth and I had tla wild goose chase to find a bathroom. 25 minutes and over a mile later, we found relief in an overcrowded McDonald's. Now we wait for the fireworks.

My reflections lately have been as follows:

Trusting God can be tough. Right now, we don't have copies of the schedule, and we don't really know what to expect or what we're doing. It can be really frustrating! However, I do know that I will be fed (very well), I have plenty to do, and that I'm taken care of. I have no work, few chores and little to worry about. I just get to enjoy life and hang on for the ride. If only I can master this! Since God has it all in control, I have nothing to worry about. I hope to be able to figure out how to master this worry-free lifestyle and bring it back to apply it to my life. It doesn't take much to realize that his stress and worry-free life is much better when we give God the reins and let Him take charge.

I also have witnessed tons of hospitality with my host family. They are so kind, generous and welcoming. I am glad to be getting to know them. They met when they were 15 at a church group in Malaga and were friends for years before they got together. It is super cute to see them together, and while they said there was no initial spark, they are obviously that much in love. It just reminds me how much love and trust is in the world. You just have to look. They are so kind and accommodating. I know that their children are witnessing their service and will learn a lot from them. It's a really neat situation.

It's almost firework time! Tomorrow we get to go to the fair, and Sunday we get to go to the beach! It's going to be amazing!!! I would like to say that I miss home, but I'm enjoying it so much over here. I miss the people though. Thinking of you!

fbt&<3

Sabrina

Austin Texas Girls Road Show

Good morning and afternoon from Malaga. We are beginning the day with mass at Santa Ana and doing some icebreaker activities with pilgrims from Malaga, Argentina, and a handful from Ecuador. Each place introduced themselves and shared a video and some information about their groups. We didn't have anything prepared, so we sang Deep in the Heart of Texas, Lord I Lift Your Name On High and Every Move I Make. Everyone got such a kick out of our cowboy hats! We got assaulted by paparazzi. I think 30 people took our pictures with the Texas flag, plus many people wanted pictures with us or with our hats. We were glad we decided to bring them his morning!

We slept very well last night and tried to nurse our extremely swollen ankles. (cankles) Breakfast was superb. Bread with butter and jelly, or olive oil and more jamon Serrano. We also tried this pork fat spread, which reminded me of chorizo grease. (fatty and so good) I had espresso with milk and learned that in Malaga they have different names for various amounts of milk to espresso. In other parts of Spain you just get cafe con leche. In Malaga, you can specify and the barista will know!

Back to now, we are listening to music by a group of Malagenos. It's great to such culture. We saw a classic north Argentinean dance, and clapped along. We are hoping to show off our two-stepping and line dancing later.

So hungry for lunch! Our host momma set us up with lunch and dinner to go in our knapsacks. Lunch is salad and friend chicken pieces, fruit and crackers. Dinner is a number of things including 2 bocadillos (sandwiches), yogurt, cookies, and other snacks. It's a small feast.

We're going to the center of the city today to see the sights, and more of the area. At nigth we'll see the huge firework show for the kickoff of the fair at midnight. They love to stay up late!

Until next time,

fbt&<3

Sabrina

A dip in the Mediterranean

Hello from Malaga, Spain! We finished off our grueling travel schedule with a 6 hour bus ride from Madrid to Malaga. We stopped halfway at this cafeteria place to eat lunch. I paid ten euro for their meal deal which was a salad, (typical spanish mix of iceberg lettuce, tuna, boiled egg, tomato, corn and carrots) fish with mixed veggies and rice pudding. I'm not eating a lot of bread here...

When we got to Malaga around 7 pm we were matched up with our host families over chips, soda and beer. Ashley and I went him with Estelle and her precious 3 boys, Angel, Lucas and Guillermo. Angel is 9 and likes basketball, geography and cheese pizza. Lucas is feeling sick so he's pretty quiet. Guillermo is just adorable with his baby blue framed glasses. He reminds me of Ralphie. Their home is small but super cute. We felt so welcomed! They have our blow up beds in this laundry room with huge windows and a cool breeze. It's beautiful.

We went to mass at 9 pm with the other half of the group and then came back to have a breathtaking dinner on their outdoor terrace with Teto, her husband. We had vino tinto de verano (red wine and lime or fruit soda) along with fresh Manchego like cheeses (local), jamon serrano, chorizo and other dry hams, salad with eggs, cheese and nuts, bread, and tomatoes and onions with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and guacamole. Dessert was insisted, and we had Greek yogurt with chocolate chips and walnut ice cream. After that we took a late walk at midnight with Estelle and Angel to the beach and we dipped into the Mediterranean sea! What a first day.

I think the most impressive thing is the hospitality we have felt from he beginning. Also, we have a lot of trust to just ge into a car of a stranger and go stay with them. It's a big step to take to just keep the faith and see the Good in people. Big day tomorrow!

God is so good to us!

fbt&<3

Sabrina

A Texan in Madrid

We made it! We landed around 8:00 am after a nice long slightly sleepless flight. Ashley and I got a few hours in here and there between being woken up by being uncomfortable. Our breakfast was yummy. Little ham and cheese croissants, pineapple juice, a little muffin, a tropical fruit cup and coffee. We wanted to take the Iberia blanket, but we weren't supposed to.

Already in the airport we've seen groups from Venezuela and Monterrey, Mexico. The Mexicans had green shirts, full size sombreros and a huge flag. It's interesting to reflect on how every place is going to have it's identity. As Texans, (note, not really Americans) we are hamming up the howdy, our cowboy hats and our Texas flags. I think to some extent all of the people here are going to be more proud of their country (or state) than they ever have been at home. I've always been proud to be a Texan, but it's going to be taken to a new level here when that's the first thing people want to know about you. It's probably going to be more of my identity than I realized. Manners, greetings, warmth, gratitude and hospitality make Texas proud, so I hope I can exhibit these qualities here and help others realize we are more than cowboys and breakfast tacos.

fbt&<3

Sabrina