Buenas Tardes...

Good afternoon!  Okay...  I already knew that phrase, but I thought I'd be polite.

Back to school today.  It was a MUCH better day than yesterday....  I may not know a whole lot more, but I didn't feel the frustration with the afternoon teacher that I did yesterday.  Actually some stuff even made sense...  although conjugating "ser" (I am, you are etc) is quite a challenge.

This is the classroom where we are each day.  There are only 5 of us in this particular class...  just the right size that we don't get lost in the crowd, but big enough that we can interact with each other.

I did NOT get the giggles today...

I did not use any 4 letter words (well, maybe one or two under my breath)....

I was able to participate at times.

Yes!  I might learn a bit of Spanish....

Yesterday Bill & I walked over 8 miles total.  Today I needed a bit of a slower pace, so I'll show include some photos I've taken in the past couple of days.

There is a garbage collection strike going on....

Actually, this mess is mild compared to some of the garbage piled along the curb.  I'm told that the city is usually quite clean and the street cleaners even pick up debris at night.

It's hard to see things like this happen...  I'm sure everyone hopes the strike is settled soon.

Yeah... the trash is an eyesore, but believe me, there's lots of other sights that catch a person's eye....

There are lots of Street Performers....

Of course there are more performing on the weekends...  this couple is actually one man... his feet are the gentleman...  his arms are the ladies legs and feet.  He did a lovely dance... quite energetic and fun.  The vase you see at the lower right is for the onlookers to deposit coins.  

Another street performer we've seen a lot....

These characters are "at rest" right now as their human is on break. He'd look just like both of the heads - same hair and makeup.  His head sticks out of the middle and he manipulates both heads with his hands.  It's quite funny to see "them" all lined up, looking like the heads of dolls and someone walks by...  one of the "heads" will turn, kind of pop up... and squeak or make some noise.  We've heard and seen some interesting reactions. 

Today we saw this guy entertaining at one of the outside cafes...

I don't know if he was singing an opera or what....

truthfully, if I'd been sitting there, I'd probably have tipped him if he'd just move on....

We see some funny things on the streets....

This one made me laugh... 

On the left is what I "saw" at first....

I thought it was a "happy face"...  

Took me a few more steps to realize that what I was seeing was a marker for the bike lane.

(And you're wondering why I have trouble in Spanish class?)

Another funny thing....

Nah....   no goats running around and becoming road kill.  The butcher shops sell all kinds of kinds and cuts of meats..

(I see another blog in the future)

And I'm thinking that this must have been bought for a dog.

I mean, why else would there be a colorful cord tied around the leg?  And... why else would it be laying on the sidewalk?

Well...  I suppose it could be part of the excess garbage...

But.... ????

This is one of the tapa bars we go to in the evening.

Check out all that tile...  amazing!

Restaurants and bars open (after a mid-day siesta) at 8pm.

Bill & I are trying to get used to eating that late...

heck... back in the States we're often sound asleep by 9pm.

Uh huh...  big adjustment!

After we have dinner (often just a dish of tapas and a glass of wine or beer) we walk home...

The is the top of the San Jacinto church, which is just a few blocks from where we live.

The streets are alive with people from 8pm until ????

Many, many outdoor cafes in our neighborhood!

Many families with small children...  dogs...  

Couples...  groups...

The whole area is bustling with activity.

I don't know how late this lasts...

Maybe one of these nights we'll stay out long enough to find out.

That's All For Today!