Bilbao, Spain June 27-30

So, as you can see, Spain is beautiful.  I am in Bilbao, Spain which is the Basque country.  In fact this area sees itself separate from Spain yet part of it with its very own unique culture, landscape and even language. It was very repressed under Franco's rule and has recently had a Renaissance.   It's a completely gorgeous area and the cities are amazing and very family friendly (lots of family dogs too).  The food is wonderful, they specialize in not tapas that you would find in the rest of Spain but something called Pinxtos (pinchos).  Basically whatever little creation they can pile on a piece of French bread,usually many layers, i.e. seafood with veggies and balsamic vinegar.  The custom is to buy a couple at one bar (all the restaurants are called bars) and then move on to the next one.  I can get used to this.

Guggenheim in Bilbao

So, I've spent time walking around town including a visit to one of the area's highlights, the Guggenheim museum.  It's an amazing piece of architecture inside and out, here's a link to better photos and info:

http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao  ;  Some of the art I appreciated some, not so much.  There was a fascinating exhibit of Yoko Ono's art, learned a lot, not sure I get it, but very interesting.  The large dog that I am standing in front of is made entirely of  flowers.

Sunday, I spent horseback riding on the beach and then a stop at this beautiful little town with the cliffs, we're at an old castle.  It was one of the main export ports for Europe.

Today, Monday was another rough day with an amazing journey to the vineyards of  La Rioja area.  Saw the vineyards, the process for making the wine and of course got to sample the wine.  Tomorrow it's back to work as we set sail for Scotland.  Though I do actually have to work while in port, sometimes you are a trip leader, as I was today.  You are responsible for working with the tour agents in the logistics and also ensure everyone is behaving.  Also, in my role as Assistant Executive Dean, I am one of four staff that share in port on-call duty.  We have to carry a phone and respond in emergencies, thankfully nothing too urgent yet, a couple of students went home due to mental health related issues and we've had a few students robbed/pickpocketed.

I am very excited to see the kids and Andy in the next port, can't wait!

Lisbon, Portugl, June 21-24

We are winding down our last day in Portugal.  Lisbon is a beautiful city with red roofs, interesting architecture, cobblestone streets, the sea and a lot of hills.  Those hills have provided a lot of good exercise.  The streets are often narrow and certainly not straight, they amble up and down the hills, following a map was next to impossible.  We managed to find good local food and drink (sangria!), some food better than others, best was pastige de natas, they are like a creme brûlée in a pastry; the not as great was the salted codfish.  Link below to a pic of the pastries-


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Past%C3%A9is_de_Bel%C3%A9m.JPG

The attached photo is in a 16th century monastery, it's beautiful!  It's hard to see in the pic but the carvings throughout the building are amazing.  Saw a couple of churches and castles too, isn't that what you're supposed to see in Europe?  In Lisbon, many of the restaurants turn into these little night clubs called natos, basically the hosts and waitstaff start singing and playing folk/blues type music.  Some are awesome, some not so much.

Today I went on a yoga and surfing trip.  Let's just say I should stick to yoga.  Surfing was very fun to try, but definitely not going to be my sport!

Everyone has to be back on board tonight as we take off for Bilbao, Spain!

At sea to Lisbon, Portugal

So, I made it the first few days at sea, sea legs in tact, no sea sickness.  After a couple of days of training we got on board the ship, hardly had time to settle in before the students arrived the next day.  Things overall went pretty smoothly, seems like a great group of faculty, staff and students.  What is so unique on board a floating universe is the opportunity for everyone to live life together and to learn together.   There are also the dependents and a group of passengers called Life Long Learners.  One glitch was that the textbooks didn't make it to the ship before we left.  Oops!  They are meeting us in Lisbon.

In addition the obvious credentials that faculty and staff bring to their jobs, its the hidden talents that come out and are so much fun.  We have musicians that have played with the Grateful Dead, actors that have been on Broadway, piano bar piano players, yoga instructors and one of the faculty that competed on American Ninja Warrior.  So, throughout the ship in between classes and and community events, these various types of activities pop up all over.

The job I have as Assistant Executive Dean, its crazy but fun.  I am the center for all questions.  I am also the conduit to the ships crew and officers.  I start my day everyday with a meeting with the Captain and three other officers.  Tea and pastries are always served.

A day on the ship feels like a week, in a good way.  So full of a variety of things.  But you also get a little spoiled.  While the food is not cruise ship level, I don't have to make it, which makes it great.  I don't have to do the dishes or clean my room or make my bed.  Yeah.  I am enjoying being solo for the first couple of weeks, but miss my munchkins and hubby, so can't wait for them to get here!

We are now docked in Protugal in what is called an IPAD (in port academic day) day.  We got here early and have to have a whole day on the ship but docked.  They used to drive the ship slowly so we had enough sea days/class days, now they save on fuel and just dock us.  It's not a bad view.  The photo attached is coming into Lisbon, cant get it right side up, so you have to turn your hear or tablet, sorry!

Glimpse of the ship

The ship has docked, we can't get on until later this afternoon but I wanted to snap a shot and take advantage of the free and fast wireless internet at the hotel before we check out.  I just got the back end of I her,  but it's home for the next ten weeks!  

Out and about

Having fun in merry old England!  After a full day of training had to make sure we sampled the local beer, I mean cuisine.  The fab people I am with in this photo were shipmates from my '96 voyage and will be part of this summer's adventures.  

Southampton, England

Well, I made it to England and relatively smoothly. A big bonus on the flight, I ended up with a row all to my self, how often does that happen and perfect for sleeping.  When I arrived at the airport in London,  I was met by my friend Julie (from my Spring 96 voyage), I am excited to be sailing with her and four other 96 friends.  Her sister-in-law is from London and was kind enough to pick us both up and drive us the hour to Southampton.

W are spending two nights at a hotel here to do some training before getting on the ship on Sunday.  The students get on board Monday.  Tonight we had a reception to meet faculty and staff and families.  There are about 40 staff/faculty.  Afterward, we went out to dinner at a Greek restaurant in old town Southampton, next to a fort, are you reading Andy?  Now it's time to catch some zzz's.

Almost ready, leaving on the jet plane tomorrow evening; sad to say goodbye to the kids and Andy, but also looking forward to being a single woman for a few weeks!  I hope to post a photo of the ship when I get there Sunday or Monday!

One week to go and freaking out, too much to do.  Also, testing to see if I can attach a photo, this is paella Andy made, hope to get some more in Spain!