First La Liga Game

Living and working in Spain has its challenges and difficulties, as it would in any foreign country.  But, I firmly believe that no matter where you live in the world, whatever culture or country, there is always something great that can be experienced and appreciated.  For instance, in Spain, we have great futbol... or soccer.  Spain loves soccer and is really good at it.  I also love soccer, and have enjoyed living in a soccer loving culture.

When we moved to Granada, their team Granada FC was in the third division and playing poorly.  They hadn't been in the top league in over 30 years.  That was one of the disappointing things about Granada... no top level soccer team.  Over the years, I have attempted at various times to try to see a La Liga game, but it never worked out... too busy, too expensive, etc.

Two years ago, Granada had a great season and were promoted to the second division.  Last year they won the second division and were promoted to the top league in the country, La Liga.  They would play the best teams, Real Madrid and Barcelona.  Granada went crazy.  I was excited as well.  Finally an opportunity to see a La Liga game, and the stadium is only a 5 minute bus ride from our apartment.

So finally, Dziu and I bought tickets, went to a game, and got to experience something truly special about Spain.  Football culture.

Granada played Zaragoza, and the game was an exciting match with lots of chances and drama.  Granada won 1-0 helping them move further away from the relegation zone.  The game was a blast, and we enjoyed the constant singing, changing, and business of the game.

We also noticed many cultural differences.  One was that people did not get up from their seat during the game.  They did not go to get a drink or any food.  In fact, we found out that the concessions stands were closed when the game was being played.  People were not there to eat, or be seen, or talk to their friends.  They are there to watch the game, and they do so passionately.

Hopefully, Granada will stay in La Liga for awhile and we will be able to continue to enjoy top level soccer in Granada.

Pictures of the Spring

The Fall in Granada

Garrick with Ruben, Loida, and Marc in Estonia for meetings

Evelyn with friends.

Evelyn at school with her Grandfather

Evelyn's Class

Thanksgiving at our house.

The Pilgrim's Fountain, Ligonde

Here are some pics from our summer serving pilgrims on The Camino de Santiago.

Ligonde

We are off for two weeks to Ligonde, Spain in the heart of Galicia, for two weeks of serving at La Fuente del Peregrino, http://lafuentedelperegrino.com/

Celebrating in Spain

Spain is full of fiestas... or holidays as we would call them in the USA. There are national holidays, regional holidays, and even city holidays, but in any case the whole city shuts down, students are out of school and generally its a good time to hang out with friends.

In Granada we recently celebrated Day of the Cross and Corpus Christi, in which kids are supposed to dress in their traditional Spanish-Gitano clothes.

National Conference in Malaga

Mathis (sporting a Barcelona jersey) and Dziu
Main Meeting
Evelyn with her friend Julia from Sevilla
Fun and Fellowship with our great staff
Evelyn and her friend Daphne from Madrid