The rest of day 8

Wanted to update everyone about how the rest of the day went! The castle and town in Carcassonne was really cool. The scenery was beautiful. During our free time there, a group of us got French crepes. Colin accidentally ordered one that was made with alchohol. It was very funny!

After that we went to Avignon. It was an old city that housed the Pope's palace. It was interesting to look at but the audio guides prooved to be pretty dull. We got more free time to walk around Avignon. It was very crowded and exciting due to the fact that today is their independence day. We heard a lot of musical instruments, saw a lot of plays going on, and had a fun time just experiencing French culture.

Although today was very fun, we are looking forward to going back to the hotel so that we can eat, relax, and shower. Please continue praying for joy and energy.

Colin and Kona

A Funny thing that we witnessed today:

- one of our team members peeing on the Pope's palace

Pics: The castle, wall area, and town of Carcassonne. Also, fun times in Avignon!

Carcassonne:
















Avignon:

Colin hasn't changed his clothes yet!

Today the skies are grey. So is the mood of our team. We have hit that wall where the adrenaline is fading and we still have half of the trip left. Drama has increased little by little, and people have moved closer and closer to that line, that ledge we call rules. Some of our team has defaulted to having a bad attitude- not overtly and suddenly, but gradually.

We don't feel like our attitudes are getting worse but we can tell that rest is definitely something that we need to take into account. Each day we feel more tired than the last. We are definitely still having fun and making great friends but next time we have free time at the hotel we will be taking a nap to make up for lost sleep.

Today is another full day. We are on our way to a Medievil city. This is where part of the movie Robin Hood Prince of Theives was filmed. After that we will go to Avignon where we will see the Pope's palace. The overcast skies will be nice for walking around outside. Pleae pray for energy for today.

Kona and Colin

PS- if you want to hear the song that we wake up to every morning look up "Love Today" by Mika

Quick post about France day 1

Hey everyone! It's late and I need to sleep, but I wanted to throw up some pics of today, and a brief summary. We drove from Spain to France today then spent all afternoon in a 'prehistoric' cave. Afterwards, we swam in a river and used a sweet rope swing. Creed, Alex, and I tried to get all 3 of us on at once. That attempt ended in failure ;)
Dinner was at the hotel tonight, and those that brought dressy clothes got all dressed up! We had a yummy dinner, then headed off for bed.
Which is where I need to be! Night!

Colin

Pics of teaching and French scenery:

Update from the tomato

Hello family and friends! Colin is finally letting me use his phone :) Now it is time for me to update you and let you know how I am doing.

I left with some fears. I was nervous about being away from my family for so long. Not only was I leaving the country for the first time without a family member but I also going with a group of people that I didn't know very well. Thankfully, I was able to let go of all of my fears not long after we left.

The whole trip has been such an awesome adventure so far. I loved the homestay. I stayed with a single woman who was deaf. Thankfully I knew enough spanish for us to communicate. She read my lips and I watched her point and picked out some of the words that she said. We only had to pull out a piece of paper a couple of times. I am very glad that I got to stay with her. She had such a kind and hospitable personality. I really enjoyed giving her the gifts that I had brought her from home. She loved the huckleberry lotion and the hot chocolate.

On the last night at her house, I was able to go into my room and spend a lot of time in prayer for her and her family. I will definitely be emailing her when I get home.

The beach has been quite the experience. Unfortunately, I got a sunburn on my face and my shoulders. I am slowly recovering and I am afraid that I may peel from this one...

Last night was one of the most fun nights that I have had so far. We went to a flamenco restaurant where we got to watch a flamenco dancing session while we ate. After dessert, they began pulling us up to dance with them one at a time. Then they turned on the Mocarina and we all got on stage and danced.

After dinner we went back to the hotel and went on a walk in the dark. Five of us stopped at a photo booth and took a couple of great pictures. Then we found a concert going on close to the hotel. They were playing on a stage that was in a pond. They were singing in English. I really enjoyed sitting down and listening to them.

Today we played some beach volleyball and I kicked butt :) we are on our way to lunch right now. We get to make paella. I am excited.

(update: here's some pics from lunch!)
















Hopefully I will be able to write more soon. Please keep us in your prayers. Specifically for rest and more team bonding.

Kona

Funny things I've seen:

- a clown kiss one of our team members the lips
- a mother holding her five year old daughter while she peed on a tree in public
- mannequins dressed in trash bag dresses

From Valencia to Barcelona!

Colin here. I apologize for being the main poster thus far! As Kona and were just reconnected after the homestay, you can expect to here from her more often :) she'll be doing a blog post tomorrow morning at about 9 (1am Idaho time.)

Anyways, today was awesome! We woke up early early early at our host houses and then met back up with the group at about 7am. We all agreed that although the homestays were way fun, we're glad to be back with the whole group. It was sooo nice to give Kona a hug and share our unique experiences at our homestays.

At this point the entire group departed from Valencia with our sales pointed towards Barcelona, a 4 hour bus drive away. Time was once again taken up by iPods, cards, and much talking. It's been awesome together to know the group better each day.
We ate lunch at a coastal town a couple hours outside Barcelona. Although the Spaghetti was bland and gross (and no, mom, that's not just me talking- the whole group agreed) we did have fun by the beach collecting sea shells and getting our feet wet in the warm water. Very awesome :)



Once we reached Barcelona we were all itchy to experience the sites, and boy did we ever! Barcelona is a HUGE tourist attraction (had to keep a close watch on our wallets and purses) and there were TONS of people there! It was awesome! We walked down the main drag in Barcelona for about 45 min and spent about 20min in the market section (amazing fresh fruit!) As you can probably imagine, we had loads of fun!


















After doug some site seeing, both our stomachs and our overseas group leader (an awesome lady named Katty) told us it was tome for dinner. We got the pleasure of going to a Flemenco dance place for dinner and a show! We got to watch the dancers, and









later got to participate in the fun! The dinner ended by a group macarana and other fun songs (reminded me of focus for those who know what that means.) it was SO much fun! Once again, great group builder.
Finally, the day ended with us finding our Barcelona hotel, then walking around some more to see the night life. We even stopped by an outside concert!



Today was awesome, and I'm really glad our hotel has free internet!
Tomorrow will be some beach time, then some more city time! Can't wait!

Please pray for Kona, as she got sunburned pretty bad on her face. Continue to pray for our trip in general as well, we need it! Thanks!

Colin

Homestay day 3

Just got done seeing an awesome cathedral that houses the holy grail! Luckily, also found wi fi!

Homestay, day 1

Hey everyone, Colin here. I am currently writing this while sitting in my bed in a hot, un-air-conditioned room at my homestay in Valencia, Spain. I won't be able to post this until tomorrow due to no internet, but I will record my thoughts now nonetheless.

Today was a 5+ hour drive interrupted by a two hour stop at a farm in Spain where they have a vineyard, groves of olive trees, but most importantly, is a breeding center for bulls. And not just any bulls, they breed the kid you see in the ring with the matadors. Very cool place! We ate lunch there, then were back on the road. here's some pics














After long hours on the road (Kona and I watched a movie, then slept) we finally arrived in Valencia and met hour host families. Mine are a nice older couple who live in an apartment 7 levels up. At this point, I honestly don't know more then that :)
I'm not sure about Konas, and I may not even see her until the 3 days are up. Then again, I hear my homestay group ( I'm with two other guys) may connect up with other groups. Only time will tell.

I better get to bed. Hopefully I'll have good luck with Internet tomorrow!

Colin