Soria

I had a great week in Valdelavilla, a once deserted Spanish village, and, once again have said goodbye to some really fantastic people I met there. I must say, I'm a little tired - who would think that talking all day long would be so exhausting?! The place was beautiful, very remote though with limited Internet and no cell coverage. In a way, I quite liked it though because it was so quiet and peaceful.  Valdelavilla, is a picturesque hamlet tucked in the mountainous province of Soria and consisting of about 20 hand built stone cottages. The official language is English and the village is used almost exclusively by VaughanTown, an English Immersion program based in Madrid. There was a program director named Marissa and an MC/entertainment director named Pete who were both extremely competent and who made the week a very fun experience. We participated in plays, presentations, singing and dancing along with one-to-one sessions with the Spaniards. It was a very well organised scheduled program and we were kept busy but had ample free time to enjoy walking in the steep mountain paths. We laughed a lot and got to know each other quite well in this tiny remote village. The weather was, at times cold and windy, but there were some beautiful sunny days as well and there is just nothing like sitting outside in the spanish sunshine with a cafe con leche or a cold cervesa! The food was amazing....plentiful and traditionally Spanish, with not a single French fry in sight! I learned early on to make sure one of my courses was a salad as the portions were huge. Even though it was a bit like working, it was very enjoyable and I would recommend it for anyone who finds themself in Spain looking for an fantastic experience. I might even do it myself again someday. I am now on my own in the city of Soria and will board a bus to Logrono tomorrow where I will walk for a week along the camino trail. I need to walk and can think of no better place since I am so close to it, and I need to prepare for my Hadrians Wall trek as soon as I get back to England in May. I met a really lovely woman named Sue who lives in Ormskirk who I am looking forward to meeting up with in May in Liverpool. My friend Stephanie from New York is going to England for a week in June and I will meet up with her and Liz in Yorkshire for a couple of days ( I met these two women in Kenya) There seems to be no end to the possibilities....  I must say I am looking forward to spending time at "home" in Liverpool with Sue and Terry. I have become so close to them and find I miss them when I'm away. We are planning a trip to Cornwall in June which will be a great way to end my time with them.