A brief pausa for guests

Madrid to Morgantown to Washington DC.  Murcia to Granada to Segovia.  Arhena to Lorca to Valencia.  It's been a busy start to a new year with visitors from both continents, traversing the Atlantic from one side to the other or flying over Europe from the northern tip to the south. This past month a half I've had the opportunity to spend four aventuras with invitados: Craig in America and my mom, my friend Krista, and Caig's mom Ella in Spain.

For the sake of your eyes and my fingertips, I'll give you the brief photo recap.  (Unfortunately with the various cameras, video cameras, and iPhones that were among the group, I didn't get any pictures of Krista and Ella themselves. So any contributions from any invitada would be appreciated.)

Craig teaching Americans how to use Christmas crackers

Employing his magic trick

Much to his disappointment, no glimpse of Mr. Obama

Lincoln Memorial

Craig's first snowman and he decides to construct a SnowJeff

My mom visiting Murcia--a day trip to Calasparra

It wouldn't be Europe without mom's camera

Segovia

Segovia

She finally made it 

Segovian cuisine

New favorite wine found in Segovia

Hotel view in Madrid with high school friend Krista

Strolling through Lorca with Craig and Ella, effects of
the May 2011 earthquake still evident

Lorca

I love having visitors because their enthusiasm and curiosity for the country refreshes mine as well. It's a reminder for me to get out of the house and see a new landmark, learn a new fact, discover a new paseo, or sip a new favorite vino.  What I find most enjoyable about having a guest in either country is sharing the aspects of my home.  Whether it's giving a tour of West Virginia University or the local catedral, going out for barbecue ribs or tapas, or attending a basketball game or flamenco show, the best part of spending time with guests in either country is watching my two homes--divided by an ocean--slowly merge.

My advice to a guiri:  Encourage guests to come visit you.  You'll start to really appreciate the word casa.