This weekend, we went to Mondragon to celebrate the birthday of Marce, (Marga's mother) Alejo (a friend of the family), and Inés (Marga's aunt). Today is also Mother's Day in Spain. We had a big meal at the Extremadura Center, where part of my wedding celebration will take place.
From the outside, the Extremadura Center ain't much to look at. It's on the second floor (third to you Americans) of a building that used to be a factory.
Since I had been there last, they have hung some paintings on the wall and strung flags from the ceiling. They are the Basque and Extremadura flags.
Mid meal.
Grandma Ramón and Juan down at the gentlemen's end of the table.
This was a wine-induced attempt at an artistic photo that I will call, "The Intersection of Cultures and Lines".
This is the wine that is specially bottled for the Extremadura Center. It's from Extremadura, of course. I like how the Center's seal incorporates the shape of the territory, the colors of the flag, and the shape of the iconic tree from Extremadura: the "Encina" (or "Holm Oak").
The cakes!
Marce turned 57.
Alejo turned 59.
Inés turned 52.
This redheaded cutie is the son of one of Inés' nieces.
Candle lighting.
Group hug!
The birthday kids.
Ice cream and peaches too!
Cousins Maikel and Gorka pretend to pose with some card game trophies on the stage.
Andoni gives his brother a kiss as he pretends to accept a potted plant trophy. Ain't alcohol great?
Mmmm!! Ice cream!
Marga has a secret.
Time to go eat some leftover cake that we brought back with us...