
<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-30-batalla-de-flores-2010/4942299276_9affbcf437_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Batalla de Flores 2010">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-30-batalla-de-flores-2010/4942299276_7110b8657e_t.jpg" alt="Batalla de Flores 2010"/>
</a>

Parking in nearby beach tourist town, Laredo, is really a nightmare in July and August, especially for those of us that go there year round. But never is the parking problem worse than on the last Friday of August, when Laredo hosts their famous _Batalla de Flores_ (Flower Battle), a parade of floats with _100% real flowers_. So this year we came up with a parking strategy.

I've been [walking a lot lately](/2010/08/20/laredo-webcam-timelapse/), so we decided that I would drive the car to Laredo in the morning, park it as close to the downtown parade site as possible, and then walk back home. I took Nora with me since she isn't any extra work on walks (when bribed with cookies), but she is a handful to care for around the house. Then, at 17:00, we set out walking to Laredo. Immediately the sky began to look ominous, and about halfway there, it began to rain. We managed to find a little shelter and soon the rain slowed and then stopped. We got there late for the initial lap (for the judges to see the floats), but we caught the entire second lap (for the awards to be given) and a little of the third lap (for the awards to be paraded, literally, around the town). Watching the _Batalla de Flores_ reminds me of going to an art museum; the first few pieces you see and really focus on totally blow your mind with the creativity and skill with which they were created, and then every piece after that is like "Oh, look, another one... Meh!" The dedication and time and energy and teamwork to put one of these floats together, with the flowers added the day before the parade to keep them fresh, is truly to be respected. It seems that every year there is an oriental float with dragons, a circus float, a marine life float, a musical instrument float, and a float with superheroes or cartoon characters to please the kids. In addition to the prize for the best float, there is a prize awarded for the dresses and costumes of the adolescents standing in or on the floats. This year, the same float (I can't remember which one) won both first place prizes.

Here are some photos I took with my phone. I chose not to make the effort with the real camera. I think I might be falling into the rut with the locals that actively avoid such festivals because once you've seen it one year, you don't really have to go again. Hopefully my daughter will keep my eyes fresh.

  

You can see the slideshow larger [here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/sets/72157624716856239/show/).

Here's a short video of Nora watching the action. She very much liked the colorful floats, but very much disliked the emcee that came on the loudspeaker abruptly, making us both jump.

  

I suppose we'll probably go for the next few years, when Nora will be excited to see the flowers, and then never again.


Batalla de Flores 2010


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-29-sugar-high/4939413996_2bdf15d5d3_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Sugar High (freeze frame)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-29-sugar-high/4939413996_d3f5b2c1b6_t.jpg" alt="Sugar High (freeze frame)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Ever since migrating back north after her three week hiatus in southern Spain, there has been something very peculiar about Nora, besides being able to walk: it has been an absolute pleasure putting her to bed at night. Only the very tip top of her consciousness protests the day's end. She cries when we shut the door and turn out the light, but only as long as the air in her lungs from the previous breath lasts. She totally understands what being put in the crib means. Tonight I forgot to take off her shoes before putting her in the crib, and she was already lying down with her head on the pillow by the time I bent down to take them off her. It's really super-eerie for her parents, who remember her lasting up to and past the ninety minute mark of bedtime wailing. I suspect the phrase, "She never ceases to surprise me," will only become more and more true in the coming years.  Her Spanish grandparents are visiting this weekend (they've gone a whole four days without her this month), and today, when we were having our after-lunch coffee, Nora figured out how to open the sugar bowl and discovered the dopamine rush from dipping a spoon in the bowl and licking it.

Afterwards, there was quite a bit of sugar on the table, so I used [my wife's "new" iPhone](/2010/08/27/buying-an-iphone-4-in-spain/) to, um, straighten things out. Like an iPhone has never been used for _that_!


Sugar High


[![iPhone 4 32GB](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-27-buying-an-iphone-4-in-spain/4733640442_66313c0f6a_t.jpg)](http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplelime/4733640442/ "iPhone 4 32GB by purplelime, on Flickr")I was one of the first owners of an iPhone in Spain, [buying my iPhone 3G on July 14, 2008](/2008/07/15/i-have-an-iphone/). Just a couple weeks ago, almost two months after the launch in the United States, the iPhone 4 began to be announced in the local mobile shops. In 2008, I paid [359€ for my phone](/2008/07/11/the-iphone-in-spain/), a decision I do not at all regret. So I was pretty much prepared for a similar amount of cash to be exchanged for my upgrade two years later. Here's what happened when I bought my iPhone 4 yesterday: 

> **Me:** Hi, I'd like to buy the new iPhone 4 and use it with my current iPhone plan.
> 
> **Clerk:** You want to exchange points for a phone upgrade?
> 
> **Me:** Huh? I want to buy a new phone.
> 
> **Clerk:** Right, tell me your current mobile number.
> 
> **Me:** \[mobile number\]
> 
> **Clerk:** Okay, you have 18,600 points.
> 
> **Me:** Wow! That much?
> 
> **Clerk:** That's nothing at all. Worthless.
> 
> **Me:** Well, I've only been a customer for two years.
> 
> **Clerk:** It's not by time, it's by how much you spend.
> 
> **Me:** Oh, that makes sense, I don't pay much.
> 
> **Clerk:** \[clicks through company website with the internet dexterity of an octogenarian\] Okay. I'm sorry, but with only 18,600 points, it's going to cost you 386€ to buy the iPhone.
> 
> **Me:** Okay.
> 
> **Clerk:** That's _really_ expensive.
> 
> **Me:** Oh?
> 
> **Clerk:** Here's what I'd recommend. Since your two-year contract is up, you're no longer bound to stay with \[company\]. You should call them up and mention that and say that you're considering switching companies and ask if they could offer you some more points.
> 
> **Me:** Okay. I'll try that and come back.

I came really close to not calling them at all to avoid the inconvenience, but in the end I phoned up my mobile service provider and made some guesses as to what to tell the computer to let me talk to a person. Eventually a service rep comes on the line...

> **Service Rep:** How can I help you today.
> 
> **Me:** Hi, I'm a current iPhone customer and my contract is up, and I was wondering if you could offer me some points to upgrade my phone.
> 
> **Service Rep:** Your contract is with the phone you're calling from?
> 
> **Me:** Yes.
> 
> **Service Rep:** \[with no negotiation or hesitation whatsoever\] I can offer you 150,000 points. That will make the new iPhone 4 cost 260€.
> 
> **Me:** Thanks.

_**WHAT??** I get a 126€ discount just for asking for it??_

By this point, I had only made it walking about 50 meters from the mobile shop, so I turned around and bought my phone.

This experience parallels many, many, many experiences I have had with Corporate Spain. Default policies are in place to royally screw customers, but all you have to do is to ask to not be screwed quite so hard and they say, "Oh, okay. Here's the real deal we can offer." I can see the capitalist value in profiting from the laziness of the majority, but it seems so dishonest. You can imagine the social discord when Spaniards visit a country like England, where no one asks to talk to the manager unless they're dying, and even then they apologize for the bother. If you want to not get screwed in Spain, you _must_ complain.


Buying an iPhone 4 in Spain


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-27-watching-eva/4933291164_c0e68abf5b_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Watching Eva">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-27-watching-eva/4933291164_b7e0959465_t.jpg" alt="Watching Eva"/>
</a>

Today, my internet friend, [Andrea](http://smattery.com/blog/), posted a video of her daughter, Eva, who is three months older than Nora, exhibiting one of the most annoying toddler behaviors: dropping whatever cute thing she is doing and coming to examine the video camera her parent has clutched so importantly. It's a very reasonable thing to do, but awfully frustrating for the documentarian. While I was playing [the video](http://www.flickr.com/photos/amk/4931186088/), Nora heard Eva talking and entered my office. So I propped her up on my desk and showed her the video. The resulting video (captured with my [new HD-recording iPhone 4](/2010/08/27/buying-an-iphone-4-in-spain/)) reminds me a little of the green screen game they play on _Whose Line Is It Anyway?_, where one improv "contestant" is placed in front of a green screen and has to guess, from the commentary of the other contestants what is going on behind him.  

Not much was added to the cuteness of the original video, but I think Nora enjoyed it.


Watching Eva


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-24-clean-bill-of-health/4923599464_a393f7b895_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Proper ladies wear hats">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-24-clean-bill-of-health/4923599464_1320c3a512_t.jpg" alt="Proper ladies wear hats"/>
</a>

As I mentioned [a month ago](/2010/07/23/agua/), there was some very mild concern about Nora's slow development in both speaking and walking, and an appointment was made to see a specialist. Well, we just got back from the specialist today, on her seventeen-month birthday. We were initially surprised that our appointment was in the Rehabilitation Department of the Valdecilla hospital in Santander. "We don't need rehabilitation; we need _habilitation_", I quipped. After some reflection, however, it makes sense that experts in the task of learning to walk and speak would probably best serve the people in a center for injured adults that need to relearn those skills.  We got there a little early – stupid, in retrospect – and spent an hour in the waiting area. For the first ten minutes, Nora stayed in constant body contact with us, but soon was venturing around the waiting area, touching empty chairs, never strangers, and generally exploring. Oh, she can walk now, by the way. Sometime in the last week she finally figured out that she doesn't need to hold someone's hand anymore. We've been saying "any day now" for months, and the day has finally come. Expect walking videos soon.

Everything about the way we were treated during the doctor's visit impressed me. When we first arrived, a nurse came out, looked at her clipboard, and guessed who we were. She told us that we were third in line and that it would probably be at least thirty minutes, and that we were welcome to go for a walk outside in the meantime. How many doctors' offices do that?

When we were finally called in, Nora immediately recognized the soft-spoken woman in the white coat for what she was (all her pediatricians have been women) and got extra clingy. The doctor noticed the problem immediately and told us to leave the room and make her walk down the hallway while she observed. Then we went back into the office and the doctor started playing with some toys in front of Nora. It wasn't until the doctor moved further away and I began to play with the toys that Nora joined in. We built a little tower out of some cups, and there were some wooden blocks held together with a magnet that could be put together and pulled apart. Towards the end of the visit, Nora was quite calm and was enjoying the toys so much that she almost didn't want to leave when it was time. The doctor, having realized that it was the best strategy, never got close to touching Nora.

At the end, the doctor told us that we didn't have anything at all to worry about. Children in a bilingual household always take longer to speak and comprehend (duh!), and her tendency to walk on the inside of her heels is also quite normal, but that we should try to find some better shoes with more of a supporting arch. It was all pretty much what we suspected, but it's always reassuring to hear it from an expert.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-24-clean-bill-of-health/4923599464_a393f7b895_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Proper ladies wear hats">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-24-clean-bill-of-health/4923599464_1320c3a512.jpg" alt="Proper ladies wear hats"/>
</a>


Clean Bill of Health


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918824381_5f993fd576_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Goose Barnacles">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918824381_1604fe9132_t.jpg" alt="Goose Barnacles"/>
</a>

On Saturday morning, my wife got a call from her boss, who had just sold his motorcycle, and, as part of the sale, had acquired way more barnacles than he could consume, so he offered us some. Barnacles are a special delicacy in Spain, particularly in northern Spain and Galicia. At Christmas time, [barnacle prices can reach 99 €/kg ($65/lb)](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/4228565340/)! The best, most expensive ones come from the Cantabrian sea on the northern coast of Spain. On Saturday we were given 1.5 kilograms of the good, expensive barnacles, so on Sunday we had a feast.

I had never eaten or cooked barnacles, so everything was new and fascinating to me. Here's what I learned...

## Bizarre Barnacle Fact

[![Barnacle Goose, Snettisham (Norfolk), 17-Mar-09](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/3408095486_fc5fdf3c20_m.jpg)](http://www.flickr.com/photos/93372558@N00/3408095486/ "Barnacle Goose, Snettisham (Norfolk), 17-Mar-09 by Dave Appleton, on Flickr")The reason this particular species is called "goose barnacle" originates from the middle ages, back before people realized that birds migrate. Since no one in Europe had ever seen geese nesting (they breed in the Arctic), but they did see geese near the sea, where they also saw these black and white crustaceans, they naturally assumed that the crustaceans were the young geese before undergoing a metamorphosis and taking flight. The English word "barnacle" initially only referred to the barnacle goose, and through this ignorant deduction, later came to apply to the crustacean.

## Spanish Goose Barnacle Recipe

Ingredients:

- Goose Barnacles
- Water
- 70 grams of sea salt per liter of water
- 1 bay leaf (optional)

If you can cook them in actual sea water, that's best. Otherwise, buy some sea salt and mix 70 grams (approximately 3.8 tablespoons) of sea salt per liter of water. You want just enough water to cover the barnacles in your pot. You can optionally throw in a bay leaf, too. The recipe, as a rhyme in the Galician language, goes like this:

> _auga a ferver, percebes botar, auga a ferver, percebes sacar_

In English, that's:

1. Boil water in a pot
2. When the water is boiling, add the barnacles
3. When the water begins boiling again, remove the barnacles

Place the barnacles in a clean dish towel. It's best to serve them still wrapped in this towel to keep in the heat.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918824381_5f993fd576_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Goose Barnacles">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918824381_1604fe9132.jpg" alt="Goose Barnacles"/>
</a>

We prepared about half of the barnacles, so about 750 grams. It took about 10 minutes (P0H10M).

Some keywords to help Google find this recipe: Spain, Spanish, Galicia, Galician, Barnacles, Goose Barnacles, Seafood, Arthropod.

## How To Eat Barnacles

The key for me was to think of them as "little crab legs". They are crustaceans, after all.

1. Grab them by the white "claw" end
2. Stick the whole "arm" into your mouth
3. With your incisors (front teeth), break the "sleeve" as close to the claw as possible
4. Slide off the sleeve and eat the meaty arm

That's the ideal scenario. As you get the hang of it, you're more likely to end up severing the whole arm when you're trying to just break the sleeve, and then you have to suck the arm out of the sleeve. You don't discard any part of it, of course, without first sucking all the wonderful sea watery goodness from every crevice.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4919424272_abcc131b8d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Goose Barnacle: The outer skin">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4919424272_7a3c14f691.jpg" alt="Goose Barnacle: The outer skin"/>
</a>

An empty sleeve, arm removed.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918825465_93bcc7e226_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Goose Barnacle: The Meaty Bit">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918825465_37c05217c6.jpg" alt="Goose Barnacle: The Meaty Bit"/>
</a>

The arm, still attached to the claw with sleeve removed, ready for eating.

And of course you should serve them with a chilled white wine. We had a perfect wine.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918816691_70f7dc2248_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Vino Perfecto">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918816691_8cbe12b867_z.jpg" alt="Vino Perfecto"/>
</a>

Some of the best Spanish white wine comes from the [Rueda region](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rueda_(DO)).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918820173_31b172c6c0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pouring a glass of wine">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918820173_12e9dfc214.jpg" alt="Pouring a glass of wine"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918830205_e1b5e1692a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grilled Shrimp">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918830205_5c723ca3c5.jpg" alt="Grilled Shrimp"/>
</a>

For the second course, we had some grilled shrimp.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918834735_02b6f66a67_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Piping hot grilled shrimp">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918834735_fdc39ecab1.jpg" alt="Piping hot grilled shrimp"/>
</a>

Yummy.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918839187_f9e6c90c93_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Melted Candle">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-23-spanish-goose-barnacle-recipe/4918839187_f2e431b66f_z.jpg" alt="Melted Candle"/>
</a>

In our wine-and-crustecean-induced stupor, we retired for a little siesta. Luckily the candles we left burning didn't burn down the house.

The meal was a wonderful success. Before this weekend, I was amazed that people actually ate barnacles. Now I'm proud to be one of those people.


Spanish Goose Barnacle Recipe


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-20-laredo-webcam-timelapse/4909748965_a75ff7ea5d_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Laredo Webcam (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-20-laredo-webcam-timelapse/4909748965_422644c6dc_t.jpg" alt="Laredo Webcam (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")This week, without a daughter to care for, my mornings have been free. I've been taking advantage of the good weather to get some exercise, walking up to 16 km (10 miles) around the neighboring towns. The first few days, I just walked to the beach at Laredo and walked up and down the maritime walkway several times. It occurred to me yesterday that I might have been caught on the [yacht club's webcam](http://www.livecamlaredo.com/), but alas I was not there on the hour or 15, 30, or 45 minutes past the hour on any day. The archived panoramas I was looking through for Monday, August 18, were so pretty that I decided to make a timelapse video out of them.  Unfortunately I only had 4 frames per hour to work with. After trying various frame rates, I settled on 10 frames per second in order to get some effect of movement – anything slower looked more like a slideshow. It would be amazing to have a shot every minute from that perch over the beach.

Because the images are from a 360Â° panorama, I cut between four shots of different parts of the panorama. It goes by really quickly, so you might want to watch it a couple times. Things to watch for:

1. In the first shot, the tide comes in, goes out, and comes back in again.
2. In the second shot, for some reason, all the boats turn around from facing left to facing right. Wind? Tides?
3. In the third shot, the parking lot fills up quickly in the morning and empties quickly in the evening.

Very worth watching [in HD](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exA9HEUBvPM&hd=1).


Laredo Webcam Timelapse


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-18-kisses-from-carla/4903387315_4535342bfb_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Kisses from Carla (vidcap)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-18-kisses-from-carla/4903387315_5cf59644cb_t.jpg" alt="Kisses from Carla (vidcap)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")It's been over a week since I've seen my daughter, and I miss her a lot. Her grandparents will be bringing her back on Sunday. If words from the front line are to be beleived, Nora is being extremely well behaved, is being polite to strangers, and even offering up her cheek to be kissed by total strangers (giving kisses is reserved [for loved ones](/2010/08/02/nora-on-vacation/)). Perhaps this kiss reception was learned with her "friend" Carla.

Carla is the daughter of one of Marga's best friends from Extremadura. Nora and Carla first "met" last June [in Madrid](/2009/06/04/meeting-carla/). Even though Carla was born 25 days after Nora, she is _waaaay_ more advanced than Nora by just about every available metric. She walks freely, speaks several words, follows instructions, and gives people kisses...man, does she give some kisses! Carla's parents suggest that it might be from spending 7 hours in daycare every day (Nora spends 3) with older kids that challenges her to excel. Nora won't be where Carla is now for another four months. They were so adorable together. Carla has clearly been given _a lot_ of positive reinforcement for her kissing behavior.


Kisses from Carla


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-13-grapes-of-wrath/4887622633_64eca75960_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Grapes of Wrath (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-13-grapes-of-wrath/4887622633_a529bbe794_t.jpg" alt="Grapes of Wrath (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")I am unable to watch this video without laughing. It's my favorite video I recorded last weekend. It demonstrates both how Nora does a good job of commanding her mother to do her bidding and just now irritated she gets when her great-grandfather does or says anything. I declined to subtitle it because the conversation is so mundane. At one point, she does call him something that sounded to all the Spanish ears like "_malo_" (bad).  

The things pretty people get away with...


Grapes of Wrath


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-12-bucket-girl/4884607971_6928d52064_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Bucket Girl (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-12-bucket-girl/4884607971_7b87d268e8_t.jpg" alt="Bucket Girl (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")While she's down in Extremadura, Nora is spending a lot of time playing the pool or simply with water in buckets. It's pretty cute how she flexes her knees enough to get just a little bit more of herself wet, and then repeats that motion, going a little lower each time until she's sitting down. She did the same in the larger wading pool.


Bucket Girl


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881900805_46fb56d1e6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Playing with water buckets">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881900805_f0c712dcbd_t.jpg" alt="Playing with water buckets"/>
</a>

Last Friday, August 6, my wife and I headed down to Extremadura to see our daughter, Nora, who had been down there the entire previous week with her grandparents and great-grandfather. It was a little disappointing not to be able to present her to our friends down there, as most of them had already seen her earlier in the week. She clearly recognized us (whew!), but was pretty unenthusiastic about it. We were immediately merged into her ordered hierarchy of people she likes to be with:

1. Mommy (Marga)
2. Abuelo (her grandfather, Juan)
3. Abuela (her grandmother, Marce)
4. Daddy (Erik)
5. ...everybody else...
6. Bisabuelo (her great-grandfather, Ramón)

She spends a good portion of her time in her great-grandfather's house prohibiting him from touching things. If he puts his hand on a chair or table or toy or glass, even if the object is across the room from her, she will race over (still holding someone's hand) shouting, "No no no no no!!" and remove his hand from the object in his home that he had the nerve to touch. It's actually pretty cute, and I think she understands that it's a bit of a game. He certainly does. Our visit was very nice. We got to have some good fun with Nora and do the items on our "it wouldn't be a summer vacation in Extremadura if we didn't" todo list, which include going out for _cortos_ (beers and snacks) every midday, having dinner at our favorite restaurant, drinking liters of cold, refreshing [gazpacho](/2008/07/30/gazpacho-cold-spanish-soup/), having fresh hot _churros_ every day for breakfast, and walking in the countryside at night gazing up at the milky way.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882025319_e6a7f8790f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora contemplates her great-grandfather's house">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882025319_f0956c6c60_z.jpg" alt="Nora contemplates her great-grandfather's house"/>
</a>

Nora's great-grandfather's house is very long.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881846795_a540ef8600_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grandfather Cactus Blooms">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881846795_66378461cc.jpg" alt="Grandfather Cactus Blooms"/>
</a>

The original plant that spawned the [Cactus Cam Project](/projects/cactus-cam/) flowered one night we were there.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882443614_24962941f8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with water buckets">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882443614_29de76216c.jpg" alt="Playing with water buckets"/>
</a>

With temperatures up to 38Â°C (100Â°F) and no air conditioning, a lot of Nora's activities involved water. She had great fun with buckets.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881853931_4a1de6994b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with water buckets">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881853931_84470cab44.jpg" alt="Playing with water buckets"/>
</a>

Ooh! Wet!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881900805_46fb56d1e6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with water buckets">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881900805_f0c712dcbd.jpg" alt="Playing with water buckets"/>
</a>

She fit quite well into the buckets.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4883554766_78afb613ab_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="In the pool">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4883554766_0ef6c6ee54.jpg" alt="In the pool"/>
</a>

Nora also very much enjoyed the "swimming" pool at her great-grandfather's house. She spends a good deal of her days down there in the nude.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881870071_35548a284f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grapes">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881870071_cedd73affd.jpg" alt="Grapes"/>
</a>

The grape vine had a very fruitful year. Nora always responded correctly to the "¿Dónde están las uvas?" (Where are the grapes?) question, and she waited fairly patiently as they were plucked, peeled, and deseeded for her consumption.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881907017_3f2fd2cb01_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with Tango The Puppy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881907017_8278f487a6.jpg" alt="Playing with Tango The Puppy"/>
</a>

There was some pretty tough cuteness competition when the neighbors brought out their puppy, Tango. As far as I know, there was no other puppy named Cash.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881975507_2748503465_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with Tango The Puppy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881975507_8b9e8e0364.jpg" alt="Playing with Tango The Puppy"/>
</a>

Tango didn't always respect Nora's "I can touch you, but you can't touch me" personal space rules.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881998117_47e8273dc0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with Tango The Puppy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4881998117_29827d8aa7.jpg" alt="Playing with Tango The Puppy"/>
</a>

Unsurprisingly, Nora greatly enjoyed the power trip of holding Tango's leash.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882609314_80e876b23f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dressed for a night out">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882609314_cf95385cef.jpg" alt="Dressed for a night out"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882014587_50e8ed89e4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dressed for a night out">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882014587_b4a4753e8b.jpg" alt="Dressed for a night out"/>
</a>

Trying out her new dress, which she will wear to a wedding in September.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882016915_6554d6617d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dining out at El Cruce (Hotel Trajano)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882016915_8e23f796ed.jpg" alt="Dining out at El Cruce (Hotel Trajano)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")

Dinner at _El Cruce_. We call it that, but just because it's at a crossroads between several towns. The real name of the place is [Hotel Trajano](http://www.hoteltrajano.es/). Their waiters have been taking orders on handheld computers for _six years_ now! Nora was very well behaved throughout the meal.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882920553_76d9b34e35_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cortos">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882920553_736782710d.jpg" alt="Cortos"/>
</a>

One of our daily outings for midday beers, one of the customs that [can be hard to understand](/2009/08/19/vacationing-in-southern-spain/) if you're not used to life in Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882957333_0b092e502f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Extremadura Sunset">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4882957333_3fc02f0814.jpg" alt="Extremadura Sunset"/>
</a>

The sunsets are [always amazing](/2009/09/07/more-extremadura-sunsets/). Two of our three days were cloudy this year, which is _very_ odd for the Extremadura summer.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4883573682_4c5edec1b1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Eating Ice Cream">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-11-extremadura-2010/4883573682_b4ac18e218.jpg" alt="Eating Ice Cream"/>
</a>

Nora eating an ice cream the last night we were there.

When it came time to leave (on Tuesday, August 10 at 6 AM!), we were faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to leave Nora with her grandparents where she was obviously having a wonderful time or bring her back with us. There were pros and cons on both sides, but in the end we decided to let her stay down there for _two more weeks!!_ Hopefully we'll be able to survive without her; she'll have no trouble without us.

All 43 photos from our trip can be [found here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/sets/72157624702443264).


Extremadura 2010


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-06-dancing-with-mommy/4865060121_7f4280cf53_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Dancing with Mommy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-06-dancing-with-mommy/4865060121_6005b1e2ec_t.jpg" alt="Dancing with Mommy"/>
</a>

Sometimes when Marga gets back from picking Nora up at daycare, they stop by to see me before going on a walk. I often have music playing in my office when I'm working, and sometimes Nora starts to dance. Only after watching her for a while last week did I think to get the camera to record a little of it. Pretty cute, if you ask me.  In the middle, what Marga says is that Nora is moving her arm for her to keep up the rhythm.


Dancing With Mommy


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-05-devils-and-angels/4863364596_284cde2eeb_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Playing the guitar">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-05-devils-and-angels/4863364596_2363c06bfe_t.jpg" alt="Playing the guitar"/>
</a>

One thing having my daughter off on vacation has allowed me to do is pick up the ol' six string again. Since she was born, I haven't had much time alone to strum. This morning I finally got around to recording one of my favorite songs I know how to play and sing decently. It's a song by Toby Lightman called _Devils and Angels_. I first became aware of the song and of Toby Lightman because Apple and iTunes were giving it some play when it first came out because [the video for it](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSANCAdASuI) (watch my performance first!!) is more or less an advertisement for the first generation iPod.  I've changed a pronoun in the song to make more sense coming from a male singer, [not that that is always important](/2007/12/27/angel-from-montgomery/). I mean, if my lover was cheating on me with a woman, then either I'm in a homosexual relationship and my lover is cheating heterosexually, or I'm in a heterosexual relationship and my lover is cheating homosexually. Either way it's bizarre, so I've changed the pronoun. Coincidentally, this topic came up over drinks the other day, about whether you'd rather find your lover cheating on you with someone the same sex as you or the opposite sex. We concluded that the opposite sex was better because then it would feel less like your fault and more like your lover needed something impossible for you to provide. But I digress...

The main reason I love this song is for the initial chord sequence. I hope you like it too.

## Lyrics

> I found out today that you went on a little trip Somewhere you don't belong One of your friends made just a little slip So I'm taking a little trip of my own
> 
> And I'm going to meet you I'm going to greet you At her back door as you're coming out Why this now?
> 
> 'Cause I used to have angels They used to watch over me When love was not a stranger But love ain't what it used to be And I don't want these devils They're knocking at my door So, I can't love you no more No more
> 
> You might have thought that I would be a little bit lazy I might not notice, I might not care But now you're finding out that I'm a little bit crazy, And you were the one so unaware
> 
> So I'm gonna meet you I'm gonna greet you At her back door as you're coming out Oh, why this now?
> 
> 'Cause I used to have angels They used to watch over me When love was not a stranger But love ain't what it used to be And I don't want these devils They're knocking at my door So, I can't love you no more No more
> 
> So I'm gonna walk on, walk on Keep my feet moving on Walk on, walk on Keep my feet moving on Walk on, walk on
> 
> 'Cause I used to have angels They used to watch over me When love was not a stranger But love ain't what it used to be And I don't want these devils They're knocking at my door So, I can't love you no more No more

Here's Toby doing her acoustic version. Even though she does miss the opportunity to roll her eyes like a crazy person on that one line, it's pretty clear which one of us deserves the recording contract.

Thanks for a great song, Toby.


Devils and Angels


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852366311_2297e500a8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Erik with Donkeys">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852366311_c18a424974_t.jpg" alt="Erik with Donkeys"/>
</a>

Taking full advantage of [our temporary childlessness](/2010/08/02/nora-on-vacation/), my wife, sister-in-law and I had an exhausting weekend. After sending Nora on her way, we grabbed our swim suits and our always-prepared-this-time-of-year beach bag and drove the five minutes to Laredo's beach. We parked right at the midpoint of the [five kilometer (3.1 mile) crescent-shaped beach](/2007/09/05/laredo-panoramas/) and walked to the main town center on one of the beach, where we found a restaurant to have lunch.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4847123934_47bc5b43c5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Six Feet Under">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4847123934_e92d61711a_m.jpg" alt="Six Feet Under"/>
</a>

After lunch, the desire for siesta was strong, but we had to walk back to the car to get our beach towels, and the sky had clouded over, much to the chagrin of my companions. I suggested we take off our shoes and walk back in the surf, so we did. But when we reached the midpoint where the car was parked, we were enjoying the walk so much that we continued all the way to the tip, where we stopped for a coffee at the bar there. Heading back, the same thing happened, and we continued all the way back to the other end. On the third time passing the midpoint, we did stop to go home, though. That's a total of 15 km (9.3 miles), most of it in a foot of water.  Once home, we got showered and dressed and called up our friend Agustí­n to see if he and his wife wanted to go out with us in Laredo that night. They didn't have plans at the time we called, but agreed to meet us within the hour (I love friends like that!). After some introductory beverages, we headed to our friend José Luis' restaurant for some grilled mushrooms, croquettes and a steak. Then it was out on the town until 3:00 AM.

At 10:00 AM Sunday morning, we were awoken by the local church bells. We had agreed to call Agustí­n at that time to decide where to meet at 10:30 so he could take us up to his mountain garden. He told us to go to a restaurant in neighboring town of [Treto](/2010/03/19/treto-train-station/). We found him there standing next to his all-terrain vehicle, or quad, as it's called here. He took off and we followed him up into the mountains. At various places along the way he pulled over and told us about various towns and buildings in the distance.

Come with me, up to Agustí­n's vegetable garden!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852855444_bc0b2148ba_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Badames Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852855444_f081cd7ce4.jpg" alt="Badames Panorama"/>
</a>

Looking down to the valley town of Bádames. [View larger](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/4852855444/sizes/l/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852241813_09243e4cee_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Badames Tilt Shift">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852241813_d34ed9e838.jpg" alt="Badames Tilt Shift"/>
</a>

A closer look at the town center, slightly [tilt-shifted](/2008/04/18/tilt-shifting/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852866890_b8b12af215_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cantabria Vinyard">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852866890_846e372437.jpg" alt="Cantabria Vinyard"/>
</a>

A mountain vinyard. He told us there is a white wine called [Vidular](http://www.vinogusto.com/es/sitio/60992/bodega-bodegas-vidular) that is quite good, but I'm not sure if this is the vinyard or if it was another one.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852250397_cfa913180a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Laredo, Colindres, Santoña Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852250397_340fb3f17a.jpg" alt="Laredo, Colindres, Santoña Panorama"/>
</a>

A gorgeous panorama overlooking Santoña, Colindres, and Laredo. Agustí­n says that on a clear day, you can see Santander. Worth [viewing full size](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/4852250397/sizes/o/). You really get a sense of just how far we walked the day before.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852878402_bae7e7e983_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Eucalyptus Forest">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852878402_265cbc2824.jpg" alt="Eucalyptus Forest"/>
</a>

The forest is pretty dense. Most of it is eucalyptus trees for lumber. And ferns. _Lots_ of ferns!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852262957_92a2350b08_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Old house, old coats-of-arms">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852262957_f76ecbf4e9.jpg" alt="Old house, old coats-of-arms"/>
</a>

A nicely restored old house with beautiful coats of arms. "It's owned by some city slicker in Madrid," Agustí­n scoffs.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852887452_75f8924f53_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Abrazo House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852887452_f469b7e73b.jpg" alt="Abrazo House"/>
</a>

When we parked to walk up to his garden, we saw this strange round building that looked like it was being built with bails of hay. It sounds like someone missed the whole point of the story of the _Three Little Pigs_. "It's actually a project by an English chap," says Agustí­n, "He's building the house out of mud and straw." Fascinated, we wandered closer to get a better look, and sure enough, we heard some English being spoken. I felt a little self-conscious walking up to someone's construction project to ask for a tour, but before I could get up the courage, Agustí­n, ever the social ice breaker, shouted something, and the guy came out to talk to us, first in Spanish, but then I was introduced as American, and we chatted for a bit. The main builder, Robert Alcock, is from Leamington Spa, quite close to where we used to live in the English midlands. He says the project is called [Abrazo House](http://www.abrazohouse.org/), and they get visitors from all over the world because of their website. [To quote](http://www.abrazohouse.org/?page_id=119):

> Abrazo House is an ecological house and study centre, now under construction in a small village in northern Spain. It is a two-storey passive solar building with load-bearing straw bale / [cob](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cob_(material)) walls.
> 
> We built the structure (foundation, walls and roof) between summer 2008 and autumn 2009. Now in spring 2010 we are starting to finish the house inside and out.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852273693_b0c446f550_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Abrazo House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852273693_ff6374e299.jpg" alt="Abrazo House"/>
</a>

Pretty fascinating. You can't beat mud and volunteer labor for keeping you construction costs down, huh? Talk about _dirt_ cheap!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852900222_ce6d691730_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Abrazo House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852900222_0d95eae4fc.jpg" alt="Abrazo House"/>
</a>

I can only assume that this is going to be a spectacular panoramic window. I'll have to remember to check back next year, because I'd love to see it completed!

We said goodbye to Robert and his two muddy volunteers and headed on our way.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852917404_3aa278a3e9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Purple Flowers">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852917404_041b4b92b9.jpg" alt="Purple Flowers"/>
</a>

Some gorgeous purple flowers on the way up to Agustí­n's garden. His family owns a large bit of land on this mountain, most of which is rented out, but Agustí­n cares for a little bit of it, and has a small vegetable garden some sheep, and a couple donkeys.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852303977_1a36f9075c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marga's Pear Tree">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852303977_ac442c64eb.jpg" alt="Marga's Pear Tree"/>
</a>

This was my first time going up there, but Marga had already been up there two years earlier, when she planted a pear tree. This is her standing proud next to her tree. The dangling CD is to keep birds away.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852929276_5b36430584_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bean Vines">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852929276_391784cefa.jpg" alt="Bean Vines"/>
</a>

Agustí­n's [green beans](/2010/08/03/urls-and-green-beans/). He gave us about a kilo of them when we left.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852313547_6a4d28a333_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Green Peppers">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852313547_62c4e4ddc6.jpg" alt="Green Peppers"/>
</a>

Green peppers, which he sells to our restauranteur friend, José Luis.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852318473_d6dbfc1c95_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lettuce">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852318473_0b4a67e9ae.jpg" alt="Lettuce"/>
</a>

How gorgeous is that lettuce? Makes you want a salad, doesn't it? He gave us two heads, which we've been enjoying all week.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852940916_b81596e6f9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lola and Chica, Donkey Window">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852940916_7990e65b0c.jpg" alt="Lola and Chica, Donkey Window"/>
</a>

Agustí­n's two burros (well, _burras_, actually), Lola and Chica.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852334561_c745ed23af_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Belén with burros">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852334561_9229c570d2.jpg" alt="Belén with burros"/>
</a>

Belén really loves donkeys. And these were some of the most docile, sweet donkeys I've ever seen, although I haven't seen many.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852349553_8f2d645a7b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Donkey Teeth">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852349553_4dfcb34621.jpg" alt="Donkey Teeth"/>
</a>

Smile for the camera! They love bread, which we were feeding them.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852364583_c704d1df8f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ass Kisser">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852364583_50acbc8f24.jpg" alt="Ass Kisser"/>
</a>

Some ass kisser.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852366311_2297e500a8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik with Donkeys">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852366311_c18a424974.jpg" alt="Erik with Donkeys"/>
</a>

Cute.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852989258_4101442bcd_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sheep">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852989258_503c1a0d94.jpg" alt="Sheep"/>
</a>

Agustí­n has sheep, too.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852392983_69cc7529cd_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Belén on a burro">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852392983_28a7acdcc5.jpg" alt="Belén on a burro"/>
</a>

We got to ride – well, sit on – them, too.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852409773_12fd9c135c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marga on a Burro">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852409773_5d49de887d.jpg" alt="Marga on a Burro"/>
</a>

Marga's turn.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852412601_6f152218dd_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Erik on a donkey">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852412601_5b6db9638d.jpg" alt="Erik on a donkey"/>
</a>

My feet almost reached the ground.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852422339_4cac9825cf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cauliflower">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852422339_fe10642f1e.jpg" alt="Cauliflower"/>
</a>

Cauliflower.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852427115_633af04e1e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Hot Peppers">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4852427115_c67ec135ce.jpg" alt="Hot Peppers"/>
</a>

Hot peppers.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4853052560_e7bb9cb3fb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Hydrophobic">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4853052560_084b3383bc.jpg" alt="Hydrophobic"/>
</a>

[Hydrophobic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrophobe) cauliflower leaves.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4853063204_91730860ac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ideal Tree">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4853063204_66789c83df.jpg" alt="Ideal Tree"/>
</a>

This tree is sort of the ideal archetype of a tree. When a children draw a tree, this is what they draw. What fascinated me was how the branches follow the slope of the hill it's on, always staying a certain height above the ground. Amazing.

Soon it was time to go. We drove down into Bádames for a beer and some olives. On the way back down the mountain to Colindres, I volunteered to ride with him on Agustí­n's quad. I've never been on a motorcycle or a quad, so it was a new experience for me. The last time I had that much wind in my face, I was standing up [in a jeep in Venezuela](/2007/11/08/4x4-jeep-in-isla-margarita-honeymoon-day-8/)! It was good fun.

For lunch we tried Agustí­n's recipe of fried green beans, which was delicious! I took a short nap until it was time to take Belén to the bus stop, and then a longer nap after I got back. Later on Sunday evening we drove into Santander to see Marga's boss [in the hospital](/2010/08/02/nora-on-vacation/). Santander is currently celebrating its annual Santiago festival, so we had to have some tapas and wine after our visit to the hospital.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4859270437_36d9534d8d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Santander Bullring seen from Valdecilla Hospital">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-04-agustins-vegetable-garden/4859270437_9e85415452.jpg" alt="Santander Bullring seen from Valdecilla Hospital"/>
</a>

The new hospital is nice, and there are no fewer than five cranes working to build the rest of it. From the ninth floor, there was a great view down to the bullring, which was hosting a bullfight. The bullfighters probably recognize the convenient juxtaposition of the bullring and the hospital. See the door by those parked cars that must lead to a tunnel to the bullring? Clever.

I hope you enjoyed our journey into the Cantabrian countryside. We sure did. _¡Muchas gracias, Agustí­n!_


Agustí­n's Vegetable Garden


From last night's [Colbert Report](http://www.colbertnation.com/).

> It has been a huge year for Spanish sports, or _España Esports_. Spain's soccer team won the World Cup, Rafael Nadal conquered Wimbledon, Alberto Contador took the Tour de France, and Javier Bardem took the world record in the Thousand Yard Smolder. His prize? Himself. But there has been a major setback in Spanish athletics.
> 
> \[cut to CNN footage\]
> 
> > The controversial tradition of bullfighting is now illegal in one region of Spain, the Catalonia region, which includes Barcelona.
> 
> \[cut back to Colbert\]
> 
> I don't understand! Barcelona should be used to horrors. Their streets are already running red with the sangria vomited by thousands of American backpackers. I'll say it again, folks. Barcelona is just the San Francisco of Spain. They're a bunch of effete liberal elites talking down to the rest of Spain with their sthmug Sthpanish listhps. They don't undershtand! Heartland Spanish values like Mom and apple paella. I'm with the pro-bullfighting community who have called the ban a "political manipulation".

Here's the video. The first half is about the 2012 London Olympics.

Everyone here in Spain is knows that the bullfighting ban has almost nothing to do with protecting animal rights and _everything_ to do with separatist politics and rejecting something that is traditionally Spanish. I think they should also ban [_jamón serrano_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_serrano) and [_tortillas de patatas_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortilla_de_patatas)!


Stephen Colbert on Spanish Sports


[![Green Beans](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-03-urls-and-green-beans/2149980799_ae181d0516_t.jpg)](http://www.flickr.com/photos/9439733@N02/2149980799/ "Green Beans by ccharmon, on Flickr")In general, for just about any academic topic you want to know more about, you can find information on the internet to satisfy your curiosity. Luddites complain that "We know less these days because we can forget things and look them back up with such ease!", but I think that's a load of bollocks. Having more knowledge at our fingertips means we can learn more, and, even more important, we can recheck our current knowledge more often to keep it accurate.

Several times a day I find myself in a situation in which my understanding of a subject is unclear, so I look it up on the internet to clarify my knowledge. Over the past week, however, I have had the same rare experience twice: that the all-knowing internet was unable to clarify my foggy understanding.

### What is the difference between a URI and a URL?

I already knew that they stood for Universal Resource Identifier and Universal Resource Locator respectively, and that it was uncool (the technical term is _deprecated_) to use URL these days, and that all the cool kids now use URI. I knew that any URL is also a URI, but that a URI isn't necessarily a URL, and that you almost never come across a URI that's _not_ a URL, so that, in practice, the terms are pretty interchangeable. That's about it. Clear as mud, right?

Well, after reading about five different articles on the subject, I found myself with no new information. It's just a stupid technical nomenclature snafu that doesn't get any clearer.

### What is the English word for the Spanish food called _vainas_ or _judí­as_?

Normally when you're dealing with something scientific, particularly a species, the best way to translate the word is to go to Wikipedia, look it up in one language, and then choose to switch the article language. It works almost every time. Unfortunately there are many, many, many varieties of bean all classified as _Phaseolus vulgaris_.

I really wanted there to just be some better word than "green bean" for what I eat in Spain under the name _vainas_. They're similar, but clearly different. What I call a [green bean](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_bean) in the US is on the left, and what I call a [_vaina_ or _judí­a_](http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jud%C3%ADa_verde) in Spanish is on the right:

![green bean](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-03-urls-and-green-beans/A_green_bean.jpg)![vainas](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-03-urls-and-green-beans/300px-Phaseolus_vulgaris.jpg)

The green bean is more round, and the _vaina_ is much more flat. But it turns out there really is no other word in English other than "green bean", but there are another [dozen or so](http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ejote) words for it in Spanish. Go figure.

### 20-20 Hindsight

I had most of this post already formulated in my mind when I read this article about [Hindsight Bias](http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/06/14/hindsight-bias/) on my new favorite psychology blog, [You're Not So Smart](http://youarenotsosmart.com/). I'm pretty sure that I really did know all this stuff before I looked it up, but it's very possible that my brain is tricking itself into not looking like such an idiot. Who knows...


URLs and Green Beans


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-02-nora-on-vacation/4852274961_c00ac65de7_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="A kiss for Daddy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-08-02-nora-on-vacation/4852274961_c23f3f4222_t.jpg" alt="A kiss for Daddy"/>
</a>

The plan for our summer vacations was for Marga and her parents to take Nora down to Extremadura, where we usually go in August, last Saturday, and then I would go this coming Saturday to visit for a week and then Marga, Nora and I would come back the following weekend. However, last Thursday, Marga's boss fell off his motorcycle and broke his shoulder, landing him a week in the hospital and putting the kibosh on Marga's first week of vacation. It was a tough decision, but we decided to let Nora go with her grandparents to Extremadura to leave us childless for a week.

At least I have this heart warming video I recorded last Friday to remember my daughter this week without her. A little context first... Nora has this book called [That's Not My Baby](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0794526039?ie=UTF8&tag=eriksblog07-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0794526039) (a google search for it just now turned up episodes of Maury Povich) which consists of drawings of several babies with textured objects and the sentence "That's not my baby! Her \_\_\_\_\_ is too \_\_\_\_\_!" (e.g. blanket, soft). The final page reads "That's my baby!" and has a mirror. Every single time Nora sees herself in this mirror, she kisses her reflection. It's some pretty serious narcissism. When this video was filmed, we were watching ourselves in the viewfinder, and I think that seeing herself primed her to want to kiss someone. You can see her looking around post-pucker for something to kiss. Luckily I was at the right place at the right time.


17 posts from August, 2010