Alcala de Henares

Our first missionary group outing was Monday, May 10th. We had barely been in town a week and were still reeling from jet lag and trying to set up housekeeping. However we would not be deterred. Getting there involved a metro ride with change then surfacing to get on a train. The ride was pleasant but the the sights were mostly industrial as we sailed along.

Alcala (axcent on the final vowel) is a very old town. Henares is the name of the river and since Roman times there has been a settlement for defense and commerce.  In the mid 1400's Cardinal Cisneros applied to the pope for permission to create a university. For many years it was exactly that - a university town. As Madrid grew in political power the university was moved to that city. The local people bought all the buildings and preserved them. They were used as commercial sites, military quarters and homes. Eventually the University returned and is still housed in classically built, beautiful buildings. The city also claims fame by being the birth place of Miguel Cervantes as well as the roosting home of many storks.

This is the central plaza. Plaza de Cervantes. It is spacious, clean and quite lovely. Surrounding the plaza are very old quaint buildings. I fancied if I knocked on a door a person in 15th century clothing would greet me.

In recent years the town has been declared a world heritage treasure. We agree, it is.

All of the university building are constructed around a central courtyard.

This is the birthplace of Miguel Cervantes. It is a museum but is closed on Monday. Therefore another trip is warrented when we can take another day to visit.  Nearby is a bench with bronze figures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. We posed for a group photo. These are all of the Temple Missionaries (sans photographer)

The Photographer

Author Ruben Dario paid tribute to the Spanish Monarchs and Columbus

In the days of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Spanish court was mobile. Probably to keep a better profile, follow the army, flee from the opposing army and confer with church officials. Here in Alcala Columbus had the audience with Queen Isabella when she agreed to finance his exploration plans. There is statuary honoring her near the archbishop's palace where the interview took place. The palace has a more sinister history as a court for inquisition trials. The building was too large tophotograph.

This is the coat of arms at the archbishop's palace. Note the crown, the lions for the state of Leon, the castles for Castile the towers for the church and the boat for Columbus.

Statue of Queen Isabella. Place here in honor of the 400th anniversary of her death.

There were dozens of stork nests all around the city. Most nests had chicks and the parents were feeding them. We could not get any to agree to a photo op.

One tired tourist

Spring Wild Flowers

When we first arrived in Madrid the weather reminded us it was early Spring. The days were cloudy and windy and the temperature was about 55 degrees. We were glad for jackets and scarves. Oh, scarves. Anyone and everyone wears a scarf. I brought a couple but now have quite a collection.

Suddenly after two weeks, the clouds and wind left over night and we are in "Sunny Spain". The temperature is about 75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. The sun can be very bright so sun glasses and a hat are standard walking gear.  I saw a girl yesterday wearing short shorts a scanty top and, of course, a scarf around her neck. She was making a fashion statement. It was not cold.

Along the freeway embankments and among the biking and jogging trails there have been beautiful wild flowers. We walked out one afternoon to see and photograph some. 

On the way home we captured this special image.

Aduana - the Customs Office

Before leave Mesa, we mailed some packages of weighty matter and consumables. Usually if you write "missionary supplies" - no problem. They arrived quickly with no questions asked. However on my last package I had  my quad as well as the Relief Society manual. I labeled such as "books". All arrived before we did except this last one. Instead we got a letter sternly advising us we could not bring items into Spain to sell and to report to customs to declare contents of said package and pay the duty. Our only available day to do this was Monday, May 10th. Since we do not know the city well and it was an hour bus ride away and we would be deposted "in the area" not at the door, we asked one of the Temple engineers to escort us. We were assured this was not a problem for the staff. True to his skill we avoided the freeway with its four lanes of choked traffic, negociated all the round abouts and double parked in front of the customs office. Indeed, on our own we never would have found the correct door. We were at the airport's cargo area.

We first stood in one line for a signature on our letter and permission to stand in another line. This fellow read the letter, disappeared and returned with the question. How many books? In English I told our escort. I hava a quad, which would be four and our manual. He turned to the officer and said "two books". I also admitted putting in some yarn to stablize the contents. The answer satisfied the officer that we were not selling books. He signed, stamped then re-signed and stamped the letter again  and gave us permission to stand in another line. Here, more signatures more stamping and a fee of 5 euros. We finally got the package. I was nervous about the double parking as we had been on the office about an hour, but no one ticketed us and we got back to our apartment in time to change clothes for our outing to Alcala.

Departure and Arrival

One week ago today we bade a tearful (at least on Grandma's part) to Sheli and family at the Las Vegas international terminal. We flew on British Airlines and although it was gate #2. They seemed to number the gates backwards and we had to walk the distance of the terminal.

The terminal was not crowded and we negociated the stops and turns without delay. The plane was delayed, however. When it landed from somewhere, the American security team took extra long in "cleaning" and we were an hour late leaving. The plane had seen years of service and my seat would not recline and Ken's headset did not work well. He had an isle seat and I the center. Our companion was a young Brit who instantly fell asleep and did not stir the entire trip. Neither did his three companions who were seated in front of us. I assume they had partied non-stop.  We slept, sort of. When I roused, I checked the flight map. We went over Denver. Up through Michigan and a bit of Canada then over the pond just south Greenland and on to London. Airplane food is next to hospital fare in appeal and taste.

Although it seems early morning to us, arrival time in London was 2:00 pm local time. The transfer to another terminal was much easier - more direct and with less congestion than our previous experience, so we were pleased. Our flight to Madrid was in Iberian Airlines. Here was the only place I had to open a computer case. The attendant skillfully helped himself to an item of importance, so be advised, if your bag must be rescanned - stay with it. Again the plane was late departing, but as we had no critical connection, we just waited. On this airline we had to purchase a sandwich which we shared and a drink - not cold.

President and Sister Moore were waiting for us and a more delightful couple you will not meet. Very personable and as we have discovered spiritual and capable leaders. Local time was about 7:00 pm

The building material here in Madrid like in Bolivia is red brick. I will be interested to see the basic construction pattern. Is it the same?? Probably not as the bricks are exposed and we see many red brick high rise buildings from our window.

We are getting settled in. The jet lag is about neutralized and we about have all the housekeeping articles we need. The metro and bus routes are very close but we also walk a lot to the small shops and larger shopping centers.

Our apartment is small and European in details. We are on the third floor of a six story building. Remember here the first floor is not ground level. So it is actually 7 stories. We get into the building and upstairs with an electronic key. We are given one each, which cramps my style but I am learning not to venture out without a key. There are no drawers in the bathroom. We must share a computer desk which is not large, so that will be a personal challenge. The view from our windows looks onto a vacant lot. It is not beautiful but not trash filled either.  It is still early Spring here with temperatures in the 60's. It has rained and the wind can be brisk. These apartments are heated and/or cooled so we are comfortable. The streets are paved (only if you have been in Bolivia, do you appreciate this). There are round-abouts and cars stop for pedestrians without grumbling. All obey traffic signals.

We have met some lovely people who have been very generous with their time and information to get us settled in. There are many pretty parks and the median dividers are all planted and well cared for. All are in flower now and dressed in spring green.

Previous Preparations

Preparations for Madrid started while we were yet in Bolivia. We did not know it was Madrid, just that is was our preference. We arrived in Arizona the end of June 2009 and immediately opened a new mission account and started updating our medical and ages. Communication with President Moore assured us he needed more ordinance workers and added our names to his "watch list".

In September we were in Las Vegas tending grandsons when Chris called us from Mesa with the news we had an envelope from Salt Lake. We were somewhat apprehensive as Eileen had been talking to an old friend of hers in the in the mission department who verified the call had been issured but that "Spain was full". Not wanting to wait another week, we called the mission department to ask if they could e-mail a copy of the call. By chance we talked to the Eileen's friend who said yes, but not todday - more waiting. The next day we kept checking the e-mail - no call letter. Finally towards the end of the business day MST we received the letter and were much relieved and thrilled to know we were indeed assigned to the Madrid temple. The report date was February 15, 2010. Good - Christmas with the family then time to pack and leave.

Christmas was spent in Utah at Sheli's cabin. It was very cold and the snow was deep. But it was beautiful, of course. The Jorgensen's skiied while Ken and I watched.

The first of January, Ken called the mission department and received the news that visas to Spain were considerably delayed and we would not leave before April 5. Perhaps not until June. We were stunned!!

On February 1 we pulled out the suitcases and started packing. I had to have something to do!! The living room was an organized mess as we brought all the stuff out from drawers shelves and closets. I think I thought if we packed the visas would come. Not so. February wore on and I could not find much to agree with my digestive system or my frame of mind. Total collapese came March 14th with gall bladder surgery. I spent 10 days in the hospital but the day before I was discharged, we received word the visas were in Salt Lake City. Before the week was over, we had our passports in hand with all the proper stamps and signatures. Was I blessed or what???  It was rather awesome and humbling to know we were being watched over so carefully.

About the time my medical releases were in place, the Iceland volcano (I will not attempt to pronounce or spell the name) caused the traffic snarl all over northern Europe - and essentially world wide. We decided to wait out the time in Las Vegas with Sheli's family as we had reservations for May 2nd but no tickets. Before we left Mesa, we repacked everything to be sure the load was balanced and trimmed. Again our living room looked like a customs inspector had buzzed through.

Our little Camry was stuffed to the brim and we departed Mesa on Monday April 26th. Of course we wondered what would be the same and what would be different by the time we returned. The drive to Vegas was uneventful and the Jorgensens were all waiting for us.

Last evening, Tuesday April 27th, we all went to cheer Tanner at his T-ball game. Playing on another field was Lance's (a cousin) grandson so I got to visit with him and Peggy. On the same field Shawna Earl's son was a team member. The wind was blowing so fiercely, the games were almost cancelled. Fortunately not and we recorded our visit for this blog.  Isn't our family grand?

We do look windblown. But that is not the half of it. The wind blew so hard on Wednesday that it picked up the trampoline in Josh Whetten's (Lance) back yard and dumped it in his pool.