Tenerife, Canary Islands - Letter to Dad, 04/14/2004

It has been raining all day today.   So I read this morning, had an early lunch, and am having a massage this afternoon - as you can tell a very busy day. 


Well, I mentioned earlier that I left my camera outside overnight and it rained so all my pictures the next day were "misty" (very Van Gogh).  It now has stopped working completely.  Thank goodness I thought to bring my old film camera as well, so I can still get pictures.   I've just gotten used to the instant gratification from the digital camera.  I also would have loved to have had the video option on my digital camera yesterday. 


It was gorgeous (what I expected the islands to be like).  In the afternoon we rode camels and then toured the small zoo that was attached.   The camels were hooked together with a rope and the trainer led the front camel.  The camel I was on kept getting his face rather close to Jenny and making all kinds of strange noises.  


They had exotic animals at the zoo, such as roosters, raccoons, guinea pigs.  It was rather funny.   They also had animals we would consider rare and there were only bars separating the animals from us, so we got to hold a monkey´s hand and get good pictures without the fencing.  


After that we went to a winery and then later dinner.  On the way to dinner we were almost run down by a goat herd returning home for the night.   It was hilarious to see the dogs at work keeping the goats in line.  Two cars had to pull over to the side of the road so that the goats could pass. 


Tomorrow Marcy and I take the tram to within 200 meters of the top of the volcano, El Tiede (we will be over 3000 meters above sea level).  Usually, that is all the farther anyone can go, but we got special permission to take a hike (2 hours) to the top of the volcano.  


It should be fun and unique.  We leave Friday morning for Madrid. It´s hard to believe its almost over.

Tenerife, Canary Islands - Letter to Dad, 04/12/2004

We got to go out into the sun today.  I actually burned my neck on my walk yesterday.  Today I stayed on the balcony (which is huge) instead of going to the pool.  The pool is not the same without Elyse & Adam. 


I´ve had great German food a couple of times now.  The Germans are a big population in the area. 


We have taken to having big lunches and small dinners - typically cheese, bread, and wine/sangria/liquor.  Last night we had typical canary Island liquor - honey rum cream. It tastes great.

Tenerife, Canary Islands - Letter to Dad, 04/11/2004

I have gotten to see a few "processions", i.e. parades re the Holy Week.  Last nights had several floats (think scenes on wheels, some solemn, some joyous).  Last night got to me more than in Madrid, there was a scene of Christ and someone else carrying the cross, Christ on the cross, Mary crying, Christ risen, etc.  All during the procession, drums were beating something that reminded me of a death dirge.   It was very moving. 


We are planning our week now (not much is open until after the holiday; Easter holiday starts on Thursday and lasts to Sunday).  We hope to go to another island that has fissures in the land so you see fires, etc.  We also hope to go for a camel ride.  The rest is up in the air.  We only have 4 days after the weekend, I NEED MORE TIME!!!!