The Grapevine: 10 Days in Spain
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on April 03, 2014 from The Grapevine
This past ten days wrote another chapter in the "Life of Rosalyn Queen Alonso." Dave and I just completed a ten day trip to Spain.
The first thing that we learned is that we are older and it is so much harder to keep up with a group, especially after taking about ten hours in an airplane and not being able to sleep in our own bed. But it is one trip that I am glad that I took.
Dave has introduced me to a lot Spanish culture and it was great to be able to see Spain with him. When I start writing about this adventure, I realize that I could write an entire book. I will not bore you but hope over the next couple of weeks that I can share with you some of the things I learned and saw.
We landed in Barcelona and spent the day touring the city. There, we had a wonderful meal of Spanish cuisine which began introducing our taste buds to all that we would sample over the next ten days. One of the first visits we made was to Montserrat to visit the "La Morenta" or the Black Madonna. This is a monastery that was built by the Benedictine monks. There are many stories about why the face and hands of the blessed Mother are black but not have been verified and you believe what you want. I was so happy to be able to have started my tour by making this pilgrimage and especially during Lent. I was also able to go to confession to one of the monks who spoke English. The church although not huge contained some beautiful statues and stained glass windows.
Our last day there was spent in Madrid and we were treated to wonderful "Farewell" dinner with all of the Tapas and wine and ending with wonderful Spanish champagne. The one amazing thing is that three of the cities we visited had at least one million inhabitants each. This is a large figure.
Next week I will touch on the rest of our visits and especially about the food.
While in Spain I kept in touch with the Internet and was so saddened to learn of the passing of John Mazzie. He was such a wonderful young man and he always delivered me such beautiful bouquets to brighten my day. It was always great to see him at seven o'clock mass on Sunday at the Immaculate Conception. One day he made a delivery to me and we were just having lunch of Spanish sausage. Dave hurriedly fixed him a sandwich which he took along with him with a can of pop and he never forgot mentioning how much he enjoyed it. Condolences to his family. I also offer condolences to the Fragale family on the loss of Lucille.
Do not forget to book the Uptown Event Center for your graduation, political and spring showers. It is a beautiful place with a nice kitchen for these events. A membership drive and open house will be conducted this Thursday. Call 304 624 6881 for more information. Be sure to book early as the calendar fills up quickly.
Did you get "fooled" on April Fool's Day? I hope you got your taxes filed. A Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law Virgil Smith who has something in common with Tax Day.
Easter means all that delicious Easter Bread and if you are not making some you can get it at The Greenbrier Restaurant or at Tomarra's Bakery. Call ahead to place your order. Remember the recipe is in my book Arrivederci. Recipes and Customs Every Girl Takes From Home. I remind you of the custom we all practiced as young children; that of asking our elders for "their blessing." Call me at 304 842 2662 if you would like to purchase the book.
Take care and keep in touch with me. Until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."
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