Photo: SYA Colleagues and Spouses -- Antonio, Diana, Angeles, Ellen, Kevin, Celia and Parker in front of the Monastery de Leyre
We first toured the monastery where the original abbey was founded in the 11th century and became the burial-place of the kings of Navarra. A chapel in the north aisle contains the tombs of the early kings of Navarra. The undecorated crypt is the oldest part of the church.
Photo: Beautiful view from the monastery. The reservoir in the background is Zaragoza's water source even though it's over an hour outside of Z-town
Photo: Griffin, Angelica, Chi Chi, Chanel outside of the monastery with Parker, Kelsey and Celia. The sculptures on archway represent the seven deadly sins.
Photo: Colin, Parker, and Celia with SYA students, Danielle (Parker's advisee from Mississippi) and social butterfly, Jacob (from Hawaii)
Photo: Parker and Griffin inside the monastery
Boondoggle. That's what some may have called the 2 hour, lavish lunch the adults had after the tour while the kids and the students had a picnic and played outside.
Good manners are very important to the Spanish. Toward the end of lunch, when the waiter asked Antonio, a pretty relaxed person, if he was finished before he had completed his meal, Antonio quickly became edgy toward the waiter in response to his inappropriate pushiness. The waiter exclaimed, "tranquilo' (calm down)." And Antonio snapped, "Sí, soy tranquilo (yes, I'm calm)," as he held out his hand demonstrating that he it wasn't shaking.
Photo: Inside the monastery where we had lunch
Photo: Colin and Aidan playing football with the SYA students outside the monastery
After the Monastery, we hopped back on the bus and headed to see the Olite castle. The former Kingdom of Navarra has had a very turbulent past. The area used to be inhabited by the Vascons but they were driven northwards by the Moors and are the ancestors of the present day Basques.
Photo: Town of Olite
Photos: Views of the castle
Charlemagne drove out the Moors in the year 778. The three hundred years from 1234 were particularly turbulent as the Navarrese noblemen tried to regain independence. The French were finally defeated with the help of the King of Castile in 1512 when it became part of Spain. The castle was rebuilt by King Carlos III of Navarra and was made his summer residence until his death in 1425. Not a bad view for a 'summer place.' Later his grandson, the Prince of Viana, lived in the castle. During the Napoleonic wars it suffered sever damage but was restored to its former glory about one hundred years ago.
Photo: Kelsey with her SYA 'girlfriends.' Kelsey has had a blast chatting with all the SYA (female) students
Despite the extensive bus time, it was a fun day exploring the Spanish countryside and sites and spending time with the SYA students and faculty. And, uh, yes this was the 3rd day of school the kids missed this week but we figured these trips were a big part of the experience and alas, we'd soon get back to normal the following week.
Love this entry. Kelsey and Colin have grown!! Must be the Spanish air. Kelsey looks European. I loved those SYA trips and the Monestary visits! So peaceful.
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