Volunteering in Spain -

The name of the organization is Diverbo, you have to get to Madrid, Spain after that they take over. You will meet at their headquarters and go by bus about 3 hours from Madrid into the mountainous region. They will take you to a little village with so much charm and character it will knock your socks off! They will keep you busy talking, talking, talking but in between the sessions you will get fed some really good food - complete with red and white wine. The meals were delightful - you always had 2 entrees to choose from - I tried to pick food that I either didn't know what it was or had never eaten it before. As a result I ate some pretty darn good food - can't remember the name of any of it, but I do recall enjoying every bite!

Let's start the journey looking at the hotel where I spent my week:

 My hotel room

 French doors that lead to a balcony

 The view from the balcony

 One of the sitting rooms in the lobby

 The front of the hotel

The town we stayed in - La Alberca was established in the 13th century. Here's a look at the town. Oh - before we go there you need to know there is a pig that roams the streets of the town. Legend has it that to see the pig might bring a little bit of luck your way - to pet the pig is guaranteed to bring luck your way and if you are infertile and would like to have a baby - if you pet the pigs "private parts" a pregnancy will be granted unto you! (I did not handle the private parts!)

 

 A view of the roof tops

 Plaza Mayor 

I have come to find out that every town has a Plaza Mayor -

 it is the heartbeat of the village. 

                                                                

                                           Look closely - you will see skulls behind the screens

                                           These were found in the basement of the church

                                           They were put on display here, along with candles

                                           To remind people to Pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory!

The tribute to the town pig - these people

love there "hamon"

I saw the pig

I chased the pig

I petting the pig

Lady luck is now riding on my shoulders!

I kept seeing people walking around town

with a loaf of French Bread - upon

further investigation I found the bakery

and the baker! 

A walk through the market  show cases many of the local "finds"

 This is a fish called Sea Star

 This is Tuna Loins in a jar!

This is how legumes are sold through out the country

One day we went to a Bordello (which I think means wine cellar)

for wine and hamon. Hamon is similar to prosciutto and this

region of Spain is famous for having the best in the country.

There was a "hamon carver" at the bordello showing us

how the hamon is carved and then plated. He was 

one of the best in his craft in the country.

 If you look carefully you can see the "hamon"

in the silver sling awaiting its carving.

 A toast from our hosts from Diverbo

 A piece of edible "hamon art"

Letting any of us who wanted to try out our

hands at carving.

and last but not least the wine I fell in love with

while in Spain. Of course it's not 

available in the US - guess it's back to beer!