Madrid Gastronomy

We ate our way through the city, from stand up tapa bars in the Mercado San Miguel to a flamenco dinner theater to paella in restaurants known for this specialty.  We fell right into the new Madrid dining time zone . . . Tapas and beverages mid afternoon with a nice dinner around 10 pm.  Shelly and Heather's favorite was gazpacho, Damon's was jamon, and I was hooked on paella!  Que rico!

Maestro de jamon

Paella

Lunch on the Plaza Mayor

Gazpacho

At La Baracca With the Mooney Family

More Paella

More Gazpacho

Can you see all 4 of us in this photo?

Tapas Market at Mercado San Miguel

Some Pre-Bullfight Jamon for Damon

Waiting for lunch in Cordoba

Eating Fast Food on the Fast Train

Eating Outdoors

And Indoors too!

Madrid Futbol

Damon and his Dad enjoyed an evening watching FC Barcelona beat Atletico de Madrid in a well played match.  The Spanish futbol fans were crazy for their teams!  At Vicente Calderon Stadium, we visited the Madrid team's museum and trophy cabinet.  Quite an impressive history! 

Mother's Day in Madrid

Here is one very happy Shelly during her Mother's Day WEEK in Madrid!  Heather and Damon were very happy to spend the week in Spain with Mom and Dad.  More pictures to come!

Mauritius to Madrid

We are in Madrid Spain this week with Damon and Heather celebrating Damon's graduation from University of Miami last week.  We are taking thousands of photos which we haven't had a chance to post yet.  We are busy touring gorgeous museums, seeing markets 'aplenty, eating tapas, enjoying flamenco, soccer games, and enjoying our first time being a foursome in over 2 years!  We promise photos and stories beginning next week!           

Damon Campbell, Magna Cum Laude

We couldn't be prouder of our son Damon who graduates Friday from the University of Miami, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Magna Cum Laude.  He's worked really really hard, had great grades . . . all the while holding down a job with a local engineering firm, participating in triathlons, and leading University engineering competition projects.  He starts his new job June 1st with a Miami-based engineering firm that has distinguished itself with several large national and international projects.

Congratulations, Damon!  We love you!

Cinco de Mayo in Mauritius

On Cinco de Mayo (5-05 our favorite numbers!), we hosted an Embassy party at home to bid farewell to one of our colleagues who is moving to a U.S. Consulate in Mexico. Shelly's new cooking skills got a workout as she fed 40 people with a combination plate of enchiladas, tacos, three salsas, quesadillas, beans, rice, and a southwestern bean salad . . . using mostly local ingredients! The red chile sauce and the green chile chicken enchiladas were huge hits.   (I was in charge of margaritas and beer, if you were wondering.)  Feliz fiestas!

Ambassador and Kendra

 

Shelly and Meeta

And another beautiful sunset!

Best Seats in the House

Shelly's trip to Washington, DC had an unexpected surprise!  Heather's boyfriend Chase got the Executive Branch office tickets to an International Music Festival at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall . . . not just any seats, but seats in the Presidential Box!  Although the President and First Lady did not happen to be attending the show that night, they did leave a nice welcome letter and chocolates for the visitors.  The show was great, the venue spectacular, and, for a couple Duke City Girls, created wonderful life-long memories!

Mother and Daughter in the
Presidential Box

Post Presidential State Dinner with Chase

Home on the Range

A trip to New Mexico would not be complete without dinner at the Range Cafe in Bernalillo, and the extra special treat of enjoying the music of D'Nash . . . our friends Ron & Maryann Torrez and Barney Fuller.  Add to that an evening spent with Heather, Damon, Shelly's sister Lindalee, niece Karen and husband Ajrn and we achieved nirvana!  Ron, Maryann, and Barney have been friends for decades . . . they played at our wedding and reception, and their "Green Chile Jam Band" was the soundtrack for H & D's childhood.  The Range itself is a NM institution with everything from meatloaf to enchiladas on the menu, cows over the door, and Harleys in the parking lot! D'Nash plays once a month at the Range, and when we are in town, we never miss the chance to enjoy their great sounds. For our last night in the Land of Enchantment for awhile, it was truly extraordinary.  Hasta la vista, Nuevo Mexico!

Happy Mom and Heather

Damon and his Mom

Maryann & Ron

Barney Fuller & his new guitar

Ajrn & Karen

Karen & Lindalee

Quirky Cows on the Range