Heather Campbell, Collector of Art & Beauty

Heather has been an artist, art collector, and art aficionada for years.  So when we walked down the artists' alley at the El Rastro Sunday Market in Madrid, she was delighted to find an elderly impressionist artist, who happened to have been born the same 1924 week as her Grandma Glendora.  Heather's new artist friend displayed her artwork on the same street where she was born, raised, and still lived!  Heather discussed the artwork (in perfect Spanish), learned about the artist, asked lots of questions, chose her painting, got a signature, and made a new friend.  We were pleased to capture this sweet artist-to-artist encounter on camera!

Vacation in Spain: Photo Collage

   

A photo collage from our vacation in Spain!  Do you get the idea that we had a blast?
More to come, stay tuned!

Mauritius Markets

We have posted so many pictures of Madrid, and there are more to come.  Lest you think we have departed Mauritius, fear not!  Back here on the island, we often visit with local retailers and the shoppers that patronize them.  There are so many beautiful fabrics and textures in the market!  And the smells, sounds and sights of the produce and meat markets are surprising and (sometimes) delightful!

Deep fried goodness

Mukto, my favorite vendor down the street

Hot chicken sandwiches! Yum!

Flamenco Forever!

We found flamenco dancers all over Madrid . . . from impromptu dancers at the square near the Metro station entrance to nightclubs that served dinner, drinks, and put on a lively flamenco show.  It was a passionate demonstration of the country's beautiful culture.  Now that we are interested and studying the art form, we are learning that our home town, Albuquerque, has become the major center for flamenco in the USA! Flamenco forever!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day 2013

Memorial Day Weekend . . . a time to remember loved ones who have passed on, and give thanks for their lives . . . and to particularly honor those who served their country.  This Memorial Day weekend is the first one for Shelly and me in which all our parents rest in peace on the beautiful hillside at Santa Fe National Cemetery.  When we were there last month to celebrate Glendora's life, we paid our respects to all.  We love and remember Ike and Glen, Bob and Cissie . . . we celebrate their lives, and we thank them for their service.  Amen.     

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!