Day Trip to Cepeda de la Mora

        I can honestly say that my host family has been the best in providing accommodations as well as enthusiastically sharing their culture with me.  This past Saturday they invited me to their home village where there was a branding festival to celebrate the agriculture of their village.  Although I was not thrilled to see the actual branding of the cattle, I was intrigued to try the migas and the paella the village provided free of charge.  Now, the village of Cepeda de la Mora is definitely a humble place where about 40 people live.  Both of my homestay parents lived there at one point or another in their lives and currently own property there and graciously spend their summers soaking up the beautiful weather Cepeda de la Mora has to offer.  I am not sure how much more rural a place can be.  This place definitely provided an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and take a moment to reconnect with nature and the gifts she has to offer.  This also was the perfect opportunity for me to get to know the spanish community and various relatives of my host family as well as share some of my American culture.  

        What I find so heartwarming is how much their relatives embraced me.  All of them were eager to talk to me and ask questions about my life and listen to stories about my family back home in the United States.  They were interested in my family history and where we came from as well as the origins of our “apellidos,” (last name).  They reminded me a lot of my family back in the United States and I felt very connected and happy to be present with these beautiful souls in Spain.  When we went for a walk in the rural mountains of Cepeda de la Mora, I could not help but realize how fresh the air was and engage wholly with nature once again.  As the crisp breeze brushed across my face, there was a feeling of tranquility and peace.  The Spanish scenery gave me some peace of mind.  My advice to future teachers would be to go on day trips with your host family if they offer, because these are the moments you are going to remember.  These are the random events you will experience and it certainly includes meeting strangers who will become friends.  As we grow older we may begin to forget many things about places we’ve been and people we’ve met, but we will always remember the way they made us feel.