Talhams@Toulouse: Spain

We have just returned from the first half of school break number one: after eight weeks of school, the girls have two weeks off! For the rest of the year, they will be on for six, off for two. Sounds nice, huh? The school days here, however, are much more rigorous than at home. Claire and Corinne are at school from 8:30 to 4:30 M, Th, Fr; 8:30 to 3:30 T; and 8:30 to 11:45 W. Charlotte, well, I'm not sure I have yet wrapped my head around her schedule. Somehow she takes 11 classes. Monday starts late, so she is at school from 10:15 to 5:30. Friday is early release, so the day lasts from 8:15 to 4:30. Tuesday and Thursday are from 8:15 to 5:30 while Wednesday is an early day for her, as well, and lasts from 8:15 to 1:30.

The amount of time spent isn't the most striking difference--I have even been heard to say that we need longer school days at home. The difference is in the environment here. It is quite harsh. Attendance at university is offered only to the best and brightest, and the weeding out begins early. So much for late bloomers! Here, there are plenty of children left behind. In all fairness, though, they have in place other educational opportunities to train productive citizens in any manner of trade or craft--something we are sadly lacking. The philosophy tends toward emphasizing what you do not do well, rather than what you do well. I think therein lies the difference--it is far more taxing on any eager-to-please students.

Students may typically find one of three different comments on their work: M (mal, aka bad), B (bien, aka good), or TB (tres bien, aka very well done). I had to laugh when I learned about M--I'd probably be quickly fired if I were to write "Bad" as a comment on a student's work! All scoring is out of 20, but apparently a 20 is almost nonexistent. And, some teachers share student scores with the class. I know this may be motivational for some but what about the devastation caused to others? Charlotte was horrified one day when her English teacher began reading out scores on an early assignment. She compassionately insisted, "How does the kid who gets a 3 feel???"

Enough of me trying to justify the two-week break! We've enjoyed it so far. So much so, I only have two words to share about Cuenca, Spain: GO THERE! You know I am not a person of few words, so I do in fact have more to say! We headed off through the Pyrenees to get to Spain which began our oohing and ahhing experiences for the trip. My longing for the beach transferred to a longing for the mountains! Whatever scenery gives you the most pleasure, the one constant is Mother Nature's talent! The Pyrenees was a great way to exit France and enter Spain. Our plan is to go back and ski the mountains in the winter.

On to Cuenca. We were lucky that Dan was invited to attend a meeting here so we could experience this place. This town in the center of Spain is spectacular. Carved out of two rivers and balanced on a cliff, it has breathtaking scenery all around. The old town is on the high ground and requires great effort traversing hills and/or quaint stairways to get there, but it is well worth it! One of my favorite places was the "Casas Colgadas" or hanging houses which hang precariously over a cliff and are home to a fabulous abstract art museum. There is a gorgeous cathedral in the center, and some old convents and monasteries that have been converted into luxury hotels. Around just about every corner we turned, there was something charming to see.

About 30 km outside of town is the "Ciudad Encandada" or Enchanted City. This is the place to go to see how the water carved through this area and left incredible rock formations. It is amazing to stand under some of them and imagine how the water coursed through the region. Anyway, the girls and I took a trip out there one day and had a blast discovering this park. Another day we traveled about 15 km outside of town to visit "Las Torcas" or sinkholes! Okay, so Florida has sinkholes, but not like these. They are canyons! Sadly, they were not filled with water, which is supposed to be a spectacular sight, but we were lucky enough to happen upon some goats as we hiked around.

When we left we headed to Valencia, as Charlotte was determined to have paella before we left Spain, and the best place to have it is where it is the regional specialty. Valencia is a gorgeous city! We only stayed there one night but toured the old city and gorged on paella. We traveled along the coast on the way home so were between the mountains and the Mediterranean--not a bad spot for travel! After a quiet weekend here at home, we head to the Dordogne river valley tomorrow for a week of castle viewing, prehistoric cave discovering, and consuming more regional fare. Pix on that to come later. In the meantime, here are some photos from the Spain trip!

The Pyrenees offer some incredible sights!