Today is the 10 year anniversary of events that changed us as a nation. As I sit in my home in Madrid, Spain I have found it a bit of a difficult day. Difficult because it is just a regular day here in Spain. Difficult because this date 10 years ago defines us now and my children will not be taught any of this in school here. Difficult because as an American in a foreign country I feel that I want to keep that fact hidden. I don't want to draw attention to myself, but I really want to hang a U.S. flag out on my house to show my pride for my country. Being an American in Spain is such an incredible opportunity and adventure and I would never want to offend a Spaniard. As September 11 is just about over here in Spain I wanted to have a post in remembrence. I read a facebook post yesterday that said. "I don't remember what I was doing last Tuesday, but I can tell you exactly what I was doing on September 11, 2001". This struck a chord with me. This is so true. I love hearing people's stories of where they were and what they were doing and how their lives have been affected by such tragedy that I thought I would share mine.
On September 11, 2001 we were stationed at Ft. Lee in Virginia. Hubby was attending the Captain's Career Course and I was working just north of Richmond, Virginia in a town called Glen Allen. I was not at a computer that had internet capabilities nor near a television. I sort of heard co-workers talking about what was going on, but truly was caught up in my work. I kept getting updates from co-workers and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I stepped out of the office to call my mom on the West Coast to just let her know that I was ok and to hear her voice. Just after lunchtime Hubby called me at work to let me know that he had been released early and to fill me in on the details. He then told me that Ft. Lee was on lockdown and to try and get a hotel room outside of base because I probably couldn't get on. I left work early that day and was able to get on base, but waited hours in a line to get on. Once on post there were soldiers with weapons walking up and down our streets. There were tanks rolling up and down our streets. It was just crazy. Once I got home I was able to see footage for the first time and I just couldn't turn it off. Hubby and I waited to hear President Bush speak and after President Bush's speech Hubby turned to me and said, "We are going to war." At that moment I knew our military lives would be drastically different.
In the weeks that followed I struggled with so many emotions. I would take my lunch break to drive to a parking lot and just sob. What was going to happen? What did this mean for us in the military? How would our country heal? I felt so much patriotism all around me. It brought tears to my eyes to see every single house on our street waving the American Flag. People, for the first time in a long time, put their needs and wants aside to help others. It was just truly amazing yet so sad that it takes such tragedy for people to come together. There were people on our street whose husbands were sent up to ground zero to help in the recovery of bodies with a Casualty Affairs unit. We had another schooling scheduled after Ft. Lee, but which of our friends would be sent away from their families?
We headed to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for EOD school and then to Ft. Knox, Kentucky to fill a Company Command position of an active EOD Company. About the time we got to Kentucky the first wave of Marines deployed to Iraq. By this time we had given birth to one child. Not sure how many waves came before ours, but in September of 2003 Hubby deployed to Iraq...and I suppose the rest is history. We now have two children, been through 2 deployments, too many memorial services to count and Hubby wears a bracelet with 2 special names engraved on it representing two of his soldiers that were killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are a changed nation and we are a changed family.
I pray everyday for God's protection of our "family" and our military "family". So many lives lost this day 10 years ago and many more lost since then. Though we aren't seeing coverage on tv this day, that is probably happening in the States, we do remember. Terrorists act in evil all over the world and this is one thing that we as Americans share with Madrid. In 2004 Madrid was attacked with bombs in their commuter train system. I look forward to mourning with them on the anniversary of their tragedy and knowing we can actually relate. Because of their terrorist attacks we are here today. Spain wanted to host the Counter IED Center because of this incident.
I raise a glass to 10 more years of rebuilding this great nation and pray that Americans everywhere remember how we all treated each other just hours, days, weeks and even months following this great tragedy and to remember that we don't need another tragedy to come together as one.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
SEGOVIA!!!!!!
A few weekends ago Hubby's work organized a trip to Segovia. Segovia is an easy day trip from Madrid and I would say is a must see for anyone visiting here. There are many things that Segovia is known for. The few that we saw were the Aqueduct, the Alcazar, the Segovia Cathedral, the Walls of Segovia and Suckling Pig.
The Aqueduct:
Incredible.
The next sight we saw was the Segovia Cathedral. We weren't able to go in because we weren't Catholic and they were having mass. We went on a Sunday. You can pay to go in when there isn't mass and we will certainly do that next time we are there. I must say that buildings here are just so impressive. When you think about the construction practices back when these buildings were constructed you just stand in awe of what was produced. These were all done by hand and the detail is just amazing.
After being mesmerized for a bit looking at the Cathedral, we walked through the incredibly tiny streets where you wouldn't think people could walk and drive down...but this is Spain...so they absolutely do.
These incredible streets took us past little shops and vendors and ended at the Alcazar of Segovia. They say that Walt Disney was inspired by this castle and created Cinderella's castle through this inspiration. This castle was first documented in 1122, but it easily could have existed earlier. Again...we didn't go inside the castle this trip, but do plan to go in next time. We were with a big group and we didn't want anybody to feel obligated to pay the entrance fees. This castle was the residence of many royals and was devastated by fire in 1862, but was rebuilt. This sight now houses the sight of an Artillery Museum.
Our final destination in Segovia was to have the famous suckling pig. Now...I probably shouldn't have read about this before we went, but I was determined to try it. A little background...A suckling pig is basically a piglet that is fed strictly on it's mother's milk until slaughtered at about 21 days old. Oyyyyyy... here we go. This appeared to be a specialty in Segovia. It was offered on many, many of the menus here and 2 of the most well know suckling pig restaurants are here.
The meat of the suckling pig is extremely tender. They say that when these come out of the wood ovens that they cut them with a plate because they are so tender. I would agree the meat is this tender, but the skin was extremely crisp so I don't know if that is true. We didn't see them cut the little piglets. It was very tasty and an experience to say the least.
We had a great day in Segovia and hope to go back soon when we are not with a large group and can just wander without losing anybody or worrying about places we need to be by a certain time.
Until we meet again...
The Aqueduct:
The aqueduct is an incredible piece of architecture and engineering. This was built in the late 1st century or early 2nd century. The aqueduct is 9 miles long and up to only a few years back was functional. It brought water from the mountains to the city. I think the most amazing facts about this structure is that it was built by hand with around 25,000 granite blocks and held together by pure engineering. There is no mortar whatsoever in this structure. There are over 170 bows (arches) in the structure.
The next sight we saw was the Segovia Cathedral. We weren't able to go in because we weren't Catholic and they were having mass. We went on a Sunday. You can pay to go in when there isn't mass and we will certainly do that next time we are there. I must say that buildings here are just so impressive. When you think about the construction practices back when these buildings were constructed you just stand in awe of what was produced. These were all done by hand and the detail is just amazing.
After being mesmerized for a bit looking at the Cathedral, we walked through the incredibly tiny streets where you wouldn't think people could walk and drive down...but this is Spain...so they absolutely do.
Our final destination in Segovia was to have the famous suckling pig. Now...I probably shouldn't have read about this before we went, but I was determined to try it. A little background...A suckling pig is basically a piglet that is fed strictly on it's mother's milk until slaughtered at about 21 days old. Oyyyyyy... here we go. This appeared to be a specialty in Segovia. It was offered on many, many of the menus here and 2 of the most well know suckling pig restaurants are here.
The meat of the suckling pig is extremely tender. They say that when these come out of the wood ovens that they cut them with a plate because they are so tender. I would agree the meat is this tender, but the skin was extremely crisp so I don't know if that is true. We didn't see them cut the little piglets. It was very tasty and an experience to say the least.
We had a great day in Segovia and hope to go back soon when we are not with a large group and can just wander without losing anybody or worrying about places we need to be by a certain time.
Until we meet again...
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