The Balearic Isles

Hello friends! Mom, Pop, and I are currently in Minorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the Northeast coast of Spain. We came here because Pop's great grandfather was born here and sailed to America when he was a teenager to make a living by being a fisherman..pretty cool. The island is pretty remote with lots of rocky cliffs, arid land, and bright blue water. It's beautiful. We have been hiking to different beaches and kayaking along the rocky cliffs. Mom and I in a double kayak=hilarious. And the beaches..wow, people's swimsuits (or lack of) differ quite a bit from the states. To say the least, people were staring Mom and I in our one pieces like we were aliens. No such thing as modesty on these beaches...slightly disturbing. 

We are flying back to Madrid today because my study abroad program starts tonight. I will be meeting all of the students in my program and also meeting my host madre, Esperanza. Mom, Pop, and I are going to have coffee at her house tonight so they can see where I will be living this summer. Oh yeah, she happens to not speak a lick of English and my parents don't speak Spanish, so this little gathering will be interesting. Maybe she will let us play with her pet parakeets in the meantime. Tomorrow I will be heading to Toledo with my study abroad group for the day and then Mom and Pop will be heading home on Sunday. I hope Mom can make it until Sunday...the woman is seriously missing her grandbabies. Her classic phrases have been "Oh! Tell Mindy I'm about to stroke out because I miss my babies so bad!" or "Oh, you just wait until I get a hold of (fill in a one of the baby's names here)"...Min, you better watch out..Mom could be knocking your door down at all hours of the night. 

I'm so excited because my sisters and their boys are going to come and visit!! Mindy and Rhett are going to come sometime in July and then Nat and Russ are going to come after or before them. (Nat, that was your reminder to book the flights :) ) I'm so glad they're coming!! I gotta see my peeps if you know what I'm sayin. 

Well, it's time to pack up and head to the airport. Have a Happy Friday and a fun, restful Memorial Day weekend!

Villa 

Beach

The cutest old little hiking couple

This is really what it looks like here

Taken from our hiking trail