Amposta

Now that our time at Pueblo Ingles is over, I mean who can survive 15+ hours a day speaking, we retreated to a small pueblo called Amposta to stay with our friend Amaya. With a population of around 15 thousand it was ideal for refreshing our minds and souls while giving our mouths a much needed rest.

We met Amaya while at Patim in Castellon. Most likely the best benefit of our time there (also for meeting Sanja from Serbia who we plan on visiting someday in the future). We took an overnight bus from Madrid to Tarragona and then a train from Tarragona to Amposta. While waiting in the train station for Amaya we busted out our playing cards for more rounds of Phase 10 and Skippo.

During the restful week in Amposta we also hiked 2 mountains. Despite already having our breath taken away by the climb itself the views were also breath-taking and marvelous.





We spent a mourning at the beach one day while Amaya had to work. We were the first to arrive at this small local beach but within 20 minutes the whole beach was covered. I got a great run in and Krystle got a darker shade of white. Upon returning to the city, we walked around and saw the river nearby and the bridge to the city. Another day we traveled down the river to the sea on a tourist boat.






We had the wonderful opportunity to have lunch with Amaya’s parents. It was a sight to see has 3 languages were being spoken during this meal. Krystle and I occasionally in English with Amaya practicing English skills she learned in primary school but has not used since. Her parents spoke many Catalan, trying to accommodate us with speaking Spanish. In the Catalunya area, Spanish is actually the second language in the small towns and rural areas because Catalan is the primary language.

After enjoying a typical meal of Catalunya which included a delicious cooked turkey we explored the city a little. We saw her mother’s clothing store, makes expenses dresses for special occasions, and went to see the bull ring. It is constructed each year for the one week festival and then dismantled afterward. The bulls are not killed and the locals are the ones in the ring running from the bulls.. craziness. On the last day they also have fireworks which was another kick for us as we missed the 4th of July fireworks back home.






We also enjoyed some coveted Mexican food.





Here was our goodbye at the train station.