We stayed at home today to participate in the many activities taking place in the city. First there was "Enchanted Garden" at All Saints Church. It was a bit more like enchanted merchant stalls but there was a cute albeit a slightly varnished Fairy Queen smiling coquettishly from behind a tombstone. The kids got some fairy wings and enjoyed running around after a brief stint with a local photographer. Isabella was uncooperative.
Before leaving we dropped into the
church. It is very cool. The first kings of England were crowned here and it is around 1000 years old. They are trying to restore it so the inside is a weird mess of things - medieval sarcophagus implemented as a praying noble in the corner, followed by a pile of stones with a broom on top of it, followed with a makeshift kitchen complete with a microwave. Still, with so many modern implements, and amidst the reconstruction work, there is a feel that it is an ancient place.
The next stop was a bike shop where we outfitted the rest of the family. Like I said, I should have gotten me a new one - it would have been cheaper and lighter. We will be getting them on Tuesday - will ask Irina to take a picture of a family on wheels.
We went home for lunch, because of the heat occasionally came out to see what is going on on the market square. Performers took turns is a pretty nice show. Finally at 3pm there was a carnival. Participants of the many youth events going on in the city this summer (dancers, musicians, circus actors, capoeira masters, and more dressed in carnival clothing marched through the center of town. Georgia was very excited and walked with them dancing. Isabella did not like the one dressed like a spider and clinged to Dan. There was also face painting, puppetry and printing on fabric going on near by.
My colleague Ricardo, his wife Irina and their three kids Alex, Natalia and Max came over later in the afternoon. We were nervous because we still have not figured out the local cooking and spices but I think everything turned out OK. Alex is a bit younger than Georgia, and Natalia is a bit older than Isabella. Little girls bonded instantly. They even look alike. Georgia managed all the kids. She was like their Alice and Lily. In the end, she even got a swoon-worthy kiss on both cheeks from a well-mannered gentleman. We had a really great time and hope to see them again.
We stayed at home today to participate in the many activities taking place in the city. First there was "Enchanted Garden" at All Saints Church. It was a bit more like enchanted merchant stalls but there was a cute albeit a slightly varnished Fairy Queen smiling coquettishly from behind a tombstone. The kids got some fairy wings and enjoyed running around after a brief stint with a local photographer. Isabella was uncooperative. 
Before leaving we dropped into the church. It is very cool. The first kings of England were crowned here and it is around 1000 years old. They are trying to restore it so the inside is a weird mess of things - medieval sarcophagus implemented as a praying noble in the corner, followed by a pile of stones with a broom on top of it, followed with a makeshift kitchen complete with a microwave. Still, with so many modern implements, and amidst the reconstruction work, there is a feel that it is an ancient place. 
The next stop was a bike shop where we outfitted the rest of the family. Like I said, I should have gotten me a new one - it would have been cheaper and lighter. We will be getting them on Tuesday - will ask Irina to take a picture of a family on wheels.
We went home for lunch, because of the heat occasionally came out to see what is going on on the market square. Performers took turns is a pretty nice show. Finally at 3pm there was a carnival. Participants of the many youth events going on in the city this summer (dancers, musicians, circus actors, capoeira masters, and more dressed in carnival clothing marched through the center of town. Georgia was very excited and walked with them dancing. Isabella did not like the one dressed like a spider and clinged to Dan. There was also face painting, puppetry and printing on fabric going on near by. 
My colleague Ricardo, his wife Irina and their three kids Alex, Natalia and Max came over later in the afternoon. We were nervous because we still have not figured out the local cooking and spices but I think everything turned out OK. Alex is a bit younger than Georgia, and Natalia is a bit older than Isabella. Little girls bonded instantly. They even look alike. Georgia managed all the kids. She was like their Alice and Lily. In the end, she even got a swoon-worthy kiss on both cheeks from a well-mannered gentleman. We had a really great time and hope to see them again. 
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