Parque Garcia Sanabria

I have managed to find somewhere to live so now I am just waiting for the Foreign office appointment to come through. Which means I have some free time! Holiday!
Wednesday I went to Parque Garcia Sanabria, a pretty little park only a few minutes walk from here.
But first of course I stopped for a coffee.

Wrong time but pretty

There were loads of flowers out, some I recognized but most I didn't, which is not surprising considering my extensive horticultural knowledge. :)

bird of paradise

No idea

No idea either                                   

I had a walk around the edge, working my way in and stopping a few places to chill out. I usually ended up moving because someone came to sit near me. I had forgotten how much the Spanish smoke. :(

Arcs

Into the gardens

 My favorites were the cacti. There are there little guys all over and I have seen them around the city too.

                                                    

I found one walkway with a serious of arches and benches in-between. And the benches were fairly isolated (so little risk of smoke). It smelt lovely (i.e. not smoke) and I probably spent about an hour sitting reading in the sun.

Relaxing

There were also lots of statues and sculptures, both traditional and abstract.

This one was my favorite

At the centre is a fountain and statue, though I am not at all sure what the woman is supposed to be doing. And proportions didn't seem to be a concern for the artist. (Her hands were enormous!)

On her Throne?

Central fountain

Dog decided to cool off. Seemed like a good idea actually!

On the way back (after finding the supermarket, which was very well hidden) I had another wander around the Principe (or Prince's) park just outside my hotel.

So far, I have been doing the days old school Spanish with a siesta. :) It's just too hot to wander around during the middle of the day plus everything closes. So I have been eating lunch in the hotel and relaxing for a few hours. 

The past few nights, as I have had to Skype etc, I have eaten in hotel room with goodies from the supermarket. Things are surprisingly cheap. You can get a decent wine  for about 4 euros ($3.60). I did go out for a drink the other night and it was only 2 euros for a glass of wine at a restaurant ($1.80 or 1.4o pounds). Very nice. With the weather, I am going to like it here.

Feast

home and another move

I had a great time at home, though not long enough. A lot of time was spend chilling out with mom and dad which was brilliant. The weather has not been great (of course!) but that didn't stop us breaking out the Pimms even if we did end up inside instead of in the garden.

Pimms

 I didn't take many photos. Mainly because I was too lazy. Mom managed to get most of the week off work (YAY!!!) so we went to lunch a few times and did some shopping. I also had practical things to do like unpack my boxes and repack. (The flight to Tenerife only allowed me 30 kg and only 5kg in hand luggage which was a serious pain and required a lot of sacrifices.)

I did get some time to play with my new lens as well and moms orchids made great subjects!

The last night we got a Balti in (with a few nice glasses of wine of course). I have seriously missed good Indian food.

Last night feast.

It just wasn't enough time at home. :(

Sunday I flew out to Tenerife. The flight was ok, though everyone was very excited to be going on their holidays. Except me who is still dreaming of a holiday. I got in late-ish last night and thankfully Ismael, my new boss, picked me up from the airport (complete with paper with my new on). :) 

My hotel is very nice (though missing a kettle to make tea - something I intend to rectify later day). It over looks a little square and is close to the centre of town. I haven't had chance to explore yet but I have 2 weeks here so plenty of time. And the weather (in Santa Cruz anyway) is lovely! (Not so much in La Laguna.)

Dawn view from my hotel

park outside the hotel 

Cute!

I have spent today starting the long process of getting things sorted out. There is a ton of paperwork that need to be done before I can actually start work and more importantly get paid! Now to find somewhere to live.