july 2nd..Tauteval Cave &.we make it to Spain!

Our last stop in France was today at the Tauteval Cave...another amazing site!  It was out in the middle of nowhere...literally.   After Marzio parked the bus and we got out, we headed down this little road...and Alfredo looks up...way up...and what kind of looked like a house and said, "That's where we're going."  Of course, he had no idea... however, he proved to be correct!

After talking a bit with our guide, we began the climb...the steep climb...to get up to the cave.  The scenery was a "WOW"...I thought when we got to the top that we'd just walk in and look around a cave - WRONG!  This is an active archeological site...there were 5 people in there working...excavating fossils, bones...and no telling what else3.  It was interesting to see how the cave was grided...so when something is found, they can say the coordiates to know where it was found. 

 Can you spot our red bus down on the road?

 Bear bones!

What goes up must come down...so after being in the cave awhile and taking some phenomenal scenery photos, we headed down...down...down!

It wasn't the warmest day of our journey, but it was warm enough that most of the group put on their swimsuit and plunged in the water. There was also a rope swing that many attempted to master!  It just felt so nice to totally relax for the bulk of the day. We had a picnic...and then some swam again. 

 The rope swing!

 Amir

 Is this Jason?

 Matt or Julio?

 Juan

 Robin

 Georgianna?

 Jo

 Alfredo

 ???

 Marina

 Sierra

 Katie

 Daisy?

 Rebecca

 "JUDY!!! I dropped my iPhone in the water!"  screamed Ciara... 

When I about faint...she laughs and tells me it has a waterproof case on it!

 

 

we also learned how to throw an atlatl (not sure if that's the correct spelling)...and try to hit a target.  A few of us hit the bulls eye...but most of us didn't even hit the target at all! 

Off we went again driving towards Barcelona...As we drove up, there were all our home stay families...some holding signs...all very excited.  The coordinator for the homestays got on the bus and would call out one of our delegate's names...then everyone would start clapping for them...and off they'd come and  meet their new home sister or brother.  Many of them seemed to be a match made in heaven from the first second.  I hope they all end up being that. 

 We were in Spain!  Amir began playing Spain's national anthem as we crossed over the border!

 This is Sarah...the home stay coordinator who worked with Amir's company (PDM) and P2P.

The leaders didn't have a homestay this year...so we're in a hotel.  (Marzio,our coach driver; Amir, Steve, Lynne, and myself)  Jodi, the leader for the group out of Santa Clarita, did have one...so she went to her 'family' and the rest of the leaders took a hike along the ocean and found a restaurant for dinner. 

A good day, for sure!