Spain Reunion

Monday Oct 02 was a very special day. We were blessed with a visit by Father Walsh (recently earned the title of Monsignor) along with close friends from Japan and the US. They arrived last Sunday Oct 01 on a 2-week pilgrimage touring Spain including visits at Lourdes, France and Fatima in Portugal. After staying overnight at Madrid and visiting Toledo on the way, they arrived safely about 9:00 pm. thanks to our ever-accomodating and experienced tour manager/guide/driver/etc. Lucio.

The US group included Terry Trambulo from Las Vegas, Shirley Perez (her husband Ben had to cancel out at the last minute due to work) from San Marcos/San Diego, Rene and Lina Cruz from Bremerton and Aurelio (Rene's brother) and Juliette Cruz also from Bremerton. The Japan group included Msgr. Walsh, Kitsy Guinto and Weba Webster from NAS Atsugi. After all the greetings, hugs, kisses and 'beso-beso' and a very moving thanksgiving prayer by Father Walsh before the meal, we feasted out on the patio on grilled steaks, shrimp kebabs, pork sinigang (Father Walsh's favorite), broccoli, rice, corn, and pickled olives. It was a beautilful night with a slight breeze blowing in from the ocean and was the perfect ambience for such a reunion. A beautiful sunset would have capped it if not for the long drive. I was so caught up in the moment that I also forgot to take pictures.

It was fun reminiscing about the experiences in Japan and providing comparisons with Spain. The group was really encouraged about our stories and looking forward to the remainder of the trip. Rey Reg who went with us on the last rip to Fatima showed up later followed by Jim Domingo who was also previously stationed in Yokosuka. Father Walsh later on accommodated Rey's request and blessed the religious items he brought along including a wedding portrait as well as his vehicle.

Held a house tour afterwards and everyone expressed their appreciation of the house in being able to accommodate a big group (4 bathrooms/5 bedrooms/long table for 10), the antique furnishings as well as the seaside location. Made calls to the US, talked some more and then settled down for the night sometime past midnight after doing some laundry. Spread a futon for Shirley on the floor in our bedroom to continue the stories and ended up going to sleep sometime in the early morning. Lucio crashed out on a futon in the living room.

Got up at 6:00, cooked scrambled eggs, sliced up the steak and sauteed it with onions and soy sause, heated water for coffe/tea/cocoa and warmed up the adobo (Lucio's request). The ladies initially set up the dining table for the morning mass but used the bar on the patio instead because Lucio was still asleep in the living room. It was a nice setting for an outdoor mass: the mild ocean breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, a cricket singing and the lights of Cadiz in the background.

I was able to video tape the mass and it will be the 3rd by Father Walsh for my collection: the 1st one was the Easter Sunrise service in Atsugi which he offered for Inay when she passed away in 2001 and the other one was the midnight mass at the grotto in Lourdes in 2003 when the security personnel tried to stop him and we were escorted out later on. This mass was offered for Cesar's condition and immediate recovery. Afterwards, Father Walsh blessed our vehicle, the Lady of Fatima image with the three children as well as the house and everything inside.










Had breakfast afterwards and then took group shots outside with the ocean as the background. They were finally able to see the surrounding area and appreciate the scenery since it was already dark when they arrived last night. Summer is almost over and the sky doesn't lighten up until after 8:00 so everyone was surprised when they woke up around 6:30 and it was still pitch black. It was a bit overcast initially but cleared up just before they left. Cadiz was sharply illuminated by the sun and the sky was dark blue with small wisps of clouds.

Took some more pictures in front of the house, said our goodbyes for the moment and promised to meet up at Fatima next week on the 11th and 12th.



What a reunion.