Spain

GS will be doing Espana for World Thinking Day, so I have been looking up some maps, the Girl Guide promise and law, and trying to find photo of a uniform, no luck there yet. Did find the national anthem and a few Spanish guitar songs for the kids to listen to. (did you know the guitar was invented in Spain? sortof)

Also learning a bit about the country, did you know they don't all speak Spanish? Apparently there are three other recognized languages, as well as half a dozen 'unrecognized' languages. In spite of being smaller than Texas, Spain has a large variety of climates, and culture. From mountain to 'semi arid'. Oh and according to Wiki, the Rain in Spain does NOT fall mainly in the plain, more like mountain areas.

A while back we read a story about El Cid. Seems he is one of those national heroes who's history gets mixed in with plenty of legend, interesting anyway.


Pablo Picasso was born there, so I know my kids will recognize him and his works, not sure about other girls? BTW did you know he had somewhat normal work before his descent into 'cubism'?

Of course we will cover the basics, capital is Madrid, Hello is Hola, and maybe some local foods (no taco bell is not Spanish, not even Mexican!) I have noticed in the past few months, that most cultures have some kind of 'food wrapped in small pastry'. There is a pasty, a wonton, an eggroll or kimpab, perogi, and empanada to name a few. Seems they are all a LOT of work, but I guess the results are worth it, yummy filling inside of a small handy package. Are there any cultures that do not have a 'small food filled pastry'?

I was surprised when we started talking about Spain with my family how much Spanish the middle two remembered. Dude has an ear/memory for languages, so I wasn't impressed with him poor kid. Princess on the other hand recalled 'No me Gusta', counting to 10, as well as several colores. I myself was impressed with how much of the Spanish 'guidismos' (guides) websites I understood. Though nothing close to fluent.

I haven't come up with any landmarks the kids will recognize, I must be missing something, anyone want to help me out?