Today we were up early (well, early-ish compared to yesterday) and we met Juan to drive to Huesca.  Huesca is a village about 40 minutes from here where Sergio has his installation.  The town (probably about the same size as Bethlehem) had much charm with winding cobblestone streets and ceramic tiled roofs that one would expect in Spain.  On this walk through the town, I got to see one of the oldest stores in Europe and Juan and Sergio decided I looked like Lisa Marie Presley- MOM, I DID NOT PUT THEM UP TO THIS!! 

We first went through the town museum that was a Roman built structure centered on an outdoor courtyard with entrances that surround the central fountain like spokes on a wheel.  The museum chronicles the history of the town from it’s ancient ruins to Gothic artwork to Goya to Ramon Acin.  It’s basically a straight A report card of this region’s greatness.

Adjoining the courtyard in front of this museum, is an abandoned convent that overlooked the valley.  By the way, I forgot to mention this town is located in the Pyrenees Mountains.  Yup.  Some serious mountains (but hazy).

Anyway, the convent is the location of this contemporary exhibition of probably 20 artists.  Artist’s proposed projects for this exhibit then granted a small stipend to create installations.  Simply put, artists had free reign in this playground of architecture and remnants of a time past.  They could chose wherever they wanted to work in the building.  This is where Sergio has his piece and was homage to the beloved but assassinated artist, Ramon Acin. 

The installations ranged from critical to whimsical, serious to silly and even poignant to pointless.  I loved the idea that events such as this is happening here and that artists are given no restrictions to create.  It seems rather liberating!

After the convent, we walked back through the town and grabbed a cup of coffee at an outdoor café.  We then got on our way to a museum specializing in Environmental and Land Art.  It was a speedy trip because they were closing at 2pm but we made it just in time to look at the beautiful space and talk with the museum managers, directors and staff.  One of the managers took me into their private library where he showed me around their collection.  They are fast becoming the first and foremost research library specializing in Land Art.  I was pretty impressed since this museum on opened 2 years ago.  They were all very warm people passionate about what they are doing.

Returning back in Zaragoza, I battled my blog quirks, skyped my brains out and headed home for some downtime. 

Tonight, we went to a charming community center close to where Sergio’s art center project is to take place.  The people were so friendly but always so conscious of their English.  I find that so funny because it is me who should be embarrassed for her lack of Spanish!  I am learning words little by little although I need to understand that they are not gibberish- they are words.  I was taught “La hostia” tonight and I thought I was doing well but it is one of those words that changes meaning with it’s context.  I don’t know if I’d use it again because I’m afraid to be insulting but the guy at the center (Manolo) thought I was hilarious when I said it.

Anyway, the reason we were at the center was because we were there for a jazz performance.  It was totally lovely!  A trio with singer who’s voice had touches of Edith Piaf.  The trio did primarily Django Reinhardt tunes which were bouncy and uplifting.  The trio was made up of 2 25 yr guys, one who played electric guitar and the other acoustic, and their teacher who played bass. They also played a little Duke Ellington and then ended with some Aretha- “Rescue Me.”   So yeah, I had a night of English sounding music and it almost made me forget I’m here in this foreign place (where they would accept me speaking any form of Spanglish I can conjure up).