Hanging out in a Hanging House

This past weekend was a much anticipated reunion familiar, unfortunately not with my own biological family. But non the less, the weekend was a good one, and it helped me feel more a part of this country and culture and brought me closer into a family that is slowly evolving to be my own.

Destination: Cuenca. A small city about 1.5 hours from Madrid, famous for their hanging houses and all things Manchego.

Invitees: The Rodenas Family, including spouses, children and significant others. We were 20 adults and 3 children in total. This is Estebans side of the family, originating from the province of Albacete, however many now reside in and around Madrid.

The Plan: We started off at La Ciudad Encantada which is about 15 minutes form Cuenca in the forest, where you can find large rocks in the shapes of things, imagination needed. There is a 3 km circuit, and it is a very nice paseo.

alligator and an elefant, joined in the center

Then we went off to lunch where there was entirely too much food (no surprise, here in spain). Afterwords a siesta then off to check out the city by night.

The city at night was breathtakingly gorgeous. However, also strenuous. Hanging houses dont mean they are just magically hanging above you... you have to WALK up there to see them! So, it was an uphill battle all 23 of us embarked upon, with worthwhile views (sorry, no photos.. the camera used at night is still on vacation)

After a cena de ensaladas, we went back to the hotel for bizcocho de chocolate and champagne in Estebans parents' hotel suite! Yum!

beautiful day in plaza mayor

The next day we ventured back up to the city for some day time views. We saw the palace, or whats left of it (nothing) and then we split up. I chose to go into the Abstract Art museum, only because it was inside of one of the coveted hanging houses. Inside it was like a maze, rooms on different levels, it felt never ending!

a view of the sierra from the hanging house

After we snapped some photos with the houses again, and then went to our farewell five course meal. Of course, delectable.

Cuenca was a gorgeous quint city with lots of beauty around every corner. Its a place I would definitely take a foreign visitor to. I would love to go back and have more time to explore, and less time dining in restaurants. Luckily, its very close by!