<-- Look- I actually AM on this trip!! This morning, on our way to the airport, we were discussing how strange it is to feel like heading back to the apartment in Barcelona feels like going home after a trip. But it’s true…after a week in southern Spain, going back to Barcelona feels like going home (I mean, not really…but at least we have toys at the apartment!) So here is a rundown of the past week:
Friday: we left fairly early Friday morning to take a cab to the airport. We actually had to take 2 cabs because the amount of luggage necessary for kids is incredible. We made it, checked in and flew to Madrid. We had a short layover there and caught our next plane to Granada. Both flights were under an hour…not too bad. The kids watched an episode of the BackYardigans and when I heard the little theme song come on, I teared up a slight bit…I thought about my nephew Landin (he is a big fan of the show/characters) and how much I miss hanging out with him. We hopped in a couple more cabs to our hotel- the Alhambra Palace- right next to the Alhambra. 
The hotel was nice- not very kid-friendly, but a nice hotel. I went to my room and took a nap before venturing out into the city. After a short rest, I strolled down into town in search of a grocery store…typical…I got lost. But in the small town, it isn’t such a big deal to get lost…especially when your hotel is next to the only major tourist point of the city. I did find a grocery store and picked up a few things for my room. As much as I enjoy eating at the little tapas places, the week before was exhausting, and all I wanted to do was have some quiet reading time. Which I did…and was in bed, asleep, at 8pm.
The hotel was nice- not very kid-friendly, but a nice hotel. I went to my room and took a nap before venturing out into the city. After a short rest, I strolled down into town in search of a grocery store…typical…I got lost. But in the small town, it isn’t such a big deal to get lost…especially when your hotel is next to the only major tourist point of the city. I did find a grocery store and picked up a few things for my room. As much as I enjoy eating at the little tapas places, the week before was exhausting, and all I wanted to do was have some quiet reading time. Which I did…and was in bed, asleep, at 8pm. Saturday: I met up with the guys over breakfast. They had a tour of the Alhambra scheduled for 
the morning/afternoon, so I took the kids to a park- a 40 minute walk. Luckily there was a little mall across the street, so we stopped in there for some lunch…there is a sandwich chain in Barcelona…probably like a subway (I’ve seen a few around) that makes grilled cheese that the kids love. The mall also had a kid play area…with a bunch of those little rides that you pay a euro for, like 30 seconds. Once I was out of change, the kids just climbed from toy to toy and were perfectly happy pretending…if only I had done that before running out of money! We went back up to the hotel and met up with Matt. I had a few hours in the afternoon to hang out…had some more “quiet Eryn” time…I didn’t realize that I had been missing that until I had my own hotel room to hide away in! The guys have a friend that came in from Rota to visit, so they went out to dinner and I watched the kids for the evening.
the morning/afternoon, so I took the kids to a park- a 40 minute walk. Luckily there was a little mall across the street, so we stopped in there for some lunch…there is a sandwich chain in Barcelona…probably like a subway (I’ve seen a few around) that makes grilled cheese that the kids love. The mall also had a kid play area…with a bunch of those little rides that you pay a euro for, like 30 seconds. Once I was out of change, the kids just climbed from toy to toy and were perfectly happy pretending…if only I had done that before running out of money! We went back up to the hotel and met up with Matt. I had a few hours in the afternoon to hang out…had some more “quiet Eryn” time…I didn’t realize that I had been missing that until I had my own hotel room to hide away in! The guys have a friend that came in from Rota to visit, so they went out to dinner and I watched the kids for the evening. Sunday: I went on the Alhambra tour on Sunday. I didn't know exactly what I was going in to. I 
knew the Alhambra was the palace for the Moorish monarchs, and 
that it is one of the top tourist spots in Spain. I thought it was a palace. Not so- it is pretty much its own little city. The gardens inside the grounds are beautiful, the buildings are just...breathtaking. Is that corny to say? I know...but really, you walk through the buildings that were made for kings so long ago...and are still maintained today...crazy. They do several different language tours throughout the day- my guide didn't seem to have a complete grasp on the English language...he kept emphasizing how we were "inside...but we are outside...we are inside the grounds, but outside..." The tour was about four hours long- just to give you a grasp of how big the grounds are. I met a really nice couple from Wales on the tour. They have a 26-yr old daughter, so we chatted for a lot of the tour. They encouraged me to check out a rugby game (match?) when we go to France. Okay...will do. I had the rest of the day off, so I strolled around town some more, and relaxed in my room...finished a book and almost finished a second.
knew the Alhambra was the palace for the Moorish monarchs, and 
that it is one of the top tourist spots in Spain. I thought it was a palace. Not so- it is pretty much its own little city. The gardens inside the grounds are beautiful, the buildings are just...breathtaking. Is that corny to say? I know...but really, you walk through the buildings that were made for kings so long ago...and are still maintained today...crazy. They do several different language tours throughout the day- my guide didn't seem to have a complete grasp on the English language...he kept emphasizing how we were "inside...but we are outside...we are inside the grounds, but outside..." The tour was about four hours long- just to give you a grasp of how big the grounds are. I met a really nice couple from Wales on the tour. They have a 26-yr old daughter, so we chatted for a lot of the tour. They encouraged me to check out a rugby game (match?) when we go to France. Okay...will do. I had the rest of the day off, so I strolled around town some more, and relaxed in my room...finished a book and almost finished a second. Monday: We left in the morning to pick up our rental car- we had a three and a half hour car trip to Rota. We stayed at a sweet resort...on the beach, nice pool (which I got up and swam laps in both mornings..oh my gosh, it was a cold pool!!), a playground for the kids, pretty good breakfast buffet in the morning. Once we checked in, we played at the playground for a bit, then I walked into town while the guys/kids went to their friend's house. I know it might surprise you, but I got lost walking around town looking for a grocery store. I never actually found the grocery store before I decided I was too hungry to continue the search.
Tuesday: I took the bus into Cadiz- about an hour long ride. Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in 
Europe. It is the city that Columbus sailed from on his second trip to America. I had mixed feelings about the city. Parts of it were so old, in such a beautiful, historic kind of way...and then other parts were just really rundown. There was a lot of construction going on, which didn't help. The church there was massive...absolutely huge. When I got off the bus, I wandered into town and found the tourist center. They had a few
little walking tour maps of the city, so I picked one and went with it. About halfway through the tour, I discovered there were pathways painted on the sidewalks guiding you through the walking tours, so I didn't actually have to stare at my map the whole time to avoid getting lost. Phew! Some random guy started chatting with me (which caused me to grab my bag a little tighter) and when I told him I wasn't lost and was fine, he continued following me. And kept randomly showing up at all the places I was...I finally asked him if he was following me (in a very friendly "eryn" kind of way) and then he left me alone. I got back in the early evening and watched the kids while the parents went out to dinner.
Europe. It is the city that Columbus sailed from on his second trip to America. I had mixed feelings about the city. Parts of it were so old, in such a beautiful, historic kind of way...and then other parts were just really rundown. There was a lot of construction going on, which didn't help. The church there was massive...absolutely huge. When I got off the bus, I wandered into town and found the tourist center. They had a few
little walking tour maps of the city, so I picked one and went with it. About halfway through the tour, I discovered there were pathways painted on the sidewalks guiding you through the walking tours, so I didn't actually have to stare at my map the whole time to avoid getting lost. Phew! Some random guy started chatting with me (which caused me to grab my bag a little tighter) and when I told him I wasn't lost and was fine, he continued following me. And kept randomly showing up at all the places I was...I finally asked him if he was following me (in a very friendly "eryn" kind of way) and then he left me alone. I got back in the early evening and watched the kids while the parents went out to dinner. Wednesday: We were waiting to make plans depending on the weather...the hotel was so great for the kids that we wanted to hang out and play at the beach or pool for as long as possible, but the day before had been a bit cold and windy. We decided to hold out and wait for the sun, which did make an appearance. We got in the car and made our way to Sevilla (about an hour or so drive). We checked into the hotel and grabbed a cab into town. SOOO cute! We all wished we had left more time to explore Sevilla. We had dinner at a cute little outdoor place, that actually had great food AND was super friendly to the kids (hard to find both). I'll post some pictures of Sevilla at a later time, as I didn't bring my camera with me and have to get some pics from Matt.
Thursday: We woke up SOOOO early to make it to the airport for our flight. We flew from Sevilla to Valencia and then on to Barcelona. I am so so so tired. And a bit dehydrated for some reason...I have that hungover kind of headache...even though I didn't drink at all.
I got to the apartment and went to my favorite reading spot. I'll let you in on my sad little secret. I am a frequent visitor of the Starbucks on our street. I know it is silly to go to Starbucks when I'm in another country, with plenty of other coffee shops. But...it makes me feel better. I can chat with the baristas, they actually know what customer service is, I can drink my normal drink (although they don't have honey drizzle here), and I can sit in a big comfy chair- kick my shoes off and read. I promise I don't go there everyday...but it helps when I'm feeling homesick.
Anyway...I'm excited for the upcoming week- I think we are going to be able to get into a real schedule and routine with the kids...which I think will be so great for everyone. And..I'm going on a winery tour on Sunday. And possibly to the movies to see the new Indiana Jones movie. Yay!
Still missing you all...all the time!
E
