Disneyland and Grandparents

We survived our day of Disney...and it was awesome! I woke up a tad earlier than usual- a bit of anxiety/excitement. The kids got up and we fed and dressed them quickly and our group of 6 (Matt, Rob, Grandma Ya-Ya, Cory, Addy and me) all managed to get out the door at the time we were hoping for. We had to catch two trains, and we arrived with a few minutes to spare before the park opened. We made a rookie "picture stop" at the entrance and then we were off to Fantasyland.

The guys had taken the kids to Asterix- a French theme park- a few weeks ago, and I was worried they would think Disney was the same as any other theme park...but they commented immediately upon strolling down Main Street that Disney put Asterix to shame. Phew. We went straight to Peter Pan (well, I detoured to grab a couple of fastpasses to Space Mountain)...I was a little concerned about the rest of the day because Cory was scared of the Peter Pan ride. He is not a fan Captain Hook. So I took them to It's a Small World next...surely nothing to scare Cory there. And they absolutely loved it...sooo cute. They learned the song immediately, and Cory was waving at all the dolls while Addy just sat with her mouth hanging open. They decided to ride a second time while Rob and I dashed off to Space Mountain...which broke down while we were in line...boo.

We met everyone else back on Main Street for the Mary Poppins show. I am fairly certain Cory and Addy are the biggest 2 and 3 yr old Mary Poppins fans around. They perform the songs and dances just about everyday. So needless to say...they were in heaven when Mary, Bert and the penguins danced their way out on the street and sang all the kids favorite songs. There was a particularly quiet moment when Cory yelled out "I love you Mary Poppins" so funny. They got to meet Mary and Bert and get a picture after the show. Their day was absolutely made.

We had lunch in Frontierland at this quick service BBQ place that is pretty darn tasty. We sat at picnic tables outside...and several different characters came out to say hello- rather steal people's drinks, pretend to eat their food...all the silly things those trouble maker characters do. Cory was terrified! Not a fan at all. At one point, Brother Bear pulled a bench away from a table, around a bush, climbed on top...and then belly flopped over the bush onto a picnic table. It was one of those moments I reminded the guys of the differences between Disney Paris and Disney World/land.

There are a couple of playgrounds in the park that we spent a bit of time on, we went on the pirate ship. We took Addy on Pirates of the Caribbean- knowing Cory would flip. I have never been so tense during that ride before! Turns out, it is a pretty life-like, scary ride...especially when you are 2. Addy sat on my lap, squeezing my hand...she never cried, but said she was not interested in doing that again.

The kids were amazing all day long...Addy decided her favorite was Dumbo, Cory's was the Astro Orbitor, Matt's was the Mary Poppins show, Rob's was Space Mountain (he went on a few more times after he and I went), Ya-Ya loved watching the kids faces during the parade, and my favorite moment of the day was on It's a Small World...I knew the magic of Disney found the kids.

The kids each picked out a stuffed animal souvenir- Addy got a baby Minnie and Cory got a Wall-E...which he hugged and kissed the entire train ride home...and is now sitting on his bed with Cory's favorite Thomas the train t-shirt on it. So cute. The dad's took lots of pictures, which I will get soon and post a few. Promise.

In other news, Grandma Ya-Ya has returned to South Orange. She spent a few days here- it was her final visit before everyone heads home. She has been so great to have around. On top of the fact that she visits with the sole purpose of spoiling her grandchildren (which generally gives me a little bit of extra time off), the kids just feel so much more at ease having her around...like they are home. You should have heard the SCREAM that came out of Cory's mouth when he woke up from his nap and realized Ya-Ya had made it here...it was just priceless...he was so excited. This morning, Matt's parents arrived- Mimi and Papa. Cory was all over the place- he wanted to show them EVERYTHING. I just love how excited kids get for their grandparents...it is such a cool relationship.

Finally, I just want to reiterate my love for Paris. I have had a couple of just amazing evening walks lately...the weather has turned pretty cool in the last week, but the sun has been out...creating some gorgeous sunsets over all the unbelievable monuments and buildings in Paris. I love that I can just walk along the street- full of cute shops and yummy cafes, turn my head and see a huge, old, historic building, and then stroll along the Seine- people riding their bikes- a couple kissing on a bridge (I know, sounds gross, but somehow just adds to everything here), and then take a curve in the river- look up and see the Eiffel Tower. I love going running and finding myself in a new park that is more well kept and lovely than anything I have run through before...it is hard not to slow down and enjoy it (okay, okay...I usually stop and walk for awhile...it's too great). I had a moment the other night while I was walking where I realized what I cool opportunity I have been given. I will (most likely) never have the chance to experience Paris the way I am now...getting to casually enjoy all (actually, definitely not all) that Paris has to offer. I had a brief thought that I should stay and live here...but then remembered how much more important people are than places...and I like you guys at home too much. But I can definitely understand how people that have grown up here would have a hard time living anywhere else.

And with that confession of my current love, I'm off to wander some more.

Wow, it's mid-September!

Oh man, seriously…is it already mid-September? When did that happen?! Wowza…

So what is new in Paris? Last weekend I visited one of the famous cemeteries…the one where Jim Morrison’s grave is. The weather was great and the cemetery was beautiful…I took so many pictures, fully knowing the camera just wouldn’t be able to capture the atmosphere…but I tried. There was quite a little group gathered around Jim Morrison’s grave- which was tiny, especially in comparison to the huge family sites all around. There were cigarettes and alcohol bottles and flowers scattered around his grave, and people paying their respects…a few tearful.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of the month, which means free entrance in to the museums. I got a bit lost on my way (you never REALLY get lost in Paris though…just a roundabout way of getting where I was going). I visited the Cluny museum, only to discover, it does not do the free first Sunday thing. Boo. And then went to the l'Orangerie. It is a small museum, but the main attraction is Monet's "Nympheas"...some really beautiful art there. Then I had to race off to meet Rachel at the train station…pastry in hand, ready to hand off!

The kids started school last week. They go to a little English-speaking (phew!) program from about 2-4pm 4 days a week. The school is 16 metro stops, and a transfer away…yeah. The kids and I have quite the metro adventure every day. We have ditched the stroller for these trips, because there are so many staircases and no escalators or elevators…it would be more of a pain with it. I was nervous about taking them without some kind of restraint, so we talk about the rules each day before we leave the house. They name them for me- no running away, always hold hands, and always LISTEN. They have actually been fantastic. The walking at the end of the day is a bit much for them- it usually takes us 50 minutes to get to school and an hour and ten minutes to get home because they need to sit and rest every two minutes (only a slight exaggeration). But the school is lovely, and they are really enjoying it- I think they have really been missing the interaction with other kids. I have been trying to figure out what to do with myself for those two hours. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I thought I found a track close by, that I could walk to and do my workouts…but after attempting the walk, I realized it was too far and I would never have time to get any kind of substantial workout in. I found a café that I like nearby…but I can’t do that everyday…it is just too expensive. A café au lait is about 4 euros (aka $6) and that is just ridiculous.

Rachel was in town for the week. She just flew in to Leeds for her brand new school year and hopped a flight for a visit. I stayed with her in a hostel a couple of nights…which was quite the adventure. We had to lug sheets with us back and forth, and we were in a different room each night because of the availability. And then she stayed at the apartment for the last three nights. She was great about going out and exploring the city on her own while I was working and then meeting back up for an evening adventure. What did we do….hmmm, we enjoyed many-a- pain au chocolate (choc croissant…yumm). We went to the grocery store for wine, cheese and fruit..and to the boulangerie for baguettes and delicious pastries a few times.

One of the evenings we decided to just picnic in the park near our house. I have seen people picnicking with wine all the time, but wasn’t sure if it was actually legal…but we decided to go for it. As we were sitting there, a man in some sort of suit started walking toward us…oh dear, could that be a police officer. Yes, yes it was. He said “oh you are strangers here. You should know you can not drink wine in the parks. But since you already opened it, feel free to finish it. Next time just put the wine bottle in a bag.” Yeah, the police officer told us how to break the law. So French. And then he returned to invite us to his church…a flyer with his phone number.

Another night, we were going to picnic in the Place de Vosges, one of the oldest squares in Paris. We bought all our stuff and headed out with our blanket…and, typical Paris weather- it was beautiful all day and then the black clouds rolled in. It started POURING. Like, crazy Florida rain. So we grabbed our stuff and sat on a bench under the trees with our blanket over our head. Hey, we are from Seattle…a little rain isn’t going to keep us from enjoying our cheese and wine. And we stuck it out like pros…I was very proud of us.

We also enjoyed several crepes throughout the week. I tell you what, if I ate all the time, like I did this week…oh man, bad news bears…it will take a lot of running to burn off those calories.

Our last night we went to the Eiffel Tower to watch the evening light show. I have been putting it off because it gets dark so late, and it is quite a ways away…but the seasons are changing and the evening comes sooner now. So we saw the 9pm show…and it was beautiful. Such a Paris cliche. I loved it. Rachel did too. I think it took her a little while to warm up to Paris…she didn’t seem overly impressed…but the Eiffel Tower worked its magic.

This morning she did some last minute shopping and I pointed her off to the airport…hopefully she managed to make it back to Leeds!!

Ya-Ya is in town for a few days…we are all going to Disneyland Paris on Monday…should be an experience…none of them have ever been to any Disney’s before. Yeah…I am feeling a bit of pressure to make it amazing.

All for now…later.

More picture problems...hopefully soon- sorry. :(

A visit from Grandma and Amsterdam...

Hi again, I know I promised a blog at the end of last weekend, and here we are- another weekend come and gone, and I still haven’t written. I could give you some excuses, but mostly it is because either my internet is being a pain or I get home too late to be able to spend the appropriate amount of time writing for you. I’m sure my readership has gone down dramatically due to my lack of promise fulfilling…thanks to you dedicated few who still care to check up on me…I appreciate it.

So I last left you anticipating the arrival of my Grandma Cary and Grandpa Don. They had been traveling around Europe for the past month and scheduled a special weekend trip to Paris- a city which neither particularly like due to bad past experience- to visit me. We had a great time…I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see people I know. I got done with work about an hour and a half early and skipped (truly) my way down to the metro stop to meet them. There was hugging and excitement. We all walked back up to the apartment, they sat and had a g&t with the dads and had a chance to meet the little darlings I take care of…who put on a couple of singing performances for us…and called them “Eryn’s mom and Grandpa Don”. Then we walked through my neighborhood and had dinner at my crepe place. We headed back to their hotel (a little bit of a commute…we def learned and became quite comfortable with the metro).

Saturday we got up and had the free breakfast and coffee at the hotel. We decided to do the batobus- the boat that is a hop on hop off throughout the city, along the Seine. We went to the Musee D’Orsay, Notre Dame, St Chapelle, walked along the Champs-Elysees, visited the Arc de Triumph and had a stop at the Eiffel Tower…it was a full tourist day.

Unfortunately, we had my first rude Paris experience…of course when I am with the people that already aren’t thrilled about Paris…I was so mad. We sat down to have dinner at a restaurant on the Champs-Elysees- a very touristy spot- and our waiter just ignored us…took forever to get a menu, and then several attempts to get his attention to take our order. Finally, after about a half hour, Don managed to flag him down, he came over…started talking to some guy on the street behind us, so we patiently waited…and then he said “I’m waiting. Are you planning on ordering” like he had been waiting on us! I said no, and we got up and left. Went somewhere else. I was so mad.

We didn’t end up traveling up the Eiffel Tower…the line was so unbelievably long, but Grandma and I did eat a dessert crepe while looking at it…which I think was probably just as good.


Last week was a pretty typical work week- nothing too out of the ordinary. Friday morning, my friend Roseanna, from Barcelona (well, she is from Australia, but we met in Barcelona) arrived on the train and hauled all of her stuff into my room. I had my usual work day, and then at 5:30 we jetted to the train station to get our train to Amsterdam. Well, we learned a few things. First, it takes a little longer than expected to get there, navigate through the Friday evening people-traffic, get our tickets and find our train…so we missed the 6:30 train and had to wait for the 7:30- no big deal. Second, turns out if you get your tickets ahead of time, they are significantly cheaper. We had previously looked online and had the price figured out, but figured we would just buy them day of…yeah, prices went up. Sad. But we got there.

And Amsterdam was adorable. A really pretty city. I’m definitely a fan. We got in pretty late, so we walked to our hotel and got some rest. We woke up fairly early on Sat and ate breakfast. We also did the hop on, hop off boat through the canals. We went to the Rijksmuseum…which has several Rembrandts and other great stuff. Then we jumped on the boat over to Anne Frank’s house. That was hard. I mean, it was really amazing to be able to actually go in the annex and see where the family hid, but it is so strange to think that this house is now a tourist spot, you know. It was pretty powerful, and we left feeling fairly somber. After that we did a bit of wandering, both because there isn’t a ton to do in Amsterdam and we were a bit museum’d out…not to mention that the city is a bit difficult to navigate and we got last more than a few times. Luckily, it is a beautiful city and wandering is not a bad thing to do. Later, we checked out the Red Light District. So bizarre. This completely friendly, and tourist loving city has this whole district just available for prostitution. There was glass door after glass door of prostitutes posing in the window, waiting for someone to go in. And while that was strange, it was stranger that it just wasn’t that big of a deal. There weren’t people shouting out obscene comments like you would expect. And then, of course, the coffee shops with the pot menus. You walk along the street and can smell pot everywhere…and then you go in these coffee shops and, of course- we are in Amsterdam…people are just a-smoking away. I am sure you will all be thoroughly disappointed to learn that I did not participate. I know, how could I not in Amsterdam…it is legal. But I did sit in the coffee shop and had a yummy hot chocolate…so I think that should count for something.

Sunday I woke up bright and early, and got in my Human Race gear, sent all the way from Philadelphia, and went out to run my own personal 10k. I was planning on doing the Nike Human Race 10k in Paris, but went to Amsterdam instead. So I mapped out a course and did the run on my own. I had the entire city to myself at 8am…there wasn’t anyone up…it was a gorgeous day. Roseanna and I cruised the canals and did some souvenir shopping , and then caught the train back to Paris. We managed to get in the first class cabin- for some reason, it was actually cheaper. So we got a meal and wine…lovely. It was a great trip…really glad I was able to head out and do some world exploration…there will definitely be a few more weekend trips in the future.

Hope you are all well. I miss you.

Sick...so sad

Hello there…it’s me, checking in for my weekly blog. I am sad to report that I have been sick and out of commission for the last few days, so don’t have a weekend of excitement to write about. And for the record...I do have pics, but the internet won't let me upload them...so I'll try again later...argh.

Last week we were visited by the kids Grandma Ya-Ya. She was scheduled for a visit mid-September, but everyone decided we just couldn’t wait that long to see her again. She got in on Saturday morning and spent as much time as she could possibly fit in with the kiddos. Sadly, Rob got sick early in the week (a bug that has been passed around the whole house now) so he wasn’t able to join in most of their activities. My schedule is always a bit up in the air when we have visitors in town…so I am just kind of around, for when I’m needed. I did end up with most of Monday and Wednesday off.

To be honest, I don’t remember what I did on Monday…I’m sure it was lovely and delicious though. On Tuesday, I found a track-a running track. It is a bit of a commute on the train from the apartment, but well worth taking for a good track workout…which I did, and was totally sore the next day. Fantastic.

Wednesday I went to visit the Montmarte neighborhood…with my trusty walking cards. (the neighborhood is all built on a hill and after the Tuesday evening workout, the walks were slightly painful!) This is the area where my mom was suckered into buying a friendship bracelet for 15 euros when we were here together…and on my way away from Sacre Coeur, another fellow tried the friendship bracelet thing on me- I stopped him before he had a chance to put it on my hand…and told him I already had one….this is the part where they get you- they act all offended that you are interrupting them and not listening to what they have to say- because surely, it is important. And being the polite girl that I am, I feel a little guilty and start to let him talk…but the trick is- as they talk, they start to put the bracelet on your hand…as he tried to start his spiel over and put the bracelet on my hand, I said, “no, I already have one…I know, I know- make a wish…hakuna matata…” and he stopped and said “oh…sorry” and left. He knew I had already paid the tourist price.

Montmarte is a cool artsy neighborhood…it is the neighborhood that used to be where all the poor artists lived- until that became known and it is now too expensive- and touristy for that matter- for the poor artists to live. It is the area where several scenes from Amelie were filmed…I got a pic of one of the cafes from the movie.

Grandma Ya-Ya went home early Thursday morning and we were back into our usual routine of playing pretend and hitting the local playgrounds. Thursday night, the sickness hit and I went to bed at 6pm-woke up to my alarm at 7am the next morning. The kids and I had a mellow day on Friday and I was asleep shortly after my workday again.

I thought I was feeling a bit better Saturday morning, so got up and took a book with me to sit in the park at Notre Dame. Ugh…soooo many tourists. Everywhere. Some advice for you- if you are ever planning on visiting Europe, don’t do it in August. The cities are full of tourists and all the locals have left for holiday. I didn’t feel great and spent the rest of the day in bed. This morning I woke up, felt better…had a couple of pancakes and went out to catch noon Mass. I did a bit of window shopping on the Champs-Elysees and started not feeling great. Decided to take a little break in the Virgin Megastore…spent a good hour at their listening stations, checking out some new tunes. I realized how out of touch I have been with my normal life when artists I like came out with an album in May, and I not only haven’t heard it, but didn’t even know it existed. I started picking out albums to buy, only to return them to their shelves, realizing that it doesn’t make sense to buy them at 1.5 of their price (darn exchange rate) and have to pay to ship them home…I ought to just stick with itunes. Boo. After my vacation in music, I went and saw The Dark Knight…which finally came out here. I’m not a big fan of dark, scary movies, but figured I should see it, as it has gotten such great reviews. And it was exactly what everyone said- dark and scary and a well made movie. I can’t say it was enjoyable…because I’ll probably have nightmares, but it was good.

Now I’m back at the apartment…fighting with our internet, yet again…why can’t it ever just WORK?! And waiting for the “kids story before bed time” to go down and make myself some comfort food- top ramen. (Word on the street is there is a pho place in our neighborhood…if I find it, I’m staying in Paris forever!)

I’m reading a book right now, called Paris to the Moon. It is about a guy from NYC that decided to move his family (wife and baby son) to Paris for 5 years…and all he learned and observed. It is fun to read, as he has gone through many of the obstacles we have…I just read a part about how he was surprised about the things he missed from home…it isn’t the usual things you would think of- not the restaurants you enjoyed at home or your favorite stores…it is the little everyday things that you have always taken for granted- the way people have exchanges, the way you fit in to the routine…and it is so true. It is nice to read about someone else having those same thoughts. I really can’t wait to return home…as amazing an experience as this is, and I want to make sure I appreciate the whole thing, I still find myself counting the weeks and days. I know that shortly after I return home- within a couple of months, I’ll be searching for my next adventure…but I find it interesting that none of them are ever as good as home.

That’s all for now…I do miss you terribly, even though I heart Paris.

A week into Paris...

Okay, I know I said I would write after last weekend, but I just didn't have a spare moment...there is far too much to do in Paris to sit in my room on my computer. But, here I am...(this is a picture of our courtyard looking out my bedroom window....

First of all- I love Paris. I didn't want to...I really tried hard to fight it- it is such a cliche to love Paris...and the people are supposed to be rude and arrogant and I don't speak the language and it is so expensive, etc, etc. But...it got me...I love it. The city is beautiful, the food is yummy, the people are very helpful and friendly...and I can walk for hours and hours.

I already gave you the rundown of the trip here...a bit of a nightmare, but we made it. Saturday I watched the kids for awhile so the dads could do some of the "new in town" errands- get groceries, check out the neighborhood, etc. Then Saturday night I jumped right into an activity...I joined a running club. We met up in a park and went for an hour long run (I'm not quite in hour-long run shape...but survived). Then we stayed at the park to watch the open air movie...this park shows movies on a big blow up screen a few times a week during the summer. So we drank wine, ate cheese and bread and watched O Brother Where Art Thou. It was a lot of fun and a great first night in the city.

I had all day off on Sunday and spent the whole day wandering around. First I visited the Picasso Museum- it is in our neighborhood, and many of the cities museums are free on the first Sunday of every month. After, I went to a really good patisserie in our neighborhood (and a spot I have visited several times since) for quiche, cafe au lait (no more cafe con leche!) and a chocolate croissant to go. And then literally spent the entire day walking. I went all over the city. I stopped every once in a while to sit in a park and read a bit or at a cafe for a little snack. Some guy saw me looking at a map in one of the parks (just to figure out where I should go next) and came over to ask if I was lost or needed help...and then proceeded to start up a whole conversation with me, and followed me out of the park, talking...and then asked if we could meet again...luckily, I didn't have my Paris phone yet, so I couldn't give him my number (because I am awful at just telling someone no)...he asked if he could continue walking with me and I finally lied and said I had to get going because I was meeting someone in a bit. Very persistent...which I have now found out, is pretty common....sigh. I found the English speaking Catholic church and went to the evening mass...just off the Champs-Elysees.

Monday I worked a half day- we were waiting for some of our boxes to be delivered, so we had to stay in the house...the kids were great- we have done a lot of playing in the house- which we really couldn't do in the Barcelona apartment. The boxes never arrived...and then we called and apparently one of the boxes was sent back to Barcelona and one of the boxes was lost at their central office, so they couldn't deliver the other ones...it was a big mess....long story short, we got 5 of the boxes on Tuesday and the other set was being re-sent from Barcelona.

The rest of the week was pretty normal. On Thursday, after the kids' nap, Matt took Addy to the Louvre (with a little activity sheet that he created, for her to find things) and I took Cory to the Science museum...which was great. They had a whole playground area that looked like a construction zone...the kids had to wear little hard hats and red vests...Cory could have stayed there for hours. But, I pushed him along through some more of the kids area...he loved every section...it was awesome for him.

Friday night I met up with another meetup group and went to another open air movie. They were showing the Godfather trilogy..and there was free Ben & Jerry's...yeah, no joke. This group was kind of an odd group of people...but we all made conversation until the movie started. I only stayed for the first movie- because it didn't get over until 1:15 am and the last train stops at 1:30am...I suppose if I had stayed for all 3, the train would have opened back up for the next day....but that is a lot of killing for one evening!

Saturday I slept in...the kids' grandma Ya-Ya was flying in, so they left to go get her at the airport...so I slept!! My goal for the day was to get a haircut...it had been over 3 months and I was in desperate need of a trim. I looked up some places...everything seemed pretty expensive...but I decided to go for it anyway. As I was walking through the neighborhood, I found a place on the street, went in and got an appointment. The guy that cut my hair didn't speak any English, so I just kind of showed him what I wanted...and he cut it. Without scissors. He had some special little razor tool thing that he cut with...and did all this fun layering with...my hair is quite a bit shorter, but it is fun and I like it a lot. Then I decided to do a bit more of my Paris walking...and somehow, some guy started a conversation with me on the street and then kept following me along...and when I have no particular place in mind to go, it is hard to shake a person. He was very nice...but I was just in the mood for some wandering on my own. Finally, he headed off...last night I went out to dinner at this cute little family pizza place near our apartment...very nice people there.

And today I met up with a walking group. Every weekend they meet for a themed walk and today was an Olympic theme...which basically just meant that we ended up in Chinatown for some Chinese food...hehe. Another interesting group of people...mostly older, although the one younger-ish guy hung with me and chatted. For 2+ hours. Then on the train ride home, this Creepy McCreeperson guy came and sat next to me, waaaay too close. I was clearly reading a book and not interested in talking, but he started whispering to me...weird. He spoke a little English and got really close so I could hear his whispering. I tried to be polite and answer his questions, but also tried to make it obvious that I was going right back to reading...Then he followed me off the train, and waited to see which exit I was going out of. Outside he asked me if I wanted to go have coffee...I told him I had to go meet my family (I also previously told him that I was on vacation for a couple of days with my family), but he didn't seem to think that was a good excuse and asked me several more times (persistent, I tell you)...finally I just said no- 3 times and he walked away....good grief.

Now I am home and about to head out to church....more soon.

We made it to Paris

Well, yesterday's day of travel was not exactly smooth- but we all survived and made it safely to Paris, to our apartment, and me to a croque monsier.

Our flight was leaving at 2:20 in the afternoon, and we had to be out of our apartment by 11am. Which gave us just about the right amount of time to load ALL of our stuff (oh jeez, you have never seen 3 adults and 2 kids travel with so much stuff) into two cabs and head to the airport to check in 2 hours ahead of time. Well, we arrived at the airport, unloaded the bags on the curb, tried really hard to keep the kids entertained while all this was happening...and then the guys realized they didn't have their backpack...you know, the very important backpack that carries travel stuff...like their passports. We weren't sure if it was left at the apartment, left in the cab, disappeared never to be found again? So Rob jumped into a cab and went back to the apartment- Matt called the cab company to see if they could get a hold of our cabs...and I said a prayer to St. Anthony...the saint of lost things....who, I might add, has never let me down. AND, what do you know, Rob got to the apartment, and there was the backpack, propping the front door wide open....he raced back to the airport and joined us in line (oh yes, did I mention that Matt and I managed to get all of our luggage- plus two gigantic car seats, and the kids all inside into the check in line all by ourselves, in one trip...it was an amazing sight.) So we got all checked in and found our gate...sort of...our gate was changed about 3 different times. And then the flight was delayed 2 hours. And the airline we flew was open seating...so when they opened the gate to let us off the bus, up to the plane, there was pushing and elbows flying. BUT, we made it. The flight was easy, our luggage all came through and we hopped in another couple of cabs to meet the lady at our new apartment.

The apartment is ADORABLE. It is a little rough around the edges, but comfortable. The ceilings are really low...we keep feeling like we need to duck- but don't actually...my dad definitely would! It has a terrace outside with a lovely garden (I feel like it is important to say lovely when describing the gardens here...) The apartment is small, but the living room has massive floor to ceiling windows that look out into our lovely garden. The neighborhood is definitely a neighborhood- we aren't in the center of Paris...the metro is pretty easy to use, but will need to be used often to get anywhere. And there aren't elevators or escalators, so I am trying to brainstorm how to do the metro with the kids...we are thinking perhaps leashes...

So we were finally settled in about 8:30...Rob ran out to the grocery store to get some dinner and breakfast food, Matt put on a video for the kids, and I decided to do a little exploring...nothing big, as I was exhausted...and really didn't feel like bringing a map or a phrase book. So I wandered around (trying VERY hard to remember which way I came from, so as not to get lost or sucked into an alternate universe, like I did Barcelona). I found a cafe and had some salad and a croque monsier- even in our non-touristy little neighborhood, the waitress spoke English, and was completely pleasant about doing so. I only got lost twice on my way home...took one wrong turn, realized it and went back the other way...and then thought I was totally lost, had a quick moment of panic, only to realize I was actually ON our street and had already passed our entrance. Pretty proud of myself. :) Got home, chatted for a bit, and went to bed.

The dads took the kids out to breakfast this morning, and haven't yet returned...I am taking them out for a few hours so they can start unpacking and run the necessary "new city" errands. We found a park with a PLAYGROUND....phew, right by our house...less than a 5 min walk...which is SUCH a relief. Although, it is currently raining...so I have been frantically looking up indoor activities for kids. I am absolutely not complaining about the rain or the soo comfortable 60-something degree weather...so much more comfortable than the 95 degree, 500% humidity we just left in Barcelona. I do have a few fun souvenirs from Barcelona...about 30 mosquito bites that I got in the last 2 days. Yeah...the whole time we were in Barcelona we commented on how few bugs there were, and were never bothered by any...and literally, the last two days...I don't know where they came from...but I am covered. My arms have about 25 on them...I look like I have chicken pox. And they itch like crazy! Grrrr...soo annoying.

I know there aren't pictures, but we just got here...so I'll give you an update after the weekend, with some pics.
Later...E

The last week...getting it all in!

Hola! Well, we are just a few days away from leaving Barcelona, which means we are all busy trying to get all the sightseeing and favorites in once more before we go...

I treated last week as a fairly normal week- the kids and I went to the pool or park or played pretend at the house in the morning, had lunch and a nap, and then to school. I sat in my usual coffee shop and read (I have gone through 5 books in the last week...wowza). I just love the ladies at the coffee shop I go to near the school. We really don't have any conversation because they don't speak English, but they make food suggestions for me, and they always have my drink going when I walk in. We exchanged names this last week...so I think we are officially friends.

The family had some friends in town at the end of last week, so I had Thursday off, while they took the train to Sitges and played at the beach. I took the opportunity to a. sleep in! (I just can't seem to get enough sleep) and b. finally payed to go INSIDE my favorite Barcelona building- Casa Batllo- the Little Mermaid house. hehe. I liked it- but somehow it was disappointing to me. I have loved everything Gaudi so far, and maybe because I love the outside of the building so much, I was expecting something more- don't get me wrong, it was very cool...I also might just have gotten used to the craziness of his stuff....but I think I liked La Pedrera more. I also made an attempt to find souvenirs for people along the Ramblas...without luck...sorry friends, I think all the souvenirs will have to come from Paris- which I'm sure isn't a bad thing. I still need to buy a Picasso print that I like...hmmm, what else? I feel like I need to find something meaningful from Sagrada Familia for myself. I also finally went inside the big, open air market along the Ramblas, which was very cool- I got a huge bowl of all different kinds of fruit for 1 euro.

I had a busy weekend- Friday night I met up with a few of my friends for dinner. We had sushi-which I have not had in a forever long time and was delicious. Then we went to Starbucks and sat around chatting in the big comfy chairs...it was just like being at home. Then we went back to their apartment and chatted a bit more. They have all been here for a while (one for 3 years, one for 2 years and one for 1 year...and they are all leaving- going to the US in the next month) so we talked about how Barcelona is different and what we expected versus what it was, etc. We all said we had a hard time with the slow pace of everything...coming from the US where everything is just go, go, go...Haley was saying how she made a list of things she needed to get done when she first moved here...and this list, which would have taken 3 hours in the states to complete, took over a week here. People just don't rush or worry about time at all.

Saturday I spent the afternoon up at Montjuic. The hill (they say "mountain", but when you come from the northwest...it is a hill) overlooks the city and was the site of much of the Olympic games when they were here. I went to the stadium where they held the track events, went inside the arena where the gymnastics took place. I visited the Olympic swimming pool- which was holding the Eurogames when I was there...so I watched a few heats of swimming. This is also the location of the "Magic Fountain"- everyone I know that has been to Barcelona told me about this fountain- and I have lived here for 3 months without ever seeing it. I was beginning to think people were making it up. But, I found it. They do a show every half hour in the evening, with lights in the fountain and music. Everytime the water changed shape or color, the whole crowd would say "ohhhhh..." like it was the most amazing thing they had ever seen- truly magical...very funny.

Sunday I went back to the English speaking church- I'm sad I found it so late in my trip- they really have a great little community- and in typical Spain fashion, it was the last service until September because everyone goes on "holiday" for the month of August....I didn't realize church also stopped during that month. Then I met my Aussie friend at the beach for a couple hours, and while I promise I DID put sunscreen on, I still managed a pretty decent burn. Which just makes going to sleep in our hot stuffy apartment that much hotter! And last night I went back over to the girls' apartment for a going away party. Haley (who has been here for 2 years) leaves on Thursday, back to New Mexico, so she had a party to say goodbye. I asked what I could bring and was told that in Barcelona, when you have a party- going away, birthday, etc...whoever's party it is, is responsible for making everything...so to just bring myself. Most of the girls there are from Barcelona, so it was a lot of Spanish speaking...I had to get filled in on a lot of the jokes.

And now we are into our final week...we leave Friday afternoon and will be in our new apartment Friday evening. We looked at pictures of it today. We are trying to really prepare the kids for the change, in hopes it won't be quite so dramatic for them. We'll see....

My next blog will be from Paris...Au revoir.

Wait- one more thing...I am starting to think about my bit of traveling after the job is over- I am planning taking 2 or 3 weeks to visit a few other countries. I am feeling a tad overwhelmed with all the options- I would love to get suggestions and thoughts from you guys! I was going to buy a Eurail pass, and just go all over the place- but they are sooo expensive-it is cheaper to fly places. So I think I am going to pick just a few spots and spend some time in each...so please, pass along your thoughts...thanks!