Today was our last day in Barcelona. After a long, lazy morning in the apartment, we took a ride to the Telefericos de Barcelona. This is the gondola ride that goes over the waterway. It was kind of scary, but a truly beautiful view. Brian and I are a bit afraid of heights, but I wanted to ride this gondola as there are very few left in Europe. When we reached the end of the ride, we had lunch at the top of the hill overlooking Barcelona. There was a cool breeze and it was a wonderful way to end our time here.
Tonight Jim and Kevin attended a bullfight. Sarah, Brian, and I decided to skip this event and headed back to the apartment to pack and just relax. Effective January 1, 2012, bullfighting will no longer be allowed in Barcelona. They still allow it in other areas of Spain, but no longer here. As Jim and Kevin described the fight to Brian and I (Sarah left the room), I am SO glad we did not attend. It sounds so cruel. I will not share any description of this event and must say I am glad that Barcelona will no longer support this - although their reasons for not supporting bullfighting has nothing to do with cruelty to animals.
We are all ready to be home. It has been a wonderful summer. We've spent time with family, friends, and each other. My reasons for coming to Barcelona were not only to see Spain, but give my family time to reunite and have some fun together. Mission accomplished.
Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Beach & Burn
Today we decided to spend another day at the beach. Kind of odd that we are enjoying it so much since we live 10 minutes from a really nice warm beach at home and NEVER go! Guess that is why this is called a vacation. We vacation from our real life and do different, fun things.
The waves were really high today and the boys and I had such fun diving in them, body surfing (kind of), and just splashing around. Since I never burn, I am the only one who didn't apply suntan lotion. I didn't apply any the other day either, and was just fine. Guess something was different today and I have obtained a little burn. Not bad, but just enough to make me hot and really feeling tired. It is Saturday night at 10:00 and Sarah, Brian, and I are all tucked into the hide-a-bed ready to watch some 1970's detective show....that is all they show here. Jim and Kevin headed out to a local theater to see what movies are around. Jim said that 10PM on a Saturday night is just to early to call it a night. Hmm..this is obviously vacation Jim!
I also have to add a note about how much I am enjoying watching Jim and Kevin together. I mean, Jim and all the kids are great, but seeing my almost 18 year old boy having such a good time with his dad is awesome. My brother is 10 years older than me, so I don't remember seeing he and my dad having such silly times. Jim and Kevin laugh together, share stories, wrestle in the water and just really enjoy each others' company. I am so blessed. I don't know how or why I was given such great kids, but I do know it is a blessing from above.
Tomorrow is our last day here. Not sure what we'll do. We've seen all the sights of Barcelona. The boys want another beach day, but not sure I'm up to that again. Maybe Sarah and I will hit the shops. We would like to ride the gondola, but the winds have been so strong, it is just too scary for a few of us (no names mentioned).
So, off to bed. Still just loving my vacation and the time with the kids and my sweetie. Such a rare gift.
The waves were really high today and the boys and I had such fun diving in them, body surfing (kind of), and just splashing around. Since I never burn, I am the only one who didn't apply suntan lotion. I didn't apply any the other day either, and was just fine. Guess something was different today and I have obtained a little burn. Not bad, but just enough to make me hot and really feeling tired. It is Saturday night at 10:00 and Sarah, Brian, and I are all tucked into the hide-a-bed ready to watch some 1970's detective show....that is all they show here. Jim and Kevin headed out to a local theater to see what movies are around. Jim said that 10PM on a Saturday night is just to early to call it a night. Hmm..this is obviously vacation Jim!
I also have to add a note about how much I am enjoying watching Jim and Kevin together. I mean, Jim and all the kids are great, but seeing my almost 18 year old boy having such a good time with his dad is awesome. My brother is 10 years older than me, so I don't remember seeing he and my dad having such silly times. Jim and Kevin laugh together, share stories, wrestle in the water and just really enjoy each others' company. I am so blessed. I don't know how or why I was given such great kids, but I do know it is a blessing from above.
Tomorrow is our last day here. Not sure what we'll do. We've seen all the sights of Barcelona. The boys want another beach day, but not sure I'm up to that again. Maybe Sarah and I will hit the shops. We would like to ride the gondola, but the winds have been so strong, it is just too scary for a few of us (no names mentioned).
So, off to bed. Still just loving my vacation and the time with the kids and my sweetie. Such a rare gift.
Fish and Boats
Today we visited the Barcelona aquarium. It was not very big, but we certainly did have fun. We then walked around looking for a Subway for lunch. I knew I had seen one, but I did not remember where. We ended up at Burger King, which was an OK substitute for all of us, except Sarah (she won't eat Burger King). On our way back to the waterfront, we found, guess what...the Subway! We stopped in for Sarah to have a sandwich. We then kept walking down to the water and took a nice sight seeing boat ride. It was fun until it started to rain. Odd thing about this summer, wherever we have been, it has rained. I kind of expected it in Holland, but not in Texas, Chicago, or Rhode Island. We have had rain in each spot. Sarah stood on the front of the boat and let herself really get wet. She loves the rain and is something she really misses in Dubai. We went back to our apartment for a few hours and then walked to a nearby Italian restaurant for dinner.
It has just been one of the laziest vacations we've ever had. We are really enjoying the slow mornings and having time to lay around and talk and dream together (and surf the internet and make some postings on Facebook). Tomorrow will be another beach day. We (Jim) have mastered the metro, so we'll take the ride to the beach, rent a few chairs and umbrellas and hope for sunshine all day long. We only have two days left of our vacation and then real life begins again.
It has just been one of the laziest vacations we've ever had. We are really enjoying the slow mornings and having time to lay around and talk and dream together (and surf the internet and make some postings on Facebook). Tomorrow will be another beach day. We (Jim) have mastered the metro, so we'll take the ride to the beach, rent a few chairs and umbrellas and hope for sunshine all day long. We only have two days left of our vacation and then real life begins again.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Park Guell
What a lazy day we had today. I've started waking the kids up early in preparation for our official back to school routine starting in 10 days. Of course, early on vacation means 10 AM; not really early, but at least it is before noon. We took a walk to a local market for groceries and then a leisurely train ride to Park Guell. It was a wonderful day spent together just walking and talking. I can not even express how much I appreciate this time with my kids.
While we are enjoying Barcelona, it certainly is not being ranked as one of our top vacation spots. Our rankings still are Kenya, Rome, and Jordan. As I write that I can't help but think about how lucky we are to have been able to take such wonderful vacations over these past three years. I'll save that comment and my thoughts about that for another day though.
Back to Barcelona.....It is an interesting city. We wonder if it would be a big vacation spot had it not been for Gaudi. Seems everything is tied to his works. We've wandered along the streets of the city freely and without worry. Our tour books advise to really watch for pick pockets, so Jim actually bought a fanny pack! I didn't think we'd be buying one of those until we retired and traveled alone, but since we don't have much to carry, we decided now was time enough. I am using a small but useful purse that I received from my friend Barbara for my birthday. It is perfect for my small items that I want to keep close.
After another dinner at Hard Rock tonight, we headed back to the apartment to watch the one show on the single English channel.....you guessed it ....Columbo AGAIN! It is hard for me to just relax and spend time sitting around the apartment, but I'm also spending some time preparing for our schools' wonderful Orientation Day. There is a teacher at the school who has organized this day for all new students. He was new from a school in Russia last year and found that this type of program was missing. I am so excited to be helping him with this event. It has taken lots of time, but I love this kind of "stuff"!
So, it is 11:00 and we are all ready for bed. Another get ready for school exercise. Time for my prayers which always start with a Thank You for this wonderful day.
While we are enjoying Barcelona, it certainly is not being ranked as one of our top vacation spots. Our rankings still are Kenya, Rome, and Jordan. As I write that I can't help but think about how lucky we are to have been able to take such wonderful vacations over these past three years. I'll save that comment and my thoughts about that for another day though.
Back to Barcelona.....It is an interesting city. We wonder if it would be a big vacation spot had it not been for Gaudi. Seems everything is tied to his works. We've wandered along the streets of the city freely and without worry. Our tour books advise to really watch for pick pockets, so Jim actually bought a fanny pack! I didn't think we'd be buying one of those until we retired and traveled alone, but since we don't have much to carry, we decided now was time enough. I am using a small but useful purse that I received from my friend Barbara for my birthday. It is perfect for my small items that I want to keep close.
After another dinner at Hard Rock tonight, we headed back to the apartment to watch the one show on the single English channel.....you guessed it ....Columbo AGAIN! It is hard for me to just relax and spend time sitting around the apartment, but I'm also spending some time preparing for our schools' wonderful Orientation Day. There is a teacher at the school who has organized this day for all new students. He was new from a school in Russia last year and found that this type of program was missing. I am so excited to be helping him with this event. It has taken lots of time, but I love this kind of "stuff"!
So, it is 11:00 and we are all ready for bed. Another get ready for school exercise. Time for my prayers which always start with a Thank You for this wonderful day.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Barcelona Babes!
Today was spent at the beach in Barcelona. I have to say that Barcelona is certainly a dream come true for any 18 year old! Kevin was able to order a Pina Colada and then sit on the beach, or float in the water and watch the many, MANY, topless swimmers and bathers. Being the true Americans that we are, these sights are still able to make us a bit uncomfortable and, I'll admit, make us share the occasional giggle. There truly are some people that should just not be allowed to go topless! ANYWAY, the beach was wonderful. The water was warmer than that in Rhode Island, but definitely not as warm as our own Arabian waters. We were diligent to put on suntan lotion all over our white bodies, but seemed to forget our bright, smiling faces. We are all red faced tonight and most definitely look like tourists!
We shared a meal at KFC since we had promised Brian fried chicken and then took in a movie. We saw Super 8, which was shown in it's original version (english). We have found that in all the European cities we've visited, the movies are always shown in their original english version with the native language posting the subtitles. I wonder how people here (and in Holland and Switzerland, etc., etc.) feel having to watch movies with subtitles. I avoid subtitled movies as it seems that I am reading and not watching the film. Also, it still amazes me that wherever we go, most everyone knows english. It really makes it easy for us American travelers, but also makes me feel inadequate that I haven't mastered a second language.
I also did laundry today with the typical european washing machine. They are tiny and only wash...no dryers here. Right now all of our shirts, shorts, and delicates are hanging on the balcony to dry. This is certainly a sight I never get used to!
We rode the Metro (underground) to the beach today. The trains here are very clean and we saw security personnel on every train and at every stop. What a wonderful system. The directions were so clearly posted that even I could navigate my way around. This is something else we are lacking in the good ole USA.
As soon as we came in from our movie all 4 computers were fired up along with one blackberry. Even on vacation, we still need our technology. Good thing we have this though as our TV has one english speaking station and today the only choice of shows was Columbo! Oh Apple TV, we miss you too!
We shared a meal at KFC since we had promised Brian fried chicken and then took in a movie. We saw Super 8, which was shown in it's original version (english). We have found that in all the European cities we've visited, the movies are always shown in their original english version with the native language posting the subtitles. I wonder how people here (and in Holland and Switzerland, etc., etc.) feel having to watch movies with subtitles. I avoid subtitled movies as it seems that I am reading and not watching the film. Also, it still amazes me that wherever we go, most everyone knows english. It really makes it easy for us American travelers, but also makes me feel inadequate that I haven't mastered a second language.
I also did laundry today with the typical european washing machine. They are tiny and only wash...no dryers here. Right now all of our shirts, shorts, and delicates are hanging on the balcony to dry. This is certainly a sight I never get used to!
We rode the Metro (underground) to the beach today. The trains here are very clean and we saw security personnel on every train and at every stop. What a wonderful system. The directions were so clearly posted that even I could navigate my way around. This is something else we are lacking in the good ole USA.
As soon as we came in from our movie all 4 computers were fired up along with one blackberry. Even on vacation, we still need our technology. Good thing we have this though as our TV has one english speaking station and today the only choice of shows was Columbo! Oh Apple TV, we miss you too!
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