Barcelona, Spain Part 1

In the almost four years that we've spent abroad, we feel lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to places we never dreamed of visiting. 

The only down side to our travels is that instead of our bucket list getting shorter with each flight, it mysteriously keeps getting longer and longer. It's a revolving door I tell you. 

Thankfully, the opportunity for traveling doesn't end with our time in Germany and for that I am very happy. 

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Anyways, with the weeks quickly passing this pregnancy and our chances for air travel coming to a close, we knew that we wanted to make one last trip somewhere before baby. 

It was a really hard choice between Scotland and Spain but ultimately, we felt like we needed a little warmth and sunshine so Spain won out. 

I had to make a pinky promise with Chad that ONE day we will make it to Scotland...and Ireland.

(See what I mean with the list?)

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Our flight to Spain was good and Rhett did great for his first time in his own seat. 

His face during take-off was priceless and maybe if I didn't suffer from extreme flying anxiety I would have taken a picture. 

We landed in Spain before noon so we took advantage of that time by visiting the port and aquarium after dropping our luggage off at the hotel.

We also had our first Spanish meal of tapas and wandered around our neighborhood checking everything out. 

We may have gone back to the hotel for a little siesta which resulted in us waking up at 7 pm and heading next door to the little Indian restaurant for dinner. 

That was day one.
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We were hungry at 1130 in the morning since we had been up since 5 am so I was happy when our hotel recommended this little bistro up the street for an early lunch (Europeans eat late, the Spanish eat VERY late). We ordered a basic tapas spread that included banderillos- pickled vegetables and olives, calamares- calamari, croquetas, patatas bravas- potatoes topped with a spicy sauce, tortilla de patatas- Spanish omelette, small sausages, and a cod meatball type of thing. Whatever it was, we ate it and loved it. It fueled us for all the walking we would be doing later on in the afternoon.

Columbus, pointing to the sea...

We had planned on visiting the aquarium, not necessarily our first day, but when we conveniently wandered to it and the line was short, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I think Rhett really enjoyed it but for being the largest aquarium in Europe, it didn't hold a candle to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. I guess we're just spoiled that way.

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Since I was 30 weeks pregnant, we knew we wanted to get a two day 'hop on, hop off' bus so we could see some of the sights outside of the city. We definitely got our monies worth. I know some people don't like the 'hop on, hop off' buses but with kids (er, a toddler) it's great.

We rode the bus all morning but hopped off at La Pedrera and walked to Placa Catalunya for lunch. We also visited the Cathedral that day before walking down Las Ramblas (to find some churros and hot chocolate) and heading back to the hotel for a little nap (again). The weather also took a turn for the worse sun wise but while Rhett napped in the stroller I took my hot, pregnant and swollen self for a little swim. 

It was great.

La Pedrera above

Placa Catalunya

Apparently you can pay a flat fee for the year and access these bikes all over the city. Parking is very limited in Barcelona and can be expensive so this was the city's suggestion to the problem. People can drop them off or pick them up and they were quite popular. I think it's a great idea.


Rhett was so tired having been up most of the day he didn't even want to participate in the churros eating. He finally fell asleep on the walk back to the hotel but these late naps resulted in him staying up (with his dad) late into the night.

And finally, this was the view from the pool...

lovely.

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Accommodations:

Andante Hotel 

(The neighborhood is really quiet but in a good location... 2 blocks over from Las Ramblas. There are a lot of wild parrots in the trees surrounding the hotel which is fun plus there are restaurants, small stores, a park and the hop on bus picks up about 5 minutes away)

Transportation:

Hop on, hop off Barcelona 

Aerobus Shuttle  

(We personally love these buses because if your hotel is  centrally located, you can take the bus to/from the airport and walk to your hotel... these are great if you plan on not bringing a car seat for your travels)

Tourist Attractions:

Aquarium of Barcelona

(you can find coupons for entry on this website... love saving a couple euro!) 

Part two later...

November 1, 2012

After such a crazy week in the world concerning weather alone, we are reminded to take time to be thankful for the things that make life a little easier... electricity, clean water,  and toilets that flush.

I'm especially reminded that a little bit of snow never hurt anybody. 

Here's to being thankful all month long. 

Happy November!

Day dreaming of a.... Fall. Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Fest 2012

It was not that long ago that we looked out our windows to see the colors of Autumn. Reds, yellows, and golds. Our streets were littered with fallen leaves... dense enough to obstruct entire walking paths-your steps so nicely cushioned.

This morning, our beautiful Fall colors are thoroughly hidden under two or more inches of soft, white snow.  Although I personally think the first snow of the season is exciting, my heart isn't in it this year.  I envisioned a lot more fall related activities taking place prior to snow coming to Stuttgart.

I am especially glad, however, that we took advantage of nicer weather earlier in the month to visit Ludwigsburg's Pumpkin Festival.  I don't think I would have been able to enjoy that afternoon nearly as much had there been snow...

Anyways, this is our third and final pumpkin extravaganza a la Ludwigsburg.  This year's theme was a little different as it was the country of Austria which seems a little strange compared to years past.  However, it was still very creative and cute.

We got an early start on a Friday morning when Chad didn't have to work.  We had to get out the door by 0800 because we had an appointment with the passport office for myself and Rhett.  As soon as we finished up there, we headed to Ludwigsburg and arrived right when the gardens opened.

We headed straight for the Maerchen Garten so Rhett could get out some excess energy. This year he could really enjoy himself and take advantage of the play structures, swings, boat and mini train rides. He had such a great time (Chad too!) that he didn't want to leave that particular area but we bribed him with food and all was right with the world.

The menu is always the same every year but I don't mind because I know I want the maultauschen before I even get there!  If pumpkin flavored foods aren't your thing, they have a restaurant at the palace and two small cantinas in the park as well.  This year we ordered maultauschen (floating in a bowl of kurbis soup),  pumpkin cake, a pumpkin muffin, pumpkin strudel and pumpkin spaghetti for Rhett.  The spaghetti has never appealed to me but when we tasted Rhett's, both Chad and I were immediately jealous. JEALOUS. It was so good. Chad thought he'd be able to finish whatever Rhett didn't eat but apparently all that play made Rhett very hungry because he ate the entire bowl and then the pumpkin muffin. It was quite impressive.

After lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the garden displays and playing in the hay.  We soaked up the sun and enjoyed being totally immersed in the Fall. I appreciate that day more than ever.

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“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion”

Henry David Thoreau

Does that mean Fall is over?

We heard threats of snow for Saturday.

 I'm not going to lie when I say I wasn't too concerned about it because I find that the weather man in our area often lies. LIES, I tell you. 

However, after waddling to the bathroom early this morning, one glance out our opaque window and it looked suspiciously... white.  After a thorough investigation (which required me to remove a bald Orchid, glass jars and 40 rubber duckies off the windowsill), I found that it was indeed snowing. 

It still is in fact and the only way to deal with snow in October (i.e. previously my favorite season when it was still Autumn) is to go outside and frolic in it until your nose is quite pink and null of any feeling, come inside to hot chocolate and cuddle close with your family.

It doesn't necessarily make up for the fact that those lovely gold leaves will be brought to the ground a little sooner than expected but it makes things a little more bearable. 

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so long German Fall! 

Wine Fest, Tubingen and Fall Fest... it's AUTUMN in Germany.

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Stuttgart's Wine Fest is always a good time. I can say without a doubt that any fest in Germany is a lot more fun when you can drink the delicious bounty but you make the best out of it and have more room to sample various menu items.

Rhett was a bit of a wild man this day and it took both of us and a variety of food items to get him to sit down and relax. That is what we get for heading downtown before a nice, long nap.

I ordered the maultaschen with a cheese sauce mainly because it was something new and different.  Rhett really enjoyed it but the cheese sauce was a little cold and the texture kind of turned me off. Chad ordered a steak sandwich and the three of us shared a flammkucken so it all worked out.

I also ordered a soft serve ice cream cone which Rhett ate and a strawberry slush which "magically disappeared" while I was browsing the racks in H&M. Chad learned a valuable lesson that hot day about polishing off a pregnant woman's slush. Oh yes he did.

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The following weekend was over-crowded with festivals. I hate when there are too many festivals and not enough time. Sheesh. Anyways, Jill and I headed to overcast Tubingen for the Umbria/Provence Market. We narrowly avoided the rain (our rain cover = still missing) and ended up having a nice lunch of kurbis (pumpkin) suppe and toast.

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 The next day, I met Jill & Jake at Vaihingen's Herbst Fest since Chad was out of town. There will forever be a soft spot in my heart for this little festival because we brought Rhett here with my parents for a little afternoon outing when he was just a couple weeks old. That day, he was so small and orange with jaundice and this time around poor guy had a horrible outfit (laundry day)... kid can't catch a break at the Fall Festival.

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Also, because I don't feel like I've included enough photos in this post... I'll include a few of Rhett and his new t-ball set (courtesy of Uncle Matthew and Derica). 

Something about a toddler in sweaties playing t-ball that makes me laugh. 

I can't help myself.

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How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days.  

-John Burroughs