Socializing with the girls

Haley and Mommy went to a fancy downtown restaurant for a birthday mixer for colleague.  Haley had the opportunity to practice her ettiquette and socialization skills.  And her "performance" was noticed and applauded.  

Traveling and customs

Very happy to be going home.  Handleing their own bags, going through security 3 times (yes....THREE times) and customs.  Few pix of the process (and it was, indeed, a process).  

History and Culture (relaxation and great food) in Barcelona

Columbus Monument

Our time in Barcelona was both very relaxing and very educational.  Since "a picture is worth a thousand words" I'll let the photographs tell the story.

Barcelona has a very rich cultural history.  We visit a few key spots while here including Guell Park and La Sagrada Familia - both works by Antoni Gaudi.  The children appreciate the classic mosaic design characteristic of Gaudi.

This is at Guell Park:

This is La Sagrada Familia - under construction even after 100+ years.

We enjoy authentic cuisine:  paella and tapas overlooking the wonderful coastline in Port Olympic. 

seafood paella

jamon iberico (tapas)

We visit the Museum of Barcelonian History and explore the Roman Ruins which are actually underground.

We walk La Rambla and feed birds in the Plaza.  We have lunch in Plaça Reial. And we shop for souvenirs which is always fun!!

We complete our Spanish Classes with Senor Victor.

And we enjoy small cultural differences such as cronuts (croissant, doughnut fusion).  

Of course there's time for family bonding, swimming, beach fun, and relaxation.  Its important to take time to nurture relationships, take a "time out" and just...chill.  

Swimming in the Mediteranean Sea and relaxing on Llevant Beach.

Barcelona, Spain

 This European Experience has been a fantastic opportunity.  The children have been exposed to French and Spanish languages and culture...and have enjoyed some relaxation as well.  Private Spanish language lessons, walks to the largest shopping center in Barcelona.  Walks to the Mediterranean Sea (Nova Mar Bella Beach).  Seeing topless (and naked) beach-goers was a new experience.  Learning limits (international safety, water safety, and non-verbal communication) have been high-lighted.  Finding sea-shells, building sand-castles, swimming in crystal blue waters, and eating (you guessed it) BURGERS and going to the local Diagonal Mar Park.

Private Spanish language class at the apartment in Barcelona

Madrid and Segovia, Spain

When traveling with young children, there are certain considerations that must be taken that otherwise wouldn't be "considerations" at all.  Such as snacks.  Children don't always eat 'well'.  Combined with a metabolism that is more active than the average adult's, snacks are important!  A great tip we received from a friend was "pack plenty of ziplock baggies for sandwiches."  Sure glad we did!!

Also, as a MommyMD traveling overseas with young children, it brings me comfort to have some "tools" (i.e. medications) to help treat minor upsets and discomforts...so a brought along a few.

In this bag we have medications for nausea/vomiting, allergies, cold/flu, gas, diarrhea, and pain.  I did NOT bring antibiotics.  I thought about it...and in retrospect should have (maybe a Zpak and some cipro/flagyl) but figured (incorrectly) that we were going to only developed countries, and they must have "Minute Clinic" or other urgent-care type clinics in abundance in the major city center.  I also (incorrectly) assumed that antibiotics were (possibly) accessible at the farmacia without a prescription (as they are in Mexico Los Angeles).

Actually, the farmacia here in Madrid is more like a cosmetics store.  They don't even have medications on the shelves!!  You have to ask the pharmacist (or the person behind the counter wearing a white coat, who actually could be anyone, I guess) for "medicina para dolor de cabeza" and she will produce some random medication for you.  Very bizarre...

On this trip we have managed to try burgers a few times in a couple of cities.  It is very interesting to see what other people think is "American" and how it's supposed to taste.  The burger here in Madrid was made of veal.  And if you want a "cheese-burger" they provide nacho cheese on the side to dip your burger in to.

Also, in Madrid, we practiced our Spanish as we navigate the railways, streets, restaurants, and mercados.  We visit the US Embassy (in Paris and in Madrid - but no photographs
were allowed).

We journey out to Segovia to see the Ancient Roman Acueduto de Segovia and have a great lunch.

We experience the flea markets, boulevards, stop by the Prado Museum, and spend time interacting with the locals in our neighborhood as the final football (soccer) championship game is a battle between to Madridian teams!!

Ice-cream on the balcony cheering for both soccer teams with the neighbors.  

"Park Tour Europe" continues in Madrid here at Parque Madrid Rio.  

As much fun as we've had in Madrid and Segovia...we are excited to begin our last leg of our vacation on the Mediterranean in Barcelona learning Spanish via immersion and enjoying the vibe.

Chocolate and Churros (and background "authentic Spanish music")  

Paris, France

Unlike the Dutch, the French are not as friendly and helpful, and the society is not as "family/child" friendly.  The city is EXCEEDINGLY expensive, and overly crowded for this more open-space-loving family.  Like visiting New York, or Las Vegas, it's a city that leaves your ears ringing.

For this visit, we did the "touristy" things, such as boat and bus tours, the Eiffel tower, fine French dining, some shopping, and a few museums.  We had to become competent using the metro on day 1.  And we realize that dogs are like "people" here and are welcomed just about everywhere.

Like Amsterdam, everyone seems to be a smoker, making the otherwise quaint and cute street cafe's appear "bar-like."  Service is not something that is emphasized.  EVERYTHING is in French.  And it's not easy to navigate a city (with children as stated in the last Amsterdam post) knowing only "bon jour" and "merci."

We saw the Mona Lisa in The Louvre.  We spent time at the Eiffel tower.  We had BURGERS and SUBWAY because...we could understand HOW to order from these places.  We have been here for 4 days, and (like being in Vegas or San Francisco) think that's plenty of time...and we are eagerly looking forward to moving on to the *relaxing* part of our travel time in Spain!!

And finally:  Burgers in PARIS