RTWAdventureFamily

Monday, February 17, 2014

Chilling out in Barcelona

The last two days have been filled with school work and free activities.

Sunday 2/16 we slept late, after the soccer game, and spent the entire morning inside the apartment. Breakfast, Olympics, school work and minecraft videos. We then headed out for lunch of Mabret's choosing. En route, in front of City Hall, (reminiscent of our visit in 2004) we came upon a peaceful demonstration or two. The first to protect dogs and the second to help Venezuelans. Both calm, friendly and peaceful.

Next was lunch, and then off to the 3pm Sunday free admission to the Picasso Museum. Or that was the plan. When we arrived at the museum, we encountered a kilometer long line to enter. Roman saw the line and said ....."that long a line just to see art!"

We tried to wait it out in the museum shop, but 45 minutes later there was still a very long line. I guess that money saving idea needed better planning and kids who do not oppose standing in long lines.

We walked around and then headed back to Placa Reial (our square) for play time (soccer in the square) and cheap toy negotiations with the hawkers. The negotiations here in Barcelona are much more reasonable than in Rome and boys had fun with light up shooting/spinning things and annoying whistles. Ah, what I'll do to keep them happy and maybe get them into a museum next time.

Mom's view of the kids negotiating in the Placa.

Fun in Placa Reial.

Well after dark we headed the 10 feet to the apartment for dinner. Mom made pasta again and a Caesar salad that got raves reviews. Both boys truly enjoying the home made dressing.

Monday 2/17 was more of the same, but included a long walk to the beach for beach soccer and finally a "good" meal for Katie and I.

The beach was beautiful on the 50+ degree, sunny day and the boys played with some nice teenagers from France.

Touching the Balearic Sea or Iberian Sea for the first time! The Balearic Sea is within the Mediterranean Sea and connected to the Atlanitc Ocean but is almost completely enclosed by land.

That is the W Hotel in the background not the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Fisherman's paelle! Very good.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Happy Birthday Roman

Nine years ago today was a crazy, memorable and wonderful day in our lives. Roman Martin Levant was born at 9:08 pm in Dixon, IL. Bob and I were en route on the plane but arrived in the small town 2+ hours west of Chicago after midnight. We were then able to see and hold our son for the first time. The last eight years have been filled with extreme joy, laughs, much learning and adventure. Roman is our funny, creative, dramatic, artistic, smart and kind son. He is full of personality, of ALL kinds, at all times. We love him and appreciated all he has given to us and his wonderful brother Mabret.

Today in Barcelona is Roman's day. While he made a very specific schedule of how HE wanted to spend his day, some slight alterations were made.

On the real list was a walk around the main tourist area and right near our apartment, La Rambla. With the big night ahead no one really wanted to wander far. The plan was for Roman to search for an appropriate birthday gift, find the correct Metro stop for tonight, lunch of tapas and explore.

Roman was able to find the perfect jersey, Real Madrid with his name and number on the back. He just cannot wear it in Barcelona on game day.

We explored the Market La Boqueria. A wonderful outdoor farmers' market directly off La Rambla. It's sights and smells were amazing. In order to keep the boys entertained, they were given the task of finding the most "unusual". Whether it be a fruit, meat, cheese, fish or candy. They did a good job. I could have snacked on all the fresh food forever, however Roman's sense of smell (fresh fish and meat) forced our departure. The displays nonetheless were out of this world.

After the Market we had our first official Spanish lunch of tapas and paella. The tapas were a mixture of various topping/salads/fish on a piece of bauguette and the seafood paella (seasoned rice, vegetables and seafood). Everything was good. As is the Spanish way, the tapas were counted and charged by the toothpicks left on the plate (one toothpick, one euro).