34
Spain was beautiful and such a fun time! We made some observations about the Spanish people. Of course these are just our opinions so take them with a grain of salt!
1) the Spanish people are really, really friendly and smile all of the time
2) we didn't see anyone in a bad mood or with a frown on their face!
3) they seem a little more normally sized (while still healthy looking) as opposed to the French skinnies!
4) they have amazing seafood
5) the beaches have a lot of cliffs and rocky shores
6) I assumed in Spain they would speak Spanish but in the area we were ( the Costa Brava and all of the way to Barcelona) they speak Catalan - apparently spoken by about 11 million people and I had never even heard of it! Just another thing so far helping us see it's a big world out here!
7) we loved it and will always remember Henry's 9th birthday in Spain!
Downtown Platja d' Aro for Henry's birthday dinner
The birthday boy!!
Two handsome fellows!
One of Henry's birthday presents- French monopoly with Paris street names!
We took the train into Barcelona for the day in the middle of the week- such roomy seats!
Then we took a subway- check out the crowds! Henry said he thought it smelled like a bounce house!
First stop.. Henry's pick- The Aquarium
Lion fish
Octopus
Then we walked along the Barcelona Harbor
Check out these yachts!
Here are some shots walking through Barcelona
There are roundabouts everywhere in Europe - but this was the prettiest one we have seen yet with a beautiful building and trees in the middle.
We stopped for lunch at a placed called Bar Mut. Our waiter spoke amazing English and told us they didn't have a menu- they just like to tell you about 10 things they can make based on what they could find that morning at the markets etc and you pick about 5 and share them all and then see if you want more. Gant was in hog heaven to try so many dishes.
He brought out olives and drinks and then got started!
First- salmon with avocado (ceviche)
Second- scallops with sea salt and Parmesan sauce
Third- mussels
Fourth- egg yolk with shrimp and potato hay
Fifth - paella
It was quite a feast but such nice portions for us to all share where we didn't feel stuffed!
I sure was excited when I saw this sign! Coffee in France is VERY rich and strong- I've only been drinking coffee a year- ish so am still a lightweight and like my cream etc. They don't really do that in France so I was thrilled to have a cup!
Then we went to the famous church in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia- it was designed/ built by Antoni Gaudi but he never saw it completed- it has been under construction for over 100 years!
Henry's souvenir - a Barcelona hat- he and Gant love watching this soccer team and one of their favorite players Lionel Messi ( there were people EVERYWHERE with Messi jerseys and hats on!)
Then we went back to our beach house for our last two days at the beach
We had the top floor of this house
The pool we could use from our house- it was so pretty but very cold!!!!!
Here are some shots from our last two beach days- one of the days we sat at a restaurant while this swing band played - it was so festive and fun! We ate seafood and played cards at our table for two hours. People just come off the beach and eat at these restaurants in their bathing suits- they are just so good at just being right where they are here! No one went to change clothes or clean themselves up like we would- they are just at the beach and enjoying each other.
Here is the swing band!
Our last day I ordered Sea Bass for lunch- have any of you ever had this cut?
Yikes! But I was a big girl and figured it out!
Pinch us! We are headed to the Alps now! Miss and love you all!!
