Living the Dream

 

Another week of grand adventure! This week we were off to Spain!! Monday morning we hopped on a bus with all our bags and rode to the airport. It took about an hour and a half, but it was a cheap way to get there. Then we flew to Barcelona. From there we took another bus to our hotel to drop off our stuff. Then we walked to the metro station and rode 2 metros into the heart of the city. Needless to say, Monday we spent A LOT of time on public transit. Then when we got into the city we spent a bunch of time running around asking people where we could buy a small umbrella stroller. We wandered all around and couldn’t find anything. The boys were exhausted. Finally we went to a super cool market and bought some fruit and empanadas and paella for dinner. It was delicious and totally hit the spot for everyone. We meandered down to the docs and watched the boats for a bit before climbing back on the public transit to get home.

We stayed in a hostel and it was super fun to wake up and eat breakfast with people from all around the world. We chatted with a few of them while enjoying an incredible breakfast of Spanish tortilla, croissants, yogurt, cheese, juice, etc. Then we headed out to find a stroller and see the sights. We started by walking to Carrefor. I mistakenly believed there was a tunnel under the free way and guided our family into a graffiti-ridden dessert behind to young men only to realize this was just some sketchy hang out spot and not a shortcut to the grocery store. But, we eventually made it, got the stroller and all of a sudden everything looked better! Pierce took a nap and we continued to explore the city. We checked out La Sagrada Familia (as well as a perfectly placed neighboring playground). We wandered around Gaudi’s other unique and exciting buildings. We explored the Gothic quarter with its narrow streets and lacy stonework. Everything was exceptional.

Then it was time to meet up with Benjin’s brother (uncle Nathan) who had gotten stuck in London and had to take a train to Paris and then fly from Paris to Barca. Anyway, he picked us up in the rental car and we headed to Zaragoza (a desert town that is known for its week long celebration in October where pilgrims come from all around to celebrate the Nuestra Senora del Pilar (a holy relic of the virgin Mary). We stayed that night in a cool bed/breakfast type place which was made oddly creepy by the fact that we were 100% the only people sleeping there than night.

The next morning we went to explore the Basilica and old town Zaragoza which was spectacular and had lunch outside the Aljaferia (an 11^th century Moorish palace.) (I’m not sure have picnics outside of castles ever gets old!) Then we continued on to Pamplona (where the running of the Bulls takes place). That was also a lovely city where the highlight was our hunt for some peacocks in the park. Then we headed to our hotel and wandered around this little basque town looking for dinner only to realize everything was closed, but it was amazing to watch the whole town out playing soccer/enjoying the summer evening at the town center. We raced to Aldi and had our own little flan and Gazpacho party (trying and failing at not being total rednecks in the foyer of our hotel) haha.

The next day we zipped over to San Sebastian for a beautiful day at the beach. The boys loved playing in the sand and watching all the surfers. The beach we went to was a big surfing beach and there were TONS (some of them were pretty amazing --- including uncle Nathan!!) Benjin also tried his hand at surfing, but Gideon and I stuck to the boogey board (more my speed). We had an absolute blast and then wandered around the gorgeous city. San Sebastian is seriously up on my list for prettiest, classiest, most unique beach town.

The next day we headed to a cool monastery on the coastline only to find out that we needed reservations which we didn’t have. Fortunately there was a gorgeous hike up above it that was honestly probably more Gideon/Pierce’s speed. Then we drove into Bilbao and ate a big pot full of seafood Paella (Pierce was particularly fond of the squid). Finally we wandered around the Guggenheim before heading to the airport.

All in all it was a fabulous trip. It was so fun to drive around with Uncle Nace and hear all about his adventures in California. We loved exploring Spain and getting to know the uniqueness of Basque country. The food was awesome and the sights gorgeous, but when it was over Benjin and I both said that we are ready for a break from traveling. It turns out that “living the dream” for a month plus eventually helps you realize that normal life can also be the dream! Sometimes you just crave a schedule. Sometimes you just want to go to work, exercise, eat veggies, read books, do laundry, etc. So, when we got back Friday night, we were ready to live the dream of normal life in Saint Mande.

Saturday we went grocery shopping and haggled for produce at a gorgeous local market. Then we went to a church baptism in the evening which was followed by an incredible potluck with food from central/south America, Africa, France, the US, and the south pacific.

Sunday we went to church and then went to a friends house for crepes (YUM!) and to explore the river near where the rowing competitions will happen for the Olympics next year.

Then Monday morning we woke up. It was the day we had all been anticipating for months now. Benjin’s first day of work and Gideon’s first day of school. We all walked down to Gideon’s school where a huge hoard of people were all waiting outside the gates to get in. It felt like something out of Charlie and the chocolate factory. Then the gates opened and everyone ran inside where there were lists of kids names. I searched the lists with no idea what any of the terms meant. So, I had no idea if I was even in the right ballpark. But, eventually I found his name. We then went to his classroom and I started to get so excited for him. We met his teacher who was very nice and found his little spot where he could hang his backpack. It’s amazing what a difference it makes to see his name above the hook and to know there is a spot for him. Then we let him start playing and we left. I know this sounds silly, but I was surprised how much people did NOT speak English. Including, on our way out the directrice (or Principal) who stopped us and took us into her office. We explained that Benjin didn’t speak French, but she just kept going in French. So, I took a gulp and said to myself, “ok, I guess we are doing this – parent/principal meeting in French --- here we go!” It ended up going pretty well except for the fact that right a the end I asked if Gideon could just stay for the first half of the day. She firmly informed me that no. School was obligatory and that he would be expected to be there the morning and afternoon. She said I could let him do a half day the first two days, but that was it. Then we left.

As soon as we got out of the gates I started bawling. All the emotions were coming to the surface: my fears for Gideon not being able to speak, my fears of me not being able to speak, wondering if I should never have even registered him for school, frustration that we ended up at the school further away and most importantly just feeling sad that I had to give up my special little buddy. On top of all that my other buddy Benjin had to leave right then for his first day of work. So, poor Pierce was left picking up the pieces of his super emotional mom. Haha. But a few hours later I picked up Gideon from school. He had had a great day we walked over to the zoo which is just down the street from his school and had a picnic and the zoo. Then that night Benjin brought home an amazing raspberry patisserie to celebrate us all making it through day 1. Just another rollercoaster day living the dream!

Loads of love, 

La famille Facer