Madrid - you SURPRISED ME!

It will come as no surprise to most that I am a beach girl.  I like the heat, but not tooo much heat, and I love the beach, laying out, reading a no brainer book or mag, ideally sipping on a cocktail or really cold ice tea.  That is my happy place.  So when we booked our trip to Madrid I thought - hmmmm, perhaps too hot, too big of city, maybe dirty, no water - we'll see how much I like this place.  Needless to say, we actually extended our stay in this fantastic city.  I loved it, even more than Barcelona.

The second we got there I was wide-eyed at all the beautiful buildings and gardens.  The city was incredibly clean, spacious streets and parks, modern and old old old architecture, and the people were so friendly!  We arrived at our awesome airbnb that col booked, a little studio loft all to ourselves, great air conditioning, internet, location, bed, shower - it was awesome.  Well, minus the fact that the washer ate a few pairs of panties and Colin's Giant shirt - besides that, we couldn't have been happier.  The heat was HOT, but it was a "dry heat" so much more manageable for me.  I put "dry heat" in quotes b/c that is the classic line everyone says to Colin about why they can stand the heat in places like La Verne and Palm Springs... he says "its so hot"... we say "yea - but it's a dry heat"... he says "yes, but its SO HOT"... and so it continues.  But mostly the heat was manageable, and when we needed a break we enjoyed some sangria inside and a cool siesta (which we have learned to love).  We found some fantastic local spots where they really do just come bring you small tapas when all you order is a drink, we had lots of patatas bravas, eggs and peppers, croquettes, roasted chicken, steak, and -of course- churros.  Colin spoke and understood people so well with the language (he would never admit this, but it was really impressive), and he even handled the heat like a champ.  We walked through the stunning Ritario, had iced coffee, walked through the gorgeous Mercado San Miguel, had mini beers, walked through Plaza Mayor, avoiding a creepy Spider Man character, and of course walked along the Palace, enjoying it both in the daytime and at night.  The ally's of Plaza del Sol were filled with happy and friendly tourists, and the even smaller ally's were filled with locals excited to serve you free tapas and cheap but delicious wine.  It was so much fun.

I'm not going to lie - as amazing as Madrid was, on one of the days we both hit a bit of a travel wall, broke out in small fevers and found ourselves at an American diner eating cobb salads and club sandwiches (called a "route 66").  It was then that we realized as much as we were loving being with just the 2 of us, traveling the world, making memories that we will tell our kids about - we were ready to go home.  America - here we come.  We booked flights home that night and planned our final 10 days in the EU.  It was bitter sweet - but the happiness we felt when starting to think about our family, friends, new jobs, new homes, perhaps even a new pup - filled us with excitement to start a new adventure, back in the good ol' U S of A.  So with that - we lived up our last night in Madrid, eating and drinking too late for our own good, laughing hysterically at really bad Fantasy Football team names we were coming up with, enjoying the local people, food, language and Palace once more - then headed home around 2am for a snuggle and preparation to take our very last little flight in the EU.

A few more beers in Belguim, and some champagne in France - then we will be headed home.  Ahhhhhh!!!!!

Flamenco & Vermouth in Barcelona

Spain!! You beautiful, vibrant, exotic, sexy, hot as hell country.  When did I become such a wimp in the heat (San Francisco, you've changed me!).

We got to Barcelona, or Barca (with a thsexy listhppp) late in the evening to see people young and old running around the town like it was 12 in the afternoon - and the weather must have thought that's what time it was as well b/c holy moly was it hot!  Our very sweet (minus a bit of awkward goodbye) flatmates Sergi & Andi met us at the apartment which was a block from the beach, with a killer view of the water.  We put all our stuff down in our cracker jack of a room, then walked the beach & main strip for food - only to be suckered into yet another doner kebab (Colin really loves those things).  We ate our 1:00 meal - then headed to bed ready to take the town the next day.

After a bit of a sleep in we wandered over to a locals spot to grab some tapas, wine, and house made vermouth.  It was BOMB.  Yummy omelets, seafood dip, spinach empanadas, cheese stuffed peppers, bread and tomatoes galore - all to be washed down with their amazing homemade vermouth (Cols new fave).  We then walked the town a bit more, loving all the locals, ping pong in plazas, beach hippies, little spanish dogs & babies, and found our way to place with delicious sangria and perhaps the best internet connection on Barceloneta.  I worked with a few clients, we caught up on our emails, then headed to another awesome place for a late dinner (Bombetta) and called it a night.  Day 2 was our big sight seeing day - we walked to the town and saw all the local sights... Barceloneta, the beaches, La Rambla, Familia Segada, even Park Guel.  It was so beautiful and fun to walk through different areas, stopping for fun little trinkets, snacks, and beers.  We made a sexy American fashion statement on La Rambla by soaking our bandanas in cold water from the fountains tying them around our necks and heads - could we look anymore out of place?  Did I mention my bandana was an american flag?  Regardless - we loved them and we're instantly cooled down everytime.  We walked through the Familia Segada in awe of every single detail, digging deep in our brains for any Catholic knowledge we remembered, and hugged really tight in front of the beautiful stain glass windows and sky lights saying "I can't believe we are here".  You'd think after 5 months of traveling that might get old - but it never does.  Each place we go we find moments where we still can't believe how lucky we are, and how awesome it is we took this leap.  Now, we also have moments of hangriness and cravings for american hamburgers:)... but who wouldn't right?  We decided to hike it up to Park Guel to see the crazy lizard and Dr. Suess looking architecture (which again, I LOVED)... and found ourselves at the top of the park overlooking the entire city.  It was packed with people until one tiny thing... rain... it came fast, and there was lots of it.  People started running for the exit and we looked at eachother and said... why don't we just get a pitcher of sangria, sit under this cave like awning, and wait it out.  So wait it out we did.  We sipped on our sangria, people watching (which was awesome), and relaxed a bit till the rain ended.  We then walked to the lizard, saw the longest bench in the world, bought a little pair of earrings for myself and headed home for a long siesta, shower and another awesome dinner.  The manchego and sangria are on another level out here -they are fantastic.

Day 4 & 5 were local beach days.  We found some spots with locals, popped up our little umbrella, grabbed some fruit and layed out on the amazing beaches.  The water was the warmest and nicest on this trip yet - and the spot that the sun lays over the water gives it such a beautiful color - it was really lovely.  We spent one of those nights walking Barceloneta, catching a bit of a movie on the beach, talking a stroll down to the W, and finding our way back home - always later than expected.  Our last night though was spent at a local, bit out of the center, Flamenco bar that some locals on the bus recommended to us.  The place was packed - and we found a little corner on the balcony while col leaned down to the bar on the first floor getting us beers.  We waited a while for whatever it was we were waiting for (since we both didn't) really know and then a guy with a guitar came on stage.  The second he started playing the crowd went silent and we could not take our eyes off his hands.  This guy was incredible.  He was then joined by a singer who got even more applause (apparently a favorite), the next song a percussionist guy... who just banged his hands against an amp but made it sound like he had an entire drum set, joined.  And after we were dazzled by the music our sweet, talented, and lovely Flamenco gal came on stage.  Personally, I felt many emotions arise as she began to perform - it is strangely similar to tap (my true dance love), and she looked like she was having the time of her life.  It was so special to watch.  Later that night we wandered the area for a late dinner and stumbled upon a beautiful brewery full of caves and beer and locals.  We had some of the best food (so much cheese, potatoes, ham, bacon, peppers, tomatoes) and we sampled the local beer before heading home for our last nights sleep.

We had an early flight the next day to Madrid, which consisted of the both of us needing lots of coffee and diet cokes, but we made it and were off to Madrid.  Barcelona was so unique and special, we loved every minute of it!

London again- and even better

We spent another 10 days in London in between Bulgaria & Spain, and boy, that place almost had us job searching by the end.  I loved London the first time- but it was still "a big city", and I've been craving a bit more grass and "smaller city" feel for our next place we call home.  This time however, we stayed in Richmond Hill and holy moly, was it exactly what I wanted.  It is as if Pacific Heights and the rolling hills, trees, and lakes in Virginia had a love affair.  The place is gorgeous- and apparently ranked one of the happiest places in the world (our Texan hotel neighbor told me).  It was truly beautiful.

I spent about 7 days in training, Col planned our whole Spain adventure and walked all over the town- then we'd meet up at night for a walk along the Thames together, sunset cocktail or tea, bite to eat and then home for a snug (and episode of Homeland).  It as such a romantic, inspiring week.  I met some amazing friends (for life) in my training and enjoyed the outdoors and the long summer evenings with my hubs.  We celebrated the end of a very long road of training, which was started back in May, with some yummy bubbly - as we sat in the Terrace Garden overlooking the Thames with all the other Londoners at sunset.  It was amazing, and we were so so happy watching all the dogs passing by, seeing couples young and old holding hands, and family picnics all over the terrace.  Thank you for celebrating with me Col, and for your support these past 6 months - it has been the best... ever.

On our last day together we walked the whole area- through the Richmond park and saw a bunch of wild deer (which I LOVED), grabbed take-away coffees, watched an awesome bike race go on, found our way over the Thames to Teddington, then walked our 6 miles back to the hotel and were off to re-visit our "old place" in Shoreditch for a good nights sleep before heading to Spain (thanks again Matt!).

Such a fantastic week - now off to Spain!!!

Varna, Bulgaria - 1 Month

To be honest, this was the most surprising adventure on our whole trip.  Renting an apartment for a month in Varna, Bulgaria was never something I thought we would do.  But we did, and we fell in love all over again.  That place has a special spot in our heart and we were so sad to say goodbye.

We spent the weeks doing soul searching, reading, going for long, long walks in the morning, evening, and at sunset.  We spent hours in the Sea Garden with fresh juices or cappuccinos in hand, and long hours at the beach drinking Kaminitzas and frappes in lounge chairs.  We watched soccer with a local family we met, made friends from Sweden and Germany who we danced with all night long, and met a couple of special Bulgarians we will be friends with for life.  We ate and drank like kings while there – not taking one moment for granted, and telling each other what we were grateful for Every. Single. Day.   It was such an amazing month, that we will never forget - and I will always be grateful for the hours and days I got to be with my husband.

I don’t even know where to begin with all our experiences, and we’re trying like crazy to stay up on our blog – so I’ll just quickly recap some of the the aweomeness that went on.

-         Taking a 2 hour walking tour of Varna, meeting our German graffiti artist & t-shirt designer from the Black Forest, along with June (which apparently we Americans can never pronounce, so we called him John), and spending the entire day with them having drinks on the beach, dinner at the Nuns place, and dancing till the wee hours at “the only jazz club in varna” as we were told multiple times.
-         Spending hours and hours at our favorite beach place – Malalaki reading books, napping, drinking frappes with less swimmers on than usual.
-         Spending evenings with Irina, Martin & their little one Deanna on the beach while she played… and having drinks late night with just the 2 of them talking about life before the baby and life after the baby, life in texas vs Canada vs Bulgaria, boys talking work & sports, girls talking face product and shoes
-         Ending our trip having drinks with Martin & Demitri on the beach, while we talked Bulgarian & Macedonian history while sampling their local drinks of choice – Mentha and Oblock
-         Becoming locals at My Café, soul searching and planning our next adventures
-         Making friends with stray dogs at all hours of the night
-         Seeing kitten the size of our fists running around the streets
-         Our local juice lady who finally smiled at us after 5 times of going there in a row… fresh orange, apple, carrot, and grapefruit juice every day
-         Drinking our mini cappuccinos while taking long walks along the Sea Garden, talking about life and not talking at all, enjoying the cliff view, flowers, walkways, huge statues, little kids, more dogs, and donkeys
-         Finding the best local doner-kebab place that gave us a doner the size of a large baby
-         Walking around the local market, picking up fruits and veggies, and buying fresh flowers to put out on our balcony
-         Watching Anchor Man on our balcony at night, drinking scotch and smoking cigars – hysterically laughing the whole time (so much so, the neighbors made us go inside)
-         Going to our corner fruit market every day to get whatever was fresh for the beach or a late night snack
-         Seeing Black Street at the big night club, not thinking we were going to make it because it was hot and loud and we wished we had ear plugs, plus it was getting past midnight (o.m.g. we are OLD) but then we ordered a few beers and turned into dancing machines, enjoying the 3 songs Black Street came on and played then heading home around 3:30am like champs
-         Date nights at Bodega, The Nuns place, and Canope with bacon wrapped skewers, chocolate cakes and brownies, the best calzone of our life, yummy fresh trout, perfect tomatoes and zucchinis, and amazing wine to accompany it all
-         And most importantly… the way we felt when we looked at each other that 4th week and said, where did the time go?  I can’t believe we have to leave!