Barcelona

"It's just another shitty day in paradise!"- Jimmy Buffett

Excuse me for starting with profane quote, but as you read on, you'll see this is a perfect quote to sum up our trip to Barcelona.

Barcelona, is truly, my kind of town. It has all of my favorite things: a great beach, cool old city with a rabbit warren of alleys, great food and drink, and good shopping.   My own personal paradise.  After only 4 1/2 days, this city has tied with or even maybe surpassed Zurich as my all-time favorite place!

We flew in to sunny, palm-treed Barcelona on Saturday after fighting with heaps of snow in Germany for the last few weeks.  Our drive to the airport was pretty rough because of all of the snow and the inefficiency of the Germans when snow falls on their roads.  Just seeing the sun was enough for this trip to be great in my mind! We arrived at our hotel, the W, and didn't leave that evening!  It was such a luxurious hotel, right on the beach with great food and the most comfortable beds ever-hands down, no competion!  We were all happy to just sit in the lobby, nibbling tapas and playing games while looking at the beach outside. This is what we were overlooking, so can you blame us?

On Monday, we wandered around the city all day.  We went to La Rambla, the main walking street, and explored the Barri Gothic (Gothic Quarter).  We found a Christmas market and made sure to do some shopping!

I had read online about these Christmas logs that they sell in Barcelona.  Apparently, they are the traditional Catalan Christmas decoration, instead of trees.  The website told me that it is these logs, not Santa who brings kids gifts, and that the logs "poop" out the gifts. There is even a song that kids sing to the log as they wait for him to poop all December.  So, of course I had have one of these pooping logs! Lainey and I each bought one :)

Apparently, poop is really important to the Catalans.  They even have a squatting shephard in their nativity scenes, and a 3 story one in the mall!  Quite foul if you ask me, but also very funny!

At the Christmas market, nearly every stand was selling some animal or person-including celebrities-in this position.  At least at the mall, they had an explanation.  Here is the link I mentioned with further explanations if you are so inclined :).
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/events/christmas/barcelona-christmas-traditions.html

Now do you see why that was such a good quote to start with?

Aside from, the old town, we also took the kids to the aquarium there.  They loved it!  Later that evening we went for an early dinner (in Spain) at 8pm for paella.  Yum!  Aidan hated the food in Spain, but liked that one of his favorite soccer players from Spain, Messi, had eaten lunch at our restaurant the same day!

The next day we went in search of the Gaudi buildings.  Antoni Gaudi is a "moderniste" architect who's buildings are famous in Barcelona.  We saw 3 of his most famous ones and they were really cool!

La Pedrera

Casa Batallo

His masterpiece, still unfinished, Sagreda Familia

Most mornings, this was our wake up view.  This sunset picture was taken from my bed!

 

We loved trying all the tapas, at restaurants like this. Aidan was not a fan of the food, but Lainey liked it!

 One afternoon, we came back to the hotel to play on the beach.  It was a bit chilly, but the kids still had fun!  Better a little chilly on a beach, than freezing in the snow!

 Our last day there was rainy, so we met up with one of Jay's co-workers who's wife is from Barcelona and they took us to lunch and to the fresh market.  You could buy every kind of fruit or veggie here, plus all assorted parts of animals!  Aidan thought the fish were funny, but we were all a bit grossed out by the cow bellies!

We bought some strawberries there before going back to the hotel for a nap.  Lainey looks the picture of relaxing and luxury as she eats her berries from a martini glass!

Barcelona was a great trip.  Probably the most relaxing one we've been on in some time!  It's a good thing Barcelona is such a fun city, the hotel was so great, we would have been fine never leaving it!  Just staying there was vacation enough!  Hopefully, we can get back to Barcelona, and other parts of Spain, when the weather is good enough to enjoy the city and the beach some more!

Köln Christmas Market

Yesterday, after returning from Barcelona, we decided to stop off in Köln (or Cologne) on our way home.  We had been wanting to see this town that's over 2000 years old, and hadn't made it yet.  So, when we realized we'd be driving through to get to and from our airport near Dusseldorf, we figured it would be a great opportunity!

Köln is known for its cathedral, or Dom.  It is nearly 1000 years old and is truly magnificent.  Köln is also known for a certain kind of beer, Kölsch, and groups of guys come there often for guys weekends. Further, one of the biggest Christmas Markets in Germany is held there, so of course we had to go!

We only spent a few hours in the city, but it was enough to explore the outside of the Dom, go to 2 of the 7 Christmas Markets in the city, and to have dinner at a typical Kölnish restaurant. 

These markets were probably the most beautifully decorated that we've seen.  I was actually able to get some pictures, because it was more spread out than others. Plus, since the temps were above freezing, we could enjoy it more!

After we toured the first part of the market we went for dinner.  We found a crazy little pub that served typical Köln dishes and their famous beer.  The beer was just normal, and the food was OK but a bit weird for me (pig knuckles and such...ew. I had turkey curry, not so typical, but safer for me!) The most photo worthy part of dinner though was that the kids' apple juice came with ice-a real rarity in Europe!

After dinner, we walked to the Dom.  The biggest of the markets was in front of it, so we couldn't even get near the entrance.  It was amazing enough from outside though, and made a beautiful backdrop for the market.  We wandered the stalls, I collected another Glühwein mug, and made a major Nutcracker purchase! (This might save me the trip to Seiffen, but maybe not!)

Here are our new family members, happily at home!

Snow Day!

I got 2 early Christmas presents yesterday!  One was a brand new camera and one was a snow day off from school (which is probably more for the kids, but meant I didn't have to bake bunches of cookies today and go help out in the kids' Christmas parties at school later today :)

So, instead of baking and running errands and the like, the kids played out in the snow this morning and I played with my new camera.  Here are a few pics from this morning with my new toy!

 The view from my living room window

 A close up of the tree across the street

 Sitting on my couch looking outside.  I still have to figure out how to make inside stuff not look dark.  Apparently, that is possible with my new camera.

 Sledding down our driveway!  Our crazy steep driveway is good for something!

 With my old camera these action shots would have been blurry!

After shoveling, the snow was as high as our car!  It took poor Jason forever to get to work today.  I'm really glad the kids and I don't have to go anywhere!

Article on Seifen from Detroit News!

Such a coincidence!  The day after I wrote my last blog about the Christmas markets and Seifen, Jason found this article in the Detroit News about Seifen.  Read on...

http://detnews.com/article/20101210/LIFESTYLE01/12100304/Nutcracker-collector%E2%80%99s-trip-to-German-town-feeds-her-need-for-more#ixzz18AlZcjvk

I Love Christmas Markets

It's true.  I can't get enough of these things.  Much like the the art fairs throughout summertime in Michigan, German Christmas Markets are bunches of little stalls selling all sorts of things like jewelery, ornaments, clothing, toys, Christmas decorations, and my personal favorite-Gluhwein!

There is absolutely nothing better to do in December than visit one of the many Christmas Markets that pop up all over the country, sometimes just for a weekend and sometimes for a full month.  I really mean it, there is NOTHING better to do, since you can't ski anywhere nearby and the weather is gray and icky.  So what better to do than shop and drink lots and lots of hot wine?  Even better, go to Wiesbaden where they have hot apple cider with Amaretto in it!  I love wandering around the stalls with friends, shopping or just looking and soaking in the Christmas spirit.  The atmosphere is so cozy and warm, even if the weather isn't.  The markets are especially beautiful at night, and according to the locals Jason works with, some of them are like bar scenes, or at least where you'd go on a date.  But basically, what's not to like?  It is amazing how many people are at these things at all times of the day and drinking Gluhwein the entire day. 

My pics of the markets never seem to turn out, so here's a link where you can see what I'm talking about:
http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T4TSEH_en___CH372&q=german+christmas+markets&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=ouQHTdX3IYmZhQfkwa1S&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CEUQsAQwAw&biw=1579&bih=659

This year, I've made it to Christmas Markets in Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Kronberg, Mainz, and even one in Prague.  Every little town has one too, but the bigger ones are the best.  I've bought bunches of  things like mittens, ornaments and decorations, including a small smoker and nutcracker.  I thought that would satisfy me, but I have Nutcracker Envy.  A few of my friends have gone to Seifen, Germany where the nutcrackers and smokers and such are manufactured.  Apparently, the goods are 20-30% cheaper there and all year round.  I have decided I need a whole army of nutcrackers and at least one BIG one.  I also want a big German smoker guy who can sit on my mantle. I can't quite bring myself to spend the money on one at a Market, but this factory outlet deal sounds good to me.  I think I'll be adding a stop to Seifen on my way to Poland to stock up on Polish Pottery this spring.  But that will be another shopping story!

Mommy's a Mummy!

Yesterday I got to experience the German healthcare system.  Thanks to being genetically unlucky in the vascular department and pregnancies, I had to have a surgery to remove a varicose vein.  At first I was really excited to be able to have this procedure because who wants to have a purple foot?  In the US it would have been really hard to get it approved as most varicose vein treatments are considered cosmetic surgery.  Here in Europe they categorize it as a real issue and therefore insurance will pay for it.

So, I went through all the pre-appointments and not-so-fun tests.  If anyone tells you you need to have a phlebography x-ray, run the other way and fast!  I almost passed out during it a few weeks ago.  Yesterday I had the actual surgery.  I had to have general anesthesia and they cut my leg in about 4 places.  Apparently, I don't do so well with general anesthesia as when I came to, I was shivering uncontrollably, and in a lot of pain.  They gave me some other meds to help the pain, but I was still crazy cold.  After about 20 blankets I was okay enough to have Jason and a nurse walk me to my room. 

The room was actually a hotel!  The clinic where I had my surgery was attached to a hotel with one wing being for patients like me.  I think it was really more of a private "resort" hospital like in California.  It was kind of weird.  Especially when I had to walk (hobble) up and down the halls wrapped like mummy in my PJ's in front of a room that was hosting a banking conference!

But that was today when I could walk.  Yesterday after the general anesthesia was a different story.  Once I got into my room they gave me soup for lunch and some tea then I took a nap.  Jason brought the kids back later and the nurse said I should go for a walk.  So Jason helped me walk and Aidan came too.  I made it about 7 steps before passing out!  Luckily Jason was there to catch me and the nurse  was close by, too.  It scared the hell out of Aidan.  The poor kid was crying and said he thought I died.  I'm hoping he's not scarred for life!  I came to quickly and reassured Aidan I was OK.  Lainey wasn't phased by it at all.  In fact she just drew me a picture of me lying on the floor.

Anyway, I'm home now and have a leg wrapped like a mummy.  The doctor said my purple foot should be history and that I should heal quickly.  Supposedly, I'll feel good enough to run or ski by next weekend according to my doctor.  Apparently he doesn't know my low-threshold for pain.  I'm just hoping to be able to walk normally as we are scheduled to fly to Barcelona next weekend! 

Prague

We spent the long Thanksgiving in Prague, Czech Republic.  We've heard great things about this city and were excited to visit what is meant to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.  Erin and Elisa came with us and we had a cold, but fun weekend!

We stopped an hour before Prague in Plzen, where Pilsner Urquell beer is made.  We were told this was a "must see" brewery tour.  It was pretty cool to see the assembly lines and taste beer direct from the barrel, unpasteurized, but I still liked the Guiness tour better!  The kids enjoyed seeing all the machines working in the factory.  I couldn't take any pics inside, only Erin broke the rules, so if she sends me any of her undercover shots I'll add them.  The factory totally reminded me of the opening shots of "Laverne and Shirley", you know, where they are working at the beer factory and Laverne takes off her glove and puts it on the bottle on the conveyer belt?  It look JUST like that!

Lainey by the tour bus

Here we are enjoying some fresh from the barrel beer!

We made it to Prague around 4:30pm.  We decided to walk down to the Charles Bridge area.  It and Prague Castle were lit up and beautiful, but it was COLD!  We took a few quick pics and headed into a cafe for some warm beverages.

Entrance to Charles Bridge

We spent the rest of that evening poking in souvenir shops and wandering the Old Town Square.  Prague is a really well preserved old city.  It is called the "City of 1000 Spires" and there is at least that many.  It reminded us of the beauty of Zurich, but on a much larger scale.  I was a little put off by how many souvenir shops and tourists there were, but otherwise I loved it.

The second day we went to Prague Castle.  It is huge and magnificent, but I'm getting a little jaded on castles.  We didn't go in, just seeing outside was enough.  Here is Lainey on Charles Bridge overlooking the castle:

The Castle at night

Inside the castle walls was this big church!

Later that day, we went to the Christmas Market and to Wenceslas Square to do some shopping.  The Christmas Market was really pretty and festive, but the wares weren't the same quality as in Germany.  Wenceslas Square was a new part of town with lots of shops and hotels.  Here is a statue of "Good King Wenceslas" which is the main meeting point for people.  We met Missy and Chris's friend, Radek, here later this night under the horse's tail.

Radek took us out for a traditional Czech dinner.  I shared pig knee with him!!  Seriously, pig knee is a specialty of Czech.  It was good I have to admit!  After dinner, we went to a semi-child-friendly pub all together where Aidan scarfed down pretzels and Lainey played with Polly Pocket.  I took the kids back to the hotel then the others went Prague bar hopping.

We finished our trip with a little last minute souvenir shopping and picture taking.  Here we are overlooking the river and Charles Bridge and Prague Castle

We also went to a restaurant recommended to us by Radek.  It was a train themed  place, which was perfect for Aidan!  Trains were all around and even brought us our drinks!

Aidan LOVED it and wished we could eat every meal there.  Lainey had fun playing with her Matrushka (sp?) dolls and having them "wait" at the station for our drinks :) 

Here is one last pic of the Old Town and the astrological clock dating back to around 1000AD.  My pics are out of order, sorry!