Spain, Part I

Well, we're having a blizzard here, so what better time to blog about Spain, at last. (Honestly, the TV says "blizzard warning," everything's closed, etc. Too bad reporters don't get snow days!)

I can't believe it has already been a few months since we were in Spain. The trip was, in an overused word, amazing. The few snafus we encountered were either humorous in the end -- the best kind -- or forgettable with the help of a little sangria. The biggest obstacle occurred when I was packing three days before we were scheduled to leave... and I couldn't find my passport. I mean, COULD. NOT. FIND. IT. ANYWHERE. All I could remember is that I put it "in a safe place." (Yes, it's a strange, scary place inside my head.) We tore my apartment up and Shane finally found it tucked away in some wedding planning stuff, where I had looked three times before. Not before I hyperventilated for the first time in my life.

We hopped a local flight into Atlanta, and had what felt like the world's longest layover. When we finally boarded the plane, I was SO ready to get going, but of course the pilot came over the intercom to say that we would be delayed about 15 minutes while the crew fixed a "fuel problem" -- just what you want to hear! I absolutely love to fly, so I wasn't too worried.

I have a stash of "fun reading" at home that consists of used paperback novels, and I had thrown one in my carry-on bag without really looking at it. I pulled it out as we were sitting on the plane. It was a spy novel by Jack Higgins -- and the front cover showed a plane crashed into the water. The opening pages described the crash. I could not decide at the time if it was a very, very bad sign or just incredibly funny.

When the plane landed safely in Madrid many long hours later, I decided it was incredibly funny, and also decided to read something lighter on the way home.


Ah, Madrid, home at last!

I had the same completely impatient feeling I'd had on the plane in Atlanta while we waited for our bags. (Not to mention deja vu, but it was much nicer this time to have a travel buddy!) And I was so excited knowing that my Spanish mama was waiting in the next room!

Sure enough, when we finally got our passports stamped there was Concha, just as sweet as I remembered. She got choked up and said in English, "We are so glad you are here." I knew then that my Spanish family and my American fiance would be just fine -- Concha doesn't like speaking English, but she made an effort for Shane!

The ride from Barajas airport to home in Concha's little blue Toyota was the same death-defying joyride I remembered. :) Concha and I chattered in Spanish as I tried to pick up my Madrid accent again, after a few years of speaking Spanish with the mostly Mexican population around here. Shane sat in the backseat and smiled, nodded, and looked slightly scared by the Spanish disregard for traffic law and order. Concha and Victor opened their home up to us, which was nice because it meant Shane could see how the typical Spanish family lives, and we saved on a hotel!

When we had settled in, cleaned up, and had a snack, jet lag finally set in and we took a nap -- Shane slept the sleep of babes, but my jet lag was competing with adrenaline and excitement, so I didn't sleep as much. Finally the kids got home from school, Victor came home from work and we were all together! We went out in Madrid that night (a Friday) for traditional tapas. We arrived at the restaurant at 8:15, and it did not open for dinner until 8:30. This was Shane's first introduction to the Spanish timetable!

The next few days were kind of a blur, as we fit in as much sightseeing (and shopping, for me!) and reconnecting with old friends as we could! Some pictures:


Parque de Buen Retiro, Madrid (The warm weather was a nice change from rainy, cold home!)

We arrived just in time to celebrate my hermanos' birthdays with extended family. 13 for Elena, and 11 for Ignacio. (I know, I said 12 and 10 here -- what have we learned today, class? There are three kinds of journalists -- those who can do math, and those who can't.) Are they not the cutest kids you've ever seen? I miss them so much!




We met up with my favorite Texan, Laura, and her boyfriend Antonio for some late-night tapas and drinks near Puerta del Sol one night. It was so good to catch up with Laura, who made frequent appearances on this blog in the summer of 2004 and was a great partner in crime. :) Laura has returned to Madrid a few times since our summer there and now calls it home. We found a great friend in Antonio, also. He would not even let us take a cab home the two nights we went out and generously gave us a ride.

Many more pictures and stories still to come, sooner, rather than later, if this snow keeps falling: More Madrid sightseeing (including meeting everyone's favorite ukulele player/smoker/hasher!), Toledo, Segovia, and the one thing I made sure to enjoy on this trip that I wasn't able on the first trip -- FLAMENCO!