April 22, 2008 @ 7:30 pm | Filed under: Barcelona trip
Scott and I have just returned from a trip. I didn’t tell you I was going because I felt funny announcing to the world we were going to be away from our children for six nights. Actually I was in near-total denial about this trip during the two months leading up to our departure. We have never left our children for more than a night, EVER. And even that only twice (not counting the nights I’ve spent in the hospital having babies—even then I have only stayed away for one night). Last October we went to L.A. for a night to see Springsteen, and in July of 2005 we went to Greensboro, NC, for a night. To see Springsteen! Detect a theme?
This time, oh my goodness. Scott was asked to attend a comic book convention in Barcelona. The folks who invited him offered to pay for airfare, lodging, and meals not only for him, but for his wife. His wife relayed this generous offer to her mother. Her mother said, “Oh honey. I would hate to see you pass up a free trip to Spain.” Scott accepted the invitation.
My amazing, amazing parents flew out here to San Diego from Denver to stay with the children while we were away. We departed last Tuesday morning, the 15th of April. Tax day! We changed planes in Atlanta and arrived in Barcelona around noon on Wednesday the 16th. We spent six nights in the Barcelona Catalonia Plaza hotel. Flew home yesterday, Monday the 21st, departing Spain midday and arriving home around 9pm. My parents returned to Denver this afternoon. I am groggy with jet-lag, delirously happy to be with my children again, and on a massive high from having had the time of my life in that incredible, gorgeous, magical city.
We had the best time. Words fail me. And yet: I will be writing about this for weeks, months. It was a glorious experience. I had no idea what a jewel Barcelona is. While Scott worked (poor thing), I soaked myself in museums, architecture, Gaudi. Everywhere I turned there was art. Our evenings were spent in the company of some of the world’s best comic book artists and writers, and I thoroughly enjoyed the long and lively discussions that lasted until the wee hours of the night. We slept little and laughed much. I fell in love with La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s cathedral-in-progress. Really truly in love, in the way that means I will be carrying it around in my heart for the rest of my life. More about it later. More about all of it later, when I’m caught up on sleep.
I’ve been uploading pictures like mad to my Flickr account. Not all of them are labeled or tagged yet, but I’ve made a good start.
The kids had a great week with my parents. Rose and Jane kept me up to speed with newsy emails. Our internet access was spotty but we were able to send short bulletins once or twice a day. My dad emailed lots of pictures. Scott and I missed the kids like crazy, but we enjoyed ourselves to pieces just the same. I am savoring the memory of all the conversations, the discoveries, the new friendships, the ways leading on to way. You’re going to get sick of hearing me talk about it. There is so very much to tell!
View of Barcelona from the steps of the National Museum of Art on Montjuic
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That is so awesome! I can’t wait to hear more.
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 pmI was just today wondering if you were okay and perhaps away.
Great big ((hug)). I am so happy for you! The trip sounds like an absolute dream. I can empathise with your courage at leaving your children! Thank goodness for amazing parents.
La Sagrada Familia is stunning, isn’t it? After studying all about its history, I would love to see it in real life. I shall have to go and drool over your Flickr photos.
Welcome home!!
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 pmjust last weekend I was telling my inlaws how amazing barcelona is. They are planning a trip to spain and I encouraged them to make time for a visit. so glad you had a great trip!!
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 at 8:46 pmWhat an amazing experience! I am so happy for you.
My mom took our kids for 3 days for our anniversary, and on the second day it got to the point where we were looking at each other and saying “So what do we do now?” It was a very strange feeling being without the kids.
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pmWow! I’m so happy for you! Welcome home - it sounds like you had a wonderful, amazing time together - that’s awesome!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 amHow cool! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Dh got to visit Barcelona briefly years ago and has always said I would have loved it.
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 3:36 amWelcome home! You were sorely missed!
I once spent a semester at a Catholic college where the rector was a strict but classy priest from Barcelona. He came from “a good very family there,” and oh my goodness, did that man have style. Ever since then I have wanted to visit Barcelona to see “the art & the architecture & the Gaudi” that this man embodied.
I am, after all, from North Dakota. Way leads on to way, indeed.
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 3:49 amSee what I mean? That was supposed to read “very good” family!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 3:50 amSounds like you had a fantastic trip! Welcome home!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 amWow, I love the pictures! Barcelona is one of the cities of the world I really want to visit. I’ve had two friends (well, I guess now three!) visit and then come back and absolutely rave about it!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 amI’m looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 amThat sounds lovely. I’m glad you had such a great time. Your kids will be enriched by it, too, just watch.
Just wondering. I find that I don’t miss my daughter when I’m away much because I am in a place that I’m not usually with her. But I do miss her if I’m doing something I think she would enjoy participating in. Did you find yourself wanting to point things out to them and then noticing afresh that they weren’t there?
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 4:50 amOhh! I can’t wait to hear it all. I’ve never been to Spain. Maybe some day…
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 7:03 amThat sounds WONDERFUL!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 amWelcome back. And congrats on taking so many photos!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 12:47 pmWhat a fun way to get a trip.
We’ve been away from our 3 before but not that far. It sounds lovely!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 1:17 pmI’m so jealous! My brother got married in Spain last year, and dh and I took the kids with my parents, and stayed at the same hotel, I think! Are they building a pool in the back, and it’s on a pedestrian street, around the corner from 4 Gats? We looooove Barcelona! Did you get to shop at the market on the street? I got the most fantastic glass earrings there!
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 6:09 pmSo happy for you! Glad you had a great trip. Look forward to hearing more about it. You were right not to pass up that amazing opportunity!
Posted on April 24th, 2008 at 9:25 amJust caught up on all the amazing pictures.. sending my sister in law who was in Spain over here to take a peak…WONDERFUL parents you have there!
Posted on May 1st, 2008 at 9:32 am