Barcelona, Spain Day 2 - Pre Siesta :)

FULL Day #2 in Barcelona - Jet Lag Prevention Theory ACTUALLY WORKS and we hit the ground running, never skipping a beat.  First order of the day, La Boqueria to grab a morning snack or two and see whatever sites happen along our way to the Passeig De Gracia where we hit up one of Gaudi's crazy creations, Casa Batllo. 

Come along for the ride.  ;)

Counting our bills before heading out for the day. :) 

Crazy how COLORFUL the Euros are! 

Damn tiny Europeans ;) 

So many times poor Chad had to duck to get into places, INCLUDING our apartment!  Hahaha..

On our way to the Ramblas (walking along Port Vell) to start our day of exploring...

Giant Lobster Sculpture.  :) 

These crazy looking doors were more common in Barcelona than you'd imagine..

Not exactly sure what this was.. but it looked like one hard core port-a-potty! 

Looks like someone is having a hard time waking up this morning... :)  So cute!!! 

Starting off at the end of the Ramblas.  Mission:  La Boqueria

One of the MANY artist vendors that line The Ramblas

Chad got a kick at how TINY their "pennies" were.. So CUTE!

Time to find us some breakfast!  :)

Chad's eyes got soooooo HUGE seeing all this glorious PROTEIN everywhere.. lol..

Gotta love my Chef. ;)

Love all the pretty colors!

These flavored drinks were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!  Not too sweet, not too tart.  YUMMY!

Fruit cup on the go.. We grabbed one of these tasty beauties for our walk around town. 

Next Stop:  Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter

Gaudi's Casa Batllo - built in 1877 down the Passeig De Gracia

Crazy water like interior ceiling..

Flower Pot wall outside on the roof

Looking up the interior of Casa Batllo

Coolest attic hallway EVER :)

Up to the roof we go.

View from the roof of Casa Batllo

Incredibly detailed...

Time for a midday snack before Siesta Time!  :) 

Later this afternoon, La Sagrada Familia with the gang

If there was one thing I wish the United States would take from Spain...it would most definitely have to be their tradition for the "Siesta" or (short nap taken in the early afternoon for all you non Spanish speaking folks..who must live in a hole in the ground if you don't know what that word means ;) Kidding.. but not really. ;)  What a glorious thing!  It cuts the day in two, recharges your batteries and sets you on your way allowing you to take on the rest of the day.  It took us all of two seconds to "adjust" to this new found tradition (well you pretty much HAVE to take a siesta, SO MANY things close down for a while during the afternoon!)... 

Next Up:  Late Afternoon Meet Up with the Gang at Sagrada Familia :) 

DFW to Barcelona, Spain - Day 1 :)

Cue the 80’s En Vogue video flashback… “Back to Life… Back to Reality"…

I hate to admit that’s been re-playing in my head all morning since I woke up. Annoyingly, I don’t even know all of the words.. (but I’m not sure I even WANT to) ;)

So as you might have guessed, after a year of planning (and saving), our European Adventure has come and gone.  Boo. Although it was just as amazing as we had imagined it would be, I must admit that it was the PERFECT amount of time to be away. Our bodies ached and our longing for the comforts of home had just begun to appear as the last day in Paris came to an end. Perfect timing.

And as much as I’m sure you all love to hear me ramble, I’m devoting these next several posts to our VERY well documented vacation, with over 3,000 pictures taken in just 10 days… (what can I say, I want to remember EVERYTHING!). We actually used our baby Canon handheld more than I thought we would..just cause it was easier to lug around and less of a tourist target..but I'm happy to say that our little guy did VERY WELL!  :) 

Oh and I’m also going to post for the days that we were actually there.. if in case, one day, I decide to make a Blog Book. ;)

Pretty darn good airplane food I must say....
at least mine was, Chad got some sad looking chicken dish (that wasn't worth a picture...lol. 

Pit Stop for a plane change in Madrid.  :)

Finding our way through the really cool industrial looking airport.  :)

So long Aeropuerto De Madrid - Barajas... Until we meet again.  :)

And we're OFF... again.  :)

Madrid to Barcelona

View of the mountain side cemetry from our fast moving taxi...

Carrer de Monjos, where our temporary "home away from home" was.. for three days at least :)

Our super cute little apartment we found on Crashpadder.com :)

The owners were super nice..they even met us at the front door to give us suggestions on things to do and places to go :) 

Living/Dining room, with Chad standing in our bedroom.  :) 

View from our itty bitty balcony...

After meeting up with Jenn, her hubs Brent and Christine and her hubs Darren (at the Statue of Columbus), we headed to the Metro to ride up to Montjuic

Chad and Brent taking a looksie

Arc de Triomf - built for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888)

Parc de la Ciutadella

Correfoc - or Fire Run, is part of the Merce Festival that takes place every year throughout the city.  Correfoc takes place at dusk normally along and around Via Laietana. The street is closed off and then "The Devils" emerge running up the streets with bangers and hand held fireworks. Fire breathing dragons (or at least sparkler-breathing dragons) also roam the streets with Devils skipping along with spiralling fireworks held in their hands.

NUTS is all I can say.  Will post a short video soon to show you what I mean. 

 

One of the Correfoc Dragons at the end of the parade route - Looks worn out.  ;)

Santa Maria del Mar - is an imposing church in the Ribera district of Barcelona, Spain, built between 1329 and 1383 at the height of Catalonia's maritime and mercantile preeminence

What a beautiful sight!!

Ran right into one of my favorite churches in Barcelona, Santa Maria Del Mar, as we head to our meeting spot after the crazy Correfoc madness. 

Dinner at a cafe by our apartment with the gang. 

Spanish Paella - a must :)

Mmmmm...

Barcelona's Olympic Village

View from the beach - Pez Gehry off to the right :)

Jenn and Brenty, being silly

And.... that's a wrap!  For the night anyway. 

Time to rest up for Day 2 :)

Jet Lag Prevention Theory - Pre-Vacation Hysteria

For those of you who have ever traveled abroad, you know that jet lag can hit you pretty damn hard.  Your body is out of whack, your head feels out of sorts...and eventually, probably after the adrenaline of being in a new and exciting place has worn off, you succumb to it and end up sleeping more than you should...during the middle of the day...when you really should be out and about exploring. 

A few days before our trip, Chad and I devised a plan to try to beat Mr. Jet Lag at his own game.  ;)  Waking up each day an hour earlier.. (and going to bed an hour earlier each night)... we found ourselves a bit  grumpy and near hysteria at 3:45am on the morning of our flight to Barcelona. 

Thank goodness for Walmart being open 24 hours and giving us a place to run amok in the wee hours of the morning.. ;) 

As you can tell, pictures speak a thousand words.. ;) 

hahahaha.. this one makes me crack up every time I see it. 

LOVE my silly HUSBAND! 

Pippy Longstocking's Elmo??  Lol..

This was Chad saying Scoooby Doooby Dooooo... ;)  Caught in mid-Doooo  ;)

I think I might have to go back for this one... (for Chad of course.  ;)

Normas Cafe at 6am.  Best and WORST idea for a pre-flight meal. 

SOOOOO Good, but SOOOO RICH, it made us a bit queasy. 

BEST biscuits you'll ever have in your life..  HANDS DOWN.  Must try again at a decent hour.  ;) 

Stay tuned for pictures of

Day 1 - DFW to Barcelona

COMING SOON :)