Our taxi driver said it best, shaking his head as we drove to the airport at the end of our three day sprint through Paris: “You need a month here to really see Paris, at least a month!”
In planning our big Europe trip, we debated coming to Paris at all, knowing we wouldn’t have much time to allot to the city. But in the end, we decided to try to see as much as we could in such a short time. And try we did.
When you plan a two-month vacation so far in advance, you can gloss over some important details. Like: Italy is amazing! And: what was I thinking when I only planned eight days here?!
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After five days in Rome, we are headed for Florence on a train. Rome was everything we anticipated it to be. We went on a tour of the forum and Colosseum on our first day here. It was incredibly hot, but the tour guide was very knowledgable and worked hard to keep us engaged. After the tour we went to lunch and I discovered Lambrusco! A cold, sparking red wine. Made my day :).
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We’re half way through our two month trek through Europe and I thought I would provide an update on how our travel gear and technology is holding up.
We wanted to pack light on this trip and so we each brought just one bag that we could carry on the plane. I have the awesome Tom Bihn Aeronaut, Lisa went with a traditional black rolling bag, and the kids are each using the High Sierra rolling backpack.
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We finished our month in Spain by visiting the region famous for its ancient windmills that Don Quixote jousted with on his trusted steed Rozinante.
When I was a boy, younger than Connor is now, I believed all the stories my dear Pop told me. He sailed across oceans, traveled down the Nile, jumped out of planes in the 82nd Airborne, drank with Hemingway, conspired with Castro, along with many other misdeeds and adventures. While my kids are constant skeptics of any tales I tell, even the true ones, I didn’t question the stories I was told. Pop was a great story teller. He would get this gleam in his eye while he drew you in and threw in such vivid details of the surroundings and the things that happened to him that you couldn’t help but believe.
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We made our way east from Zaragoza in our little Kangoo to Barcelona for a three day visit. Our first lunch in the city was unfortunate. Mallory and I ordered spinach salads as we were craving vegetables after a diet long on ham, cheese and bread, but short on greens. Both of us got sick later that night and spent a whole day recovering in the hotel room while Lisa and Connor explored on their own. We were back in business by day three and got a chance to explore the city by bus and walking around. Lots of amazing architecture and art everywhere. We took in an impromptu concert in one of the many museums featuring three trombones to Connor’s delight. The Gaudi Basilica was particularly awesome. Hats off to the staff at Hotel Montecarlo for taking such good care of us during our stay.
Our two day visit to Zaragoza was far too short for this amazing city. A few snaps from our stay there:
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We enjoyed our trip to the Basque Country of Northern Spain. We rented a house in Etxalar, Navarra for the week. The village of Etxalar is tiny, and our house was even more remote. Our little Renault Kangoo car had to navigate some dicy back roads and hills to get to the house. The house itself was awesome: perched on a hilltop looking out over the village below. Here’s a picture from the porch:
Well, I skipped a few days, but now I’m back and have new stuff! I got a soccer ball for the boring stuff like museums and when mom and dad are just sitting down doing absolutely nothing. 
It’s red too!
Ok, time for some observations…we have been here 8 days or so (kind of loosing track)….
There are no fresh fruits and veggies in Spain…there is A LOT of ham and bread and cheese.
All cars on the road look brand new and the roads are either cobblestones or immaculate highways.
Spain is VERY clean and the people are very nice – very little Englisg spoken, but if you try just a bit, they meet you more than half way.
There is an old church in every town….
dogs are incredibly well mannered and children are not.
Basically, I love it here (but I could so use a good salad!)
Haven’t done any blogs yet, I guess I haven’t had the time. Well, I’m gonna release a ton now.
