From Across the Pond, the Wrap-Up

Yes, this post is way overdue. We spent our last few vacation days in Barcelona, just the four of us. I'll mostly rely on pictures and captions to tell the story.

We relaxed on the train ride to Barcelona.

Upon arrival, there was an unbelievable amount of "confusion and delay" when it came to getting checked in to our lodgings. I won't get into it here, but it will probably show up in my first novel!
This picture is from our first trip to Barcelona, in February '06. I thought it bore a striking resemblance to the one above.

Here's another look-alike, this one intentional:
February '06
January '10
And of course Zephyr was up for a repeat performance, as well.
There were scooters lined up and down the streets as far as the eye could see.

But only one that thrilled Zephyr.
We went to Desigual, a store we remembered from our first visit to Spain. The clothes are fun and interesting, but costly, so we bought them way too big.
Jubi's "dress" is actually a shirt. I warned you they were way too big!
By the way, Jon is wearing the sweater we purchased for him during our first Desigual visit in the ice cream pictures- all of them. If you already noticed he was in the same sweater in all of those shots, kudos to you.
Our last day, we went to the aquarium. I've always had a phobia about aquarium walls breaking, so being completely surrounded was especially creepy for me. I walked through quickly.

Jon and Jubi took their time.
This thing particularly fascinated me. Anyone ever seen one before? I couldn't find it on the identification posters. It was huge.

It always makes me laugh when I see Zephyr pulling the "double thumbs up" sign that was my father's trademark when I was growing up. Zephyr rarely sees him. Is it genetic?

Jon was particularly amused by this sign. (1) Don't grab the fish because (2) If you do grab the fish, she will yell in protest. What's not to love?

We were surprised to discover a huge parade blocking our path as we walked back to our lodgings. It was El Dia De Reyes, or Three Kings Day. It was fantastic, and long. The kids sat on our shoulders, and it didn't even occur to me to get the camera out until afterwards. I took a picture of the crowd just so we'd remember that the parade had happened. It felt serendipitous that our visit coincided with this festival.

I just love Zephyr's innocent, wondering face in this picture. Pure, unposed Zephyr.
The water was far too tepid for Jon and I to shower during our stay, but Jubilee has a strange sort of internal temperature gauge, and is perfectly comfortable for hours in cooling water.

And the next morning we flew home!