Europe. Part 1.
Europe. Part 2.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Spanish Motorway Signs I
So when we hit the road in our Fiat Punto, Shawn, the former professional driver, was happy to be in control. On our way to Granada, we began noticing the sign above. Hmm, what could that mean--head scratching ensued and then Shawn said, “It’s a dripping crayon!” He blamed it on Salvador Dalí being on his mind.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Epilogue
Upon our return, as mentioned, there have been adjustments. We all came to new understandings about the world, being, together, and flexibility. We also learned a little bit more about the unexpected.
A week ago, 15 July, Shawn and I decided we needed to make a call to the pediatrician about some symptoms Cyrus was having. We began noticing these things about midway through our trip. We were instructed to take him to the ER with a suspicion of Type I Diabetes.
We headed to Doernbecher where Cy’s blood sugar reading was 468. He was admitted to the hospital where I stayed with him for two nights. Our lives have a new twist. I am grateful for the medical advice we received, that Cy did not become more ill, and the diagnosis was instant.
On the heels of a journey we are still processing, this has become a snap-on. Now we know about insulin and carbohydrates and blood sugar and now we know--have insight--about people we know who have the disease. Curiosity and necessity inspire the desire to learn, to gain knowledge, which makes me wonder, A LOT, about education. I thought about that on our trips that we took through the metros into supermarkets--we were curious and then functioned through what we had to know to travel, eat, drink, sleep, and be content.
Image Source: InsulinHexamer
Friday, July 20, 2012
Final Ride 12 July to 15 July 2013
The epilogue is pending. We have been home a week and are still figuring put where to fit in and how to remember our trip. At the moment, I miss the blue skies, steep stairs, white-houses, and Mediterranean swimming in Salobreña -- I miss watching soccer and Star Trek TOS on the BBC and having the kids navigate the market.
18 July 2012 Roman swimming at Creston Pool in Portland, OR.
14 July 2012 Stocking up for the rest of the summer at
Albeke Farms U-pick.
18 July 2012 Cyrus swimming at Creston Pool.
16 July 2012 Cyrus' diabetes type I diagnosis done at Doernbecher--
eating better, feeling better, getting better. We are thankful.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
12 July 2012 Journey Home to PDX
12 July 2012 Journey Home
Up at 5:00am I had planned to run, but it was dark and I lost my drive--wanted to stay in bed, in Madrid, with Shawn, for a little while longer.
We planned to be at the airport by 9:00am our flight leaving at 11:00. We hopped on the Metro, which Cyrus has since mentioned that all the metros are too loud, busy, and crowded, but they do get ya there fast and we love that even though they do involve a lot of walking through tunnels, on escalators, up and down stairs,and on moving sidewalks.
A retrospective of metros we used this trip:
Paris Metro: Extremely efficient--old and crowded--the dirtiest we encountered and did not really care.
Barcelona Metro: We all agree this was the best--clean, quiet, simple, new.
Lisbon Metro: Clean, secure, new, and fast--rated pretty close to Barcelona.
Madrid Metro: super efficient--the fastest one, I think, older
Overall, the metro is terrific in every city. Ironically, MAX here in Portland was not running from the airport because something was blocking the tracks on the red line, so we took the bus all the way home.
The flight from Madrid to Atlanta seemed quick to me. I watched The Hunger Games, Jeff, Who Lives at Home and The Artist. On the way to Paris, I watched The Descendants and Moneyball. I have not EVER watched that many movies in a row--certainly not since the kids came into the picture.
When we arrived in Atlanta, we were welcomed with an amazingly efficient trip through customs--that airport has it down, wow! In addition, the service at the food court was ultra-friendly. Roman and Cyrus wanted rootbeer and still did not find it in The South--sweet tea or Dr. Pepper and the usual cola options. We still were not home.
The domestic flight from Atlanta to Portland was crowded, long, and a bit humiliating with having to pay for movies and food. We did get stuff to drink, though, and by that time were all really dehydrated. The woman sitting next to us was coming to Portland as a tourist and I gave her some tips about places to visit. We flew next to Mt. Hood and got an incredible view--she was amazed being from Florida swamplands.
We arrived and caught the #71 bus home. Flyer barked and then greeted us. The house was still here and we all found a little nibble and then crashed until morning--well sort ot. I woke up about 2:00am and stayed awake for quite a while. I think the next night Cyrus woke up at 2:00am and thought it was morning.
A few things we noticed*:
• getting an Internet connection seemed to be as important as finding a place to stay--to all of us. We had that in every apartment we stayed.
• travel in foreign lands is tough on an adolescent having a growth spurt.
• key handoff and apartment payments worked well--no problems.
• in Spain and Portugal--this time of year--all sandals for women
• in the end, it all seems to be about the shoes.
* More specifics pending.
Up at 5:00am I had planned to run, but it was dark and I lost my drive--wanted to stay in bed, in Madrid, with Shawn, for a little while longer.
We planned to be at the airport by 9:00am our flight leaving at 11:00. We hopped on the Metro, which Cyrus has since mentioned that all the metros are too loud, busy, and crowded, but they do get ya there fast and we love that even though they do involve a lot of walking through tunnels, on escalators, up and down stairs,and on moving sidewalks.
A retrospective of metros we used this trip:
Paris Metro: Extremely efficient--old and crowded--the dirtiest we encountered and did not really care.
Barcelona Metro: We all agree this was the best--clean, quiet, simple, new.
Lisbon Metro: Clean, secure, new, and fast--rated pretty close to Barcelona.
Madrid Metro: super efficient--the fastest one, I think, older
Overall, the metro is terrific in every city. Ironically, MAX here in Portland was not running from the airport because something was blocking the tracks on the red line, so we took the bus all the way home.
The flight from Madrid to Atlanta seemed quick to me. I watched The Hunger Games, Jeff, Who Lives at Home and The Artist. On the way to Paris, I watched The Descendants and Moneyball. I have not EVER watched that many movies in a row--certainly not since the kids came into the picture.
When we arrived in Atlanta, we were welcomed with an amazingly efficient trip through customs--that airport has it down, wow! In addition, the service at the food court was ultra-friendly. Roman and Cyrus wanted rootbeer and still did not find it in The South--sweet tea or Dr. Pepper and the usual cola options. We still were not home.
The domestic flight from Atlanta to Portland was crowded, long, and a bit humiliating with having to pay for movies and food. We did get stuff to drink, though, and by that time were all really dehydrated. The woman sitting next to us was coming to Portland as a tourist and I gave her some tips about places to visit. We flew next to Mt. Hood and got an incredible view--she was amazed being from Florida swamplands.
We arrived and caught the #71 bus home. Flyer barked and then greeted us. The house was still here and we all found a little nibble and then crashed until morning--well sort ot. I woke up about 2:00am and stayed awake for quite a while. I think the next night Cyrus woke up at 2:00am and thought it was morning.
A few things we noticed*:
• getting an Internet connection seemed to be as important as finding a place to stay--to all of us. We had that in every apartment we stayed.
• travel in foreign lands is tough on an adolescent having a growth spurt.
• key handoff and apartment payments worked well--no problems.
• in Spain and Portugal--this time of year--all sandals for women
• in the end, it all seems to be about the shoes.
* More specifics pending.
Lisbon to Madrid 9 July to 11 July 2012
Lisbon to Madrid 9 July to 11 July 2012
The trolley and light were good fun in Lisbon. We took a ferry to Barreiro and took it right back--at that crossing, the other side was a bit desolate and we just wanted a boat ride.
By this time, Cyrus recovered from being sick from the water on the sleeper train and I managed to figure out the washer--all was clean and dry. We walked around the squares and Shawn selected a chunk of sidewalk to bring home.
The Lisbon apartment (Paraiso V) was beautiful and really high! There were no protective rails or screens on the windows that were about 100 meters above street level.
We took the bus from Lisbon to Madrid getting up at 4:30am and commencing our 8km walk to the bus station at 5:00am. The kids were up and ready--they are amazing! We had to walk because the Metro does not run that early nor does the city bus and getting a cab was a bit sketchy. We made it and were off on the 6+ hour drive to Madrid. The driver stopped only once for a food an aseo break.
We figured out the Madrid Metro and went to the Sol stop to meet Carlos at a restaurant for the key drop off. We ate a good meal and all went off without a hitch.
Madrid is a thriving metropolis that has been hit hard by recession and you can feel it. Although we did not witness it, there was a large protest while we were there. Miners marched from some mining communities that were up to 450km (appx 270mi) away to Madrid where they were joined by others in support. Again, the austerity measures help the banks, the rich, the funded but not the average worker.
We stayed near the Arganzuela-Planetario Metro stop in a gated high-rise near a gorgeous park--Parque Enrique Tierno Galván. The Planetario area seems “protected” and at times deserted. I ran some sweet runs and it made me miss Mt. Tabor--a lot.
Roman started to really embrace speaking Spanish to random people. He made friends with some youngish (20’s) guys at the pool at the complex. At that same pool a young woman, whose English was very good, asked me where I was from and then she told me she “loved my accent.” She said she went on her honeymoon last year to Colorado to ski, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, and San Francisco--great trip that I would take in a heartbeat.
We went to the Reina Sofia Museum on Wednesday and saw Picasso’s Guernica in true life--the most heavily guarded painting I have seen with da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at The Louvre a close second.
The Sofia had a lot of modern art that Shawn and I constantly debate with me usually saying things like, “where’s the skill or I could do that.” However, I could not be Dalí or Miró--who have both skill and elements of weird imagination going on and had the courage, like Picasso, to get it out of their heads and on canvas or in sculpture.
There were many film and television loops playing in the museum. Shawn watched a tv show from the ‘50’s with composer, Philip Glass. I peeked in one darkened space and discovered Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
The kids petered out and went into the square. We met up and headed to the shopping area of Puerta del Sol. We searched for glasses for Roman, but he did not find anything he really liked. He thinks he wants to try contacts this next year. I found some lovely big sunglasses!
The area is a bustling shopping mecca and we headed to the mega Spanish department store El Corte Inglés--sensory overload! I bought Chanel Chance, the perfume I wanted, which I think was no bargain, but I it came from España and I found a swimming suit. Heck, I was now ready to head back to the beaches of Salobreña and Barcelona.
The crew, including me, was getting pretty road weary by this time. Shawn took a day to venture to The Prado by himself. I hung out while the kids went to the pool and then we went and got ice cream, again.
Those last two nights, the kids had hot dogs and frozen fries for dinner--home sick. I made couscous with chorizo and sauteed green peppers and garlic--very yummy and salad with the last of the canónigo--loved this stuff and have never seen it at home. It’s like clover and added to salad and delicious. We ate on the balcony and had wine and talked about the next trips, what we saw, and the kids.
The trolley and light were good fun in Lisbon. We took a ferry to Barreiro and took it right back--at that crossing, the other side was a bit desolate and we just wanted a boat ride.
By this time, Cyrus recovered from being sick from the water on the sleeper train and I managed to figure out the washer--all was clean and dry. We walked around the squares and Shawn selected a chunk of sidewalk to bring home.
The Lisbon apartment (Paraiso V) was beautiful and really high! There were no protective rails or screens on the windows that were about 100 meters above street level.
We took the bus from Lisbon to Madrid getting up at 4:30am and commencing our 8km walk to the bus station at 5:00am. The kids were up and ready--they are amazing! We had to walk because the Metro does not run that early nor does the city bus and getting a cab was a bit sketchy. We made it and were off on the 6+ hour drive to Madrid. The driver stopped only once for a food an aseo break.
We figured out the Madrid Metro and went to the Sol stop to meet Carlos at a restaurant for the key drop off. We ate a good meal and all went off without a hitch.
Madrid is a thriving metropolis that has been hit hard by recession and you can feel it. Although we did not witness it, there was a large protest while we were there. Miners marched from some mining communities that were up to 450km (appx 270mi) away to Madrid where they were joined by others in support. Again, the austerity measures help the banks, the rich, the funded but not the average worker.
We stayed near the Arganzuela-Planetario Metro stop in a gated high-rise near a gorgeous park--Parque Enrique Tierno Galván. The Planetario area seems “protected” and at times deserted. I ran some sweet runs and it made me miss Mt. Tabor--a lot.
Roman started to really embrace speaking Spanish to random people. He made friends with some youngish (20’s) guys at the pool at the complex. At that same pool a young woman, whose English was very good, asked me where I was from and then she told me she “loved my accent.” She said she went on her honeymoon last year to Colorado to ski, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, and San Francisco--great trip that I would take in a heartbeat.
We went to the Reina Sofia Museum on Wednesday and saw Picasso’s Guernica in true life--the most heavily guarded painting I have seen with da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at The Louvre a close second.
The Sofia had a lot of modern art that Shawn and I constantly debate with me usually saying things like, “where’s the skill or I could do that.” However, I could not be Dalí or Miró--who have both skill and elements of weird imagination going on and had the courage, like Picasso, to get it out of their heads and on canvas or in sculpture.
There were many film and television loops playing in the museum. Shawn watched a tv show from the ‘50’s with composer, Philip Glass. I peeked in one darkened space and discovered Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
The kids petered out and went into the square. We met up and headed to the shopping area of Puerta del Sol. We searched for glasses for Roman, but he did not find anything he really liked. He thinks he wants to try contacts this next year. I found some lovely big sunglasses!
The area is a bustling shopping mecca and we headed to the mega Spanish department store El Corte Inglés--sensory overload! I bought Chanel Chance, the perfume I wanted, which I think was no bargain, but I it came from España and I found a swimming suit. Heck, I was now ready to head back to the beaches of Salobreña and Barcelona.
The crew, including me, was getting pretty road weary by this time. Shawn took a day to venture to The Prado by himself. I hung out while the kids went to the pool and then we went and got ice cream, again.
Those last two nights, the kids had hot dogs and frozen fries for dinner--home sick. I made couscous with chorizo and sauteed green peppers and garlic--very yummy and salad with the last of the canónigo--loved this stuff and have never seen it at home. It’s like clover and added to salad and delicious. We ate on the balcony and had wine and talked about the next trips, what we saw, and the kids.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
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