We had a great trip (viaje) to the US for Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is and always will be my favorite holiday. It’s not about presents (regalos) - not about parties (fiestas) - not about anything but good food (buena comida) and wine (vino) with those you are close to. This Thanksgiving was plentiful with food and wine, time with close friends and family and yet emotional as it was the kids first trip to the states since we moved to Spain in January. It was a long trip to and from, but well worth the time. My brother (hermano) and his wife came from Singapore and my sister (hermana) from Wisconsin with her two amazing girls. Thankful my pops and Vickie have a big house to host us all in Kansas City still since we sold ours! We had lots of time together in the mornings(mananas), days (dias), and before bed with wine and great chats. My mother (madre) came down from Brookings and joined us for Thanksgiving meal and a night out, we were able to see my uncle and aunt, and cousins as well (they live in KC). We were also able to see Ashley’s family (not her mother, but she will be BACK in Barcelona (second time!!!!! trip two!!) in January) a few times and she was able to get some good quality time with her pops. We connected with old friends, played Pickleball (more below), had some good food, and relaxed with wine and good conversations. We had to take the kids out of school for an entire week (todo la semana), but I feel it was well worth it. It may be a year (or more!) before they get back….a few observations on the trip:
Food is expensive (muy caro!) in the states (coffee = redic!)
I feel so much different about tipping now! (there are little to no tips in Spain)
Pickelball is so boring compared to Padel. Hate to say it….true as the sky is blue.
Gas is cheap (barato) as hell in the states (I’d say it’s cheap up to about $4.50 per gallon).
It’s so wide open - the roads, the buildings, the ‘space’ - living in a city the past 11 months really is much different!! (walking, driving, parking, shopping, dining etc).
I do not like driving for errands. Walking > riding any day of the week for me.
My average daily steps went from 18,000 to 6,500 (and I went to the gym nearly every day).
I miss my old gym in KC! Shout out to Zone6 and Jordan for allowing Ashley and I to get our workouts in an amazing gym. I only wish they had one of these in Barca
We had a list of things we wanted to do and crossed most off (Chipotle, parks, Chicken and Pickle, arcades, and tons of reconnecting with old friends). Ellory had her first corndogs in 11 months!! (I hope it’s another 11 months!) Pics below!
Ellory was able to reconnect with her old soccer crew! Shout out to Coach Jenn and thanks for letting her play a few games. Pic below.
The papers are super small (at least compared to what I am used to here). WTF? I don’t know why….pic below.
Ashley and I did the Turkey Trot 5k in Parkville (an old tradition). I ran just under 28 minutes and the first half with Ashley (a little slower than I would have solo) so I was thrilled with my time (I don’t really run). Pic below!
It was nice to drive my 4Runner. I miss that truck (it would not fit in 95% of parking garages (ours included) here!
Overall it was a nice trip back, but all four of us couldn’t wait to get back to what we have fallen in love with here in Barcelona. The walking, friends, activities, and better weather were wonderful to see. I am heading back to the US in January for a few ski trips with two different crews - and a little work I suppose. Oh, and a new driver’s license and some crap life-to-do’s (car tags and taxes, etc) I can’t do remote.
This Thanksgiving I’m thankful and grateful for much - but the number one thing is that Ashley and I have the ability (and have actually done it!) to make an international move with/for our family. The experiences we are all having are amazing, and will impact us our entire lives in ways we don’t even comprehend now. If we are here for a decade or another 2 years, it’s been magical and I am thankful for the opportunity.
Oh, and Hayes had his 10th birthday during all this! El tiene diez anos! I will also put some photos below of his day and his crew….(party was in Barcelona).
Barcelona over the next month will be amazing - Christmas lights throughout the entire city, events, parties, and yes, still eating on patios and having the windows open (only mid-afternoon now!). The next blog will be simple too - just reminding myself (remember this blog is for my future self and my family, not for you, but I’m happy anyone really cares and wants to read my mumbling :)) about the holiday season which will be our first here. My first Christmas outside Kansas City I think in over a decade. It was great to be in the states for my favorite holiday, but I’m looking forward to spending Christmas at ‘home’ here in Spain!
This trip taught me quite a bit about what we have in Barcelona, what we left behind in the states, and how much things have changed (or not changed in some situations). As we step towards 2023, I am super excited for this next year!