Friday, October 11, 2024

I swear I didn’t think I had 5 posts about Spain in me, but that is how it has played out.

We had just left off on Friday at the Picasso museum around 2:00.

After that, we walked through Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella. So many things were named in Catalan, but everyone spoke in Spanish to us and the Catalan was not a problem at all in my opinion.

We stopped at this cute coffee shop to buy a coffee and use their aseos (bathrooms).

The weather could not have been more perfect!

We were headed to the beach. I am fascinated by cities with beaches!

But, first we were hungry. This would be our big meal of the day around 3:00. We found the cutest little plaza close to the beach. I ordered a clara (beer with lemon soda).

And, we had not had paella yet, so it was time!

And, we had not had flan yet, either, but decided to try this region’s version called crema catalana. I like flan better, but was glad to try this.

It was fun to see what we had seen from the catamaran the night before.

Tom and I put our feet in the water so we could say we did!

Then, it was time to make good on Mason’s messenger bag. We also had to work our way back to our Airbnb neighborhood and the luggage storage place.

We found the cutest workshop/shop. Spain is known for their leather goods.

Mason picked the most beautiful bag that was less than half the cost of what we could find here and is way more beautiful.

And, I don’t usually worry about something for me, but look what came home with me:

It can be a wristlet or a crossbody. I was looking for something in this color to take on the trip but wasn’t satisfied so I brought my cream and my black and two colorful straps.

I snapped a few more pictures since we were leaving soon…

Everything was just so gorgeous. I get why Tanya said she liked Madrid and loved Barcelona. I loved both but in Madrid I felt like a local and in Barcelona I definitely felt like a tourist.

So, this is kind of crazy, but I picked the latest train back to Madrid for our flight. I looked into just flying out of Barcelona (called a multi-city ticket) but it was going to be significantly more money for four people. We had a really smooth and quick AVE train back to Madrid from 9:25-11:55 pm. We then taxied to our airport hotel called Zleep Madrid. I didn’t think I would be able to zleep because it was now 1:00 am and we had to be up at 6:00 or 7:00 am but zleep I did. The bed was so comfy! We all raved about it. Now, we did have to get two hotel rooms, but it was pretty affordable.

Here is my luggage set up:

We made it to the airport by 8;30 for our 11:00 flight and all went smoothly including needing to carry on a guitar on the plane. All of our flights (four) for this trip were on time or early. The flight from Madrid to Atlanta was 9 hours and 35 minutes but on the way it had only been 7 hours and change. The flight home was much more smooth so for that I was thankful.

Packing:

Travel outfit for both going and coming:

I always take a shower and sometimes just go with wet/unstyled hair because travel is dirty and I want to be as clean as possible for as long as possible.

I changed into a pink dress as soon as we arrived, but no photo.

Day two:

A similar outfit later on in the trip;

Other outfits and really bad photos:

So, I took zero jeans and that was the right call. I would have been too hot walking everywhere in the hot sun.

I only took sneakers and two pairs – the Vejas and the Sambas. I am having shoe issues. The Vejas pinched my toes and the Sambas seem slightly too small and too flat for the streets of Barcelona. I saw tons of people wearing them and the sturdier leather Vejas, though. I also saw a lot of New Balances. And, Spanish women were wearing a suede flat Mary Jane everywhere I turned.

Maybe I have a wide foot and don’t know it?

I took four dresses, two skirts, and one skort. I was not able to wear one dress and one skirt but they didn’t take up much room.

I took three pants not including the travel ‘fit. I took the blue and black gauzy (perfect weight for the weather) and the black and tan palazzo pants. I took two graphic tees (could have used more) and my gauzy black button up (could have used my pink and white, too). I took my long sleeve blue and white button up and wore it over a graphic tee or a white tank that I brought.

I took the two small purses with colorful straps you see in photos and a small cloth tote (everyone uses these in Spain) and it really came in handy.

I would give myself a B in packing, I think.

Toiletries:

I didn’t take a razor, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or face wash. I shaved at home and thought I would be good! Lol! And, I used the hosts products in the Airbnb. I washed my face with body wash. Ha! The horror! I did have to go buy facial sunscreen because my face got burned in that hot sun. Duh – should have thought of that.

I brought my Seint makeup palette and brush and just a few makeup products – all solids.

Deep Thoughts:

Travel is exhausting and planning for travel is also a ton of work. Just know that going in. I had a lot of fun planning but I was also annoyed when people wouldn’t give me input.

As we reflected on the UK trip in 2023 my kids said they didn’t want to move around as much. So, that is how I just picked two cities as home base for this trip. I also asked each person what their non-negotiable was and then planned for those things. Mason’s big thing was art, Jack’s the flamenco and guitar lesson, Tom said everything so I picked the catamaran, the beach, and the Sagrada and Park Guell for him. Erica has been to Spain more than I have and asked me what my non-negotiable was when she looked at my doc for me. I said mine was really just the daily life stuff and all the stuff that we were doing for the other three people in the family.

My family does not like having posed pictures taken of them or really being in photos. They don’t like being on social media or being on the blog. I asked them for a few outfit photos of me for the blog and that is what you see here.

Everything takes double the time you think it will! The hardest part for me was planning things geographically. What makes sense to do with what thing based on location? That was hard for me to wrap my head around. And, how much time to allow for each thing was hard, too.

I may have more thoughts later, but whew…re-entry is rough! I wish I had had a few more days to rest before jumping back into school, but that’s ok! I also have not done an official total amount spent yet. UK cost $9000 and I think this will come in at $7000.

Gracias and let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

Amy

29 thoughts on “Final Spain Post + Packing + Deep Thoughts”

    1. That would be so cool! You buy the tickets, save some more for a while, then pay for the lodgings in installments, then the train tickets – so it doesn’t hurt so bad or happen all at once.

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  2. Thank you for sharing your trip. I love your humor on your blog 🙂 I love your blog and look forward to reading daily. What did you do with EO while you were gone?

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  3. I am so impressed with your posting! I swear re-entry is hard and it takes me a good week or so just to think straight! I also unpack the minute we get home so then I have a hard time recapping what I packed. Bottom line, I am horrible at travel blogging – ha!!

    The messenger bag is gorgeous and so is your bag! I was disappointed in Italy that we didn’t find better leather bags. Actually we did find the bags but the prices were ridiculous. We bought our boys leather belts in Greece that were fabulous though.

    Anyway…thanks for doing the recap! I know you will get some good sleep this weekend!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  6. That water looks so pretty! I am glad you shared a picture of the beach. I love your new bag! What great re-caps. I agree, it is hard to sometimes wrap your brain around location of places and estimate approximately how much time it will take at each place and travel time. I love how you got feedback from everyone on what they wanted to do. Did you use a travel agent for any of the trip? I hope you can rest and enjoy your weekend as you continue to get caught up at home.

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    1. it was! Thank you and thank you. it was really fun to recap. i am not that great at maps and geography to be honest. i did it all! i did all of the UK as well. i am getting better and learning more. the train is quite the education for me. i haven’t delved into public transport yet. i am kinda sad we didn’t use the madrid metro. today is a funeral so it will be a sad and emotional day.

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  7. I’m surprised that you only gave yourself a B for packing. It seems like you did really, really well! I know the shoes were a big thing for you, though. I loved every part of your Spain recap and could keep reading it, honestly. You’d be such a great travel writer! You are, but I mean for pay. I know you’re glad to see Friday at last; congrats on surviving reentry!

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    1. i was mad at my shoe vanity. i choose what i thought was more stylish and that was dumb. my shift key is not working by the way! thank you so much. someone can pay me to travel and i will write – yes! retirement job? well, i took off on wed. the jet lag was real this time. i realized i have never taken an international trip without it being summer or winter break.

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  8. The beach/ water looks amazing! Your purse…love!! What a treat. You did an awesome job planning and packing…I could never 😂also – wow! The trip cost – I would have thought it would be so much more for 4 people. That’s amazing.

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    1. it was! i had lived in Tarragona and Valencia on the coast and have gone to the beach a lot. We travel pretty frugally and that is the way I like it. I feel like it makes you feel more like a local. of course, our house needs a lot of work and our cars are super old. It’s a trade off!

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  9. Looks like you had a great trip. Planning travel is exhausting. I can’t ever believe that I used to be a travel agent lol. I think that’s why I don’t get as much enjoyment out of it these days. I also have no desire to travel to anywhere in Europe at this point in my life and I probably never will get to anywhere in Europe. Tony has no desire as well. But I love seeing everyone’s posts and pictures! So thank you for sharing that with us. Sidenote… Have you ever thought of going to a running shoe store and getting fitted for shoes? Just a thought. You may have wide feet and you’re trying to just buy regular shoes? I bought a pair of just plain white Brooks ghost 15 when Kelsey and I went to Boston in New York and that was the best idea. I’m toying with the idea of getting some new walking shoes, stepping out of my comfort zone and buying Hoka. Taylor absolutely loves them. So I’m thinking of it. I need a new pair of shoes because I walk so much and I rotate between 3 pair of brooks ghost. Have a great weekend!

    between three pair of Brooks ghost.

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    1. yes! I cannot believe that either! Would you go to Europe with daughters or a friend? you have the ability to go off season to avoid the crowds.
      That is actually a great idea – used to be that I wore Asics to run and walk and they were great. it has been a long time since i have actually gotten fitted and feet do change.

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  10. I think you scored an A for packing! I am totally a jeans kinda gal, so that’s what I brought. I think a good packing job means that you know what you like to wear and bring that with adjustments for the climate or place. I wish I had known about that leather store! Great find! I liked your comment about everything taking longer than you think. I watched so many youtube spain/travel videos, and the amount of places they fit into one day was impressive. But I knew that probably wouldn’t be the pace we would have! Budgeting for a family of 4 for this kind of travel is crazy expensive. On our trip for 2, everything felt like a bargain because it was half the price we would normally pay. Our resort trip to Mexico last Christmas may be our last family trip for awhile. I’m hoping everyone can fit a trip in for summer 2026 – our 25th anniversary and Jack graduating from college.

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    1. I took that into account and Erica helped me ask myself those questions. I would have loved the look of jeans but I know how hot I get. We didn’t know about that particular store, but that Spain had great leather goods. We literally found it hours before the train left! I thought about that – if it is just Tom and I we can do this more often. But, we know our trips are limited now, too. We are already talking about a Mexico City trip to see the art and history. Honestly, i will probably find the money as long as they are willing to go with us.
      That would be amazing! Do you have any ideas in mind for that trip?

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  12. Mason’s bag is gorgeous! And, yours is amazing, too! I think you did a wonderful job organizing and packing for your trip. I always overpack, and my last trip was no exception. My only excuse was the weather kept changing so I packed for every eventuality…even took a down jacket (which I did use). Travel is exhausting but worth every minute. I give you an A+ on this Spanish project.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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  13. I just caught up on my blog reading and was able to read your posts for W, TH and F. I’ve absolutely loved your recaps of your trip! I so appreciate your honesty and your “deep thoughts” were so helpful and I agree with the others that have commented – I would grade your packing as an “A” too! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Finished all the recaps! Love it. Can’t believe your budget for 4! We probably spend not much less than that for 2 when we travel, but then again we aren’t very frugal and I always operate under the “when in Rome” philosophy.

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  15. I love the bags you guys got! Plus, what gorgeous weather! My brother was stationed in Mallorca on an Air force base for two years recently….I was jealous but I also know that beach climate is probably not for me long-term. Great for a vacay though!

    I’ve seen so many of the NB sneakers…I’m good with my Keds for now. I love a good sneaker but I hate buying them.

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    1. They are so buttery soft! Thank you! Yes, it was perfect. I have not been there but would love to go.
      I don’t know why I have struggled so much. The Nike Waffle are the most comfortable but they are not my fave looks-wise. The Keds I saw were so cute!

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