The Misadventures of Family in Europe for a Month of "I don't Knows" and "What did he say again?" - Patrick

catching everyone up

Patrick — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I know it has been awhile but we have been going non stop daily and nightly. It is so hard to get caught up with the people and there ways that is eating late. I will say though these Spainards are a little rude, if they spoke my language there would be some serious battles. Oh well enough about that. We have seen some wonderful sights while in Madrid, the Christmas displays are just out of this world. They line a whole street when I say street I am talking miles and it is with very ornate lighting from fiber optic to wording I will try to get a photo this is done on all the streets, they have planted poinsettia all around the plazas and fountains. This may not seem like a big deal but there is a plaza about every 4 blocks and fountains in between them so all you can see is alot of red. If you have ever watched a film and you see a 100's of cars going around in circle with a fountain in the middle that is how it really is there are jettas of each side and you have to be in the right on our you will get honked at these people love there horns.....I have never seen so many people out walking and shopping I am talking body to body it is stressing. They really don't have big malls they have little shops that line the streets. You walk to EVERYTHING AND YOU CARRY EVERYTHING WITH YOU, laundry, carpeting,furniture we saw two people carrying a sleeper sofa down the street can u image what that sucker weighed? I think if I spoke the language I could learn to like the hustle of it all. Today we went to the Royal Palace and saw how the better half lived my god there was more gold and silver in there rooms than I have ever seen, dinning room table that could feed 70 people a room other than the bedroom that the king prepared to dress in? what's that all about they were not talking the bathroom this room was done in silk, gold and statues. Like I side were the other half lives. We had dinner at a place called vips it is like a dennys rest. it was good. Here is a concept of the cost of things a lady bought 5 packs of stick orbit gum her cost 5.40 euro me I bought 1 hershey candy bar and was asked for 2.00 euros I think I got the better deal? Well enough about us. I am so sorry to hear that you have freezing rain and snow, also heard there has been some power outages hope everyone is weathering that good. Ellen have you checked on my kitties? Here is something funny we were eating breakfast today and these two young women were behind us speaking our language and we keyed into that and they were from St. Louis andd get this one of them went to slu and roomed with a stumpe from jerseyville Sally Stumpe my friendd kathy steins sister in law what a small world we live in. Well to bed I must go have to be ready by nine and it is 11:30 p.m. past my bed time.
Till next time stay warm and try to find us on a map.....

Why "Bitching isn't cool!"

Patrick — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

HELLO!

So, yesterday was a great day! We went to the El Museo del Prado. The Louvre of Spain, but not quite as high one the "wordly" must see lists.

So, I have been reading some entrys of a fellow blog-a-bond user and decided to address them head on.

1.) QUIT BITCHING ALREADY ITS NOT ATTRACTIVE!

2.) Traveling is the experience of life time, and people lots of people give anything to have the opportunity that you have!

3.) IT'S FREE! This trip is free with for you! It is "included" in your year long stay package to BCN. You therefore have the chance to do what you want when you want to do it! You don't have to go on all the "death marches" you can sit them. I know that Tim isn't going to force any one to do something that they don't want to do. You should enjoy life!

4.) SNAP OUT OFF IT!

With Lots of Love,

Patrick ;-)

Madrid old Madrid

Patrick — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This walking for 3 hrs. has got 2 stop!!!! Dad a Mom can not take it anymore. We have taken in so much words can"t describe it. The buildings every turn you make there is another one just as granduar. Thersa we visited Alhambra in Granda and thought of you with the history. Yes i have done it I have drove on the autovia and I was able to maintain my speed at a little over 100mph and people were still passing me. Pat has did alot of the driving and he has done great, David is the co-captain he is suppose to watch for the street signs but he forgets what he is doing. Before we left seville we visited Santiponce a village that contains one of the most important and largest Roman ruins in Spain. This was GREAT the streets, buildings, amphtheate was still there type in santiponce and see what u can find. gotta go we are heading out for breakfast and then to a muesuem. find us if u can

MADRID!

Patrick — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

WE HAVE ARRIVED!

So today we arrived in Madrid! It is a great city! We did alot of walking today! We walked down like Mall Avenue in Madird full of shops. Mom went to Corte Inglese. She tried on a Gucci watch. It was about 1,000 USD. HOT DAM...no!?!?! We also ate some good food, I had Lentil Caserole and Turkery Planks. Dad had Consume and Ox Tail (mmmhhhmmm!). Mom had Veggi Puree and Beef Ragu! It was SO good. We got wine and desert and after dinner booze too!

Tomorrow is going to be a big day! We are going to the Prado and some other places! I am really really excited about the Prado it is sort of like the Louvre of Spain just not quite as big. Also, we are going to be doing some shopping mom needs to buy her spanish purse and dad is getting antsy. Not in a good way mind you!

Later.

A Note.

Patrick — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

To Whomever:

I would like to clearly to state that whomever thought that sticking two cavins and one dungy inside a car for 5 days should be shot. I am not certain what does it, but I do know that the situation is definitely less than "friendly." We get in the car and with out reason voices and blood pressure raise. In the following 20 minutes phrases like "What the F*** are you doing!" start and "You either need to drive or look at the scenery!" too!

Nonetheless, this trip has been simply simple amazing! I don't think that words can begin to explain the Mezquita of Cordoba and the Alhambra of Granada. They are simply breathtaking. I really liked the Alhambra I just think that the Mezquita in all that it is cannot even come close to the intricate work and inlay of the Alhambra. Also, we went on a drive through the mountains, the Sierra Nevadas, and the view was amazing! It was of those sort of foggy days and the sun was bouncing of all the light from the water and the fog. I will try to add pictures soon!

We are now in Malaga and from the first look it seems to be the most "unspanish" of what we have seen so far. For mom it has LOTS of shopping. Funny moment today, so we are walking down the street and up ahead we see this HUGE HUGE market like at least 6 or 7 blocks long. Dad sees it and then forces Mom to cross the street on the pretense that "its quicker that way" ;) Thats Love!

ALSO, We got a Toyota Prius for a rental car! Very cool! It's a great car in my-o-so humble opinion. We have a V6 with a red exterior and grey interior. It's cool to watch the way the car deals out of the energy.

Let see...Today we had a good Spanish lunch. What are the keys to a good Spanish lunch you say?

1.) Eat after 2:00 PM
2.) Don't finish till 4:30 PM
3.) Wine is always included.
4.) Coffee too.
5.) Tapas are for tourists
6.) A wait staff that doesn't want to give you the bill
7.) Good food.

Luego.

here it goes

Patrick — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We have walked a million Miles probably not that much but my footies feel like it. we visited Alhambra today what a wonderful temple. we went up into the sierrie neveda mountains yesterday they had got the first snowfall and all the skiers were out. the terrain is somewhat like the southwest very arid and mountainess and some great peaks in the valleys. we are at the lady gaudaloupe hotel it is nice the wifi is down so i am working on a different computer so bear with the mistakes. We are headed out to another location i dont remember i will have to look at my list. gotta go
talk again soon love the cavins

hello r u forgetting something??????

Patrick — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

We have spent another day exploring. we have seen some wonderful sights
we visited the Cathedral of Seville it had some very interesting and beautiful paintings and the iron sculptors. We also went to the Plaza of the americas this place has some outstanding ceramic tiles they encompassed the entire area. This was also the place that we saw the largest nativity scene in the world. The weather is wonderful here we are enjoying Spring like weather. We are off to cordoba Dec 7th this will be the most trying time because dave will be driving. Ellen and Jo it is so cool here they honk there horns ALOT WITH attitude god i cant wait till i drive.....gotta go its late AND PAT gets us up REALLY REALLY early. Dave says hi...nos vemos pronto (see ya soon)
Darla

p.s. we have added more pictures

Dad's First Entry

Patrick — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

WE HAVE ARRIVED!

We have ARRIVED! Sorta...Patrick's Entry

Patrick — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Sleepy TIME

HI ALL!

So, we have finally reunited as a family! It feels great! I was thinking about it the other day and it has been like more than five months since I have seen all my friends and family because I was only back in Jerseyville for less than a month after I finished my internship! I don't think that I want to keep the time that short ever again. I mean I guess that I have realized that I like Jerseyville, but what I really like about Jerseyville is all the people that are inside. It's almost like there is this part of me that could take a part of Jerseyville with me wherever I go! I me Internet makes easier, but not that easy. I don't what I would have done with out skype! I mean clearly it has made things a whole lot easy. THANK YOU SKYPE! I don't know if they heard that but ohhh what the hell...We are staying a very nice hotel here in Madrid and we had a good dinner. We have some Cava (Spanish Champagne) to celebrate that we were all together it was great! I think that I arrived just in the nick of time though because my parents where trying to order some food, and God bless them...but they don't know a lick of Spanish...I think that the waiter was actually sweating for the conversation (oh internationalism!). We are together and that is the most important part...At the end I was really getting antsy to see them again! More things...Tomorrow we are off to Madrid. It is going to be awesome! AWESOME! I am so excited to see Reales Alcázares, Torre del Oro, and Los Archivos de Indias! Dad's already asleep...You guys should all chastise him for not be internet savy!I took a picture for proof! Well...Till Later!

Also, AirEuropa = GREAT AIRLINE! (www.aireuropa.com)

Till Later,
Patrick

We have ARRIVED! Sorta...Mom's Entry

Patrick — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

MOM:

Well hello everyone, me and David have made it. The trip was fine and very long Me and David did a little searching around before Pat arrived. Ellen and Jo you will like this they have the same concept here as I do Park were u can, my god they were right up on the bumpers in the lined spots.
The weather here was a little foggy when we landed cleared up by mid day and it was sunny. Beth I will ask this a hundred times I am sure....how are the cats? Me and David ventured to eat out while we were waiting for Pat his plane was late. We set down and the waiter speaks no english i am asking for a hamburger David is asking for the type of beer they have the waiter is looking at us like we have 2 heads we are going ok ok god knows what we would have ordered THANK GOD pat showed up I am thinking the waiter was to he hadd the deer in the headlight look like how did i get these people? We had a great dinner some great wine and we then promptly went right upstairs to our room, we were tuckered out...till next time