Espana!

Last month Anth and I were lucky ducks 

and got to skip over the pond and spend some time in Spain. 

I was feeling nostalgic (already!)

and wanted to share some pics with all you fine folks. 

So here's a great big 'ole bunch of pics from our trip. 

Cue the lights, turn on the projector, sorry if you fall asleep. 

First up, Madrid...

and our amazing view of the city. 

Thank the lord for AirBnB. 

If you're unfamiliar, 

give me a call and I'll talk your ear off about it. 

Our street was pretty great too. 

Jamon (ham) is a huge part of the diet in Spain.

Being a ham lover all my life, this meant 

I was in heaven. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner 

were all acceptable times to eat meats and drink gin. 

It is quite refreshing when eating gobs of spiced cured meats. 

When in Spain, do as the Spanish....

I mean, I didn't want to stick out like a silly American. 

Although, as Anthony kindly pointed out, 

my Spanish accent is quite terrible. 

Oh well, even more reason to eat and drink 

as the locals in order to fit in. :-) 

The Sunday market was amazing. 

We also did some sightseeing and 

saw some of my favorite artists, Goya and Velázquez.

I had to be pretty sneaky to snap these. 

Don't tell. 

After a couple of quick days in Madrid, 

we hopped on a train, a bus and then hoofed 

it to the tiny little fishing village, Cadaques. 

Believe me, 

the trek was worth it.

We spent a couple of days relaxing in the water

and filling our bellies with tiny fishies. 

Also pretty heavenly. 

No wonder Dali and Picasso spent so much time 

in this sleepy little fishing village. 

I tried my hand at some art too....

Shadow Dinos anyone? 

Next it was off to our final spot, Barcelona. 

In the many years we've adventured together, 

we've surprisingly never had a "beach" vaca. 

Believe me, we took full advantage of the Mediterranean on this one. 

And again, markets full of meats and juices. 

(there's me, not happy at all)

The food was amazing. 

We found some great non touristy spots where we could tell the waiter 

"queremos peces" (we want fish) and plates full of tiny fishies would fill our table.

Dreams do come true. :-) 

I have to say though, 

our last day in Spain was my favorite. 

We booked a trip with Spanish Trails to hike in the Pyrenees for the day...

and it didn't disappoint. 

We almost cancelled at the last minute 

due to some crappy (literally) stuff happening at our house in Chicago, 

but I think it was just what the doctor ordered. 

We started in a tiny medieval town and saw 

an amazing Black Madonna sculpture behind the alter which is really unusual...

usually museums snatch these relics up. 

There was a service going on when we came in

and we got to partake in communion with the locals. 

We felt pretty blessed. 

Let the hiking begin! 

Have I mentioned I love mountains? 

Because I do. 

So happy I am, mmmm? 

It ended up being just Anth and I that booked

so we had our own guide for the day 

which was fantastic.

Our guide Victor was funny, chatty and 

exactly what you would want while on a day hike. 

You know those days that are eerily perfect and feel blessed? 

This was definitely one of those. 

And then there was lunch. 

Victor explained that the farmhouse they always go to for lunch

was booked for a wedding.

but....

he convinced the owner to let us dine in off the kitchen. 

Amazing. 

This was just the appetizer spread from the wedding. 

They begged us to try everything. 

This was then followed by beef cheeks and I don't even remember what else, 

because beef cheeks. 

We then chummed it up with the owners and waiters, 

drank champaign leftover from the wedding and 

took in the dreamy day we were having. 

Seriously, it was the perfect end to the trip. 

Spain, I love you. 

I want to come visit you again soon. 

Sleepless in Seattle....*

This past week, 

Anthony and I traveled to Seattle to celebrate 

our friends Mike and Katie for their wedding....

 In true Anthony and Kim form, 

travel arrangements got a bit crazy. 

6:30am 

Blue line to O'Hare for 8:25 flight.

6:50am 

Train conductor stops train due to electrical malfuntion. 

6:55am

Rush hour in a taxi

7:15

Rush hour in a taxi

7:45

Rush hour in a taxi

7:50 

Arrive at O'Hare. 

Told we cannot check bag because flight leaves in 40 min.
Leave Anthony with our bag. 

8:20

I get through security and sprint to the gate....

Only to have my bag checked before boarding

(enraging)

1:15

Anthony (luckily) catches the next flight out.
Mike made up a much more hilarious story
involving Anthony blowing a hammy and
yelling to me that he'd see me in Seattle...
which might be just as likely to happen...hahaha.  

Either way, luckily, he made it in that day
and it was time for food and merriment!

Legit clown bar that we went to the first night in town. 

Turns out my old pal Anthony Bourdain 

had been there the night before! 

It would have been my friend Jen's
(who hates clowns) worst nightmare in there.

The seafood was so good I almost cried. 

No joke.

 

And the pizza. 

And the donuts. 

Tears of joy at every meal. 

 

Neither of us had been to a destination wedding before...

but quickly realized the best part

with 30 of our closest friends were there to celebrate as well. 

Because of this, 

I didn't take the time to shoot much. 

Oops.

But....I definitely remembered to take pics the day 

we went fishing for delicious pinchy sea creatures.

Our fearless leader, Captain Ran-Dog

Fishing license in hand, 

let's do this.

After dropping our crabbing traps, 

we got to fish off the boat for about 4 hours. 

We quickly learned that sharks are the carp of the Sound. 

 Lo had the first catch of the day!

 

Joe easily had the greatest catch. 

He was pretty proud of himself, 

as you can see :-) 

 

At the end, we got to pull up our nets, 

which had 5 deliciously plump crabs for our hungry bellies. 

To our delight, Captain Randy

cooked our goodies right there on the ship.

 

Again, tears. 

 We even caught 3 huge star fish!

 

After stuffing our bellies, 

we ran back to our rooms with just enough time 

to make it to the rehearsal. 

The next night couldn't have been better. 

Again, barely any pics!

We were so busy dancing our booties off

that I didn't have any time for any more :-)

Best.Wedding.Dancing.Ever.

Those of you who were there,

I'm sure you totally agree. 

I wish I had video of some of the 

hilarity and dance-offs that happened. 

Oh well.

Mike and Katie, 

I wish you all of the best and love ya dearly!

It really was such a great trip.

 ***We barely slept at all on this trip. Too busy having fun!