Mallorca, Part 2 - Pre-Wedding Party at Martin's!

Tonight, two days before the wedding, we went to Martin's house. Martin is the father of the groom, Mario. Below is a picture of the bride, Alicia and Mario.





I visited the chickens at least 3 times. Here they were given watermelon rinds to eat.

Here is the party spread with Michael and Mariangels

I had fun playing with Berta

Cheers!

Mario and Alicia dancing

This is Paco, the groom's uncle. Julie -- Daddy wants you to know that the reason there isn't a picture of him on the table is that Paco broke his leg and he was the one who brought the party 5 years ago to body slamming and table riding. Paco actually broke his leg tripping over a bull at the bachelor party for Mario.

This is Martin in his new bodega built underground. The bodega has a kitchen, a lot of wine (of course) and enough room for many people to sit down to eat.

Martin, Daddy and Michael

In the bodega, this is Martin's sign....a response to his wife's sign below

This is Hemelina's sign (Hemelina is Martin's wife and mother to Mario, the groom). It says in Spanish, "I smoke because I can" (not the literal translation).

Berta with her Mommy getting a little tired.

Hemelina, the groom's mom, with her 91 year old mother.

Hemelina and Martin dancing

Smooch by Mommy and Daddy at the end of a fun evening

Mallorca, Part I - Cortado, Plane/Bus, Spanish Picnic and Swimming

This morning, we had to leave Barcelona (sounds like punishment?) to go to Mallorca. Both places are amazing, so really no complaints here. We stopped for a quick "cortado" (Spanish coffee with a little milk) and off we went. We traveled on the plane with Michael and Mariangels and Berta and her Mommy and Daddy. Berta lucked out in coming. Her Mommy and Daddy were going to leave her home with her older brother and sister, but since they took the older brother and sister to Euro Disney the weekend before, she had been very clingy. She didn't want them to leave her, so off she went with us. Lucky me! (Note to self: use this manipulative behavior in the future if necessary).

Here are Berta and me on the bus from the airplane to the airport.

Ahhhh. Mallorca. We rented a car once we arrived in Mallorca. Only problem was that Michael gave us the hotel brochure but there wasn't an address! Thankfully, Daddy had his GPS and sort of remembered the name of the town. We finally found it, with a little work.

Here we are having a little Spanish picnic on our patio before going swimming.

And, a little after lunch reading.

And, then THE POOL. I love the pool. I kept jumping in off the ledge and rode in my "boat" and this pink raft.

Barcelona! - Shopping, Eating and Walking La Rambla

Barcelona!! Barcelona is a wonderful city full of so much to do and see. Unfortunately, we were only here for less than 24 hours, so we had limited time. One of the things Mama loves about Barcelona is the architecture. Given our limited time and the fact that the last time Mama and Dada were here, they walked and walked and walked and took amazing photos of all of Barcelona's architecture, we skipped the architecture tour this trip. But, I thought I would show you a small glimpse of the buildings that can be seen in Barcelona.

We arrived in the late afternoon by car from S'Agaro and went to the Boqueria (the very large market in Barcelona off La Rambla). We went to a famous bar in the Boqueria called Pinotxo ("Pinocchio") Bar. The guy who served us has been seen in many food magazines (which is how we know the bar is famous -- from Dada, who reads these magazines).

Here is Pinocchio who was hanging from the bar. I was sleeping for most of lunch, but when I woke up, I saw him and kept saying "Big Nose".

The first thing Mama ordered was a lobster (after seeing the person next to her eating it). Yum!

Then, Daddy ordered some "chipirones" (calamari) with beans. This is not normally Mama's favorite dish, but even she said that it was the best she has ever had.

Then, some "cigalas" which are a mix between shrimp and lobster.

Mommy and Daddy wanted to order navajas (the cigar looking clams), but our waiter brought over all the shellfish they had left as it was getting very close to closing time (4 pm).

So, mussels was the last dish.

I woke up just as the last dish was finished and they brought me a shrimp!

After lunch, we took a short walk in the market ...

...and then took a stroll on La Rambla which is a long pedestrian area with various different parts. There is the flower area with many flower shops.

Herbs, herbs, herbs!

And, my favorite area with all of the animals....bunnies, ducks, chickens, fish, chameleons! and more

Then, there are MANY street performers. Can you tell how scared I was of this one?

After leaving La Rambla, we took a walk in the "Barrio Viejo" (Old Neighborhood). Look what we found there! Elmo has his own bakery!

Then some shoe shopping at H&M (below) and a Spanish shoe store (above). Mama called me Imelda. I am not sure why. I tried on a bunch of shoes, but didn't buy any. Mama said something about them not fitting. I guess I was just trying to save money and buy something I can grow into.

Happy Pills?? I don't think I need any.

We went to a very popular tapas bar tonight. Mommy and Daddy had some typical Spanish tapas, including croqueta (below), mushrooms, pimientos de Padron (peppers) and more. I opted for the "hamburguesa". While waiting for a table, someone mentioned the "Obama store" around the corner. Mama went to see if she could find anything interesting, but it was an Obama BAR!

Next stop: Mallorca!