SPAIN

Spain…home from Spain and very very busy, but first I must tell you about our trip.

We drove 4.5 hours to the Atlanta airport and flew 13 hours to Malaga, Spain where Jodi and our newest granddaughter, Adela were waiting for us just beyond customs.  So good to see Jodi and little Adela, well let me tell you, there is nothing little about Adela.  We can’t figure out who she looks like, but one thing is for sure, she is a good eater!!! (Which also makes her a good sleeper – Jodi is no doubt relieved about that!)

When we got to their house we were greeted by Elsa and Gonzalo.  Gonzalo is off work for Easter week, so lucky him, he gets to spend the week with us (I’m sure he will be ready to go back to work in a day or two – haha).  Elsa on the other hand was suffering from a bad case of hives from an Amoxicillin allergy she developed a few days before our arrival.  Poor baby looked so uncomfortable, but don’t worry, she made a full recovery by the time we left.  You will notice her gradual recovery in the pictures below.

On our first full day with the kids, it rained and was a tad chilly, but as the rain subsided, we bundled up everyone and headed out for some fresh air and a cup of coffee.  In one of the plazas there was a carousel on which Elsa got to ride a rocking horse, and if you look closely at the picture, the man behind the balloon is the power behind the carousel.  He is riding a bike that turns the ride – how simple!

Once back at the condo, we did a lot of coloring and watching Dora.  We even got Jodi and Elsa hooked on the HGTV show, “Love it or List it”.  Elsa calls it “Grandpa and Grandma Pam’s show”.

During Holy week in Granada, they have 4-5 processions every day (weather permitting), which start early evening that go until the wee hours of the morning.  Each procession has 2 “floats” and many religious dressed participants to celebrate the week leading up to Easter.  These “floats” are actually 2000 to 3000-pound sterling silver platforms upon which Jesus is depicted in his suffering and the Blessed Virgin is shown in her sorrow.  Each platform is carried by about 25 men concealed underneath.  Due to the weight of each platform, they are carried for about 5 minutes before they set it down for 10 min to rest; it takes them a long time to go a short distance, but if you are lucky to be next to the platform when they take their rest, it is very cool to get an up-close look at it.  The streets are packed with residence and tourists to catch a glimpse of the magnificent platforms.

We did a lot of walking and hanging out.  We had a great time!

Our hotel

Elsa and grandma Pam

Our sweet Adela all bundled up for a walk

Brad ordering cafe con leche (coffee w/milk)

Elsa on the carousel…see the man behind the balloon?

The sites of Granada

Christopher Columbus kneeling before Queen Isabel before his voyage to “the new world”

View up Gran Via

Elsa and Grandma Pam painting each other’s nails

If I could just burp, I would feel so much better…(please notice “Dora” in the background  which means Elsa is not far…)

Adela, Jodi & EIM (Elsa in motion)

The crowd during one of the Processions (the Virgin Mary platform is in the background)

A really cool walk up toward the Alambra along the river

Brad and his “people”

This guy was painted silver and when you put money in his cup, he did a whistling mechanical dance that was a hoot!

So we said to each other, “wouldn’t it be cool to buy it and turn it into a B&B?” And then we came to our senses.

How sweet, Mom, Dad and baby Adela

Gonzalo with Adela (I believe he was whistling)

Dad and Elsa playing with stamps

Does Adela want her hand stamped?

so…do I get my hand stamped or what?!

Waiting for a Prosession to start – Brad, Jodi, Elsa, Gonzalo and Carmen (Gonzalo’s mom)…can you find Adela?

The beginning of the Procession has “penitentes” (penitent ones). These are the people you see who are dressed in robes and capes, wearing cone shaped head gear that makes it impossible to know who is behind their disguises. The cone is supposed to symbolize a sort of rising towards the heavens bringing their penitence closer to the heavens.

The “platform” with Jesus

Another view

Another type of penitents – these come before the Blessed Virgin

Another view

Grandpa’s turn to burp the baby (he is very good at it)

Chocolate-milk with breakfast

We all went out for breakfast before we went on a search for a basket maker. Must have baskets for Easter.

Still at breakfast – coffee is so yummy!!

On our way to the basket maker, we came across a church getting ready for the evening’s procession. We went in to get a better look…

We found the basket maker and bought our baskets!!! Then we found a bakery with treats Brad just HAD to try. Then we found a sunny plaza in which to eat those treats – yumm yumm

Then we went to the park. Sweet Elsa on the swing.

Elsa talking to mommy through the tube – what fun!

Adela hanging out with Grandpa

Our last night, dinner with Gonzalo’s parents, Antonio and Carmen (Elsa’s in there too)

We had a great visit, coloring, playing hide and seek, rocking Adela, walking around the plazas and just being together.  It was great to see them, we already miss them so much, we hope to see them again soon!!!