One A Week: VACATION!

We had our first family vacation, meaning first real trip that wasn't just to visit someone or attend an event. We just, like, went.

Andy attended a conference in Valencia, Spain, and we planned to meet him down there afterward and spend Christmas there. Alice did very well on her first flight, Jane was an excellent helper all day in getting things ready and carrying her suitcase at the airport, and we were all reunited.

Pictures in no particular order (and don't forget, you can see them larger if you click on them):

Some graffiti between our rented flat and the beach

The beach, Jane's favorite part... and and ours, I think. Only Alice was indifferent. It wasn't swimming weather, but it was nice for digging, walking, getting wet when the waves came higher than you expected.

It was REALLY windy the first time we visited, and we were concerned about sand in everyone's eyes. Luckily, it was only like that the first day.

There was a nice boardwalk we walked down a few times: 'stuff' on our left and the sea on our right. Andy pointed out the spaces for stalls that lined the walkway, but it was clearly off-season, which to me was preferable.

I don't remember where these were taken. But look at those loving sisters!

One day, we rented bikes. Jane and Alice sat in the cargo bike, while I rode a bike by myself. We rode down the bike paths to a big park based on Gulliver's Travels. The bike day was probably my favorite. For lunch, Jane and I went in search of a market that Andy had seen to pick up some food, but we never found it. We went to a fruit/veg shop and I noticed they had empanadas at the register, so I bought all of them. I didn't know what was in them (still don't), but it was a wonderful impulse buy. Jane was happy with her apple and potato chips.

Andy and Alice waiting for Jane and I to return with food

Biker chic

Christmas Day. Unfortunately, Alice got a cold and neither of us slept very well the night before. We had a few rough nights on the trip. Andy had to go to a pharmacy with my written instructions and I did not have the right word for tissues. I think I had the word for body tissue, which is not the same as Kleenex. Live and learn!