January 22, 2007

Blame it on the Barcelona

Pic from Donnabellas.com
Well, you can't even believe how excited I am. I just got my very first ever passport! I feel like Somebody. There is no stopping me now! Sweet Hubby is taking me to Barcelona next month. If any of you have any travel tips for that area, please post them. We are leaving on Feb 17th and I am just giddy with excitement. We will be gone for 5 nights and as excited as I am, I'm still nervous to be away from the girls for more than 1 night. Luckily they will be in good hands with Grandma.

This trip will be like the honeymoon Sweet Hubby and I never had almost 7 years later. I'm sure it will be worth the wait! This is such a big deal for me. Growing up we never took vacations because we just didn't have the money and consequently I grew up to be someone who didn't go on vacation because I didn't realize the value of it. I always thought that my money would be better spent on "things" so that I'd have something to show for it. A little over a year ago, after losing Sweet Hubby's father and our beloved 14 1/2 year old golden retriever within a week of each other, we packed up and took the girls to Disney. That trip changed my life. It was the best 5 days I've ever spent. Now, the list of places I want to see grows daily. I finally understand that the memories that you have of your vacations are priceless. I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to realize it.

15 comments:

  1. Jen, I'm so excited FOR you! What a wonderful opportunity and how you both deserve this! We will want to hear every detail!
    xo,
    Kim

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  2. Jen your trip to Barcelona sounds wonderful, remember to enjoy every step of the way, from the excitement of the plans and the anticipation, remember to savor every new sight, sound, taste and smell, then remember to click those ruby reds when you get home and realize "there's no place like home!" That is the best thing travel does for us!

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  3. Lucky you a European trip..yes travel and fill your book of memories..they are lasting! hugs NG

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  4. Have a wonderful time Jen and create lots of lovely memories.

    Incidentally, my daughter will be in Barcelona next month. She is going with the school and will be visiting the art galleries there!

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  5. Oh how exciting. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  6. That is wonderful. I can't wait to hear all about it.

    Barcelona is one of my sister's favorite places in the world & she has been there several times. I'll ask her for any good tips.

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  7. Oh congratulations Jen, that's great news for you! I've been to Barcelona before and loved it! There are all the Antonia Gaudi houses to see wich are beautiful and I can recommend you the Parc Gruel with Mosaic art of Gaudi everywhere and don't miss the Tappas bars!

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  8. Have a wonderful time! I never had a passport either until I met my hubby! I never traveled outside the US until we married, and I became hooked! Enjoy every single second of your vacation and take lots of pictures for your blog so we can vicariously enjoy! =)

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  9. My husband, daughter and new son in law and I are going to Spain at the end of March. I am overwhelmed with excitement too! I look forward to hearing about your trip and what you recommend. Do you worry about the super late dinner hour that is typical in Spain? I am in my jammies by 10:00 most nights, and the idea of going out to eat a big meal then is kind of strange to me.

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  10. How exciting! That is going to be such a wonderful and memorable trip - Yay!

    I wanted to tell you that I just now found a comment you left at my site recently about the SW paint shade called "Hearts of Palm" that you used in your home. I don't know if you posted the comment before or after my last entry about my decision, lol, but that is exactly the shade that I've picked for our kitchen! Great minds! It really is a pretty color:)

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  11. Your trip sounds wonderful! Looking forward to seeing all the pictures posted on your blog when you return!!

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  12. What an exciting trip. It sounds wonderful, just you and the hubby.

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  13. Good for you!

    When you go to Barcelona you should absolutely see Parc Guell, Gaudi's park - it's unique and beautiful. La Sagrada Familia, his cathedral is very special, too.

    And of course you should eat paella and tapas and drink all the sangria you want, it's a vacation after all :-)

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  14. I adore Barcelona. You will have a fantastic time! There's so much to do there. Let's see... The Picasso museum there is particularly strong in his earlier work. I'm also fond of the Miro museum (in the Olympic park). I don't know what the weather will be like when you're there, but there's a nice beach and there are lots of wonderful places to just stroll around. I love how Barcelona is so many things all at once. It's cosmopolitan but it's also very old. It's international, but at the same time has so much of it's own unique culture. There are some fantastic restaurants there. I recall one called Oolong that I really enjoyed. As others have mentioned, the city is full of Gaudi's work. Parc Guell and La Sagrada Familia are both wonderful. Also, La Pedrera is a good one--I recommend going up on the roof! Enjoy the winding streets! If you're lucky, there may be a local festival going on when you are there. Enjoy!

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  15. Thank you all for sharing in my excitement and for the travel tips. I promise tons of pictures when I get back. Jen

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