"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and the soul of a child." Carl Jung

We spent this week relaxing and running errands in the morning and then spanish lessons in the afternoon. We spent two hours each day with a wonderful lady named Almudena, she made us laugh and the time went by so quick! We learned a bit too, not fluent Spanish speakers yet but it got us all interested in learning more. She was ill on Friday and we were lucky enough to have another fabulous instructor named Laura, also a fun professor! I was really sad that Almudena was not in but we wouldn't have met Laura and I was so glad we did! Both ladies were brilliant teachers but also touched our human feelings and we really enjoyed our time with them, thank you ladies!

I realized as I went to classes that I really am learning so much, not just in classrooms but in everyday. Sheldon has taught me a thing or two about my camera and how to take pictures better, when walking with Ross you are almost always guaranteed a history lesson and I've learned much about Vikings this trip! Amber always has a story or two about friends back home that will make us smile or laugh, but the most I've learned ABOUT her this trip is how capable she is. She is very aware of her surroundings and has more than once steered us in the right direction! With each lesson they provide I am realizing that they are going to be ok, they are capable of things themselves, they are teaching ME. I have moved from teacher to the taught! I don't always need to lead or direct...

On more trip related note, Barcelona would require months, not weeks as we have planned, to be discovered fully. It is quite the opposite of our little home space in Wembley. It is much louder than home, I have woken up every night since arriving, 2:30, 3:30, 5:00 am...people walking around on the streets as though it were noon, I am not even exaggerating! Breakfast is a coffee and a croissant, quick and light and out the door. Lunch time is around two and many businesses are closed for a few hours during this time, it is the biggest meal of the day, supper is the most surprising, it isn't eaten until around nine! Our little family has usually had supper while all the neighbours are just getting started. The architecture and history are mind boggling, as we have seen throughout our entire journey, I have yet to see the Sagrada Familia but am quite excited about it, as well as a few Gaudi buildings I want to get to. We have seen a cathedral, many markets, we have wandered around the narrow alley streets of las Ramblas and today we saw the sea, we walked down to the marina. Well, some of us...some of us are enjoying having a "home" a bit too much! That's ok though, it is a nice space, if the tv quit you could always sit on the teeny little balcony, always something happening on the street!

The Christmas lights were fired up on the first and they are quite spectacular, there are a couple of interesting traditions here that we may have to incorporate into our holiday time back home next year.  We have seen a couple Christmas markets and I am sad that I don't have more room to pack stuff home as I have seen SO many little markets full of goodies! Oh well, I'm taking memories I guess! Hard for a collector of clutter like myself! Anyway, the christmas spirit is in full swing here even if there is no snow (which I am not missing by the way!)  I am missing baking and visiting with friends while shopping but I am loving this big old noisy city, I know I am not always going to be in this place so I am absorbing as much of the history and art and culture as I can! Love you all, xo Wendi