Euro Summer 2023
We just got back from our European travels to Barcelona and Lisbon and I’m already having withdrawal. This year it was just the 3 of us and it really was amazing. Ruby has turned into the BEST traveler. Literally no complains AT ALL on travel days….and we had some long travel days. I honestly was surprised and impressed. I told her that she was more fun to travel with than some of my adult friends….and I meant it!
We spent our Barcelona days (and nights) with our friends Matt and Jenn eating and drinking our way through the city. I wasn’t sure how Ruby was going to handle the adult only time. I’ll admit, it took some getting used to - she couldn’t quite understand that raising your hand doesn’t always signal it’s your turn to say something, but after awhile she started to get the hang of it. Traveling with a kid is different though - so we basically had pool time every day which was actually perfect because Barcelona was HOT! And while it didn’t feel like we saw all the sights we did discover we love a Bus tour, made it to the top of the Sagrada Familia, had a Boat day, ate fantastic paella, had the best meal ever at Bar Canete, and saw a Flamenco show. Oh and had a photo shoot which basically Ruby creative directed and starred in all the best shots. Not bad I must say. That said, Barcelona is my fav and I could have stayed so much longer.
Next up was Lisbon. I have to say I really liked this city. So walkable and picturesque with all the hills and the tile everywhere! It really did remind me of San Francisco. We were here for Krishna and Joel’s wedding so on top of being in such a great new city, we got to spend time with lots of family. It was the first time many of my cousins were able to really get to know Ruby which was so heartwarming. At first, it was a bit overwhelming for her having so many people just looking at her/wanting to get to know her. But once that wore off, she was her normal self/life of the party! We had some amazing family dinners on hotel rooftops overlooking the city but the true highlight of course was the actual wedding day/night at a castle in Sintra (just outside of Lisbon). It was truly a fairytale setting filled with family and love.
Most of our days (and nights) were filled with drinking and eating (we truly embraced this European lifestyle!) but we did discover that we love a tuk tuk ride and that the Hippo trip is the coolest thing ever - a tour that involves a bus that turns into a boat. We actually drove around the city in a bus that gets into the river and turns into a boat! And then we just strolled down the river! All the tour guides said the kids would love it….but I mean I would hands down do it again.
Euro Summer 2023. You were quite a treat. It was one of my favorite vacations ever. The 3 of us….spending so much time together. It was really nice reconnecting with Edward. And experiencing Ruby as her own individual person. This kid….what a delight….I’ll take you anywhere.
Someone told me recently that I’ll probably get more than 18 summers with her. I sure hope so.
