Taking on Argentina - The Adventure Continues: December 2017

the year has almost finished... and boy was it an crazy ending to the school year..

we have more holiday weekends in Argentina than any other country I know.. which I know leads many to think we are constantly on holiday.. which we might be.. the jury is out on that one.. but it leads us to have many opportunities to discover the beauty of our host country!! So we headed off to Tafi de Valle which is about 1 hour from Tucuman over the mountains.. LOL..

We stayed at a working dairy farm because why wouldn't we..

The girls loved the animals and I loved the peace and quiet of nature and all it has to offer when we just sit still and listen..

We are at a dairy farm.. there are so many cows and man they are noisy at night.. good thing I do love the cheese

One day I see Nola living on such a farm enjoying dogs much more than humans

off to rustle some cattle..

The views from the top of the mountain overlooking the Valle are really impressive..

by 4 pm daily these ladies are so ready to be milked.....

a lovely long weekend in the country.. playing cards, reading books, eating cheese and shopping for handcrafted goods.. it really is a good thing for the soul

So two weeks late, the end of the school year finds me super proud of my girls.. BOTH were invited to swim with 5 other international schools (From Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru) in the SAAC Tournament (South American Athletic Conference) .. It was held in Santiago, Chile and the girls stayed with host families thru the school giving Scott and I time to not only go and support the girls in their swim but to enjoy some shopping time.. :)

Cora flying as fast as her little arms can take her.. LOL..

Nola.. my true waterbug

Sisters... nice to each other when they want to be!!!

This girl came out with a few medals for relays.. what a great relay team she is a part of..

This kid gained so much experience.. and is ready for next years SAAC :)

When we decided (or really I should say the master planner, Scott) to go to Barcelona only one year after Madrid, I had quite a few people as me 'why??'.. but really the question should be 'why did I wait a whole year?'.... Going to Spain is like getting a big warm hug from your favorite aunt and being told to sit down for an amazing meal and drink... oh how I do love it..

Day 1

Not to ever leave a second on the table free... we arrive, we take a short nap and we hit the road to the Opera.. The Barber of Seville.. Amazing..

Little lunch and we hit the Music House for an amazing tour... we later would see a guitar/flamenco show here that was even better than Madrid.. I didn't think it was possible....

My husband.. obviously taking a photo of the beautiful Spanish tile the music house is covered with

There is not one space left undecorated

The highlight of the building is it's amazing ceiling !

Second view

Day 2

the best way to learn about any city really is with their FOOD!!! so we did a nice little 3.5 hour food tour where I should have taken photos of the food, but sadly I did not.. I was too busy eating and loving every single bite of it.. I especially love jamon!!!

and I love this kid, who the one time I was trying to get a nice selfie with some food and view. sticks her fingers where they did not belong!!

Hard not to appreciate the buildings in Barcelona..

Just one of the Antoni Gaudi buildings in Barcelona.. such amazing pieces of work!

Any place that city life bustles before me I am instantly in love with.. I think my husband actually took this photo while the girls and I were getting our shopping on at Zara.. :) but the feeling still applies

Day 3 & 4

We did a day full of Antoni Gaudi.. this was Park Guell

Every single open spot is covered with the most colorful tile..

I found myself looking up alot in Barcelona.. the ceilings everywhere we went seems to be covered with tiles or murals..

of course stopping at a market for candy was a must.. no one can just do tours alone!!!

Segrada Familia.. amazing how it looks nothing on the inside as what I thought it would based on the outside.. still under construction for another 9 years!!!!

Hard to capture the colors that poured thru the stained glass windows

Casa Mila

Casa Batllo... too weird for me.. like 20 thousand leagues under the sea weird

The inside of Casa Mila.. still private apartments to this day but man what a tour..

Day 5

Church of Madrid..

just cause.. not even sure where we are

it pours rain so you take a bus to the Maritime Museum. and are pleasantly surprised with how cool it is. and you get a selfie of all of you.. (fingers count.. )

Sadly no photos allowed inside but truly one of the high lights of Barcelona.. the walk to the Museo Picasso and the Museo itself.. he was a pure genius and his works simple are stunning..

Crazy small pathways thru the city totally mean you get some cool photos..

Flower shaped Ice Cream.. why not:)

a random photo from the Maritime Museum to have proof it was a good time.. :)

Day 6

Saving the BEST for last.. Hospital Sant Pau.. so when my husband says we are going to visit a hospital.. I get a bit worried.. BUT OMG.. truly my favorite site in Barcelona!! This is a tiny rendition of the whole property..