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MP goes to Europe

a travel blog by vita

Hello Everyone! We have started a Blog and plan on blogging it up to keep you updated about our travels and the current location of our fearsome Sasha. We hope to be emailing and blogging about every week or so.

We look forward to seeing some of you and sharing our adventures and photos.
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hike

Santiago de Compostela, Spain


hike

roman bridge on the hike
Jeremy and I went on a hike yesterday. Ok, since we’ve done some driving here now we realize that Spaniards are not big on street signs. But I didn’t realize that the same goes for trail markers. So in addition to going through beautiful forest and by a peaceful creek (things you will see in the pictures), there were some things we didn’t photograph – asphalt road under the scorching sun, burned down ladder we climbed on, angry dogs Barking at us, Jeremy hiking in wet shoes for 3 Miles because he fell into a creek… With all that said, laying in the sun on a large rock in the middle of a mountain creek was the most relaxing couple hours I have ever had.

permalink written by  vita on August 10, 2009 from Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Santiago de Compostella

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

We took a half day trip to Spain/Santiago-de-Compostela– a gorgeous little town, but completely overrun by pilgrims. It was interesting to learn that it is believed that James, one of the 12 apostles, was buried here. Hence all the craziness...

permalink written by  vita on August 10, 2009 from Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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the beach

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Today we discovered an amazing beach. About 20 min away from us, right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, is the Sand Dunes National Park. And the beach has the most pristine sand I have ever seen. Although the water is a bit cold, Sasha absolutely loved it. She pretty much ran around naked except for a sun hat, squealing with delight.

I know she will kill us for this picture when she is older, but we couldn't resist...

permalink written by  vita on August 10, 2009 from Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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porto parks

Porto, Portugal

While the city of Porto is impressively dirty, local parks are just stunning!



permalink written by  vita on August 14, 2009 from Porto, Portugal
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oporto

Porto, Portugal

Porto has been a city of contrasts for us. It is striking from a distance – high banks of the river, castle like city walls, overhanging bridges. But upclose you can’t help but see the disrepair of the buildings and the dog poop on all the streets. It’s the same with the food – even though there are amazing pastries and good coffee, their dinners have been very disappointing. And port – we haven’t had much, but had some really bad, and some pretty good (never even new there was white port, yummy).

permalink written by  vita on August 16, 2009 from Porto, Portugal
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bird market

Porto, Portugal

it is always surprising to me to actually see a bird market. May be I am just used to America where you can go to Petsmart and get any animal you want... But the number of birds and other small animals was just amazing. And really kind of sad to see all of them caged. But Sasha, who is just learning the words for fish and bird, just loved it.

permalink written by  vita on August 16, 2009 from Porto, Portugal
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madrid

Madrid, Spain


Sasha's initial impression of Madrid
Well, we got to Madrid last night. Holly shit! this is a big city, and we are smack in the middle of it. If Barcelona was like San Francisco, Madrid is more like New York. Except we haven't found the Central Park yet. And who really wants to go to New York in the middle of August?

Our apartment, Plaza Espana II, does have a lot of local charm, just as advertized. It features such local flavors as bathroom separated from the bedroom by a curtain, rustic furniture that falls apart when you just look at it, and a couch that hasn't been replaced since 1960's. The building itself is also very authentic - it has an old marble and very slipery stairway with rickety railing and we are on the third floor (british system, so actually 4 flights as the ground floor is 0). And no no, not safe to leave the stroller downstairs, must bring it up all the way. But at least we feel safe - there is a police station and a jail on our street, right next to the bail bonds and a few strip clubs.

All right, more on Madrid later, these are just a few of the initial impressions...

permalink written by  vita on August 19, 2009 from Madrid, Spain
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Madrid

Madrid, Spain

Today Vita and I Split up to go to a museum called the Prada. The Prada is a huge collection of painitngs of mostly italian and Spanish painters dating to the 1500's. It was amazing to see these works from "El Greco" or The Greek, Velasquez and Goya. Goya in particular went through a despondent period right around the 1800's called the black period where he painted in exile in france. It was all amazing works, I was blown away and actually moved to tears!

Well Madrid has looked up since we arrived. Tomorrow we are headed to the original capital of Spain called Toledo, as in Holy Toledo!

permalink written by  vita on August 20, 2009 from Madrid, Spain
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Puppet show

Madrid, Spain



permalink written by  vita on August 23, 2009 from Madrid, Spain
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attempting to make pottery

Goreme, Turkey


Pottery in Avonos
We did a little side trip, using public buses, to a neighboring town famous for it's pottery. we went into a shop/studio, the owner claimed to be 4th generation pottery maker, some of his items were just amazing. He demonstrated at first, and then he let me try. My creation is not one of those pieces. But luckily my child has no experience, and was fascinated by the whole process and clapped at the end.

permalink written by  vita on September 1, 2009 from Goreme, Turkey
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Vita, Jeremy and Sashas' travels through Spain, Portugal and Turkey!

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