Feliz Decimo Cumplemes!

Double digits! Paloma turned 1o months yesterday, and there's no turning back.

We started swimming classes two weeks ago, and she is really starting to enjoy being in the water. It's really a goal of mine that she becomes a great swimmer because I never learned despite all the classes my parents put me through. Is it true that we parents try to raise better versions of ourselves?

Paloma also has some new friends since I've gotten in touch with some moms/mums in Barcelona, whom we meet on a weekly basis. I look forward to real playgroups in the near future!

On to the random pics...

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We've done away with the sling she's gotten so much heavier. I'm guessing she's about 18 pounds now. This carrier is fabulous as a front or back pack.She hearts Elmo.
It's here! Our especially ordered DVD of "Yo Gabba Gabba"! Although I think we ordered it for ourselves more than for her.
Sneaking up on me at the kitchen door. Trickster!

Swim class gets better each time. She knows to close her eyes and hold her breath when she has to "jump" in the water on the count of three. "Uno, dos, tresssss...!!"
More counting. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven teeth!

And those teeth are used for fruits and veggies primarily, not hamburgers...yet!
Looking older...bring it on, toddlerhood!

Sunday Loungin'

Photo: Channels World of Hotels

El Raval is one of those gritty neighborhoods-turning-artsy, where prostitution and crime were historically prevalent, and currently there resides a high concentration of Barcelona's immigrants, including Indian, Pakistani, Filipinos, Romanians, and more. I love going here to buy "exotic" food products on the cheap, or that can't be found in normal food chains, like coconut milk, sushi wrapper, or shrimp chips.

In the heart of El Raval lies the strip called La Rambla del Raval, where a modern luxury hotel opened in 2008. Barceló Raval is said to have a funky design and contemporary feel, but not recommended for a stay for families due to its surrounding area, especially at night. A double room runs around $215 a night. We took a quick visit to see what it was all about.

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My two favorite peeps.

A horsey lamp welcomes guests in the lobby.

Fashionable, no?

Paloma enjoyed sitting in this cocktail lounge chair.

I shared a snuggle with my daughter.Fernando got one too.Not set to open until May 1st, we got a lucky chance to go up to the top to see the panoramic view of Barcelona. That's right - "chill out" on the 11th floor.

I see London, I see France...The Sagrada Familia barely juts out of Fernando's head.

I heard there was a pool at the top, but it looked more for wading.
We're not looking at the camera, but I just like the flowers and colors in this photo.

In the distance lies Montjuic and the National Museum of Art of Catalunya.

The city and the Med Sea horizon.
More of the city and the suggestive Torre Agbar to the left.

Leaving Raval, we had to salute Botero's cat. Hola, gato!
This is "the end"...

Semana Santa 2010

Back from a blogging hiatus. On Good Friday, Fernando's relative, Blanca, invited us to her nearby town of Badalona to catch a glimpse of the Holy Week processions. Holy Week in Spain, especially in Andalucía, is especially celebrated with solemn processions of cloaked penitents and, more particularly, pasos. These are lifelike painted wooden sculptures of individual scenes of the events that happened between Jesus' entry in Jerusalem and his burial, or images of the Virgin Mary showing restained grief for the torture and killing of her son.

In Badalona, the processions are thought to be more humble and less elaborate as in other parts of Spain. Nevertheless, a blessed sight!

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And we're off! Paloma's new thing is taking off her socks constantly.

The locals gather for the upcoming pasos.
The first one is the Cristo del Perdón, being led by a cofradía of women, which is uncommon.
A neighbor takes a peep at the approaching pasos.
Up next: Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza junta a María Magdalena y San Juan Bautista (Our Lady of Hope next to Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist).

The lovely Blanca with Sweet P.
These masked men, or costaleros, push the float along. Although in some places, they are under the platform carrying the paso along the route.Jesus and His mother upclose.
Paloma admires the decorative scenes.

And the band played on...
Head for the hills! We're about to get lynched! Wait, no...these are nazarenos, members of a brotherhood who wear these cone-shaped headwear, symbolizing repentance and grief. Phew!
Veronica shows the image of Jesus' face in her veil.
Cristo Yacente (Lying Christ).
More costaleros dressed in a darker garment.
Penitentes are repenting of their sins carrying one or more crosses over shoulder, and some may walk barefoot through the streets.
Kids aren't excluded from the procession either, sans cross.
The cross carried at the front indicates the beginning of the procession of another cofradía.
An elderly lady in her mantilla.
More lovely ladies of lace.
The last - Virgen de la Soledad.These garments look more dramatic.

The capataz directs the costaleros and also offers them encouragement.
Throngs of spectators had filled the streets to celebrate this traditional and special ritual.
A triple threat of Ruizes.
Afterward, Blanca prepared a scrumptious, scrumptious dinner for us.

And to end it all...homemade torrijas! A dessert very similar to French toast that is particularly prepared and eaten during these Semana Santa festivities. Sluuuurrp! Thanks, Blanca for the fun time and delicious dinner!