My Favorite Plaza

While this is the not the first time that I've posted about the Plaza de España, it continues to be a tranquil and sublime place to frequent when we're in Sevilla. As I may have mentioned, the plaza was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition World's Fair to showcase Spain's industry and technology exhibits.

Let's go!
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The designer combined a mix of art deco and Moorish architectural design.

The plaza has many tiled alcoves representing the major provinces of Spain.

Not my city, not Fernando's city, but Paloma's city, or our city -- Barcelona!

Who wouldn't feel happy walking around here?

A nice frame of the south tower.

Peace.

More colorful tilework.

High ceilings with some Moorish arches.

Paloma makes a wish on the bridge with her abuelo.

On weekends, you can rent a rowboat around the half-circle and whisper sweet nothings in your honey's ear.

These fish created a circular formation just for a photo op for me.

Talk soon!

The Setas

As a very new icon of Seville, the Metropol Parasol is a modern, stunning piece of architecture. Locals have recoined this building, "las setas", or mushrooms, for its long stems and cap-like formations. Its construction period started in 2005, and it was finally completed in April of 2011. 

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While it was under construction, I always felt I was trapped in a science fiction movie because of the odd juxtaposition of old, traditional buildings surrounding it.

 The building has four floors with a restaurant on the panaroma terrace. Fancy a glass of sangria, anyone?

The terrace has winding walkways at different degrees, giving spectators unique and interesting views of the city and the structure itself. 

While I was not a fan of this project when I first laid eyes on it, I must admit the views of the old churches are breathtaking.

The waffle-like structures allow some light and shade to peek through below.

Seville is an enchanting, traditional city in general, but this building makes the "must see" list of things to visit!

I reminisced about all the different places I knew when I lived here. The view of the bridge reminds me of our Sunday picnics at the park with friends. Sigh...

Paloma peeks to see what was lurking out in the distance.

A Ruiz Delgado family shot.

More curious views of "the largest wooden structure in the world". 

Originally, the space was supposed to be a parking structure, but with the discovery of a some Roman and Moorish ruins below, construction came to a halt. Somehow, the building came to be, but the ruins are still preserved in a museum below.

A brief intermission to see Paloma practice some yoga outside the underground museum.

It also houses a photographic exhibition of Sevillano culture.

Thanks for dropping by!

Happy happy 33 months!

Hi, all. We've got a lot to catch up on!

Paloma's imagination is showing crazy signs of activity. Before bed, she likes to hear invented stories and "chooses her own adventure," telling us who she wants in the story and what kind of madcap things they do. She has even told a few stories herself! It's really a special time for us.

Lately, she's been making up her own songs with made-up words and creates whole dance routines. Yeah, of course I have it on video!

Also, with our trip to Sevilla, her Spanish also has improved since she spent so much time with her abuelos. The whole language phenomena before age three is really something interesting to witness. She can translate sentences even if their structure is completely different. This took me years!

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I put the scooter away for awhile but broke it out again to see if she could steer it better. She's still not the best at turning, but practice makes perfect, right?

I had some canvas I had bought a long time ago, so how could I deny a masterpiece to be made? Trick is to stick to one or two colors or we'll end up with brown. Look at that focused hand...

Her Baby still holds a special place in her heart. Can she be more girly?

The race to get out of the "two's" to "three's" is on.

Rockin' the French look by the faux lakeside.

I talked to one of her teacher's at playgroup, and she said that Paloma could spend all morning going down the slide. I already knew this!

Close-up of toddler cuteness.

Waiting for a customer at the burger joint.

She demanded 130 simultaneous spins in this red chair at the mall. You don't want to know how upset she was when we had to leave.

She had so much fun with her abuela when we went to Sevilla. More of those pics to come!

Have I mentioned that she adores babies? Her teacher also tells me that she loves them more than anyone in her class. Hence, poor Violeta putting up with her extended hug.

Everything Rodrigo did made her laugh. She really looks up to older kids.

Back in Barcelona, Paloma got to hang out with and share some snacks with her most favorite first cousin, Pau.

Paloma also really loved playing with Fernando's co-worker's 8-month-old daughter, Carla.

As members, we frequent the Barcelona Zoo often when we've got nothing going on. Jumping around with her classmate Ulisse is superfun,

That's all for now. See you soon!

End of Winter Break

We're back! From a special weeklong trip to Seville, Fernando's hometown. Although it felt like a springtime holiday, I realized that we are still at the tail end of winter. But oh, the glorious warm weather!

If you don't know, I spent over two years (broken up) living in this quaint town, where I also ended up meeting the dude you would call my husband ;-) There's always too much to do here in so little time.

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Paloma really took a break from the almost-daily grind of playgroup.

 We spent some considerable time outdoors in the yard.

Paloma gets a live reading from her abuelo offline and off-Skype.

 

Practicing our ladylike skills.

We also went downtown where I remember spending lots of time admiring the mix of medieval and modern facades.

 

One of the oldest and respected pastry shops in Seville, La Campana was always a landmark in my mind.

 A few classic trajes de flamenca adorn the window as the upcoming Seville Fair looms next month.

 I love a traditional, wooden storefront.

The mustard colored accents against the white buildings line parts of the city to make it radiate under the sun.

I do love this color so.

 

Some typical elements that characterizes Sevilla: mantones (decorative shawls), images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, fans, and more religious figures.

While walking the streets, I couldn't help but gasp at the many girls parading the streets in their mini-uniform skirts. Straight out of the Britney Spears video. The irony!

We also got to catch up with a few more people like Rodrigo, the next-door neighbor and our unforgettable ring bearer for our wedding.

And here's Miss Thing - the newest addition to our group of friends, chubby-cheeked Violeta who's only five months old.

 We were also able to catch up with Valle and her one-year-old daughter Ana, who's just learning to get into everything she touches.

I haven't seen this girl in forever. Rocio, who actually made it to our wedding and caught the bouquet.

Back at the house. Paloma prepares a placemat for the guests who are about to arrive for an afternoon barbecue.

 

 Paloma plays with Diana, Damariz's visiting shih tzu.

 The photogenic Ana Celia barbecues some delectable chicken shish kabobs.

 Paloma and Luna wait patiently for the next batch of barbecued food.

The young uns, Damariz and Lorena, strike a pose.

 Paloma and I exchanges glances.

Alejandro and Nuria enjoy some R&R.

 Fernando's cousin breaks out his guitar and tunes in traditional style.

Many more posts from this trip to come!