Although I have the best of intentions when it comes to blogging about our trip, I have discovered that, between our busy schedule, rare access to the computer, and questionable internet connections (particularly, or perhaps only, when I am trying to post a blog entry), I can't quite keep up. So now I face the challenge of sharing our experiences of one week and three and a half Spanish cities in one fell swoop. Since a picture is worth a thousand words (and, therefore, Sierra's 1,873 pictures are worth, well, you do the math), I will rely on a few of them to paint the outline of our time here in Spain, although they cannot possibly capture the depth and the richness of our experience here.

Sierra gets in a summer workout rowing her parents around the lake in Retiro Park, Madrid

She didn't even charge us 25 euros for this lovely photo!

As our time in Spain draws to an end, I am so thankful for the amazing experiences we have had while here. Madrid was lively, Sevilla was sultry, Nerja was relaxing, and Barcelona is filled with good memories. We have seen churches,

Sierra's panorama of the Church of Saint Salvador in Sevilla

palaces, a massive tile filled structure created for the 1929 World Expo,

La Plaza de Espana, Sevilla

 ancient ruins nestled beneath sprawling modern structures,

Atop "the mushrooms" in Sevilla. I like the juxtaposition of the old and the new (buildings, not people) in this photo and the next. Below these sprawling towers and walkways sit ancient Roman ruins, uncovered when the city sought to create a new underground parking garage

traditional Spanish flamenco dancing,

Flamenco show in Sevilla

conventional and innovative tapas,

The "shell" on this mussel was edible

Thanks to the waiter for talking us into this one.  Yum!

crowded beaches, landscapes rushing by at 300 km/hr on the high-speed train, narrow cobblestone streets,

In Frigiliana, above Nerja

 massive pans of paella being prepared and eaten beachside,

colorful people, beautiful scenery.

We're colorful too!

Colorful and beautiful

Sierra's adorable little friend from the train to Barcelona

Nerja

View of Nerja from Frigiliana

The Spanish people truly know how to embrace the moment and live life with gusto and it has been a joy to be a part of that culture for a short period of time.

Back in Barcelona!

Tomorrow we reunite with Jonah at the Barcelona airport and it's on to Norway!