tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57655791972119071762024-03-12T16:23:07.542-07:00Phoebe likes thisPhoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-7903853555278563562012-12-21T03:12:00.000-08:002012-12-21T03:12:12.941-08:00White Winter Hymnal<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5765579197211907176" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5765579197211907176" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Here's a pretty song we all like that is perfect for Christmas - I really like the film clip too. It's by Fleet Foxes. If the link doesn't work put it into a search engine!<br />
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http://youtu.be/DrQRS40OKNE <br />
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<i>with likes </i><br />
<i>Phoebe x</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-27708415663500854532012-12-20T22:11:00.005-08:002012-12-20T22:11:47.189-08:00Christmas in RomaThe Romans really love Christmas! There are lights everywhere, Christmas trees in all the piazzas and even buses covered in fairy lights.<br />
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In Piazza Navona the square is filled with stalls selling witches on broomsticks (an Italian Christmas thing) and also Mela Stregata (poisoned apples) which are basically toffee apples and chocolate covered apples. We are going to buy our Christmas stockings there.<br />
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Almost every night outside the Fendi store there is a show - trapeze artists and even fake snow! Outside Fendi they give away toffee apples to kids, so we have been going as often as we can.<br />
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There is a huge tree at the top of the Spanish Steps that they have slowly been decorating.<br />
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We are going to be in Venice for Christmas so if we don't get the chance on Christmas Day I will say Buon Natale!<i> </i>Mum says Santa WILL find us in Venice...<i><br /></i><br />
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<i>with likes,</i><br />
<i>Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-17939816111409783272012-12-16T12:50:00.001-08:002012-12-16T12:50:35.077-08:00Giolitti Gelati<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favourite things in Rome so far was eating gelato at Giolitti. </div>
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It is a famous gelateria which opened in 1890 and also appears in an
old film about Rome called Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. I let the
man choose the flavours for me. He got very excited about this and he even put cream on top.</div>
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Some people think ice cream is for hot days but I don't. But you can't have ice cream if you're asleep.</div>
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<i>with likes,</i></div>
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<i>Phoebe x </i></div>
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Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-38888606422984484502012-12-16T12:21:00.000-08:002012-12-16T12:21:17.240-08:00Jet lag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well we are in Italy! We are all very excited to be here on this new adventure. <br />
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It is freezing here in Rome and we have been dressing up in our coats every day as we explore this amazing city. Here we are at the Spanish Steps, very near our apartment on via della Croce.<br />
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When we left our home in Brisbane it was very hot.<br />
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We watched movies ALL the way to Italy. Leo thinks the seats are huge in Economy.<br />
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This is our apartment in Rome where we will be for nearly three weeks. We are having breakfast.<br />
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We all had terrible jet lag when we got to Rome. This is what happened every night...<br />
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Pasta<br />
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Going...<br />
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Going...<br />
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Gone.<br />
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<i>with likes,</i><br />
<i>from Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-37463874568884187802012-11-30T14:03:00.000-08:002012-11-30T14:03:02.685-08:00Ciao Italia!It's time to start my blog again! My family and I are off to Italy on Monday for five weeks. We will be in Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan. We will have Christmas in Venice with our friends Raffaella and Francesco.<br />
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Some of the things I am excited about include: pasta, pizza, gelato, gondolas and...gelato!</div>
<br />Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-2093555972023215742011-12-19T02:42:00.000-08:002011-12-19T02:42:38.890-08:00Handel's Messiah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because it is Christmas we went to hear a special performance of Handel's Messiah inside the most beautiful church in Barcelona, Santa Maria del Mar. It was a very cold night and the church was full of people all rugged up. All the candles were lit and incense was burning. It was very special to be in such an old church. There was a tenor, a soprano, a mezzo soprano, a baritone and a full orchestra. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Santa Maria del Mar is a Catalan Gothic cathedral in the Barri of Born.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It only started at 9pm at night and finished very late so Olympia fell asleep. My dad took her up into a sacred crypt to sleep the sleep of the dead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>with likes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-27187754557026417312011-12-19T02:41:00.000-08:002011-12-19T02:41:11.826-08:00MontserratIt's all about churches this week! We took Papou, Maria and Philippa up to Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery carved into a mountain outside Barcelona. Around 80 monks still live here. I saw some!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVfedPyLLPY/Tu72TxN5GsI/AAAAAAAAApc/6QJCGd1i_20/s1600/IMG_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVfedPyLLPY/Tu72TxN5GsI/AAAAAAAAApc/6QJCGd1i_20/s400/IMG_0292.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
There are amazing views of Barcelona. If the weather is good you can see as far as Mallorca. I came here with my Grandma Chris 6 years ago.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCuCmLGRQU8/Tu72XAuAmwI/AAAAAAAAApk/g56P5dTku8g/s1600/IMG_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCuCmLGRQU8/Tu72XAuAmwI/AAAAAAAAApk/g56P5dTku8g/s400/IMG_0293.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To get there you have to take a train and then a<i> cremallera</i>, a rack train up the mountain. Montserrat is home to the Black Virgin (La Moreneta) and she is very special to Catalunya. She is kept in a 16th century basilica, and people queue to kiss the orb she holds in her hand. She is actually black from centuries of dirt and candle soot but Catalunyans are in denial about this.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ENt3s-CKRQ/Tu72bN0ec0I/AAAAAAAAAps/BbGKudfMGXE/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ENt3s-CKRQ/Tu72bN0ec0I/AAAAAAAAAps/BbGKudfMGXE/s400/IMG_0300.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-7HhgSwwgk/Tu72g71KX8I/AAAAAAAAAp0/faUs2WJTkC0/s1600/IMG_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-7HhgSwwgk/Tu72g71KX8I/AAAAAAAAAp0/faUs2WJTkC0/s400/IMG_0301.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Olympia and I lit a candle for our families and thought about those we miss and love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHJ-ecTPdjA/Tu72lI_iBYI/AAAAAAAAAp8/81tsB1Ha9kY/s1600/IMG_0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HHJ-ecTPdjA/Tu72lI_iBYI/AAAAAAAAAp8/81tsB1Ha9kY/s400/IMG_0307.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<i>with likes,</i><br />
<i>Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-83369228702021384442011-12-14T10:20:00.000-08:002011-12-14T10:20:13.447-08:00it's beginning to look a LOG like ChristmasIt is <i>almost </i>Christmas, although we are going to South Africa for Christmas. Barcelona is twinkling with Christmas lights that hang <i>on</i> buildings, <i>from </i>buildings, <i>in</i> trees and <i>between</i> buildings along every avenue. Mum said that it doesn't look like austerity measures to her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxLY8gzsNYs/TuhUTj4F2NI/AAAAAAAAAmU/GBaH5SK95YQ/s1600/IMG_8821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxLY8gzsNYs/TuhUTj4F2NI/AAAAAAAAAmU/GBaH5SK95YQ/s320/IMG_8821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There is also a big Christmas market in front of the Cathedral that sells ornaments and Christmas decorations: real mistletoe, holly and Christmas trees,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4PK3ixFCp0/TuZiDBCxr9I/AAAAAAAAAgk/DZ7qvwhXN-0/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4PK3ixFCp0/TuZiDBCxr9I/AAAAAAAAAgk/DZ7qvwhXN-0/s320/IMG_8814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJWCKJkxQqU/TuZiI9UplhI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Zag-AZfeWss/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJWCKJkxQqU/TuZiI9UplhI/AAAAAAAAAgs/Zag-AZfeWss/s320/IMG_8816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>nativity scenes,<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">things to make your own nativity scene with,</div><br />
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and even Australian gum leaves and wattle!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1n4xFKfsEU/TuZiWfaZyRI/AAAAAAAAAhE/FqOxOAlkS1M/s1600/IMG_8820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1n4xFKfsEU/TuZiWfaZyRI/AAAAAAAAAhE/FqOxOAlkS1M/s320/IMG_8820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A very common ornament is the Christmas log - we are not quite sure what it is all about but kids like to gather around a BIG log and whack it with a stick. This makes Spanish children happy. Olympia and I are planning to whack the log too when we get a chance.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVpzPAy35Xo/TujdU_2WlQI/AAAAAAAAAmk/wfS2Wdqdncw/s1600/IMG_9293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVpzPAy35Xo/TujdU_2WlQI/AAAAAAAAAmk/wfS2Wdqdncw/s320/IMG_9293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This is the big department store El Corte Ingles all lit up...<br />
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Leo loves the Christmas lights!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IH0eQsfFYSQ/TuZirpoAGBI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EFC5cuZ1caE/s1600/IMG_9111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IH0eQsfFYSQ/TuZirpoAGBI/AAAAAAAAAh8/EFC5cuZ1caE/s320/IMG_9111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
(that's Gerry poking her head out - more on Gerry later!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2inf_Vii2A/TuZiuQM_ZbI/AAAAAAAAAiE/bOJ5OQAiviw/s1600/IMG_9181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2inf_Vii2A/TuZiuQM_ZbI/AAAAAAAAAiE/bOJ5OQAiviw/s320/IMG_9181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I am <i>sure</i> Santa will know how to find us in South Africa...<br />
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<i>with likes,</i><br />
<i>Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-14887080682029467282011-12-14T10:15:00.000-08:002011-12-14T10:15:17.458-08:00venice comes to barcelonaThis weekend Mum and Dad's good friends Raffaella and Francesco came from Venice to see us. Mum has known Raffaella for 18 years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7djRGZ_wO8/TuZkX-T_dnI/AAAAAAAAAiU/hrqbOhfugXo/s1600/IMG_9079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7djRGZ_wO8/TuZkX-T_dnI/AAAAAAAAAiU/hrqbOhfugXo/s400/IMG_9079.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They brought many amazing gifts, games such as Bata Waf and Oudordodo as well as chocolate and a HUGE wedge of parmesan! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQj_4kwy5Ls/TuZkeZVeXoI/AAAAAAAAAik/jB53WW1RyHs/s1600/IMG_9114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQj_4kwy5Ls/TuZkeZVeXoI/AAAAAAAAAik/jB53WW1RyHs/s400/IMG_9114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AThu8ITTO24/Tujk_diyFmI/AAAAAAAAAms/T0gJ8cuWg2s/s1600/IMG_2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AThu8ITTO24/Tujk_diyFmI/AAAAAAAAAms/T0gJ8cuWg2s/s320/IMG_2744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We did a lot of things in a few days! We went to a very famous tapas bar called Quimet i Quimet,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32iPT-zdCDE/TuZknyvTeRI/AAAAAAAAAi8/3KxxH_psPb4/s1600/IMG_9129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32iPT-zdCDE/TuZknyvTeRI/AAAAAAAAAi8/3KxxH_psPb4/s400/IMG_9129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">we went on the telefrique to see the castle on Montjuic and see the view of Barcelona (Raffaella and Dad did NOT like looking down),</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMdjaluWWvY/TuZk0ZMwUYI/AAAAAAAAAjY/2g8nnS9gj_A/s1600/IMG_9142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMdjaluWWvY/TuZk0ZMwUYI/AAAAAAAAAjY/2g8nnS9gj_A/s400/IMG_9142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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we bought cava from a famous place called Xampany,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPDN12ISTeg/TuZlF_m47fI/AAAAAAAAAkE/t5WWLUZ4zc0/s1600/IMG_9180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPDN12ISTeg/TuZlF_m47fI/AAAAAAAAAkE/t5WWLUZ4zc0/s400/IMG_9180.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>we skipped along the Passeig de Gracia,<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">we ate at a restaurant at Barceloneta that Jean Paul Gaultier had also eaten at ( he drew a fish!) and ate 12 hour cooked cuttlefish,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mABA-vDmnZ4/TuZlYkLrtMI/AAAAAAAAAks/FGIDXZ0Qe70/s1600/IMG_9215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mABA-vDmnZ4/TuZlYkLrtMI/AAAAAAAAAks/FGIDXZ0Qe70/s400/IMG_9215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyp5dt51SmU/TuZleoVNnbI/AAAAAAAAAk8/sh9eX9S29qo/s1600/IMG_9225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyp5dt51SmU/TuZleoVNnbI/AAAAAAAAAk8/sh9eX9S29qo/s400/IMG_9225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>and we ate special treats made in the convents and monasteries of Spain at Caelum in the Gothic quarter.<br />
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We really enjoyed our time with them, and wish they lived closer. We were sorry to say Ciao, but we will go to Venice soon!<br />
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<i>with likes,</i><br />
<i>Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-51649984447198283542011-12-13T23:36:00.000-08:002011-12-13T23:36:07.485-08:00Blades of GloryThere is an ice skating rink in Placa Catalunya in the lead up to Christmas! We went ice skating with our cousin Philippa from South Africa (Mum has a LOT of South African cousins), who is staying with us for a few weeks until we all go to South Africa, and Gerry who is here from Australia. Gerry held Leo while we all skated.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had to wear helmets in case we fell down. I was actually pretty good compared to the last time I went skating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXNIis4DiiU/TuZmzwdhj6I/AAAAAAAAAlU/JxJX1ihmd20/s1600/IMG_9048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXNIis4DiiU/TuZmzwdhj6I/AAAAAAAAAlU/JxJX1ihmd20/s400/IMG_9048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Philippa was REALLY good!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dad was quite good too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fSjITpOJIcY/TuZm5RHvpSI/AAAAAAAAAlk/A73i0-rsFS8/s1600/IMG_9053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fSjITpOJIcY/TuZm5RHvpSI/AAAAAAAAAlk/A73i0-rsFS8/s400/IMG_9053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Mum <i>thought</i> she was really good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Aglk9NSVs0/TuZm_OVcw2I/AAAAAAAAAl0/Y78s0niNtrU/s1600/IMG_9057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Aglk9NSVs0/TuZm_OVcw2I/AAAAAAAAAl0/Y78s0niNtrU/s400/IMG_9057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Olympia just fell down!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w0VsqModjaw/TuhQeP8niDI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZF7mx31NbNE/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w0VsqModjaw/TuhQeP8niDI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZF7mx31NbNE/s400/IMG_9037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was great fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>with likes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Phoebe</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-85040250493995189422011-12-08T02:15:00.000-08:002011-12-08T02:15:41.731-08:00A Storm of Swords in VicSpaniards love festivals and the <i>Mercat Medieval</i> (Medieval market) we visited this week in the Catalunyan city of Vic (pronounced Bic) was well worth the train trip.<br />
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The city of Vic is very beautiful and there were hundreds of stalls set up for the festival. Everyone was dressed in medieval costume and selling local produce.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5CKUeXJQF4/Tt8P-sHEUCI/AAAAAAAAAfM/sOY2CsExL9A/s1600/IMG_8933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5CKUeXJQF4/Tt8P-sHEUCI/AAAAAAAAAfM/sOY2CsExL9A/s320/IMG_8933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCMpVohQbN0/Tt8QBcXPJ6I/AAAAAAAAAfU/wnSu3QY1rRA/s1600/IMG_8955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCMpVohQbN0/Tt8QBcXPJ6I/AAAAAAAAAfU/wnSu3QY1rRA/s320/IMG_8955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These young maidens had photos taken with these knights,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-croVQGfbGqs/Tt8NByVZ-UI/AAAAAAAAAeU/J5-MSp_4y2A/s1600/IMG_2692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-croVQGfbGqs/Tt8NByVZ-UI/AAAAAAAAAeU/J5-MSp_4y2A/s320/IMG_2692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
which caused a fight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zb2WX3U6mfc/Tt8NLLwLEQI/AAAAAAAAAec/9sEgRapg_jA/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zb2WX3U6mfc/Tt8NLLwLEQI/AAAAAAAAAec/9sEgRapg_jA/s320/IMG_2700.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQCT8-MsUQw/Tt8N0haXa_I/AAAAAAAAAek/0Uia4FlJ5_M/s1600/IMG_8946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQCT8-MsUQw/Tt8N0haXa_I/AAAAAAAAAek/0Uia4FlJ5_M/s320/IMG_8946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This man showed us archery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7wgLTj72wU/Tt8OgjADGTI/AAAAAAAAAes/fMHWASYdKrk/s1600/IMG_2702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7wgLTj72wU/Tt8OgjADGTI/AAAAAAAAAes/fMHWASYdKrk/s320/IMG_2702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He hit the target!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_i1CRuMhT4/Tt8Owubw9lI/AAAAAAAAAe0/tD4tVfIT32A/s1600/IMG_2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_i1CRuMhT4/Tt8Owubw9lI/AAAAAAAAAe0/tD4tVfIT32A/s320/IMG_2712.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We saw some falconry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dq0YOiJuO80/TuBu5llaMVI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ZeA1gC31WnE/s1600/IMG_2719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dq0YOiJuO80/TuBu5llaMVI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ZeA1gC31WnE/s320/IMG_2719.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hawks, kestrels, falcons, an eagle and many owls were sitting on their perches waiting for their turn to fly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kqouIIQ9Uw/TuBvd7eExUI/AAAAAAAAAgU/XNfE-JdoB6o/s1600/IMG_2736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kqouIIQ9Uw/TuBvd7eExUI/AAAAAAAAAgU/XNfE-JdoB6o/s320/IMG_2736.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While they waited they wore their special leather hoods which kept these birds of prey quiet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGKqFiJAFOQ/TuBv0uE4mGI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Lsx2mUF6djM/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGKqFiJAFOQ/TuBv0uE4mGI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Lsx2mUF6djM/s320/IMG_2734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was so much to eat. We liked the look of this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJQum0dSDM/Tt8QihWJVOI/AAAAAAAAAfk/AsxQafwVM0M/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJQum0dSDM/Tt8QihWJVOI/AAAAAAAAAfk/AsxQafwVM0M/s320/IMG_8949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we ate it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MmG12RCeH-w/Tt8QlQsBMWI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Ci1m1lTwlF8/s1600/IMG_8974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MmG12RCeH-w/Tt8QlQsBMWI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Ci1m1lTwlF8/s320/IMG_8974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4edtgcz4CVg/Tt8QfCQkteI/AAAAAAAAAfc/5JLWQaM6hqI/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4edtgcz4CVg/Tt8QfCQkteI/AAAAAAAAAfc/5JLWQaM6hqI/s320/IMG_2714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was lots to drink as well. My dad drank a horn full of mulled wine. And then another one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdJ5NMOdnhA/Tt8RaRl6XTI/AAAAAAAAAf0/H5eBzncV9ZQ/s1600/IMG_9006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdJ5NMOdnhA/Tt8RaRl6XTI/AAAAAAAAAf0/H5eBzncV9ZQ/s320/IMG_9006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was VERY cold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4im7L50b78A/Tt8SFFVM5DI/AAAAAAAAAf8/NrZ6l-2LQ6Y/s1600/IMG_8921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4im7L50b78A/Tt8SFFVM5DI/AAAAAAAAAf8/NrZ6l-2LQ6Y/s320/IMG_8921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were smiling logs everywhere but we're not sure why. I think it's for Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5stI1jkJ8W8/Tt8SJeNcL_I/AAAAAAAAAgE/Aa2cczHVXMk/s1600/IMG_8997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5stI1jkJ8W8/Tt8SJeNcL_I/AAAAAAAAAgE/Aa2cczHVXMk/s320/IMG_8997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>with likes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-33293526783161052392011-12-06T23:30:00.000-08:002011-12-06T23:30:35.037-08:00Spanish lullabyeMy sister and I have been very excited to see some flamenco music and dance in Spain. Mostly we love the beautiful dresses. While we were in Granada dad bought us some some flamenco dresses. Flamenco is very popular in the south of Spain and this is where it first began - in the Andalusian region. Even though it was very cold in Granada my sister wore her dress a lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD_OmlgFF_A/Tt77RCPUK7I/AAAAAAAAAcs/i86CzW-ppjM/s1600/IMG_2481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD_OmlgFF_A/Tt77RCPUK7I/AAAAAAAAAcs/i86CzW-ppjM/s320/IMG_2481.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week we visited Spain's capital Madrid (more on Madrid later) and stayed with our good friends Jimmy and Michelle and their children Mimi, Ruby and Ned in their apartment right behind the Prado Museum. This made Mum very happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeNb6HY69-o/Tt78YGTNZxI/AAAAAAAAAc0/_7MN4fQ_K5s/s1600/IMG_2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeNb6HY69-o/Tt78YGTNZxI/AAAAAAAAAc0/_7MN4fQ_K5s/s320/IMG_2565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mimi and Ruby are very serious about flamenco.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_AlvW8KYNwc/Tt79JMLaIHI/AAAAAAAAAdM/QAWJBXaCBos/s1600/IMG_8726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_AlvW8KYNwc/Tt79JMLaIHI/AAAAAAAAAdM/QAWJBXaCBos/s320/IMG_8726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We visited them at their flamenco lesson, when they are practising their dance for the Queen of Spain (!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAtrRnELdLE/Tt79EOkhe7I/AAAAAAAAAc8/hnVG7AsiH9s/s1600/IMG_8713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAtrRnELdLE/Tt79EOkhe7I/AAAAAAAAAc8/hnVG7AsiH9s/s320/IMG_8713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD3Bk3EWzH4/Tt79GirxvkI/AAAAAAAAAdE/aO-GSnyoUBQ/s1600/IMG_8721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD3Bk3EWzH4/Tt79GirxvkI/AAAAAAAAAdE/aO-GSnyoUBQ/s320/IMG_8721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and they showed us where to buy handmade and vintage flamenco dresses. We were very excited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhygDYF0GL4/Tt7-pWOwJSI/AAAAAAAAAdU/cRchzxBQLF0/s1600/IMG_8707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhygDYF0GL4/Tt7-pWOwJSI/AAAAAAAAAdU/cRchzxBQLF0/s320/IMG_8707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sister even wore a flamenco dress when we visited the Prado Museum. No one was looking at the Spanish Masterpieces (or John Galliano who was following us!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H04p5qGy8L4/Tt7-_4EjjQI/AAAAAAAAAdc/69ORVKjtWo4/s1600/IMG_2584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H04p5qGy8L4/Tt7-_4EjjQI/AAAAAAAAAdc/69ORVKjtWo4/s320/IMG_2584.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4aT2En6YWg/Tt7_CfJBw0I/AAAAAAAAAdk/ZqKqGFflPgQ/s1600/IMG_8630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4aT2En6YWg/Tt7_CfJBw0I/AAAAAAAAAdk/ZqKqGFflPgQ/s320/IMG_8630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that we are back in Barcelona, we have been practicing our Flamenco dancing and Flamenco posturing every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvST_oYHBF8/Tt7_u1h-YkI/AAAAAAAAAds/4ruGJ6CgNDA/s1600/IMG_8837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvST_oYHBF8/Tt7_u1h-YkI/AAAAAAAAAds/4ruGJ6CgNDA/s320/IMG_8837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-espQ2mCYwMk/Tt8BAQNR-5I/AAAAAAAAAd0/K_Do9H4W5GU/s1600/IMG_8843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-espQ2mCYwMk/Tt8BAQNR-5I/AAAAAAAAAd0/K_Do9H4W5GU/s320/IMG_8843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mum has been trying to find some Spanish music for us but dad found this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M20idZHf2ec/Tt8GjIUEz5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/Z_mUya4TueI/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M20idZHf2ec/Tt8GjIUEz5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/Z_mUya4TueI/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqIIW7nxBgc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqIIW7nxBgc</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>with likes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-71591563597941056902011-12-04T11:19:00.000-08:002011-12-04T11:26:29.108-08:00tarragona (take two)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You will remember we went to Tarragona twice, to see the some of the sites we missed when we got caught in a storm. Tarragona has some very important Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre, a theatre in the round. You can see the ocean in the background and some ships, waiting to bring things into the port of Tarragona.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJWfux8Lwv8/Ts9tYVcvopI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/HHSa6IPiVOk/s1600/IMG_7872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJWfux8Lwv8/Ts9tYVcvopI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/HHSa6IPiVOk/s320/IMG_7872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>You can see down underneath the theatre where they would have kept the lions, gladiators and naughty children.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mFK9teHjCE0/Ts9tfjgsatI/AAAAAAAAAYg/tsDfmYS5Ckw/s1600/IMG_7886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mFK9teHjCE0/Ts9tfjgsatI/AAAAAAAAAYg/tsDfmYS5Ckw/s320/IMG_7886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh1L3gj-cZg/Ts9tjC78pfI/AAAAAAAAAYo/QWL6egBk1iU/s1600/IMG_7906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh1L3gj-cZg/Ts9tjC78pfI/AAAAAAAAAYo/QWL6egBk1iU/s320/IMG_7906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrRUlWlhoQE/Ts9tlBLhFaI/AAAAAAAAAYw/jqllnXYKZY4/s1600/IMG_7952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrRUlWlhoQE/Ts9tlBLhFaI/AAAAAAAAAYw/jqllnXYKZY4/s320/IMG_7952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mum and Dad bought us two wooden swords so we could pretend to be gladiators. Mum says this may have been a poor parenting decision.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-812O8hbk7ec/Ts9tn5tLzRI/AAAAAAAAAY4/wCxWKKxk1Rc/s1600/IMG_7965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-812O8hbk7ec/Ts9tn5tLzRI/AAAAAAAAAY4/wCxWKKxk1Rc/s320/IMG_7965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We made some films in the shadow of the Roman circus (where you can see the tracks of the chariots that used to race around the circus). Here is one of them:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #144fae; font-family: Helvetica;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VGETsJ_nL8</span></div><br />
<i>likes,</i><br />
<i>from Phoebe</i><br />
<span id="goog_663430374"></span><span id="goog_663430375"></span>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-21152315606162484122011-12-04T02:10:00.000-08:002011-12-04T02:10:15.286-08:00morocco and switzerland come to barcelonaWe have had lots of visitors! This week my Mum's cousins Carey and Lindsay came to see us from Rabat, Morocco and Lausanne, Switzerland respectively. Lindsay is named after my Granny Lindsay who is her godmother and they are from South Africa originally, so they also sound like my Granny Lindsay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUMcLrQZBeU/TttGtdLa0uI/AAAAAAAAAck/qiXNOunTjXI/s1600/IMG_8539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUMcLrQZBeU/TttGtdLa0uI/AAAAAAAAAck/qiXNOunTjXI/s320/IMG_8539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Dad made his special paella!<br />
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It was great to meet them, beacause even though I did meet Lindsay 6 years ago when she came to see me in Barcelona I didn't remember her. After dinner we ate some special chocolate that Lindsay brought from Switzerland.<br />
Carey brought us these slippers from Morocco They are called <i>babouches</i>. The little yellow ones are for Leo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anbGfZgbuEA/TtMa5EUc5HI/AAAAAAAAAbc/t-PuKU4uCAU/s1600/IMG_8471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anbGfZgbuEA/TtMa5EUc5HI/AAAAAAAAAbc/t-PuKU4uCAU/s320/IMG_8471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We all went to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, which was built in 1929 for the Great Universal Exposition. The fountain is set to music and lit with different colours and it really is a little bit <i>magic</i>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8z1yM_EiNw/TtMa639GdUI/AAAAAAAAAbk/qtp-SmVZ90A/s1600/IMG_8477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8z1yM_EiNw/TtMa639GdUI/AAAAAAAAAbk/qtp-SmVZ90A/s320/IMG_8477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qkp1y64FfHQ/TtMa_MjjNrI/AAAAAAAAAb0/oTDHvuWIndA/s1600/IMG_8500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qkp1y64FfHQ/TtMa_MjjNrI/AAAAAAAAAb0/oTDHvuWIndA/s320/IMG_8500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Apq6lyLDqOw/TtMbDiDQDQI/AAAAAAAAAcE/bdTKTqh4WXg/s1600/IMG_8507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Apq6lyLDqOw/TtMbDiDQDQI/AAAAAAAAAcE/bdTKTqh4WXg/s320/IMG_8507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ai8kMznkLEg/TtMbGzxmg1I/AAAAAAAAAcM/DsmXSIhE6Ec/s1600/IMG_8510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ai8kMznkLEg/TtMbGzxmg1I/AAAAAAAAAcM/DsmXSIhE6Ec/s320/IMG_8510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After we saw the fountain we went for a 'late' dinner at a groovy restaurant called Flash Flash in Gracia that has been opened since the 1970s.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giOwllRExnA/TtMbJffUlPI/AAAAAAAAAcU/mn3Fuk84SEM/s1600/IMG_8519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giOwllRExnA/TtMbJffUlPI/AAAAAAAAAcU/mn3Fuk84SEM/s320/IMG_8519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the best things about coming to Spain has been meeting my family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>with likes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-68226660088120315532011-11-27T11:46:00.000-08:002011-11-27T11:46:33.214-08:00de nada, it's Granada!We recently spent four days in Granada, which is in the south of Spain. We stayed in the Albaycin, the old Arab quarter of the town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ulkf19cGu_M/TtC7dAz94AI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6ctGgSnrA-s/s1600/IMG_2499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ulkf19cGu_M/TtC7dAz94AI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6ctGgSnrA-s/s320/IMG_2499.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
The Albaycin sits on top of one hill and looks at the Alhambra, which is what Granada is most famous for, situated on the opposite hill, which was the reason we went to Granada.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDatXHFXfNU/TtC76jIaf-I/AAAAAAAAAZk/jKtJcD5nMME/s1600/IMG_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDatXHFXfNU/TtC76jIaf-I/AAAAAAAAAZk/jKtJcD5nMME/s320/IMG_2391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8iYccmVWI/TtENiVLZ5qI/AAAAAAAAAa8/e9jwFDoF7lk/s1600/IMG_8318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8iYccmVWI/TtENiVLZ5qI/AAAAAAAAAa8/e9jwFDoF7lk/s320/IMG_8318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Our apartment was in one of the typical stone houses and just a few minutes from the Mirador San Nicolas, the best place to sit and look at the Alhambra. You can see from this photo how big the Alhambra is! We were excited about visiting the Palace.<br />
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On our first night we went out for dinner. Our chef was French and he showed me how to flambe! I helped him make <i>crepe suzette</i>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0GGZugTqx8/TtC9PSw4AaI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/hQP2KmQawyc/s1600/IMG_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0GGZugTqx8/TtC9PSw4AaI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/hQP2KmQawyc/s320/IMG_3053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
The Alhambra is a very old Moorish palace made up of lots of smaller palaces, the most famous of which is the <i>Palacio Nazaries</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWb9Ul4ezEE/TtC-VQ1zENI/AAAAAAAAAaM/odsjOdVTApA/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWb9Ul4ezEE/TtC-VQ1zENI/AAAAAAAAAaM/odsjOdVTApA/s320/IMG_2359.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The palace is filled with ornate patterns, carvings, tiles and pools for reflection.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJRWQPoNUFQ/TtC-j3kCwaI/AAAAAAAAAaU/GvUKCVrqwjA/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJRWQPoNUFQ/TtC-j3kCwaI/AAAAAAAAAaU/GvUKCVrqwjA/s320/IMG_2377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We visited the beautiful gardens of the <i>Partal Palace</i>, part of the Alhambra as well as the <i>Generalife</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwBYBxlzpSQ/TtDCKBbAi4I/AAAAAAAAAac/F9Fcz9_vl10/s1600/IMG_2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwBYBxlzpSQ/TtDCKBbAi4I/AAAAAAAAAac/F9Fcz9_vl10/s320/IMG_2430.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--AfAhtR1oIg/TtDCgb8HbtI/AAAAAAAAAak/L3P2o3fawUs/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--AfAhtR1oIg/TtDCgb8HbtI/AAAAAAAAAak/L3P2o3fawUs/s320/IMG_2435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eXg6FfHVWI/TtDC2VY2r-I/AAAAAAAAAas/nB3qGbK5QLY/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eXg6FfHVWI/TtDC2VY2r-I/AAAAAAAAAas/nB3qGbK5QLY/s320/IMG_2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mirador was close to our apartment so we came back to the beautiful view of the Alhambra many times. We even packed a dinner picnic with blankets so we could see the palace lit up at night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJxopBmTWCY/TtDDsNq6eTI/AAAAAAAAAa0/fRhvAL3srnk/s1600/IMG_8289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJxopBmTWCY/TtDDsNq6eTI/AAAAAAAAAa0/fRhvAL3srnk/s320/IMG_8289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This second best thing in Granada is this: Rabo del Toro (ox tail)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G0eQqViOZVI/TtEPJFOcfVI/AAAAAAAAAbM/LImUs7ziwEo/s1600/IMG_8055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G0eQqViOZVI/TtEPJFOcfVI/AAAAAAAAAbM/LImUs7ziwEo/s320/IMG_8055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>likes, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>from Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-7388812658742902262011-11-25T02:16:00.000-08:002011-11-26T02:37:06.012-08:00pan's labyrinth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Th4EG5mOkV0/Ts9c76mo3uI/AAAAAAAAAXg/AwSffyN6Yz4/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Th4EG5mOkV0/Ts9c76mo3uI/AAAAAAAAAXg/AwSffyN6Yz4/s320/IMG_2171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I came to this park first when I was here six years ago. It is called the Parc del Laberint (labyrinth or maze).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQCfqEJMHkQ/Ts58aAK8_-I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/OPKERGqLpzc/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQCfqEJMHkQ/Ts58aAK8_-I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/OPKERGqLpzc/s400/IMG_2174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It was originally owned by the Desvalls family, who in 1791 hired an architect to create a cypress maze. The family wanted to create an Italian style garden in Spain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VCjiH4GOto/Ts59Cgno2xI/AAAAAAAAAWY/NZuJatM_-ks/s1600/IMG_2177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VCjiH4GOto/Ts59Cgno2xI/AAAAAAAAAWY/NZuJatM_-ks/s400/IMG_2177.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We weren't allowed to go into the maze because it was being clipped. Some parts of the maze were very shaggy and overgrown but where the gardeners had finished clipping, the maze was like a green wall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_i17qjjRcAA/Ts59bAPusZI/AAAAAAAAAWg/o-x1RK4zirc/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_i17qjjRcAA/Ts59bAPusZI/AAAAAAAAAWg/o-x1RK4zirc/s400/IMG_2182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mum said we could come back on another day when the clipping is done and get lost in the maze. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pp5qmE6_PY/Ts5-ADgAYfI/AAAAAAAAAWw/qAJEdEetChI/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pp5qmE6_PY/Ts5-ADgAYfI/AAAAAAAAAWw/qAJEdEetChI/s400/IMG_2235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The maze is so tall, the gardeners have to stand on ladders and scaffolding to trim the top. The newly clipped cypresses smell fresh and minty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cy57Ahj2KH4/Ts5-1IigS9I/AAAAAAAAAXA/8fzVByhr_-0/s1600/IMG_2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cy57Ahj2KH4/Ts5-1IigS9I/AAAAAAAAAXA/8fzVByhr_-0/s400/IMG_2262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had our own picnic lunch and decided to explore the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhVvKIQk-SA/Ts9a0g96S3I/AAAAAAAAAXY/wSHv5YPZ7vs/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhVvKIQk-SA/Ts9a0g96S3I/AAAAAAAAAXY/wSHv5YPZ7vs/s320/IMG_2258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were lots of beautiful things to see. Here is a temple that only princesses can visit,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10ci6z-EMOg/Ts9dcoHYeHI/AAAAAAAAAX4/rS4kU7vbiK4/s1600/IMG_2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10ci6z-EMOg/Ts9dcoHYeHI/AAAAAAAAAX4/rS4kU7vbiK4/s320/IMG_2953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
and a forest that only princesses can enter...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Rv08OQ_8s/Ts9djjAFUTI/AAAAAAAAAYI/LnxVF2_ct7Q/s1600/IMG_7740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Rv08OQ_8s/Ts9djjAFUTI/AAAAAAAAAYI/LnxVF2_ct7Q/s320/IMG_7740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a lake that contained mermaids that look like common goldfish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMC9xuZLqb8/Ts9ajn7dLUI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/gjdc2deILFg/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMC9xuZLqb8/Ts9ajn7dLUI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/gjdc2deILFg/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Because everything in the park is so very old, some things are breaking. This statue has lost its nose.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uloul94wHyQ/Ts9dMjjIYQI/AAAAAAAAAXo/nfiIUE1fZCs/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uloul94wHyQ/Ts9dMjjIYQI/AAAAAAAAAXo/nfiIUE1fZCs/s320/IMG_2175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And this one has lost its whole head!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs7ztlcT-3Y/Ts9dZM7eRcI/AAAAAAAAAXw/uVSo7JuqjHI/s1600/IMG_2224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs7ztlcT-3Y/Ts9dZM7eRcI/AAAAAAAAAXw/uVSo7JuqjHI/s320/IMG_2224.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-54308839077314680202011-11-15T13:03:00.000-08:002011-11-15T13:03:55.653-08:00the rain in SpainOctober and November are the rainy months of the year in Barcelona and we have certainly had lots of rain lately. Today was very wet so we stayed in and did some drawing. Mum bought Olympia and I a sketchpad that has each page printed with a frame so our drawings look very special. Now that we have put some on the walls, our apartment looks special too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRMUv1VDNMc/TsLHfF98w7I/AAAAAAAAAVY/gapkZ_K2rzQ/s1600/IMG_7999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRMUv1VDNMc/TsLHfF98w7I/AAAAAAAAAVY/gapkZ_K2rzQ/s320/IMG_7999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7byR9SLiN0/TsLHh5Bux0I/AAAAAAAAAVg/Mug7rzPH6Mo/s1600/IMG_8012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7byR9SLiN0/TsLHh5Bux0I/AAAAAAAAAVg/Mug7rzPH6Mo/s320/IMG_8012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Mum</i> by Phoebe Zavros</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dn-BKTRGU4Q/TsLHrjZDJyI/AAAAAAAAAVo/JtGEDbo-GwE/s1600/IMG_8003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dn-BKTRGU4Q/TsLHrjZDJyI/AAAAAAAAAVo/JtGEDbo-GwE/s320/IMG_8003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>Unicorn and Rainbow</i> by Olympia Zavros<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F40a62EcBdo/TsLHuJw20bI/AAAAAAAAAVw/YTfUF7nLi7A/s1600/IMG_8004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F40a62EcBdo/TsLHuJw20bI/AAAAAAAAAVw/YTfUF7nLi7A/s320/IMG_8004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Lady in a palace a long time ago</i> by Phoebe Zavros</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUGugtPDsI8/TsLHwtni5gI/AAAAAAAAAV4/93KTie2zyDc/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lUGugtPDsI8/TsLHwtni5gI/AAAAAAAAAV4/93KTie2zyDc/s320/IMG_8005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Dad </i>by Olympia Zavros</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WotWT1xLtFo/TsLHzWSOz1I/AAAAAAAAAWA/9HWXd0icT7k/s1600/IMG_8008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WotWT1xLtFo/TsLHzWSOz1I/AAAAAAAAAWA/9HWXd0icT7k/s320/IMG_8008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Woman feeding animals on a farm</i> by Phoebe Zavros</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAgeGFPkwrc/TsLH2PT8D-I/AAAAAAAAAWI/dbqDwUwDCh8/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAgeGFPkwrc/TsLH2PT8D-I/AAAAAAAAAWI/dbqDwUwDCh8/s320/IMG_8010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>All works are for sale, price on application. GST doesn't apply in Spain.<br />
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<i>likes,</i><br />
<i>from Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-18224203154774156012011-11-14T22:00:00.000-08:002011-11-14T22:00:44.450-08:00a tower in TarragonaOn our second visit to the town of Tarragona, we stopped to have coffee at a cafe in the old city near the cathedral. There were many local people gathering outside wearing traditional Catalan costume. We could tell something was about to happen. Soon we heard a drummer and then a trumpeter begin to play.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RkJnxMLL30/TsF1xQ7CwFI/AAAAAAAAAUY/pn9upbqNIO0/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RkJnxMLL30/TsF1xQ7CwFI/AAAAAAAAAUY/pn9upbqNIO0/s320/IMG_2978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People dressed in red and white stripes with black sashes tied around their waist began to form a huddle. There were men, women and children of all ages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjTe8Jz5ats/TsF1_vyeDoI/AAAAAAAAAUg/fV6kNqgEC8E/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjTe8Jz5ats/TsF1_vyeDoI/AAAAAAAAAUg/fV6kNqgEC8E/s320/IMG_2985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were making a human<i> castell</i> (castle). This is common all over Catalunya during <i>festes</i> (festivals) but in Tarragona they really love doing this. They are called <i>castellers</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yD-kMHGVC_w/TsF2OLXEVqI/AAAAAAAAAUo/JfSqZ8xEdOg/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yD-kMHGVC_w/TsF2OLXEVqI/AAAAAAAAAUo/JfSqZ8xEdOg/s320/IMG_2989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was very exciting to watch the castle grow,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T142r61_yU4/TsF4rRMN8QI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/SBNIDybm5jE/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T142r61_yU4/TsF4rRMN8QI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/SBNIDybm5jE/s320/IMG_2996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and grow...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsn6B-r5LuQ/TsF2Zcu5REI/AAAAAAAAAUw/puEKyLjnU2k/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsn6B-r5LuQ/TsF2Zcu5REI/AAAAAAAAAUw/puEKyLjnU2k/s320/IMG_3002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The top of the <i>castell </i>is always finished by children.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qoubk5wZdl4/TsF2b9W5aLI/AAAAAAAAAU4/nqR4ueKFJ8c/s1600/IMG_3003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qoubk5wZdl4/TsF2b9W5aLI/AAAAAAAAAU4/nqR4ueKFJ8c/s320/IMG_3003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two little girls with red crash helmets climbed to the top very fast, shimmying up the adults, then crossed over the <i>castell</i> and climbed down the other side, to a big round of applause. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPlEUau8JYg/TsF2eblZu1I/AAAAAAAAAVA/5Jv6wmZjAnE/s1600/IMG_3004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPlEUau8JYg/TsF2eblZu1I/AAAAAAAAAVA/5Jv6wmZjAnE/s320/IMG_3004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are two future <i>castellers</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1WddFuAFd0/TsF3aaELK-I/AAAAAAAAAVI/zw_epq4vKrw/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1WddFuAFd0/TsF3aaELK-I/AAAAAAAAAVI/zw_epq4vKrw/s320/IMG_2980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><i>likes, </i><br />
<i>from Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-22712907268634116312011-11-14T12:52:00.000-08:002011-11-14T12:52:31.306-08:00hollywood comes to barcelona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2I5wKWsU0c/Tr7Cm5hJM6I/AAAAAAAAAQI/e4bujmeKdro/s1600/IMG_7343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2I5wKWsU0c/Tr7Cm5hJM6I/AAAAAAAAAQI/e4bujmeKdro/s320/IMG_7343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">My godmother Kimberley came to visit for 5 days after she had been in Kazakhstan where she is directing a documentary. My Mum has known her for over 30 years and they are best friends. They hadn't seen each other for two years so it was a special time. We went with her to Tarragona overnight and stayed in a hotel.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h25XWfPNQH4/Tr7Co3wVL7I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/iIu1KBvfMek/s1600/IMG_7406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h25XWfPNQH4/Tr7Co3wVL7I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/iIu1KBvfMek/s320/IMG_7406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">All this time I didn't know she had been in many television shows, but when we were having lunch in a very small restaurant in Tarragona two girls recognized her from <i>Lost</i>! They had their photograph taken with her. It was very funny because I didn't even know she was a star. She is to me anyway.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pS1yR1W2WU/Tr7CrpZT24I/AAAAAAAAAQY/37ScqhTX33E/s1600/IMG_7578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pS1yR1W2WU/Tr7CrpZT24I/AAAAAAAAAQY/37ScqhTX33E/s320/IMG_7578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We visited some of the amazing Roman ruins and visited the cloisters of the cathedral.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhIyC46ZlNE/Tr7CtjvU_pI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ij8YrRnSv_M/s1600/IMG_7607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhIyC46ZlNE/Tr7CtjvU_pI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ij8YrRnSv_M/s320/IMG_7607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">There is more to blog about our visit to Tarragona (we have been there twice now) but this is what we had for dessert when we went with Kimberley: fresh orange cut up and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. So delicious!</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDo5Wq2ni48/Tr7CwVvqrgI/AAAAAAAAAQo/-dg_fEqYvco/s1600/IMG_7665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDo5Wq2ni48/Tr7CwVvqrgI/AAAAAAAAAQo/-dg_fEqYvco/s320/IMG_7665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i>likes, </i><br />
<i>from Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-58443636619889151242011-11-10T06:15:00.000-08:002011-11-10T06:15:30.859-08:00dress up at down time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There aren't too many toys in the apartment and the television is pretty much only in Spanish so when we are at home, my sister and I use our IMAGINATION. We are INNOVATIVE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8JzhFphcVI/TrvbqqRt0OI/AAAAAAAAAQA/BXW8Nmb2W-4/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8JzhFphcVI/TrvbqqRt0OI/AAAAAAAAAQA/BXW8Nmb2W-4/s320/IMG_2945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I am wearing a lovely fleece evening gown. No it isn't Lanvin or Dior, it is a Qantas blanket with a Zara belt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>with likes, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>from Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-29992391913497428222011-11-10T02:06:00.000-08:002011-11-10T02:06:51.204-08:00Desayuno de Cabra (breakfast de goat!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you may have noticed previously, we get very excited at breakfast time here. Today was a special day because Leo sat in the high chair for the first time. He was very happy about this. Our table is such a mess because we all like to eat so many different things even though it's all about goat cheese today (<i>queso de cabra</i>) to go with our fresh <i>bara</i> (baguette).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMl5niZL9pY/TruOq7YXB1I/AAAAAAAAAOY/QsDFRYiiXis/s1600/IMG_7829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMl5niZL9pY/TruOq7YXB1I/AAAAAAAAAOY/QsDFRYiiXis/s320/IMG_7829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I'm eating Roncari Blue which is a strong tasting roquefort blue sheep's cheese, and also little Babybel cheeses which have their own little wax seal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDAKtcsY9BM/TruRtetl9UI/AAAAAAAAAPI/FdYE9hMuEpU/s1600/IMG_7818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDAKtcsY9BM/TruRtetl9UI/AAAAAAAAAPI/FdYE9hMuEpU/s320/IMG_7818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Olympia's favourite cheese is Garcia Baquero goat's cheese slices. She has this everyday and she puts the slices on<i> fresas</i> (strawberry) jam</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQA880i0X1o/TruSJ-4yLGI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/rgjrrCTq1Wc/s1600/IMG_7819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQA880i0X1o/TruSJ-4yLGI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/rgjrrCTq1Wc/s320/IMG_7819.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mum is trying a new cheese today. It is goat cheese from Muntanyola. She is eating it with honey (mel).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBTQrJ0HDz4/TruaruLkWmI/AAAAAAAAAPo/dnLgWpHfoqY/s1600/IMG_7820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBTQrJ0HDz4/TruaruLkWmI/AAAAAAAAAPo/dnLgWpHfoqY/s320/IMG_7820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Leo is having baby porridge and sampling small bits from everyone's plate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUl16qZibKs/TruPYOvVpdI/AAAAAAAAAO4/g2vg8nlQzXI/s1600/IMG_7821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUl16qZibKs/TruPYOvVpdI/AAAAAAAAAO4/g2vg8nlQzXI/s320/IMG_7821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dad is having his favourite goat cheese Soignon Saint Maure, a French cheese. Cheese is called <i>fromage</i> in France, which is a bit similar to the Catalan word for cheese, <i>fromatge</i>, which is different to the Spanish, <i>queso</i> - confusing! He is also eating a local delicacy called <i>sobrassada</i>, which is a bit like jam made of meat. It makes him happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94bi8mGS3nM/TruVAPmKknI/AAAAAAAAAPg/xR7lnKExpwU/s1600/IMG_7822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94bi8mGS3nM/TruVAPmKknI/AAAAAAAAAPg/xR7lnKExpwU/s320/IMG_7822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are listening to this:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ&ob=av3e">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ&ob=av3e</a></span><br />
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Pumped up kicks by Foster the People is my favourite song at the moment.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jEb4f4Ttfs/Truh0wzW4wI/AAAAAAAAAPw/vc4ANdZH_FM/s1600/foster-the-people-ep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jEb4f4Ttfs/Truh0wzW4wI/AAAAAAAAAPw/vc4ANdZH_FM/s320/foster-the-people-ep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-86710322617062880412011-11-05T13:37:00.000-07:002011-11-05T13:37:04.842-07:00milano comes to barcelonaOur friend James came to stay with us for a few days. I really like James. He is studying finance in Milan (he has a lovely girlfriend already) and he brought some really delicious Italian pastries.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvV2057MOqU/TrWXk-rh5PI/AAAAAAAAANw/zYFHsxjXcE8/s1600/DSC04565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvV2057MOqU/TrWXk-rh5PI/AAAAAAAAANw/zYFHsxjXcE8/s320/DSC04565.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpFBrekkAHY/TrWXo4jyrYI/AAAAAAAAAN4/2EETophMu7M/s1600/IMG_7240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpFBrekkAHY/TrWXo4jyrYI/AAAAAAAAAN4/2EETophMu7M/s320/IMG_7240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We made sure we introduced him to special Spanish things like xorcata, and showed him some of the sights in Barcelona.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjhpUWD2QYc/TrWXrNIf7yI/AAAAAAAAAN8/-cz4hLxk0UI/s1600/IMG_7242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjhpUWD2QYc/TrWXrNIf7yI/AAAAAAAAAN8/-cz4hLxk0UI/s320/IMG_7242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had a tapas lunch in the Boqueria, Barcelona's most famous market, we visited some Gaudi buildings and the Cathedral cloisters and even managed to get to the beach again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpsEVxyaSk4/TrWdvpKiURI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/h0aJHQiOD_c/s1600/IMG_1932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpsEVxyaSk4/TrWdvpKiURI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/h0aJHQiOD_c/s320/IMG_1932.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8O6kzFMT3s/TrWXueWB0jI/AAAAAAAAAOI/J4UZmY1IM_4/s1600/IMG_7376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8O6kzFMT3s/TrWXueWB0jI/AAAAAAAAAOI/J4UZmY1IM_4/s320/IMG_7376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
We even helped James study for his 'derivatives' exam. Apparently this has nothing to do with a 1980s revival as Mum and Dad thought.<br />
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</i><br />
<i>likes,</i><br />
<i>from Phoebe</i>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-89341512799428263912011-11-05T13:01:00.000-07:002011-11-05T13:01:23.125-07:00water, water, everywhere...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All over Barcelona there are public water fountains where you can fill up your drink bottle or let your dog (or Dad) have a drink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqXssNYA-Mg/TqMP_PYfH9I/AAAAAAAAAJA/52iYCDYAJeI/s1600/IMG_6830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqXssNYA-Mg/TqMP_PYfH9I/AAAAAAAAAJA/52iYCDYAJeI/s320/IMG_6830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one is in the cloister of the cathedral in Barcelona, where 13 geese live. Santa Eulalia was 13 when she became a saint, so there is a goose for each year of her life. My Grandma Chris brought me here when I was only Leo's age.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EzTHL1Txamg/TrUCPfq6uzI/AAAAAAAAANg/7NUuAWseDiY/s1600/DSC04563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EzTHL1Txamg/TrUCPfq6uzI/AAAAAAAAANg/7NUuAWseDiY/s320/DSC04563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This fountain is in Tarragona, in the old town near the cathedral. When we came by the next day somebody had written graffiti on it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWtzZhpyyV8/TrUCfXQT-cI/AAAAAAAAANo/Q7C6qh9gyXc/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWtzZhpyyV8/TrUCfXQT-cI/AAAAAAAAANo/Q7C6qh9gyXc/s320/IMG_2036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>likes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>from Phoebe</i></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-60853709264866462452011-11-03T14:42:00.000-07:002011-11-03T14:42:24.076-07:00EspadrillesThis week we all bought espadrilles. These canvas slipper shoes have been made in this part of Spain since the 14th Century. This shop is famous in Barcelona for selling Espadrilles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZpG-ka5mKQ/TrAjMDNAAqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/8hydcBQDOj0/s1600/IMG_6780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZpG-ka5mKQ/TrAjMDNAAqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/8hydcBQDOj0/s320/IMG_6780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The soles are made from rope and they come in lots of different colours. I chose pink and my sister chose orange espadrilles. Dad picked light green, mum picked dark green, James who is visiting from Milan picked blue and Kimberley who is visiting from LA picked red.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjdsw9NQI_c/TrAjN_6HB5I/AAAAAAAAANA/-7E2xU4ulYo/s1600/IMG_7450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjdsw9NQI_c/TrAjN_6HB5I/AAAAAAAAANA/-7E2xU4ulYo/s320/IMG_7450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765579197211907176.post-82884052243587918252011-11-01T10:58:00.000-07:002011-11-01T10:58:24.759-07:00the dark crystalDad went to the markets at Placa de les Glories, a large open bric a brac and antiques outdoor market that runs a few times a week. He bought some pieces of agate, some quartz as well as some ammonites.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkSUd0kCZbk/TrANX7LePKI/AAAAAAAAALo/Ttj6Nv-notw/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkSUd0kCZbk/TrANX7LePKI/AAAAAAAAALo/Ttj6Nv-notw/s320/IMG_1874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ammonites are crustaceans that lived millions of years ago and their fossils are like beautiful snail shaped stones.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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The mountains in Catalunya are very rich in minerals so we have seen a lot of crystals, quartz and ammonites since we came here. We visited the Museu Blau de les Ciències Naturals (Natural History Museum) to see their collection of fossils and crystals too. There was a lot to see.<br />
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</div>Afterwards in the museum shop we bought our own crystal Christmas tree set so we could grow our own crystals.<br />
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The cardboard tree slowly drinks the special crystal food and the crystals begin to grow on the branches.<br />
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It takes a full day for the crystals to grow. When we woke up the next day, this is what we saw..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2F8i1DZ_G4/TrAy-Rf9gfI/AAAAAAAAANI/cmEU3zEHFlE/s1600/IMG_1892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2F8i1DZ_G4/TrAy-Rf9gfI/AAAAAAAAANI/cmEU3zEHFlE/s320/IMG_1892.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PZV0lktUyG8/TrAQhY_lUoI/AAAAAAAAAMw/DhbtWUY54J0/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PZV0lktUyG8/TrAQhY_lUoI/AAAAAAAAAMw/DhbtWUY54J0/s320/tree.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Phoebe Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00755138855678426490noreply@blogger.com2Spain41.310824066354868 2.197267249999981736.27532406635487 -6.6137327500000183 46.346324066354867 11.008267249999982