Mount Tibidabo

Mount Tibidabo is one the most unique places that we have been to in Barcelona. On the top of the mountain is a beautiful Cathedral; the Cathedral is set even higher by many steep steps that lead up to it. This in itself would not be so unique, there are many monestaries and cathedrals on mountain sides, but how many also have a theme park on the grounds? That's right. Just in front of the Tibidabo Cathedral is a theme park, about the size of Calaway Park in Calgary. The rides are a little older but draw a huge crowd of locals as well as tourists. We had never seen a Cathedral with a ferris wheel right beside it before. I guess it helps pay for the upkeep. Clever people.
October 12th is a holiday and so our little family took advantage of it and headed for Mount Tibidabo. It took us a while to figure out how to get there, but it was well worth it. The veiw, the weather, and the Cathedral were all beautiful. (the food at the restaurant was a little less than spectacular. Note to self: never by food at the only restaurant on the side of a mountain in Spain-$$$$ and kind of gross; we would rather have had carnival food)

This is Mark and Eve standing in the theme park looking over Barcelona


The whole family. It isn't easy to get to the theme park. You can drive, but there is limited parking. You can walk, but it is literally hiking up the side of a mountain. Most people take two seperate trams that bring you right to the amusement park gates. It is one of the most spectacular views.


This is my favorite view of the cathedral. It gives you the full effect with the merry-go-round in front of it. I


You can go right to the top of the cathedral. This is a view of the mountains that seperate Barcelona from other villages and cities around it. Truly Barcelona is surrounded by mountains and the ocean.


A view of the theme park from the top of the Cathedral.

Festival La Merce

The festival is a Catalan tradition and the giants as well as the human pyramids are the highlights. Here at one of the main plazas they show and perform both parts of the festival.


This is one of the Giants on its way down to the plaza. The streets were so crowded Tricia was lucky to get such a good shot.


There were dozens of giants (and people) in the square. The giants represented Spanish and Catalan Royal Family throughout their history. Each set would take turns dancing to the music that was similiar to the music of the era they lived. It was so crowded that Tricia took Eve off to the side of the plaza away from the noise and the people. Unfortunately Mark was not able to come to the Fesitval due to his crazy school schedule.


Eve having a grand time at the plaza, we were eventually kicked out; apparantly strollers are not permitted in the plaza, there are too many people. They didn't tell us this until it was so crowded we couldn't move, then they proceeded to yell at Tricia in Spanish to get out and they didn't care how. Eve was still enjoying herself, clapping at the crowds as she left.

Goin' to the Zoo

Off to the zoo we went; it was a great time for the adults as well as the kids. The couple we met from church are great and Eve loves having another baby to hang out with. The weather was perfect, and it is the only place we have been to in Barcelona that wasn't over-crowded.

Mark and Eve checking out the lemurs


The lemurs, relaxing and having a great time together. Don't ask me what he was doing, we aren't sure.


The weather was warm enough that most of the animals would do nothing but sit and stare at us. I can only imagine what is going through their heads. Bored out of his mind I would guess. How many times can you run around a log, a rope, and a small slab of cement before you begin to go crazy.


Mark, Eve, Chad, and Grace


Flamingos are always entertaining, but these aren't flamingos are they. The elephants were great; smelly, but great.

Eve

It has been another week and we are loving the weather here. Saturdays are great for going to the zoo or the beach. Mark is very busy at school, but allows time for Eve and Tricia and we usually head to some great park. We have met another couple who have a baby just younger than Eve. Eve and Gracie (their little girl) have had a great time together at the zoo, the beach, and the mall (ok so Tricia and Jen liked the mall the best)
We look forward to spending lots of time with the other couples here at the school. The couples with children all happen to have girls (great times ahead!)


Our little family at the Zoo


So apparently the weather does get cool in December; here is Eve sporting one of her new hats.


Eve loved the hats for only a few minutes, then she was mad that she couldn't get them off with her mittens on her hands. She looked so cute!


Eve and Tricia trying to get a shot together; Eve cared more about grabbing the camera then taking a good photo.

Orientation week cont'd...

The main event was a grand prix racing derby. Everyone was divided into teams and given overalls and a budget. Together the teams had to make a design for a car that could be pushed or pulled and carry one driver. There were certain safety standards that each car (t) had to satisfy, as well as being within each team's budget.

Mark's team, aka "Mario Bros. Racing" (because of the overalls) built a sleek, quick, chariot-style cart. It proved itself in the qualifying laps on the race track, finishing in first place with the fastest time.

In the medal round, the lack of horsepower on the team caught up to them and Mario Bros. Racing finished with the Bronze medal in third place-still cause to celebrate with an open bottle of champagne (Mark felt like he was Michael Andretti).

This week was not quite so fun as the MBA students began their actual courses which are quite demanding and take up most of the time between 6:00AM and 12:00PM. We'll keep everyone posted as things continue...

Orientation Week...

Mark has now been in school for two weeks. His first week began with several presentations from the school (the generic orientation, student association, etc). Next the class was given a general presentation of each of the main sectors in which MBAs typically find themselves working: I-Banking, Consulting, or Industry. Next the students had seminars on CV writing and Interviewing skills. They even had mock interviews set up with real companies-less stressful than the real thing however, still very gruelling. Then the group was off for fun and games at "El Muntanya" resort where they participated in some get-to-know-you activities and some team-building games. Here are some pictures from the activities...

First Week of September

Eve and I have spent a few days touring around the local parks while Mark is in classes. His schooling keeps him very busy and that leaves Eve and I on our own to discover Barcelona.

There are so many gardens that the tourists don't know about. They are extremely hilly though.


Eve and I went to Parc Guell and had a lovely time. There were alot of people, but the park is so large that you aren't bothered by everyone.
We hiked through the hills and it tuckered Eve right out, she was exhausted from all that riding in her stroller. I, on the other hand, had to push the stroller back up to the top of the park where we had entered.