Madrid Again

Winter Break time again and the solution to our travel dilemma was easy: let's go see family in Madrid! Getting to non-rev in the winter is usually pretty easy but of course this time around that wasn't exactly the case. We were looking at a flight that only had about half a dozen open seats. No bueno. But we went for it anyway and the payoff was huge. Just as I started to think we wouldn't get on, Nacho had a screen with our cleared names on it and we were pushing back from the gate in no time. I had arranged a dog sitter on the condition that we might be returning home that first night. So luckily, she was open to the concept of us going on standby and paying her for only what we used. It was all coming together so well that the flight over felt like a dream. Well, for 3/4 of us who made it into the last seats in first class. Sorry, Nacho. But seeing him from the first row of coach was kind of sadly pathetic. He could only smell my meal and sniff all that booze...and true story, I didn't know when I was packing if we were going to Madrid or possibly hopping on a later flight to visit Carmen and Leonardo in Toronto. So I packed a wintery mix of sweaters and such and then later learned that Madrid was going to be in the upper 60s and sunny (of course). So landing and feeling like late spring was kind of hilarious and we all had to improvise some outfits. But hey, that's a good problem to have. 

It was a whirlwind 5 day trip to see Nacho's family and get to check in on their lives. We are lucky to spend every summer with them but seeing them off-season is just as nice. Merche continues to recover from her health problems of last summer and there were three big family outings at restaurants for us to all catch up and share some delicious food. That's something I really enjoy about being in Spain--we all get to dress up, show up and let the meals come to us. And when we're not eating out, of course, we have abuela stuffing us with her good food. So excuse me if I don't come back the same weight. It's too delicious to worry about. Getting to visit the Plaza Mayor on its 400th birthday for a light spectacle that Saturday evening was just icing on the cake. Nacho and I didn't have much alone time in the city but that was okay too. We brought the girls to the river area for a brief meet up with Felipe and Montse and Silvia, and the playgrounds were a huge hit. Knowing someone was taking good care of Bailey back home made the whole vacation that much more enjoyable. And seeing her little face again after our absence was pure gold. Nacho was covered in kisses and hugs and the girls almost seemed interested in playing with her again. All in all, a good use of our winter break and ready to visit again come summer!