Day 1489: Yesterday in Spain

Ed. note: Here’s Mr. December’s post about yesterday.

A long day.

First, an aside. My favourite parenting experience from the trip: We’re going to the ropes course, and a kid has forgotten something or other. She gets a nice lecture from her father about how to pack in advance and not forget anything. 15 seconds later we’re at the front of the line and he is like, “Can I borrow some Euro? I forgot my wallet at home”. His wife especially loved that story, adding that she had reminded him twice to bring it.

Today we had a lie-in. I went out to get our usual breakfast. Pretty nice for around six Euro: bread, turkey, tomato, orange, banana, and coffee.

At 11:40, R did a bit of multiplication practice. We rented bikes and I decided we’d find a second coin shop. Bad idea. We had to ride into centro, which was  a mess, and 20 minutes later could not find the shop. Eventually I gave up, we had more city riding to get to the Navigation Pavillion at 1:00, just as the tower was starting its siesta. So shoot, we could only do the museum. But first, a victory over the orange trees:

The oranges were really sour and not great, but I was still glad to eat one.

The museum had a 50% satisfaction rate with our family. It was about the history of navigation (and quite a nice museum) but was probably different than what you’d see elsewhere :

• Was not focused on politics or human rights.
• Talked a lot about science, technological advancements, and exploration
• Described a Spanish fleet winning a battle against Drake (not the rapper), and some unkind things about English pirates.
• One small piece about slaves.
• Almost nothing on Colombus.

I did some quick fact checking later and didn’t see anything wrong.

Then we had to ride back. Apple maps doesn’t seem to show me exactly where we are, and it isn’t clear which roads have bike lanes, with all kinds of curvy and blocked streets. It took us 41 miserable minutes to return, with R threatening to just give up. There are all these close parallel roads, and bike lanes that just end with no signs. Ugh. 

Next: The pool party. Exhausted from our activities, we took a cab. The pop-up hosts had a nice place 4 km east of us with a pool and a shaded veranda. Everyone brought snacks, and ours were the crappiest (here is some corn). I didn’t even think to buy a bottle of wine or two. Lots of splashing from the younger kids, and I did get to see one of R’s friends fall into the pool which was pretty funny. 

R wasn’t feeling well, so we left a bit early; and suddenly she says, “Let’s go to the Setas for the night rooftop tour.” Two friends agreed, and a couple of hours later we were back on the road. This time we just did the 15m walk, and I got there only needing to check my phone once. I’m learning.

We got there and watched a little random street show. Turns out I knew the whole routine – I had seen the identical show in NYC a few years ago. They get some audience members together and jump over them, stretching it out for 20 minutes and collecting Euros. 

We went up to the roof, and the kids played while the adults looked out at the gorgeous skyline. Then they went around again, and finally downstairs for many pictures in front of the “I love Seville” sign that every city has. Then more waiting for them on the steps, until they setup barricades and kicked us out, and then we waited across the street. Finally, at 12:15, we said “time to say goodbye”. One friend will still be around tomorrow so we may try to meet up again. R was very grateful for the trip and letting her stay out so late. I was touched. But it really was a wonderful pop-up that unfortunately just ended. A few of us agreed what we need is a hub where you can stay for a couple of months, and live and school together for a while. Maybe Hoi An 2025?

Addendum: at 1:15 a.m., R is doing math homework. She’s convinced she must finish up to a certain page while she’s away from school.