Reflections from Home

Having had some time to reflect on our experiences in Sevilla, it has become more and more clear to me how truly special our time there was.  Nothing about this trip was easy.  There were some truly heartbreaking and expensive setbacks early on, but taking this trip was a decision we made with conviction and decided from the beginning we would make it happen no matter what the consequences.  It took a tremendous amount of planning, sacrifice, and discipline to make the trip a reality and I still feel really proud we pulled it off.

The Pettigrews in Asheville

We spent only a brief period of time in Tampa before driving up to visit my parents in Asheville, NC.  The kids did great on the 11 hour drive from Tampa.  Leaving at 5am was key as they slept for the first 3 hours of the journey.  This Asheville visit is our transition period before we have to move back to Tampa for good.

We are really enjoying being in Asheville, although it is obviously a lot different than Sevilla.  A few big differences really jump out at you.
1. People seem to speak a lot less Spanish.
2. There are a lot more TransAms.
3. A lot more people are named Skeeter.

I have been reading a lot, but otherwise trying to do as little as possible and attempting to avoid stressful decisions such as "Where should we go for dinner tonight?".  My Spanish skills are slowly evaporating into the ether.  I am eating too much.  I am drinking too much.  My weight is up a few pounds.  My personal hygiene is marginal.  It's good.

Today the girls saw snow for the first time.  It accumulated enough that we could run around in the yard and make some snowballs. Camila really loved walking and playing in the snow but Isa, the cautious one,  had an obvious distrust of its stability similar to the first time she walked in beach sand.  I, of course, forced her to walk in it which seemed to not please her.  I have no doubt years from now she will thank me.

We will hole up here for the night.  It is in the 20's, snowy, and windy currently.  Tonight will be even worse with temperatures dropping into the teens,  making it a night fit for neither man nor beast.  As an anodyne to this bone-chilling weather,  Ali is making homemade chicken soup.  I am looking forward to eating mine by the fireplace as the winter wind whips around outside.

-Dave

Home, sort of

Getting ready for the big flight

We arrived safely back in Tampa last night after a long and exhausting day of airline travel.  The nine and a half hour flight from Madrid to Miami was definitely tough.  Isa went through a period of inconsolability during the flight very similar to the one on the trip over.  The difference this time was that it occurred during the middle of the day instead of 3am and this made it much less stressful.  For about an hour she just rolled around on the ground and cried, finally getting worn out enough that we could lay her on the seat.  Like all things, it passed.

The transition back to American culture has been a little weird so far.  Walking through Target yesterday Ali told me she felt like a foreigner in the vast, fluorescently lit superstore.  I had my culture re-entry shock yesterday when I found myself drinking a venti latte, eating a breakfast sandwich, and driving our Range Rover with my knee.  What are you doing man?  Twelve hours back in the country and I am already making to-do lists and multitasking.

We are heading to Asheville on Tuesday for a few weeks to visit my parents and relax.  I am really looking forward to this time of relaxation and reflection in the mountains before having to return to the grind.  I have my good friends to thank for their help in making it happen.  Well, off to Gasparilla.  ARRRRRRGH!

The Aftershock of an Impending Nostalgia

our time is winding down here 

we fly back in a few days

and we will kiss the ground when we get there 

but, in the meanwhile 

I have been noticing a few things

every sun kissed building is more beautiful

every sangria tastes better

every walk is an adventure 

every sunny day is a gift

every flamenco song is inspiring

every spanish word is important 

everything is amplified and focused 

like a last day between lovers 

Sevilla, we will miss you

-Dave

Nobody sees the city the same.  Below is how Mateo P sees it.

Enjoy!

The Photo Art of Mateo P 2

Welcome to the Photo Art of Mateo P, Part 2. 

I love it how guests always make you see the city through a different lens.  It's the change up you didn't even realize was a change up until it changes you up.  You know what I mean?  Having Uncle Matt here has been that change up.  Maybe it's that weirdo-Portland-progressive-non-mainstreamer thing that forces you to think different.  Or maybe it's something else?  Well, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. 

-Dave