Rhodes5 in Deutschland: Spain

We just got back from a week in Spain. It seems that we like to make our "crunch time" even "crunchier" with adding too much to our plate. In April, we found a ridiculously good deal on a trip to Spain, but of course it was timed right in the middle of a very chaotic period. It turns out though, it was just what we all needed. It was a fun week with a few day trips, lots of swimming, warm weather, and best of all; no paper work, no phone calls, no errands, no school, and no work! We have been to this region in Spain a couple of times and have always regretted not taking the Ferry boat over to Morocco in Africa, but this time we made it happen and it was a fantastic experience. I will post lots of pictures (of course - just to bore you :-)) but I have to add something funny (or maybe not so funny)... Flying to Spain from Germany is .kind of like flying from Virginia to Florida. The cost was extremely reasonable and we were excited just for Spain. With that said, this is where my 15 year old daughter comes in... Most of her friends here have been to Spain and she has been there a few times (of course she was happy to go, but wasn't "excited"). When we added Morocco to the itinerary, that is when she became excited, because not "everyone" has been to Morocco. I keep trying to tell her that one day she will look back on these experiences and realize that it is not "typical" to get to go to these places (just to go to Spain is pretty cool!). I forget that they have grown up living over here and they really don't "get" that these are opportunities of a lifetime. Treasure them. Keep them in your heart and memories. And appreciate it each and every day. We have several friends over here whose kids have not realized the opportunities that they are given until they go back for college, and then miss them greatly, and want nothing more than to come back!

The flight from Cologne to Malaga was really pretty - we flew over the

Pyrenees mountain range and then as we flew south - this was the view of a lake - Gorgeous!!!

We didn't swim at the beach (only at the pool, because it was quite rocky, but the kids did have fun playing a bit..

Mia loved the Spanish Police Horse....

a family "selfie" on the beach (yes, we are weird!!!)

The view from the Castle in Malaga - gorgeous!!!

This was also from the castle - Camden was super excited to spot the Bull Fighting Ring right in the middle of the city

It looks so unnatural to have such an old Bull Fighting Ring in the middle of a modern city right on the Mediterranean - really cool though!

Family photo!

Marbella, Spain! Flags for the World Cup? Spain didn't fair so well in the World Cup (especially for being the defending Champions). It was cool though, because the Country did get a new King while we were there - definitely a neat thing!!!

This was really funny... There are churches all throughout Europe - gorgeous churches where there are ALWAYS candles to light, in memory of loved ones. We have only seen real candles up until this particular church.... If you look carefully, they are electric (you put in your money and then one lights up!!!) We joked that Spain must have the same liability problems as the U.S. !!!