The rain in Spain falls mainly...on ME!!

Just returned from a 4 day trip to Mallorca, Spain. Yes, I'm spelling it Mallorca, not Majorca!! I was hoping for sun and warm temperatures, but got cloudy, windy, cold, and rainy weather. Unfortunately the weather gods have it in for me. We did have a 3/4 day of sun on Wednesday (due to Judith talking to the Pope for us) which was nice.

Mallorca was very, very nice! I love the small, tiny streets with the old buildings!! I cannot wait to explore more of Spain. Of course I love the Spanish language and Spanish food and all things Spanish. I saw my first work of Gaudi (he helped renovate a beautiful Cathedral in the city). I ate paella for the first time, since any place I've been to with paella in the USA does not have vegetarian paella, but no problem in Spain!! I woke up AND went to sleep to the sounds and sight of the Mediterranean Sea! I bought my first pearl! I have a new love for bread. Bread (chapatas) with cheese and tomatoes in the morning, a baguette with melted cheese tomato and olive oil for lunch and chapatas and alioli with dinner!!! And then of course there is the Mallorcan pastry--Ensaimadas! Words cannot describe how wonderful they taste. I had a chocolate one while there and Kate and I brought back a huge cream one. I prefer the chocolate one, but either way, it is HEAVEN!

The view of the Mediterranean from our balcony.

Me on the balcony.

Catedral Mallorca

Inside Catedral Mallorca...

Cute street in Palma de Mallorca.

Arabian bath house.

So I love Rafael Nadal and he's from Mallorca and I found his street!!

Instead of Dunkin Donuts in Spain, here's Dunkin Coffee! Kinda funny. And they do have donuts!

One of the best Spanish tapas ever!! Patatas bravas: potato wedges with a spicy tomato sauce. Just awesome!! I would take you all out for these if I could :)

This was our attempt to sun bathe on Wed. It was a little sunny, but oh so freezing. So goes winter I guess.

So apparently we need to collaborate with the residue separation! I wonder how you do that?

Paella con verduras. It was just wonderful! Wish everyone could have been there :)

I am so stuffed after our paella meal. We also got like 4 or 5 free appetizers, had Mallorcan wine and then a free glass of wine. I was stuffed!!!

This was where we sought refuge the day we were stuck in the pouring rain waiting for the bus. The roof kept springing leaks and so it wasn't that great. We were soaked, head to toe. And then went the wrong way on the bus so went on a 2 hour bus ride!!

Mallorcan ensaimada all wrapped up!

The big ensaimada!!

My Mallorcan pearl! The first ring I ever bought myself (it's about time)!!

We took a train ride to Soller on Wednesday. It was a very old wooden, rickety train, been running since 1912. The little town was just so cute. I would love to move there! Unfortunately, I don't have photos of it, so you'll have to use your imagination, but it does remind me of California a little bit with the mountains, palm trees, and orange trees.

Here's the old train to Soller.

Inside of the old train.

These are groves of almond trees. The produce of the island is almonds, oranges, olive oil, and pearls.

This is a place that makes olive oil and then has a co-op store where you can buy local stuff. We couldn't take a tour of the olive oil making because we didn't have enough time, but we walked around it a little bit.  I just loved it!! My kinda place :)

It was hard leaving Mallorca. I would love to stay in Spain for a long while. Run away really.

"Take a holiday in Spain
Leave my wings behind me
Flush my worries down the drain
And fly away to somewhere new."

German language class starts on Monday and it is terrifying me. I know I need to learn some things so I don't react by running away from people who want to talk with me. But I also know that this is gonna be a challenge for me. If only I had sound through this blog to tell you about the "Moosach" incident. But I do not. Wish me luck!

Next weekend is a much deserved and very delayed ski trip to the Alps and then Jonathan will be here! Carnival is next month so that should also be a lot of fun!

Hope everyone is happy, healthy, and doing well!!