Our family in Vigo

They were all here! Heather’s mom, sister, grandma, and two aunts enjoyed almost a week in Vigo. Matt and I cleaned the apartment so that it sparkled like never before and prepared a big supper complete with a fancy bakery-made cake before we took a nervous bus ride to the airport late Sunday afternoon. My stomach was fluttering with nervous excitement as the sign flashed with their plane’s arrival. Just minutes afterwards, however, it dropped family did not make to beneath the floor when we couldn’t catch a glimpse of anyone. Twenty minutes confirmed our fears…our it to Vigo. After listening to a voice message on Skype, we found out they had been detained for a night in Detroit before their flight to Paris and on to Vigo. How disappointing! It was terribly sad to go back home just the two of us and to place the lasagna in the refrigerator and to spend the night worrying about their safety. Thankfully, everyone and all the luggage arrived safe and sound the very next day. I can’t explain how wonder it felt to hug Mom and Hanna and Grandma and just to see everyone, to be with family and to hear the familiar English, to smile at being with a bunch of ladies who even look like me. It certainly was one of those time-stopping moments! That afternoon we ate the lasagna and despite the rain, walked around the city to visit Plaza Espana, Plaza E, and the Corte Inglés. Everyone got to sleep early that night; just think of the exhaustion of traveling across the Atlantic plus the seven-hour time change! The next day Matt and I woke up early and went to the fruit stand to buy fresh fruit for a breakfast salad, and it was delicious. Mom cut up bananas, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, and apples and dashed a bit of pineapple juice to keep it fruity fresh. Everyone just loved the treat! That afternoon we traveled by train to Santiago de Compostela to tour the gothic church. We all liked the menu del día in the cute restaurant and all tried the famous pulpo: boiled octopus seasoned with paprika. Yum yum! On our way back to the train station, we ran into a Carnival parade and so we stopped to watch the bright floats pass by while listening to the pounding music. That night we arrived home so late that we just went back home, but that was one of the coziest evenings. Mom and I chatted on the couch while drinking hot tea and Hanna and Matt played a game of cards while joking around with each other. The rest of the days we spent around Vigo: shopping on the pedestrian Principe and main street Urzaiz, to the beach Samil to touch the icy cold water of the Atlantic, a visit to our university in the hills plus lunch in the cafeteria, as well as a walk down by the port and an afternoon at the shopping center Gran Via. We were always happily busy! Matt and I were proud of everyone, especially Grandma. She has a difficult case of diabetes and usually follows a strict eating/insulin schedule. Not only did she experience a seven-hour time change, but also the Spanish lifestyle of eating breakfast at 10, lunch at 3, and supper at 9. Grandma managed so well and made the week enjoyable with her good attitude and energy. By Friday evening, we were all tired and content. Everyone had their purchases and little gifts to surprise friends and family at home and Mom even bought a beautiful pair of leather boots! The leather here in Spain is just wonderful, and I don’t think I’d be over generalizing to say that every woman in Vigo owns at least one pair of boots (I do!). On Friday, we concluded with a nice meal at Hollywood and enjoyed those free refills and a platter of super nachos plus our separate meals. Saturday morning we were up at three to make it to the airport with the help of our kind friend Juan José and at six we had to say the difficult goodbyes. What a good week we had! It meant so much to us to be with family. It will provide the strength and goodwill we need to make it through the next few months of school in Vigo. How blessed we are by family and we are looking forward to being home with them.