Mini Blog Update!
Updated: Nov 11, 2024
This week has been a bit tough for all of us I think, so I wanted to share some more photos from the wonderful Picos trip and some anecdotes from the past couple days. Just a short, light and upbeat update from Spain. Hope you enjoy :)
When I packed up all my stuff to come over here in September, I forgot to include my bathing suit...and man was I bummed about that during the sunny days. Thankfully, my mom brought it for me and I have really been getting my use out of it this week. I've been to the beach four times since last weekend even though some of those days the temperature was in the low 60s. Goosebumps on the beach is better than no beach.
The water is a whole different level of chilly so I've only actually dunked once and I think that will be good enough for me for 2024. Elena and I have still been trying to plan a surfing day (this weekend the waves were too big) but swimming in a wetsuit is a totally different endeavor. Hopefully next blog I will have some surfing updates and pictures!
Another highlight has been the incredible sunrises and sunsets we've been getting here since the weather has been clear. On Monday, my friend Marshall and I went for a run right in time to catch a magical sunset over the marina and bay. There was also a couple performing Coldplay songs on violins which elevated the experience tenfold. It's the little things :)
The two of us went for another lovely jaunt later in the week to relieve some election stress. Getting outside for a run and going to the gym to lift some weights has been more important to me than ever this past week. Very grateful for endorphins and all the other feel good things exercise provides. Also, it feels nice to be getting back into running after my post half marathon recovery lull. No races in the near future, but I am looking into some stuff for 2025!
I've also been feeling exceptionally grateful that I have Elena here with me for the tough times as well as a the fun ones. She arrived jet lagged and tired on Monday night from a week in the States and we celebrated her return on Tuesday with a ramen dinner! Since our first week here, we have been trying to eat at this ramen restaurant called Kaneda but there is very limited seating and you need to have a reservation to get a spot even on a weeknight.
Well, let's just say it was worth the wait and hassle of making a reservation via the phone (something I sometimes avoid doing even in English). We both thoroughly enjoyed our steaming hot bowls of comforting salty and spicy broth with all the fixings. I think this was only the second time I've ever had true ramen and it really is such a delicious and satisfying meal despite being impossible to eat gracefully.
The biggest surprise of our time so far here came in the form of Elena's parents showing up on her doorstep Wednesday night! I can't imagine how shocked she felt because just being told about it the next day, my jaw was on the floor. They really pulled off the surprise visit of the decade and I am very impressed with their willingness to spontaneously hop on a 10+ hour flight.
The Johnson family graciously invited me to dinner both Thursday and Friday night and I had a great time getting to know Elena's parents and learning more about all of them! It was so fun sharing some of our silly Spain stories and hearing more about their lovely family. We went to one of the best Spanish restaurants in Santander called La Bodega del Riojano and, of course, our favorite tried and trusty place, La Tasca.
Elena and I met some friends, Spanish and American, for a fun karaoke night on Friday after saying goodbye to her parents. Although the bar was nearly empty since it was raining so hard, we had a great time and my friend Kayna and I performed "Shut Up and Dance With Me". A classic.
I really wanted to take advantage of the sunshine on Saturday since we're slated for 10 ish days of solid rain so I went to the beach (!) and Elena met up with me there. We just lounged around and talked until we were both nearly freezing and ready to go home for dinner.
After dinner I hiked across the city to meet up with Elena and some other friends for a night of dancing. However, I had started to really crash the second we got to the dance class and I ended up leaving early so I could get some zzzs. I have to remind myself sometimes that it's not possible to do everything I want to do. And that's okay!
Today is going to be a relaxing cleaning and catch up day for me with some churros y chocolate slated for 5 pm to warm up during this rainy weather. Elena and I are going to do some trip planning and get ourselves organized for our two major outings that are in the works for 2025! Very excited for these to come to fruition.
Thanks as always for following along with the blog! More exciting updates to come soon including Elena and I road tripping to Santiago de Compostela and flying to Vienna for a dose of their magical Christmas markets!!
LOve you blogs. Enjoy life. Bring your friends to Cape Cod for a summer or just a visit. Hugs, GR