Twelve Grapes and Red Underwear for the Spanish New Year

Nadine and kids knocked slushy snow off their ski boots and packed up our modern Güéjar Sierra apartment. The crew had to travel from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Valencia before the Spanish New Year’s 2020 arrival.

The drive included Murcia, fondly pronounced “‘Merica” by the kids. It meant passing through the drab coastal city of Almeria, home to the 10th century Moorish fortress Alcazaba, a break to the day’s drive. Inside Almería city limits, once again, narrow, congested, glutted streets and our inability to patiently handle them proved again our undoing and hindered our conquest. Without doubt, traffic and parking would provide the biggest test spending extended time there in Spain.

Peeved by narrow streets and hungry kids, we fled downtown for the easiest option, McDonald’s. Spacious parking. A convenient playground. Close to the highways. That’s part of the reason McDonald’s has sold a billion burgers. Those two yellow arches loom high above every other landmark and whisper to parents, “We know you’re tired. At least your kids won’t scream here. And we have ample parking.” At least a half billion of those burgers were sold because parents were just too worn out to navigate more narrow streets with the crescendo of yelling kids in the back seat.

Life is a spectacle. My hair is like life sometimes. After three years without a haircut in the Cayman Islands, I offered my hair as a creative canvas to homeroom students. The class that collected the most money got to decide how to cut my homework. More importantly, their money helped the Children of Haiti Project school. Since our Qatar arrival, I hadn’t shaved my beard. Thus in preparation for a new decade, I employed my kids expertise to help shave my beard. They said I even looked younger, by at least six months.

It Takes A Team Effort

She’s a Pretty Amazing Soulrocker

For many years, I’ve played what I like to call the Points Game. This enterprise allows me and the family to fly and stay for free or at reduced fares on various airlines and hotel chains. Initially, Nadine rolled her eyes applying for a credit card, but now having flown for free internationally and stayed at a few really nice hotels, she’s now more patient and supportive of the Points Game.

So the long, easterly drive from Güéjar Sierra to Valencia would be arduous. The kids, and Sophie in particular, and honestly me too for that matter, enjoy staying at a hotel and discovering all of the hidden treasures that don’t exist at our house (i.e. swimming pools, big manicured lawns). We had points to stay at a resort for free just south of Murcia.

Yet, the pot-holed dirt roads leading to Sheraton Hacienda del Alamo Golf and Spa Resort through the smell of cow shit wafting through the air caused us pause and doubt in our decision to stay at this Marriott property. But the modern air tight lobby changed our attitudes and ramped up the kid’s unbridled excitement. Fortunately, Nadine and I had a room. The three oldest kids had their own room . . . in a building next door.

We’re Exhausted Exploring A Closed Castle of Santa Barbara

Final spot before Valencia, like Nerja further down the southern coast, the city of Alicante, population a lot, was a surprisingly pulchritudinous city. You could bank on it having narrow streets, a lack of parking, and easy access to several McDonalds, but the boardwalk and wide views completely redeemed themselves. We hadn’t calculated that the Castle of Santa Barbara might be closed on a day other than Christmas. We weren’t the only ones locked out, indicated by other bewildered Japanese and Russian tourists scrambling around the fortress atop M­ount Benacantil. Apparently one of Spain’s largest 16th century mediaeval fortresses closes on Tuesdays or every New Years Eve. We still precariously climbed stairs for better panoramic views of the city, open or not. We surmised that shaking hands indicated an inadequate amount of McDonald’s in our systems.

Nice To Meet You Alicante . . . Time For McDonald’s

Wild and Crazy Girls on New Year’s Eve

“That was the most fun we’ve ever had on New Year’s Eve!”

Per Spanish law, no Spanish person can serve dinner without an abundant amount of cheese and meat. Pilar and Carlos are law abiding citizens. We enjoyed another fantastic home made Spanish dinner. Wine for the adults. Fanta for the older kids. No doubt the Fanta played a part in both 12 and 9 year old kids staying up until almost one in the morning. Spraying the host’s living room with confetti canons and downing 12 grapes in unison with the bell tolling midnight on t.v. might have played a part too. That basically summarizes our New Year’s Eve in Spain.

This concluded our Christmas in Spain with Pilar and Carlos. It wasn’t worrying about six American friends invading their house and joyfully making a massive mess, but allowing friends to take a step closer to becoming Spanish family.

Next Stop: Morocco Part Deux

I've Been Shot By A Confetti Canon

Welcome 2020 in Spain

Dad, Is That White Hair In Your Beard and Hair

Nice Look?

We're Exhausted Exploring A Closed Castle of Santa Barbara

Who Got Dad's Phone?

Fanta Powered

Nice To Meet You Alicante . . . Time For McDonald's

Wild and Crazy Girls on New Year's Eve

Spanish Cooking Ready

Can You Do Any Better?

It Takes A Team Effort

Alicante, España

Yes, I Teach Children

Silly Mornings Are The Best . . . At A Free Hotel

Party Time!

Microphone Needed

I'd Like A Second Date Alicante

Spanish Santa Visit

Silly Geese

Looking Classy

Best Sister Selfies

Breakfast with Sophie

Is This Normal Spanish Food Dad?

Remember That One Time in Spain?

She's a Pretty Amazing Soulrocker