Settling in to Barcelona

When we explain that we are living in Barcelona for the next three months, I often hear, "but what are you going to DO?" I'll try to explain. For the first two months, I will be working remotely. Then Mi Espousa arrives and who knows what we'll do. The Boy will attend an international school. He'll finish 8th grade here in Spain.

Today we make the 20-minute drive to see the school. According to my online research, ES International School is an "American school ... located on the territory of the famous Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy, which annually teaches future world tennis stars."

What is funny about this is that the Boy has many talents -- rock climbing, British accents, and science trivia, to name a few -- but hitting balls with sticks has never been his thing. The poor boy hasn't even really picked up a tennis racket. He'll be in advanced math but definitely in Remedial Tennis.

The sound of racquets whacking tennis balls permeates the school grounds. This is the new soundtrack of my son's life. We count 20 tennis courts.

Why this school? All I can say is -- when your mom gets the idea to bring you to Spain for three months in the middle of the school year, you go where you can go.

After the school visit, we head to the old pueblo of Gavà to have

some brunch and a walk. Spaniards are not big on breakfast and it seems impossible to find a morning meal other than cafe y pan. The waitress offers me a croissant "with cheese and jam," she says in English. "Cheese and jam?" I ask with doubt in my voice. But she insists, "yes jam." Sounds interesting. So I order it. No. This is Cheese and Jamon not Jam. Day four and I am eating bread with cheese and ham. I have officially fallen from the Whole 30 Paleo Wagon.

But the Boy hits paydirt. The bakery/restaurant sells Huevo Kinder Gran Sorpresa (aka The Huge Kinder Surprise Egg). The thing is bigger than a softball. It costs $5 EU. It must be had. Does it come with a giant surprise? Sadly, no. Inside is a small plastic hippotamus pirate with an island and a tree. It is no Gran Sorpressa. Underwhelming.

Our walk around Gavà is lovely. It is an old millenary town with a history that dates back more than 5,000 years. The Boy notices a group of old men in hats sitting around a table in the town square. They are arguing and talking with their hands. It is an old-timey moment. "It's like we're in movie," he says in wonder. And it is. It is...