The Elliott's Have Landed!

WOO HOO! The Elliott's have landed!

We arrived at Barcelona Int'l Airport at 6:40 pm (PST =9:40 am) We ended up being at the front of the customs line - how I have no idea but breezed through that. Got some $ exchanged at an exchange house in baggage claims which actually was only $0.05 cents more than an atm while the girls collected our bags.

We exited baggage area and found our private shuttle guy waiting for us. Let me tell you - if anyone was considering doing this - this was a godsend. I TOTALLY underestimated how tired I would be - although I slept some on the plane. Anyway, we got into this square mini-van that held up to 7 VERY comfortable. The best part? The actually working airconditioing. DH mentioned he enjoyed this much better than the limo - much cooler. I didn't think the humidity was as bad as they say - I personally think Orlando is worse.

Anyway, arrived at the Royal Ramblas at 7:40 pm. Tried to get going but everyone ended up crashing for about an hr. We got up by 9 :30 and went in search of food. We tried the Hard Rock Cafe which is literally 1 minute from the hotel which places us at the top end of Las Ramblas. The 2 hr wait was unbearable. So we tried going to McDonalds but it was too dark so we ended up going to Burger King! Where much to Megan's horror - they have no clue what ranch dressing is! GASP! Anyway, after dinner we did a quick walk of Las Ramblas and ended up back at our hotel at about midnight. DH decided to get the internet access which turned out to be running about $15 Euros for a 24 hr period or $9 Euros for 1 1/2 hr. So as it was so late - we went with te 24 hr one. We will play Friday by ear as everyone is VERY tired. Poor Yesenia and Priscilla were dragged along as we walked Las Ramblas - they have not experienced me in walking mode yet! ROTFL! However, I view it as good practice for the cruise.

I hope to meet up with some other DIS people tomorrow but we shall see. Oh yeah - for those that decided NOT to come - if it makes you feel ANY BETTER - you were right in not coming in 1 sense. Dinner at BK? Ended up costing about $70 for a party of 6. We had managed to exchange some money at the aiport and got $690 for $1000 at the exchange house. When we did the ATM- it was only a about $5.00 less than what we paid at the airport so all in all - ok - but it sure has gone quick. Now I'm worried about how much $$ we will be spending this vacation.

The upside? I LOVE Barcelona. Although only seen for a few minutes, can't wait to see some sights later on today. On Saturday, embarkation day! WOO HOO!

OK - hotel triple room - we laughed at this - is actually the size of a Motel 6 room but is adequate for 2 nights. Price could be a bit cheaper but you know the saying. When in Rome.....which brings up a little point - you all know those little "foot washers" that are next to the toilet? Yeah - um those.......well, didn't want to upset Ceasar so I did as the Romans did and you know what? Don't knock it till you try it! ROTFL! Now, the girls want to know how it was and my response? When in Rome..............

Later everyone. hope to update more later.

Oh yeah - the shuttle dropped us literally 4 steps from the hotel front door. The girls were jazzed because we got to go through a revolving door. It makes me feel good to be able to experience this trip through their eyes although today was not a good one for that - they were drop dead tired and too polite to say anything. Hopefully by Sunday - we'll all be adjusted.

The hotel front desk personnel speak almost excellent English and are turning out to be very helpful. No bad experiences yet. Keeping our fingers crossed to continued good luck!

(The flight staff on the 2nd leg of the plane ride didn't seem as friendly for some reason. Not as friendly as BA from LAX to London Heathrow. April got sick on us and when dinner was served, they'd run out of chicken. As she is not a beef person - she didn't eat the beef roast dinner. We ended up hitting a bit of turbulence - nothing major - just enough to get her nauseated. The staff were wonderful. Came by several times to inquire and even gave us "bread sticks" think pretzels bits and some "quell" think dramamine and continually checked on us. She was better by breakfast which was a turkey and cheese on a dinner roll with strawberry banana yougurt, OJ and mayo. Breakfast was better than dinner and she turned out to be ok after that) I think she just ran her body down as we left on her finals day at summer school.

OK that's all - very late and we are attempting to get up at 8:30 Barcelona time - which BTW is 9 hrs ahead of PST time.

Have fun all and will try and post more tomorrow. OH WAIT! - got a chance to see some "living statues" on Las Ramblas. 2 were ok but the one we didn't get a picture of was what I call - The Wind Blown Woman. She was cool - dressed in a red velvet formal with heels and a scarf and looking like she was walking into the wind. This was before dinner and we wanted to get something to eat and catch her later. She was gone of course but I hope to catch her tomorrow - she is worth posting a picture of! Later all! ;-)