Spain 2020: Diary – Day 7

NOTE -> This trip occurred pre-COVID-19 and feels like 100 years ago

Tomatico wanted to go to the gym in the morning, but when the alarm went off I wasn’t feeling it. I needed more sleep so we didn’t get a morning workout in after all.

When we finally got up, my wife took the kids to the restaurant for breakfast. We had asked the previous day and they said it was 25 euros per adult, but kids 12 and under were free. Since I don’t usually eat a lot for breakfast we figured it would be best for my wife to take them since 25 euros is a lot for one breakfast, but a great deal for three people.

Science Museum and Park

Once they returned full and happy from breakfast we got ready to head out to the science museum. We hailed a taxi in front of the hotel and were at the science museum within 10 minutes. As we made our way inside, we saw mobs of school groups packing the lobby. My wife inquired at the information desk and found out that there were going to o be a lot fo school groups during the day. The boys decided they’d rather do something else instead of fighting the crowds.

With that we hailed another taxi and went to the same park we went to the previous day. They had really enjoyed their time there. They wanted to find some space and pass the soccer ball and play some frisbee. They also convinced us to do the rowboats again. They REALLY liked that and the price was right. Rowing around the lake we got to listen to some street performers singing and watch some ballet dancers practicing on the walkway next to the pond.. It was quite relaxing and the day was much warmer and more pleasant than the previous day.

Lunch in a New Market

It was getting towards lunchtime and we decided to get a taxi back to the hotel. At checkin the previous day they had showed us where there was a marketplace near the hotel, different from the larger one we visited on the first day. It was a short walk away and we explored all three floors. Our youngest and I went to a restaurant on the top floor while Tomatico and my wife went to a Venezuelan place they found on a lower floor.

I was so proud that my youngest was able to do all the translations for us. While he knows enough Spanish, it was great to see him have the confidence to speak with people who aren’t family. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction.

After lunch we walked around that part of town some more. The boys found a small playground they were much too old for, but were excited to play on the swings anyways. We dragged them away after a few minutes and walked back to the hotel.

Afternoon Workout and Dinner

The boys wanted to go to the gym so I took them and did some work while they worked out. It’s great they are so interested in getting in their workouts. There were a couple other people in the gym but there wasn’t any contention for the machines.

After the workout we relaxed back in the room until dinner time. We all decided to head back to the Argentinian restaurant for a second night. The previous night it was practically empty, but this night is was full and we had to wait for a table. We each got something different and liked it just as much. I tried a different cut of steak. It was really good but not as good as the previous night.

After dinner we were stuffed and decided to walk around to help digest our food. The streets were filled with people and many roads were mostly closed to cars. People were out getting dinner and shopping. We ended up walking to Plaza Mayor again to see what it looked like at night.

Walking back to the hotel we decided to get a snack and found a place selling gourmet popsicles. Everyone but Tomatico got one. Our youngest got the option of getting his dipped in chocolate. You could also get various types of nuts and other toppings in addition to the chocolate. I ended up getting a plain strawberry one.

It was getting late so we headed back to the hotel to call it a night.