Day Nine: Palma

Today we had a relaxed day. Sick of riding the bus, we decided to stay close to home. We woke up with a craving for churros and crepes after passing a restaurant frequently on the bus that advertised both. We walked and walked and walked and finally got there to be told we were thirty minutes late for churro time. Crepes, however, were still available. Because we like to order the same things we both got chocolate banana ones. Ohhhh my. These things oozed chocolate. For a chocoholic to say 'too much' you can imagine how gushy they were.

We walked and walked and walked back to the hostel area where we decided to play gin rummy on the beach. I taught Cat the game and she's very into it. She's been getting very daring. Since the beach was so windy cat constructed us a special gin rummy arena that worked out quite well. She said she couldn't do anything about making the weather warmer, so we played all bundled up.

I am not going to admit what we did for dinner, but afterwords we had a pitcher of sangria and watched Barcelona vs Chelsea and felt like real Spaniards.

- Megan Leigh

My gin rummy arena was inspired by the Hunger Games arena, in the first book that is. Even had the mountain range to the north, where Peta camouflaged himself oh so well.

Our tour guide in Sevilla kept saying that Spaniards are very lazy, and after today, I finally feel like one. But that feeling wont last long- shortly we'll be back to the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. What a drastic change it'll be!

- Cat

Day Eight: Palma

Today we headed out on a bus to the other side of the island to the Caves of Drach. Unfortunately no picture taking in the caves was allowed, so you'll have to google them if you're curious. However, if you've been to Meremac Caverns, you've got the gist of this cave.

They let in about three hundred people at once. It was crazy - tour bus after tour bus kept arriving. We let all of them go in first and waited to hop in at the end of the line, which made for a much nicer experience I am sure.

At the end of the tour we sat in an auditorium type place where they put on concerts. The lights went down and three lit up boats came out onto the water. One had a couple violinists, a cellist and an organ player who played us a few appropriate cave tunes. It was like Phantom of the Opera with better music. Then to finish the tour we got to take our own mega quick boat ride to the exit.

We took a short walk down to Porto Cristo. More expensive, crappy food, but the water was beautiful - exactly what I was expecting from Mallorca. There were some crazies sun bathing and playing in the water while Cat and I were bundled up in our coats.

For dinner we went back to the place we usually do that has the most decent food. We tried to get tapas off the beaten path, but everything closed early tonight.

After dinner and drinks we went to a bar closer to home where we finally had a good night out that included dancing. One bartender decided his mission was to make Cat blush. I won't say more because she'll blush. "What a weird, weird place" I just heard her mumble as she gets ready for bed.

- Megan Leigh

I tried to scrub it off- but I still smell like men's cologne. One blushing attempt was to spray me with the lovely pungent spray. Made me gag more than anything. At least my dreams will be filled with bizarro bartenders rather than Michael Meyers type hostel workers- like Megan's dreams.

- Cat

Day Seven: Palma

Today we headed up the mountains to a little town called Valldemossa, Mallorca's highest town. The bus ride was pretty and the town was so cute. I wonder what the residents do up there for work. Maybe they commute or just go there in the summer? Our bus journeys have tainted our feelings towards Germans. Although I've never quite felt that Germans were an okay bunch because of the whole Hitler thing, I now actively (insert a less strong word than hate here, but only slightly less) them. Getting on the bus they refuse to wait their turns and smash their enormous bosoms into you trying to knock you aside. It's an awful experience, so I was a little satisfied to see German after German trip over a step on the way off the bus. Little karma.

We got off the bus in Old Town Palma and wandered around there for a bit. We got another sad lunch, which at least we expected this time. Then we stumbled upon the beautiful cathedral and waterfront.

Cat keeps getting her hand caught in the Pringles cans (There's been a lot of chowing down on Pringles) and we've decided to call it Pooh Bearing. I'd really like her to Pooh Bear while Porky Pigging (or maybe just go full Pooh Bear?), but she needs to do that on her own time.

After a nice little nap we went out for more awful food and more good sangria. I'm thinking we give up on food and just survive on sangria from here on out.

- Megan Leigh

I'm pretty sure Megan has pooh beared once or twice- its time to admit it, lady. Another thing she's left out is when we've made friends! We've gone out of our comfort zones and talked to other people. Why, today we went back to the same restaurant as yesterday to get sangria. Everyone remembered us and chatted us up. They even look forward to seeing us tomorrow. Look at us now! Socializing!

- Cat

Special Report: The Dogs of Spain

The dogs of Spain are amazing. They are the most well behaved dogs I've ever encountered. On leash, off leash, in Barcelona, Sevilla or Mallorca. The few who did bark did so because it was the only outlet for their extreme joy. What is their secret??

- Megan Leigh

Day Six: Sevilla and Palma

This morning we went in search of churros con chocolate again. This time we found a lighter, fluffier churro that looked more like the NYC style. They were much easier to chow down on.

We wandered the streets of Sevilla one last time. Cat went up on top of the mushroom. I was too terrified. She is very brave! Then we hopped on the bus to catch a plane bound for beautiful Mallorca.

It's so nice to be by the water again and to smell the stink of the debris washed ashore! Our hostel room is for just two people with a private bathroom ,so it's just like a hotel. We're on the fourth floor so have a nice little peekaboo view of the ocean.

Being by the beach I really wanted a fish sandwich so we went a looking. This is evidently a big German destination so all of the restaurants along the beachfront had menus in German, which were even harder to decipher than Spanish. I ended up with ehhhh fish and Cat got pizza. Going with the beach theme I got a piña colada, which was a disgrace to piña coladas around the world. Then to bed to recharge for a day of exploring tomorrow.

- Megan Leigh

We also dined on churros y chocolate with our hostel roommate- Jason from California. It was fun getting to know him beyond his sleeping habits.

- Cat

Day Five: Sevilla

We skipped the cornflakes and went out for churros con chocolate this morning. Soooo rich. The churros were just like big tubes of funnel cake - very greasy and heavy. The chocolate was a lot thicker than ours, but not quite as sugary. My taste buds enjoyed the meal, but my stomach told me I better stop eating soon... or else.

After our healthy breakfast we went shopping. There are tons of cheap (and cheaply made) clothing stores here. We checked out an H&M to make sure it wasn't any different - same exact stuff. At a little boutique Cat got a sailor sundress that I am so envious of. Later I got a polka dot jumpsuit that I was happy to get - but it doesn't compare to that dress. I found a little golden spoon for Popperton since she is obsessed with having the right spoon.

We went to a cafe that advertised rice and veggies for lunch. Since we had such good rice before we were excited to have more. This rice was more like paella and the rice was undercooked. Another food disappointment!

We stayed at the hostel for dinner and finally had our frozen pizza accompanied with our free sangria. Then we went out again in search of nightlife. It's very confusing to figure out what is a bar or cafe and what is closing soon or not. We ended up at a place with the best sangria yet - they added a thick layer of sugar to the bottom of the cup. Amazing! The ice cream shops stay open super late here. It's so sweet to see groups of boys walking around with their ice cream cones. Kristin would love this city!

- Megan Leigh

The sailor jumpsuit is lovely! I am envious of it- and wish I had thought to try it on. Alas, I think our matching days are over- best leave that to the young children of Spain. We also stopped in a little toy shop and got a flamenco Barbie dress for Lucy. It is so lovely, I secretly want to keep it for myself, but I guess I should leave it to the young to play with Barbies as well.

- Cat

Day Four: Sevilla

We got up at the crack of dawn today - 9:30 - and had our first free breakfast. I think the cereal was cornflakes. Cat made a kinda barfy noise after her first spoonful, which was very unappetizing. I was very hungry after Pringle dinner so I gave my spoonful a try anyway. It wasn't anything a lot of sugar couldn't fix.

Around 11 we went on a walking tour where we saw many a landmark led by a small, easy on the eyes Italian. Afterwords we ate at our first decent restaurant. Their chicken and rice was very tasty. We also got these weird hard boiled eggs topped with tuna and drenched in mayonnaise. They were a little terrifying to look at, but very delightful.

After lunch we headed back to Maria Luisa Park, one of our sites on the tour, to reflect on our Spanish days. We returned to the hostel where Cat discovered her debit account had been hijacked. Just like when Josh's checkbook was stolen, Cat's nogoodnick also had a pizza party... and dropped $1600 at Nieman Marcus. Way classier than my Walmart shopping hijacker.

We stayed in at the hostel for the evening and drank free sangria (pretty sure it was just juice) and had little hamburger tapas and couscous. The couscous had giant, wonderful raisins, which were unfortunately surrounded by the couscous. Then we sadly played cards by ourselves until the common areas shut down and then went to bed.

- Megan Leigh

The small, easy on the eyes Italian also served us our drinks and food at the hostel. He was very attentive and chatty with all guests- such things you look for in a young man, or an excellent employee. Well done boy. I'd like the young man who hacked my debit account to meet this young Italian, the thief sure could learn a thing or two from him. 1. Don't take a girl out to pizza hut- unless you're trying to woo Megan.

- Cat