Today we visited the beach. A couple days ago when the plane was landing there were breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. It made us all want to hit the beach. The airport cab driver suggested we try one in a town called Sitges, about 30 minutes west of Barcelona. The trip gave us an opportunity to experience public transportation. In the cities in which we've lived, Barcelona takes the cake for having the most confusing public transport system.

Though the day was overcast and cool, the kids had a blast at the beach.

On our way back to the train station it started pouring rain. We finally arrived home cold, wet, hungry and tired.

It's been an exciting couple of days! Sunday we met the family who will rent our house in the US. What wonderful people! We feel great leaving our house in their hands. We are amazed the situation turned out so well. Alessandro and Duane will even get to see each other in San Diego in November at a conference they will both be attending.

The trip to Barcelona went perfectly. We were exhausted last night but are now unpacked and feeling better. Today is getting off to a slow start, though, as jet lag kept us asleep until noon!

Daniel is enjoying his birthday. He awoke to streamers, balloons and presents.

We're off to explore and discover....

It's time for another, new adventure in the Nykamp family.

The kids are most excited about the plane trip (two aisles and individual video screens!). Duane and I are hopeful even more exciting things await us than travel day. :)

Daniel is also eager for his birthday to arrive. Our first full day in Barcelona, Daniel will turn six. Party supplies are packed. I considered packing a cake mix, but decided finding a cake in a new place sounds like a task we are ready to take on!

As to be expected, the kids are concerned about language learning and making friends. We are too. Another concern is finding a good school for Charles and Daniel.

Last night some good friends came over for dinner. They made a bull pinata for the kids. What fun! Thanks Fred, Susan, Julia and Luke!

Dear family and friends, we will miss all of you and look forward to seeing you again! Let's keep in touch.

The travel plans for March seemed SO exciting! Duane was headed to a neuroscience class in Chile to enrich his career, while Sarah and the kids were headed to Cape Canaveral to see one of the final space shuttle launches ever. Those were the plans. However, neither event was a "go." Both got postponed.

Due to an earthquake in Chile, Duane ended up enriching his career with hard work at home.

Along with Grandma and Grandpa, Sarah and the boys visited Kennedy Space Center anyway. Though there was no launch, the visit boosted any history or science lesson the boys would have had at home! Also, Daniel got an opportunity to ask an astronaut a question that had been bothering him: "Why does a space shuttle have such a large, round tip, while a comparatively slow-flying Concorde is pointed?"

Here are pictures from a terrific lunch at Fidel's parents' house. Fidel is another friend from Puente de Vida who moved back to Mexico. The pictures are of Fidel's mom making tortillas for us, the kids entertaining themselves with tree tag, and the table at which we ate. While we were outside eating, there was a loudspeaker publicizing upcoming community events. Just when our ears tuned in to the foreign language, we heard an advertisement for the church retreat we were about to lead! Duane and I led a session on marriage. Actually, Duane, whose Spanish is better, did the talking. Sarah simply read. Others in our group led a class for the children.

One day we visited small villages around Hector's house. We visited a family who was making baskets from the bamboo in their backyard. After talking with these people for a while we decided to buy all their baskets, which cost $2 each. Their humble house had a roof because one son lives in the US and sends money home. Along with pictures of the bamboo baskets, here are some pictures of their kitchen--the stove, the kitchen sink (no running water) and the cupboards.

Here are some scenes from the place we stayed in Morelos.

After the week in (the state of) Veracruz, we spent a week in Morelos, up in the mountains. We stayed with a friend from Puente de Vida named Hector. Hector has four children, some of whom Charles and Daniel already knew. The children had a blast playing together. They played tag for hours. Charles and Daniel were also able to accompany them to school for a couple days. Hector's family lives on a farm. They grow tomatoes and have cattle.