SO, after nearly two weeks away from my home stay, I finally returned and just in time for my parents arrival the following day and the start of Semana Santa, which I would come to learn is a HUGE celebration in Malaga. But the important part is that my parents were finally able to make the trip across the pond for a visit.
I woke up earlier Friday morning and got myself situated and semi packed to be able to stay with them. They stayed in an AirBnb in what is known as “El Centro”, which is really just the downtown of Malaga. Then around 12ish I headed out and took the bus and metro to go and meet them at the airport. I was so excited/anxious about the arrival of their flight, etc. that I could not sleep the night before and was all jittery on the way to the airport.
Once there I saw the flight info and soon enough I could see the luggage belt where they were supposed to come– and there was my mom in bright yellow Underarmour. I started to bang on the glass, though it was thick and she clearly could not hear me, but my dad saw me. My mom ran over and we talked through the glass and finally after what seemed like an eternity we were reunited! It was awesome to see them in the flesh and not just their faces over FaceTime.
To speed this along, we got to our AirBnB with our host Julian who was very prompt and waiting for us (another anxiety relieved because I had some friends who used this apartment renting site and did not have such great luck). The apartment was awesome and had a great view of the city from its beautiful terrace. After resting up for a little, we went out to get some food and walk around the port of Malaga. My parents were obviously impressed. Along the way we also were lucky enough to witness the festivities going on for Semana Santa. Basically there are all these “brotherhoods” that are associated with each neighborhood church. People (traditionally just men, but now men and women) pay a minimal fee to belong. I actually was very lucky because with my class I got to tour one before heading into Barcelona. But during this week the brotherhoods celebrate Easter in a very special way. They carry these huge thrones with lit candles and statues on top. Each group has one of Mary and then another of Jesus, and they use different ones on different days. For hours and hours hundreds of men carry them through the streets dressed in basically what looks like the KKK uniforms. At first it was kind of freaky, but I learned from my visit that it actually has a nice meaning. The idea behind the mask is that anyone can be in the brotherhood and by putting on the mask and accepting the honor to carry the throne, it is a way to be humble and show we are all equal in the eyes of God. Though a nice gesture, it is still a bit unsettling for any American in the streets.

Throne!
Nevertheless, it was such an experience to be a part of and my parents were definitely happy to see it all too. We all found it really interesting. It was a cultural experience to the MAX. I have never seen El Centro so packed. The main street was shut down and you could not move the crowds were so big! The bands that accompanied each brotherhood played sad marching tunes and made it hard to hear as well. There were also lots of little kids dressed up which was so cute. The kids that were not involved, also have this tradition where they collect from the kids carrying candles leading the thrones down the street, candle wax and create these balls of wax. The older the kid, the bigger the ball of wax they had. I guess being from a nation that is not so universally Catholic this whole week seemed a little strange to me, but it was also so interesting to see how everyone came together whether they were religious or not. TV stations basically only had coverage on the processions and it just took over the entire city. Luckily later in the week my parents would also be able to experience a more normal Malaga too, so they got the best of both worlds.
That next day we actually had ourselves a little beach day since my weather app was telling me it would be the nicest day (which it was). I took my mom and dad to meet my host mom, see my house and then we went to the beach and had lunch in Pedregalejo where I live. It was so nice and relaxing and actually good for them because it helped with the jet lag just sitting on the beach and sleeping.
That night my parents also were able to experience another Spanish cultural event that even I had yet to experience: a bull fight. My mom had done her research and knew that the first one in Malaga was Saturday, so I had gone before leaving for Italy to get tickets where I stood in line with only 15 other old Spanish men. But day of the fight– it was actually awesome. When we got in line there were protestors of course covered in blood chanting about the horrors of the sport, but after going I guess I could see a little more why. Our seats were not the best, only because the stadium is from the 1800s and is basically just benches so there was NO ROOM. What’s more some kids were sitting where we should have been, but this was only figured out later. Also Europeans are just smaller.

Bullz
Anyways, the fight started and it was nuts. They play music and the bull comes out and the men with the flags start getting him all riled up. Then the picador comes out on the horse and the bull just starts attacking the horse while the man atop of the horse jabs at him with a spear. Then there are these men called banderillas. They take these mini spears and with no protection line up with the bull head on. It comes toward them and they stick it in the back of the neck. It is pretty grueling to watch because the bull by this point is bleeding pretty badly and starting to slow a little bit. However, when they go for the horse and really try to get at it, it also didn’t make me feel that bad for it. Not saying that it makes it better, but I guess it surprised me and made me a little angry oddly enough.

Mother the Matadora
Then the matador comes out and the true show begins. It was honestly amazing to watch him let the bull come at him without flinching in the least bit. He simply moved the flag around and let it come so close. Since there were 8 bulls to be killed at this one fight, I started to see what was good and what was bad for a matador to do by the crowd’s reaction. I also actually could see how people here in Spain compare it to ballet or something more technical. It truly is an art form. Though we left after the 6th one because it was just too much in those little seats, my favorite matador went by the name of El Juli. He was dramatic and flamboyant and just very impressive to watch. He has apparently been doing this since he was 12 in Mexico, since that is illegal in Spain (you have to be 16), but he is considered one of the best in the world. When I went with my class to the bullfighting museum the other day, there was actually a huge painting of him on the wall. This was really quite an experience and I am so glad I got to share it with my parents.
The next day we woke up and did Gibralfaro Castle, which is a little hike because it was still nice out. It was beautiful and my parents really enjoyed seeing the historical site and the amazing views. Then we walked down and saw the famous Malagueta sign and sat on the beach for an hour or so before heading to get some lunch at the port. Since Spanish food really was not our thing during this trip, we went to a burger place that was actually very good. We would go back to the Italian place Mamma Mia’s 2x while my parents were here, which was just funny. Though my mom DID like the tinto de verano, a type of summer, bubbly red wine here in Malaga—the rest was really not to our liking so I lucked out, getting the food I really enjoy.

Gibralfaro!
The next day we went and visited Picasso’s House which my mom had been looking forward to and really enjoyed. The next day we would do the Picasso museum (much to my Dad’s dismay-he only has limited time for that type of thing as do I). Afterwards, we went and got sandwiches and ate on the steps of the Roman Theatre. It was sunny, and though a little windy, it was a nice time to relax in a place that goes back centuries. Once we finished eating we actually decided to do the Alcazaba as well –the beautiful Muslim ruins you can climb and look around. I think my parents really liked that.


My Faves at the Alcazaba
On Wednesday, I had class (first time in over 2 weeks!) so I left my parents to walk around and see the Cathedral since it had been Easter and the schedule had been a little off. Then after I was done class in the afternoon, we went and saw the Carmen Thyssen museum, which houses all artwork from Southern Spain. It had beautiful paintings of Malaga and also a neat visiting exhibit called “Days of Summer” that actually had pictures of Malaga from the 1920s, etc. and showed the beach right across from my house, which I thought was really cool.
Really, that was our last night in Malaga because the next morning we got up and headed out to the airport to catch a flight to Barcelona. Luckily for us, the France strike did not really affect us per se, but lines were long and it was a bit stressful. Nevertheless, by late afternoon we had arrived in beautiful Barcelona and were in our LUXURY hotel. Since we were only there for 2 nights, my mom had truly outdone herself. Hotel Yurbaan Trafalgar was BEAUTIFUL. Our room was pretty and modern and we had access to a rooftop pool, which my mom and I would put to use on Friday afternoon. Once settled, we walked around for a bit and then looked for a place to eat before our 7:15 reservation at the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. I was being a bit of pain at that point because I was STARVING and then my Dad’s shoe broke so he was not the happiest of campers (sorry mom and dad). However, despite some bickering we soon found a Burger King where I could be placated. We hurried back to the hotel to change shoes for my Dad and then we were back in time for the Picasso museum. Though I had seen it before, it was nice to actually take my time and not be totally over it like I was with my class. I also was able to see more so it wound up being really nice. Afterwards we all went back to the hotel and passed out since we had to be up for a 9am appointment to the Sagrada Familia. I had done my research and booked ahead so we could see as much as possible in our few day stint which was a good call.

Picasso Museum in Barca!
The Sagrada Familia was just as amazing the second time around. I was able to see Gaudi’s (the architect of the church) crypt in the back of the church and even see the museum underneath which I had not done before. I also, after writing a paper on it, knew a bit more about its purpose and was able to truly appreciate it. My Mom and Dad were definitely impressed, although of course my mom still likes the Duomo in Florence better–she “likes the renaissance”–so I guess I will be the modernist and she can be the renaissance woman. Either way it was an amazing sight to see and I know they appreciated it.

Sagrada!
Afterwards, we went to La Boqueria market and got some lunch that was very good (although I was definitely ripped off I think on prices) and then we got juices too. Mine was not nearly as good as last time. Note to others: don’t mix pineapple and coconut in a drink–tastes like vomit. Anyways, they really liked seeing the Spanish market because when I had pit-stopped by the market in Malaga, it was Easter Monday and barely anything was open. This was their first true experience and I know they thought it was cool and different.

Fave Sign at the Market!
After the market we took a little walk past some of Gaudi’s other houses that I had seen before like La Pedrera and then we caught a taxi to Parque Güell. I had gotten us tickets beforehand so we walked around and within 15 minutes had access to the Monumental part of the park. We got our pictures and got to walk around. It truly was really pretty and I know my mom was happy to see it after having seen my sister and me both go there and being on the “up and up” with everything art related.

Park Güell
After that, we were kind of done our plans for the day. We went back and sat by the pool and siesta’ed and then walked around the Gothic/ Roman neighborhood before heading to dinner at –what else– but an Italian restaurant right near where the Irish bar I went with my friends was. It was a great way to end the day–as we also went to the store and got ice cream 🙂 . We went to bed and then in the morning we were up early because we were all headed to the airport. Me to head back to Malaga and them to the States.
We thought we would be able to sit in the airport together, but since Barca is much bigger than Malaga, we found out in the taxi we were in different terminals and we could not. So, I had to say goodbye in the street. I really have not been homesick minus one or two days. Thanks to Skype and FaceTime communication is pretty much the same as it would be at school. Nevertheless seeing my parents definitely made me miss them and we all got a little emotional saying goodbye. I knew I was going back to the beach and I still have so much to look forward to and experience here, but its never easy saying goodbye–especially when I had such a great time with them. But everyone made it home safe and sound and without problems and it was an amazing trip. I am so thankful that my parents have provided me with this opportunity to study abroad and that they were able to experience part of it with me. I know this is something I will treasure for the rest of my life and I would not be here without them. You the Real MVP’s Lisa and Craig —BESOS!