Skating through Vigo

The kids have both been excited about the various skate parks around Vigo.

G brought his skateboard and helmet from home while L decided she wanted to take up rollerblading again.  One of G's friends takes skateboarding lessons from a local guy named Álvaro, so we decided to give him a try.  And he is fantastic, so kind and encouraging, but excellent at helping people understand how to improve their skills while being safe as well, something I really like.  G has improved so much with just a few lessons. In fact, he learned how to drop in on the half pipe last weekend, a big jump in skills.  In my illustrious skateboarding career, I didn't quite make it that far, ha! 

And L is having a great time chugging around on her rollerblades. A few weekends ago she and her friend skated together, playing tag with the moms.  It was hilarious. 

Definitely an advantage living in an urban area, more options for activities like this in walking distance.  But I miss being closer to nature, and it is difficult here without a car and with the busses being unreliable due to the strike.  Hopefully they will start talks again to finish the strike. 

What a view!

Getting pointers from Álvaro on carving.

Learning to skate the half pipe.

Getting the hang of it.

I also love all the murals around town, like the one on the building behind the half pipe. Que guay!

TayTay Invades

 

If it wasn't obvious before, we officially have a teen and a tween.  The transformation to tween has been rather sudden, with a greater focus on appearances, clothing, friends, and Taylor Swift. With the news that Taylor was going to be touring Europe while we are here, there was hope of attending a concert.  That was quickly dashed when we saw ticket prices. Luckily TayTay released a film of her concert, so L could feel just like she had attended a concert, at least kind of. We invited one of L's friends to join her at the theater. The theater staff gave the girls posters for the movie, they bought popcorn, and we headed in.  The excitement in the theater was palpable and the giggling was joyous. The girls chose their seats and immediately some other tweens approached them to exchange hand-made friendship bracelets, a tradition at Taylor Swift concerts. Even though L and her friend didn't have bracelets to exchange, the girls let them choose from the friendship bracelets they were offering.  As the movie started, the excited noises continued, crescendoing in singing along to the music.  It was such a sweet outpouring of admiration for this artist and businesswoman.  L and her friend came away wanting to go to the concert more than ever, and tried valiantly to come up with ways to make enough money to pay the 600€ including babysitting and dog walking, but their efforts eventually fizzled out with the realization of how many hours it would take. But they are still singing along to TayTay.  

Buying popcorn and getting posters.

Friendship bracelets from other Swifties.

Click to listen to a little clip of a theater full of Spanish tweens singing along to the movie.  Super fun and enthusiastic!