Have a Care, Give a Bear

It is almost April, Build-a-Bear time. Each year my sister Lori (BFF on this blog!) hosts a Build-a-Bear retreat for all the children on dialysis at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. She does this because she cares and because she is grateful for organ donation in a very personal way. She personally collects all the donations for the event. I am the official photographer for the event and have to say it gives me great pleasure to see these precious children, some little, some big, rushing around the store picking out animals, clothes, shoes, and accessories. It is a day they don’t need to worry about dialysis and their parents are able to see the happy smiles on their faces. Each child is given a “kidney” made with love by Lori, colorful and small, to place inside their chosen animal. Together then, a wish is made. The event is “Kids Need the Darndest Things” and will occur on Sunday, April 11th, 2010. Please keep organ donation on your mind and the beautiful laughter of those children. The Transplant Foundation, Inc. affiliated with the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami supports the event and provides for the children who have already had their organ transplants.

To donate, please go to http://www.transplantfoundation.org/donation.asp
Click on "Honor Gift" and enter Laura Kowalczyk. Your support would mean the world to many.

Thanks and happy smiles!

Lindy

A Bit About Spain

BARCELONA! A city of history, intrigue, and romance. From Port Olympic and the Mediterranean Sea to the hills of Tibidabo, there is much to be seen. I found myself racing to see and experience as much I could and yet realized that it was an impossible task. One trip to Barcelona is not enough.

Port Olympic is a community directly on the Mediterranean Sea and was revamped and renamed for the 1992 summer Olympics. What was once an undesirable location for prominent Barcelonans has become a highly popular location to stroll and dine on popular Mediterranean dishes. The big metal “fish” erected just for the Olympics, sits proudly by the sea at the base of the Hotel Arts (Ritz-Carlton) and the casino. Popular restaurants and night clubs lie underneath lining the shore just steps from the beach. The local marina is loaded with sailboats and provides a beautiful view for one to see while basking in the afternoon sun eating tapas and drinking Sangria. The atmosphere is lively, especially in the late afternoon as people stroll up and down the concrete walk. March is not season, and so it was noted that the restaurants are somewhat quiet or even totally empty on an American time frame of eating (Barcelonans are noted for their 10pm dinner hour and many restaurants don’t even open until about 8pm).

Las Ramblas is a beautiful, less than a mile, tree-lined street located in the heart of Barcelona. It is a popular tourist destination and one that should not be missed, day or night. The Monument a Colom (a 200 ft monument with Christopher Columbus at the top pointing to the sea, erected in 1888) lies at the east end which is located at the old port. The 360° view of Barcelona from the top is amazing, but does require a very tiny elevator (lift) ride. At the opposite end is Placa de Catalunya, the heart of the downtown or the city centre. The entire length of the street is a bustle of activity lined with street vendors, artists, and shops. At night, the lights of the buildings are amazing.

There are also many historical buildings, cathedrals, museums, parks, and endless apartment buildings with fabulous balconies over-looking the busy streets of Barcelona. The many balconies particularly caught my attention and I just imagined having one of my own sitting on a little chair, again sipping sangria and watching the active city life. Bus tours, which let you get on and off for one fee is a great way to explore, as is walking. One of my favorite areas to stroll and eat is Barri Gotic which is situated alongside of Las Ramblas. Here, there are many tapas restaurants and quaint, little shops to explore. I found the prices reasonable, except for the conversion of dollars to euros.

Much of what I have described you will see in my photographs and I hope I have done them justice and you are able to feel the city vibes and the quiet, relaxation of the parks. Barcelona is a very cool city and one I would definitely travel back to. Enjoy the photos!