After one week in Málaga, it already felt like we’d lived a whole little chapter of life here. We’re sharing a big house with our travel family, which has been equal parts lively, cozy, and wonderfully chaotic—in the best way. From the moment we arrived, the house filled up fast with our things, with laughter, late-night conversations, and that familiar “we’re really doing this” feeling that comes with starting a new adventure.
The teens have fully embraced their setup: one large shared bedroom that feels a lot like a youth hostel. It’s cozy and a little messy, but somehow it works.
Downstairs, the basement has become a teen headquarters. With ping pong, foosball, a small gym, and space for desks, it’s where schoolwork, gaming, workouts, and hangout time all blend together.
This week was also about figuring out how life works here. We successfully conquered the bus system into the city (always a win), and we’ve loved spending time exploring Málaga on foot once we are there. Wandering the streets, discovering new shops, and slowly getting our bearings has been one of the best parts so far.
For Michael’s birthday, we did an outdoor escape room around the city. Split into three groups, racing against the clock, we’re proud to say that we all managed to save the world. Afterward, we went to a rooftop bar and then had a wonderful dinner at a taco restaurant called Mezcal.
We have had to hunt for churros because they are not sold all over like we thought they would be, and they are only sold in the mornings and evenings at cafes, but eventually we found them. One adjustment we’re still making? Getting used to many stores closing during the afternoon. Siesta culture is real and keeps us on our toes. We also spent a couple of hours at the OXO Video Game Museum, which was a big hit and an easy place to linger longer than planned.
On the everyday-life front, routines are starting to form. Calisthenics is officially back on, and Lucas, Henry, and I attend a one-hour group workout twice a week at a local gym. We’ve found a weekly veggie market we love, and there are grocery stores nearby, which makes settling into normal life here easy. Up above it all, the adults are finding our rhythm too—shared meals, planning days out, decompressing in the evenings, and occasionally pausing to say, “Can you believe this is our life right now?”
This first week has been about settling in, learning the flow of the city, and letting the novelty sink in. There’s still so much to explore, but already we’re grateful for this house, this city, and the community we get to share it all with.
