Thursday, August 31, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Home Sweet...Oh Who Am I Kidding
Spain was the most brilliant trip. I took over 450 pictures. It will take me some time to sort and post them all, but I will get around to it.
Coming home was hard. As much as I missed everyone I just wanted them there with me. Why can't I just pick up everyone and everything and move us all to Spain? The people, the food, the smells, the architecture; all of it is amazing. I fell in love there; so many times I can't even count. In love with Gaudi, in love with the country, in love with this man, this woman, this other man. The men there are something else. Not what I was told - "shady and not to be trusted" - but smart, sexy and passionate. Something most American men aren't, at least not in one package. Yum.
With my back out and my leg killing me, I gimped around for the first week or so. I did my best to not complain (shut up Carmen) but DAMN, it was hard. Chin up I pushed and pushed myself! OK that is a lie, I was lazy; slept a lot, ate a lot, drank a lot, smoked a lot. The sloth-like nature of this trip, combined with the beauty of Spain was just what I needed.
Carmen and I are already planning next year. I want to take a full month off the next go-round and see my family in England as well as spend some time in Italy. I think it would be double the fun if I was traveling with someone I could make out with in Park Guell, or to trip around Vulpellac with. At least for a short while, until I, ya know, hooked up or something...
Coming home was hard. As much as I missed everyone I just wanted them there with me. Why can't I just pick up everyone and everything and move us all to Spain? The people, the food, the smells, the architecture; all of it is amazing. I fell in love there; so many times I can't even count. In love with Gaudi, in love with the country, in love with this man, this woman, this other man. The men there are something else. Not what I was told - "shady and not to be trusted" - but smart, sexy and passionate. Something most American men aren't, at least not in one package. Yum.
With my back out and my leg killing me, I gimped around for the first week or so. I did my best to not complain (shut up Carmen) but DAMN, it was hard. Chin up I pushed and pushed myself! OK that is a lie, I was lazy; slept a lot, ate a lot, drank a lot, smoked a lot. The sloth-like nature of this trip, combined with the beauty of Spain was just what I needed.
Carmen and I are already planning next year. I want to take a full month off the next go-round and see my family in England as well as spend some time in Italy. I think it would be double the fun if I was traveling with someone I could make out with in Park Guell, or to trip around Vulpellac with. At least for a short while, until I, ya know, hooked up or something...
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Noon is the New Eight AM
Pea and I have not woken up before noon the entire trip. Of course we haven't gone to bed before 3 AM either. August is vacation month in Europe so everywhere you go is bustling. We are in Vulpellac until tomorrow. Paul is flying in from Ireland for an overnight stay. Then Pea and I (plus a few friends) will head to the mountains for a few days before returning to Barcelona. I took the family out for dinner last night. It was perfect. But let me just say, if anyone ever offers you a sea snail - Just say No.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Blogging on Medication on the Mediterranean
Here I sit in Vulpellac with Pea smoking, eating, and attempting to speak Castillian. It is amazing here. The people are kind and beautiful. We spent the first weekend in Premia de Dalt outside of Barcelona at a grande villa that belongs to Teresa, la novia de David. David is an old family friend of Pea's. He helped raise her when she was little. Now we are staying in the pueblo where Pea was born. Encarna was Pea's other mother growing up and she is taking care of us as if we were her own.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
14 Minutes
I will officially be on vacation in 14 minutes. Out the door, everything in order and off to a quick massage. My back in OUT and I need it to be in better shape before I get on that plane in the morning. Leave it to me to be broken on vacation. At least we are spending the first few days relaxing at a summer home. Perhaps with the lack of stress and nothing to do it will work itself out.
I am not sure if I will have a place to blog while in Spain so if you don't hear from me over the next two weeks you will know why.
Try not to miss me.
I am not sure if I will have a place to blog while in Spain so if you don't hear from me over the next two weeks you will know why.
Try not to miss me.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Uno, Dos, Tres
I received a text message from my best friend this morning. We are meeting in Barcelona on Saturday. She has informed me that on Monday we will be heading to Terersa's summer home on the Mediterranean. There is a pool and tennis courts for our lounging and playing. I believe I will be on the lounging end of that offer. I am beside myself with excitement. I realized I haven't been to Europe since I was 17 and I have not left the country since Costa Rica. This is an overdue adventure and I plan on making more frequent trips in the future.
Since Carmen was born in Spain and has duel citizenship she has a lot of family and friends there. I will be getting my citizenship to the U.K. when I return. Perhaps we will run off to Europe together when we grow up.
Getting ready to be away from work for two-weeks has proven itself to be painful. Wouldn't you know that everything that can come up, has. I am scrambling. Although work can reach me in Spain I am still nervous about leaving the kids for such an extended period of time. They have been without me for a week, but two will be interesting. The last time I was out of the office I came back to over 300 emails and countless voicemails. I do not have a proper assistant to cover my desk so I will be setting up whatever I can to ensure that the part of the company I manage will not need a lot of tending to. We shall see.
Turns out there is a baggage handlers strike in Spain. Figures. They are re-routing luggage just to mess with the airlines. In an attempt not to be sans panties I have decided to take two bags, one on the plane with a weeks worth of necessities and one checked with all the clothes I can live without but would like to have. I could probably take three bags knowing me but since it is crazy hot there my clothing is all the light, compact type. With any luck, everything should arrive with me. If not, I guess I will just have to shop. Shame.
Since Carmen was born in Spain and has duel citizenship she has a lot of family and friends there. I will be getting my citizenship to the U.K. when I return. Perhaps we will run off to Europe together when we grow up.
Getting ready to be away from work for two-weeks has proven itself to be painful. Wouldn't you know that everything that can come up, has. I am scrambling. Although work can reach me in Spain I am still nervous about leaving the kids for such an extended period of time. They have been without me for a week, but two will be interesting. The last time I was out of the office I came back to over 300 emails and countless voicemails. I do not have a proper assistant to cover my desk so I will be setting up whatever I can to ensure that the part of the company I manage will not need a lot of tending to. We shall see.
Turns out there is a baggage handlers strike in Spain. Figures. They are re-routing luggage just to mess with the airlines. In an attempt not to be sans panties I have decided to take two bags, one on the plane with a weeks worth of necessities and one checked with all the clothes I can live without but would like to have. I could probably take three bags knowing me but since it is crazy hot there my clothing is all the light, compact type. With any luck, everything should arrive with me. If not, I guess I will just have to shop. Shame.
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