The Original Way

 The Way Of St. James, The Original Way-Camino Primitivo

This is the first video, which happens to be in English, that actually depicts the walk that we will do next year.  I am glad that I was able to find this video because many people have asked what it is that we are doing.  Difficult to explain in a few words and when I do they compare it to El Camino Frances which has built notoriety with the movie The Way here in the US.  Not the same route but in the same spirit and the same goal, to make it to Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the beautiful country side and food along the way.  Anyway, to further promote my lovely Asturias I am adding this link- www.whereisasturias.com which will help to satisfy anyone's curiosity.  I hope you like it.

From Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela

Hot night (run)

Wow.  I had forgotten what it's like to run when it warms up.  Mind you, we have yet to reach "scorching earth" temperatures but it is about 85F at 8:30pm.  Nevertheless it felt great to get out and stretch my legs. 

Maybe that's what calls me to walk el Camino.  I have always enjoyed travelling and the "street life" that you do in Europe.  I think that it is much more enjoyable, for me, to walk to a destination in a city than it is to be obligated to drive.  I love San Antonio, but like many American cities it is just not designed for walking.  I think that you miss out on the experience of your surroundings when you have to drive.  When you walk that slower pace allows you to better take in the smells, sights, and sounds as you make your way on foot.  Much more aware of what's around you.  Ultimately that is what I want to experience in our upcoming Camino. I want to feel the world around me instead of the daily drone-like existence that modern life can often become. Who knows what I'll experience as we walk but I can't wait for us to go.

Gear shake down and training walk. San Antonio, Texas.

Nice little trek with the new Columbia  pants and ex-officio undies.  No problems in that regard.  I had a combination of three miles on pavement (not thrilled about this) and three miles of nature trails in Eisenhower park by Camp Bullis.  Temperature was about 60F so it was pleasant.  I am trying to mimic what El Camino is like so this would be about half a day's walk on a light day and about a third on a long day.  The trick is to be able to do this on day after day.  Yikes!!!  Still, short of illness nothing can keep me from doing it.  Can't wait.  Also, it looks like I am able to complete three miles per hour at a comfortable pace.  Today I walked two hours.  Feeling great.  Still using my running shoes but I am very close to buying my new set of shoes.  I'll post a picture as soon as I get them.

Surprise in the mail.

I just picked up the mail and in the mailbox was a small package.  Apparently it was sent from my work.  That baffled me.  It makes no sense to get a package from work while they could just give it to me on Monday.  Somehow I have just received a vieira (pilgrim's shell).  Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago will wear a shell on their backpack to signify that they are doing el Camino and are on their pilgrimage.  Originally you would receive your shell when you completed you trek and were walking back home.  Also, the way markers along the way will have a yellow arrow painted or a pilgrim's shell which point the way along the route.    
This also came with a small pack of wild flower seeds to plant along the way.  It has a stamp on it from the Society of Pilgrim Friars from the UK and www.PilgrimSupplies.org .  To say that I was totally surprised is an understatement.  Whoever was kind enough to send me this, thank you.  I am very moved.  Buen Camino, peregrino.

Spring weather is here...

As usual in south Texas the weather has turned from mild Winter to Summer.  We officially hit 95 yesterday.  No Spring.  Dang.  It does make me wanna go trekking so this weekend I will get my pack pack filled, pack some food and water, and I will hit the trail.  Time to put the legs to the test.

Now I will try with photos attached...

It looks like this works flawlessly so I'll add photos.  Here are a couple of pics of the backpack I bought for El Camino and the shoes I am considering.  JN

Trying to post from phone via email

After searching for awhile I've figured out how to post blog entries from my phone and gmail account.  This will be perfect for our Camino next year in May 2014.  I'll take my phone, maybe get a sim card in Spain, if I can get Verizon to unlock my phone, and take pictures and post.  If the sim card is not an option then I will use any free Wi-Fi to post but make daily entries along the way.  I'm going to experiment here at home while I prepare for my trip.  Here goes my first test.  JN

New Car-Finally!!!!

We finally were able to get the car purchase done back in June.  It was a back and forth between a small SUV (earlier post) and keeping our crappy mini van. In the end the new car purchase won over and we decided on a 2013 Hyundai Sonata.  The actual purchase was pretty painless and the dealer we bought from   was fairly easy to deal with, for the most part.  I was able to get quotes from three different dealers and the one that gave us the price I wanted won out.  They did try to give us close to nothing on our mini van, typical low ball tactics but since I knew that I could get more money for it I sold it that weekend for what I wanted. Not too bad!!!  

Well, pictured above is our new ride.  Pretty, sleek, and lots of electronic goodies to keep us entertained.  Susan is happy, JA fits well in the front or back, and I get to feel happy that I won't be getting calls from Susan saying "Juan, I just heard a new noise coming from the van".  Lord, I dreaded those calls.  Anyhow, the only drawback?  My epic trip to Spain next summer is very doubtful.  Unless a miracle happens I don't think we can go .  Maybe if I went by myself...

El Camino del Norte

Click for a sample of El Camino del Norte video

I think that those that know me have at one time or another heard me talk about a trip of a lifetime that I want to do:  El Camino de Santiago.  I have been planning, reading, learning, inquiring, and basically obsessing about El Camino or The Way of St. James.  I have been wanting to do this pilgrimage for years but only in the last two years have I been seriously concentrating on how to bring it about.  Middle age bucket list or just a desire for adventure and a sense of freedom?  I don't really know but it doesn't really matter, does it?

For those of you that don't know this trek is a five hundred mile "hike" across northern Spain.  It has been going on for about one thousand years and the idea was that it would bring about absolution of your sins if you made it to the end. For El Camino Frances it starts in the French Pyrenees at St. Jean Pied de Port (some say that it really begins outside of your front door as you take your first step) and it ends in the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela when you reach the cathedral.  If you walk it all the way through it usually takes about four to five weeks.  I am focusing in doing El Camino del Norte which basically works its way through the coastal areas of  northern Spain.  Guaranteed to be green, wet, cool, and challenging topography.

Well, for me it is even a bigger challenge because I am a type 1 diabetic.  This means that I have to plan everything carefully with my health needs first and foremost.  It is sort of coming up with a plan "A" for everything, with a plan "B" just in case that doesn't work, and possibly a plan "C" if everything goes wrong.  Whew!!!  I am tired and I have yet to take the first step.  If you are not an insulin dependent diabetic you probably don't quite understand what a challenge this is for me (or other diabetics).  I'll have to carry all my diabetic supplies with me, snacks and glucose tablets to compensate for the daily twelve to fifteen mile daily treks.  Plus, all the other items like clothes, personal items, sleeping bag, extra socks, underwear, shorts, shirts, pants, rain gear, etc.  All this has to weigh in at or less than ten percent of my body weight to avoid over packing and possibly injury.  Remember, you have to carry this stuff on your back for about five hundred miles.  Thing is that I can't wait to begin.  But as things usually work out it might not happen next year which is when I was planning on doing it.

We have to replace Susan's car as it is really tired and worn out.  We can't do that and save for a trip of this caliber.  Short of winning the lotto or maybe finding sponsors (major pharmaceuticals maybe?) it is just too hard to come up with the cash.  The three most expensive things are the airplane tickets, food, and lodging.  If it was just me then I could probably do it but Susan and Juan Andres will accompany me on this trek.  So whatever expense I have will be times three.  Regardless, I am buying my backpack this coming Father's day.  I plan on getting all our gear this year so I can spread the cost over several months.  I am a firm believer of paying cash for stuff.  I'll keep posting from time to time with pics of the equipment and progress reports.  Who knows, I might just get lucky and unexpected money will come my way?

Today is one of those days that make me feel very melancholic.  Thirty two years ago my grandmother Amparo died tragically in a car accident on a highway in Spain.  My sister and I were spending a month in Mexico City with our cousins while my parents, brother, and grandmother had flown to Madrid.  The purpose of the trip was to take my grandmother back home to Gijon, Asturias after she had spent the better part of a year with us.  She had undergone open heart surgery here in the US and the recovery period afterwards was spent with us.  I was only fourteen years old and I remember that it was a wonderful time spent with her.  She was looking forward to seeing my grandfather once again after the difficult time with her surgery.  I believe that my grandfather was also happy to have her back since he had spent that entire time alone in Spain.

Well, much to our misfortune the road to Gijon from Madrid was wet with a light drizzle.  I don't know if it is fair to lay blame on anyone or if it was just a sad and tragic accident.  The facts are that my dad, much younger then, offered to drive.  My grandfather, always in charge and not wanting to give up that authority decided against it.  They stopped for a family lunch not far from Segovia and my grandfather's rule of always sleeping in the car for about an hour after eating was quickly discarded by him.  Why?  Only God knows.  The sad truth is that shortly after eating they all got into the car and started to drive on the highway to Asturias.  My dad was uneasy because he could tell that my grandfather was a bit tired and not fully rested.  Also, my grandfather had wine with his meal as it was customary for him.  Nothing unusual since this was very common in Spain, although nowadays the police has really cracked down on drinking and driving.  My grandfather at the helm, decided to pass a slower truck in front of him.  As he was passing he realized that a much faster car was already coming from behind  trying to pass him.  He over reacted by trying to pull back into his lane but due to the slick road he lost control.  The car went out of control, sliding from one side of the highway to another destroying the metal barriers and the car as well.  The final blow that killed my grandmother was the car finally flipping over in the grass median and landing on its roof as it slid to a stop between the oncoming lanes and the lane where my grandfather was driving.  Everyone in the car was banged up but no serious injuries except for my grandmother's.  She was just too frail to sustain such a violent blow.  If memory serves me I think that she was killed instantly.  I got to see a picture of the car afterwards and it looked completely demolished.  I am always astounded that I did not lose my parents, brother and grandfather as well that day.  It's really hard to bring these memories back up.

I miss her.  I have missed her all these years and I remember her fondly.  She was always fiercely protective of us as we were her only grandchildren.  We all grew up living together in the same house in Gijon and I have nothing but wonderful memories of her.  Always loving towards us and she would do anything to please us.  I believe that we brought a joy to her that only grand children can.  My dad being an only son was intensely attached to her.  We all loved her greatly.  She was from Merida, Mexico and she exemplified the typical Mexican grandma.  I know that my father's relationship with his father was forever damaged after this tragedy.  The relationship had never been good between them for numerous reasons but I know that my dad has always blamed his father for my grandmother's death.  My grandfather has since passed away and I think that my dad has probably made his peace with him.  Only he can answer that question.  One thing that I do know is that my grandfather, never one to show emotion or too much affection, as he was in his last days of life in Gijon back in February of 2006, would call out to her "Amparito, Amparito..."  I hope that they are both together and that one day I will see them again when my time comes.  Os echo de menos a los dos.

Well, it looks like our minivan will soon be off to another "lucky" user.  We are now looking at new SUVs or as they are designated by the trade, CUVs.  We have been trying our different ones, sitting in them, looking at their amenities, etc.  They all have pros and cons.  Since it will not be my vehicle but Susan's she is quite excited to finally get a new car.  The finalists are as follows:  Honda CRV and Hyundai Tucson.  I have been doing the research, i.e. Consumer Reports, Edmunds.com, Cars.com, etc. and Susan has been doing the part she finds interesting, driving and asking what colors it comes in.  Oh, and does it have leather?  She is really big into leather interiors.

Anyway, I will be honest when I say that I will not miss the minivan.  This is a 2002 Chrysler Voyager with just the basics. Power windows and AC but not much more in the way of luxury.  It has been pretty reliable but due to age and manufacturer little things are popping up that need fixing.  I have taken care of most of these but I realize that this is the perfect vehicle for someone who needs a vehicle with lots of space and loves to tinker with their car.  That is obviously not me.  This Saturday we will get a chance to drive the Hyundai so hopefully that will seal the deal.  Which one would you choose:  2013 Hyundai Tucson  or 2013 Honda CRV?

Fiesta 2012 in San Antonio

Well, it is Fiesta time once again in San Antonio, TX.  All sorts of parties and celebrations are going on around the city.  Today is the Battle of Flowers parade so many kids and parents are off today, myself included.  The weather is not too hot so it should make for a great day to go out and have some fun.  We usually go to the Fiesta Garten at http://www.beethovenmaennerchor.com/ but it seems like many of my friends from UTSA have other plans so we will not be getting together.  Too bad as it is always a lot of fun.  We'll plan for next year or maybe for Oktoberfest in the fall.  Cooler temps and just as fun.  Happy Fiesta 2012 to all!!!

What sound, what presence…bellisima macchina

Let me build this story a bit to get in the appropriate frame of mind.  My route home takes me in front of the new Porsche dealership, which happens to be very modern and sleek yet sadly hidden behind the off ramp from the highway.  Someone must have gotten a great deal on the land because it is rather inaccessible and takes away from the experience.  I also happen to go by the Ferrari dealership, which in this case is rather ugly and is overshadowed by the much more attractive Audi dealership.  I guess that the Ferrari dealer can get away with the cars being the shining jewels in the rather ugly crown that is their building.  You don’t stable beautiful stallions in a shack.  I think that if I had the money I would fly to Italy to buy my car in Maranello just for the full experience.  But, I digress.  Back to the story.  As I am driving home yesterday on IH10 in San Antonio, TX I notice that right behind me is a 458 Italia.  Black on black with a menacing frown, wide, and very sleek.  My little MazdaSpeed 3 looks like a toy by comparison.  The weather is overcast and it is a fine temperature outside.  So, I turn off my radio as I want to hear this cavallino as it rolls down the road.  I roll down the windows and when the highway opens up he gives it a bit of gas and passes me on the right.  I have to admit that the black color is not as attractive as Ferrari Rosso but I like it nonetheless.  As he goes by I can see the yellow brake calipers.  They pop out and make the wheels look astonishing.  This is getting better by the minute.  I can hear a snarl coming from his trio of exhaust pipes coming out dead center in the back.  I am fully engaged now.  The sound, the presence, the angular and purposeful body lines, it all takes me to another place.  I don’t even try to catch up to him.  What for?  I have been in the presence of a God and being a mere mortal I can only smile knowing that such a beautiful sight is rare and should be filed away for future recollection.  

Back to work today but very excited because I have heard from a work colleague that the outdoor store REI will be opening here in San Antonio in the Fall of this year.  I am preparing for our family trek next year across Spain (Camino del Norte http://www.caminodesantiago.me) so I plan on buying all our gear this summer.  I might not buy all the equipment from them but I can certainly get some good advice and some items as well.  I have been carefully planning our trip, and I have the schedule written out and travel dates set.  I am still working out the infinite number of details that need to be looked at but all this activity it keeps me excited.  Now, I'll be honest, I have been daydreaming about winning the lotto (who doesn't?) and if we did win we would have enough money to go this year.  And we would be able to do the entire five week trip.  Next year I will only be able to do about two weeks of solid walking before we need to fly back to the US.  This will leave us with the task of coming back the following year to finish it out.  Not the way I want to do it but I don't have an option.  Thus, the daydream of winning the lotto.  I am on my way to but a ticket...or two.

Last post in 2007????

I can't believe that I have not posted since 2007!!!  Not that I lead such an interesting life but I should have kept up because it is always interesting to read old posts.  Sort of a snapshot in time of what goes on in my life as the years go by.   Well, I'll make it a point to write something at least once a week and maybe this will become a habit.  I am making some plans for summer of 2013 so maybe I'll start there.  I'll leave with a picture of our little Schnauzer and our boy's 15 year bday.  He is growing up and soon will be a college bound kiddo.  Wow!!!  More to come...

Sweet Bella left us.

Well, quite unexpectedly our liver-brown Dalmatian, Bella has moved on to a better place. She had been with us since she was a pup and estimate that she was about 13 or 14 years old. On Saturday September 15, 2007 she finally made the trip to doggie heaven. To say that it came as a huge shock to all of us is an understatement. All I can say is that we miss her greatly and the house feels quite empty without her company. Always sweet and always friendly to all.

After our trip to Spain in August we picked her up from the vet where she had been boarding and she looked a bit thin but very happy to see us. The first few days she seemed fine but as time went on she became lethargic and steadily lost her appetite. We started becoming worried and took her in to the vet. Three days later and over $700 in medical bills she came home. She was checked for multiple things and the main problem was that she had an infection on two teeth. These would have to come out after the initial infection which was being treated was cured. She came home and had a bit better appetite. She seemed somewhat recovered and we were just happy to see her again. How wrong we were.

A few days later we had to take her back to the vet again because she could hardly stand and seemed to be fading fast. No appetite and quite weak we feared the worst. The list of problems that were cropping up in her were hard to comprehend for a dog that had never been sick. Anyone reading this can probably sympathize with the litany of possible issues: "It can be cancer, or heart problems, her lungs are filled with fluid, so that has to be treated. She has several teeth that are infected and have to come out, etc, etc, etc." After two nights at the hospital and another $700 we realized that this was only prolonging her pain. She was better under 24/7 medical attention but at home we could see that she would only suffer. With her advanced age and weak condition we made that decision that breaks your heart and makes you doubt yourself. Could we have done more for her? Could we have poured more money into medical care? Was it fair to put her through painful procedures and doubtful recoveries? What do you do? What would you do?

Susan and I discussed it and agreed that it would be terribly selfish of us to keep her going. All the procedures in the world were not going to make her young and strong again. Nor give her any quality of life in her old age. We needed to let her go with dignity. She would be remembered as she had been all these years. Sweet, friendly, noble, loyal, loving, beautiful. Susan was with her 'till the end because we agreed not to take Juan Andres to the hospital. It is too much for a young boy to see his loving dog as she was in the end. It was a such a tough decision.

Well, this coming week Bella will be coming home for good. Her ashes should be ready for us to pick up. My best memories of her are many but in particular she loved to go running with me. We put a lot of miles together and it made quite a difference to have her keeping me company. I try not to think too much of how much I miss her but inevitably, on my morning runs I think of her...I bet you are with Quiche laying in a warm spot, with the sun keeping you comfortable, lots of treats and a cool pool nearby to get yourself wet as you loved to do when you were younger. We all hope to see you again. :)

Adios sweet Bella Bella.

Back home once again

Well, it has been one month since we returned from our trip to Spain and we had a great time. It always seems like it is never enough but I think that has to do more with my personality (too much of a good thing is never too much) than with the length of any vacation. For the most part it felt great to be back home but I still miss the rhythm of the city, Gijon, versus the lifestyle here in San Antonio where you basically have to drive everywhere. I really enjoy the freedom to be able to walk anywhere and blend in with other Gijoneses. The question has been brought up at work as to wether I would live in Spain if I had the chance and I believe that I would. At least for a year or two. There is so much to see and I think that being in the European continent I would get to travel with the family (wifey and kiddo) whenever there was a long weekend. You can easily fly to any other European country, travel throughout Spain, or even in the Principado de Asturias. I am up for that kind of experience and I hope to make it happen one day.

Back at work things seem the same if not a bit worse. All I can say is that the best thing about work is the great friendships I have made. I honestly believe that this is the best group of guys I have ever had the chance to spend some time with working. At least most of the guys....

We are changing, adding some new people to some of the teams and moving together under one roof pretty soon. How will that go? No se. Until we are there and working together for awhile I won't be able to tell.

It does seem that for some reason that I do not understand we are constantly in a flux that keeps people off balance. Morale fluctuates as the days go by and right now people just seem overworked, tired, and weary. We just can't seem to get in an upbeat. I surely feel overwhelmed. I better not say more since this is public and we all know that it could be used against me.

Anyhow, I'll write more soon and will try to make it a bit more light hearted.

Fiestas de Begona

I have not been able to update my blog as much as I have wanted to due to technical
issues but next time I will bring my own MacBook. Of course, I will have to buy one first ;)
This in no way reflects badly on my niece Andrea since she has been more than willing
to lend me her notebook and put up with my endless requests for borrowing her system.
Now, if you do not smoke Spain might be a challenge. Ventilation is not any restaurants
stronghold. People in northern Spain do not favor AC, so eating at a place without
moving air and lots of people smoking can choke the hardiest smoker so you can draw
your own conclusions if you cringe at the sight of a cigarrette....buena suerte.The country has been tightening smoking in public places but they have not reached
Gestapo-like control levels like in California and some other blessed states in the Land
of the Wii. Advice for anyone coming to Europe: bring your allergy meds.
Tonight is the big night for Gijon. It is officially known as Las Fiestas de Begona. There
will be fireworks at midnight over the bay (El Muro) and it promises to be quite a party.
Tomorrow the town closes down and everyone has the day off. People will be out
frolicking tonight until the sun comes up. The celebration has pretty much been going on
most of the month of August. Spain is a country where ocio is a national sport. It is
funny because people, especially the younger generation over indulges when it comes
to going out. I ususally go running in the mornings at about the same time, 8:30am to
9:00am and I see the effects of people's craziness. The town is littered with papers,
cigarrette butts, empty drinks, broken bottles, and someone's dinner spilt on the
sidewalk. To add to the ambiance there is a bar right across the hotel (Discoteca
Otto/Bar El Nautico) that is open until 11:00am (or later I think) and people are still out in
the front terraza sitting, drunk/high or both looking worse for the wear watching me as I
jog by as if I'm from Mars. I can't help but to laugh to myself thinking the same thing
about them. Nothing funnier than seeing a drunk girl in heels that as been up all night
trying to eat a bocata (and walk/waddle) while her boyfriend is trying to light up a smoke
and look as if they are sober. Funny indeed!!!!!!Of course, as they see me running by they crack up thinking what a fool I am to be
exercising way too early in the morning while I could be disfrutando de unas copas con
los amigotes like they are. I would advice anyone that wants to go to sleep at a sane
time to get a room in a hotel that faces the inside of the hotel. If not, all the sleeping you
will be doing will be in la playa the next morning.
It is sad to say but it seems like my vacation has almost come to an end. We have a
few more days left and some shopping to finish but it has been a good time. I think we
are ready to go back home, but not ready to go to work. I have already started to think
about the next vacation and where I would like to go. Spain for sure but I would love to
also go to an area in Mexico called Merida in the Peninsula de Yucatan. That will be in
another blog. I think that I might have found something that I could do as an occupation.
I do enjoy travelling and comedy is something I also like so if I marry both together I
could have a show on the Travel Channel called "Travel con Juan" or "Juan's Travels".
I'll work on the concept and the title. More to come at another date. I hope.
Ciao.

More aventuras en Gijon

Hello All:

Ah, the joys of being free from the shackles that the man imposes...I have just gotten back from some seriously good lunch with the familia at La Cuadra de Anton. Cocido de Garbanzos, Dorado con Pisto and some very tasty Arroz con Leche for postre (dessert). All washed down with some awsome Vino de la Casa. Rocking!!! I have found my place in life once again. I would love to move to Spain for a couple of years to fully experience the lifestyle here. Most things are great but some of them are amusing and can become right down irritating after awhile. Even for me.

Here are some examples. Anything that involves a basic service becomes an adventure in trying to get it achieved. I am trying to buy a phone charger for my dad's phone which was bought here but it (of course) is a problem. I went to two stores and neither one can accomodate my wish. One store does not carry it and the other wants 30 Euros, it takes 2 to 3 days and we would not be able to pick it up until next week. Never mind that we leave on Thursday for Madrid so I would have the charger for two days of use. I just bought a phone from Orange (like saying Verizon) and it cost me 29 Euros which 18 of those go to the actual minutes, so it really cost me 11 Euros.

Services in Spain are really hit and miss. The hotel where we are staying , Hotel Alcomar, is great. They treat us very well, we are right across the beach, we can get anything we need, and the staff is very friendly. In contrast, the hotel in Madrid was nice but the restaurant staff was dry and they act like they are doing you a favor. Any request is met with a a bit of defiance as if you are dealing with a surly servant. Spaniards (like most Europeans) tend to be a bit cold and distant until you have a chance to get to know them. Once they know you and like you they are willing to give you the shirt off their back. I think the absolute worst has to be the staff at any of the airport information/food/stores in Madrid, Barajas. Especially Iberia, the official Spanish airline. You see it once and again when travellers try to ask for information. They are often met with a cold, abrupt and rather nasty bark from whichever peasant happens to be "de turno" (on the job). This is the one big drawback to living in Spain. You have to deal with this lack of customer service everywhere. Maybe the answer is to send our current Big Jefe here and he can set them straight???

On a brighter note, everything else is great. Walking everywhere is a joy (great exercise). You of course have to dodge cars and motorcycles, as well as some dog poop. Temperature is a cool 17-25 Centigrade. Also of interest are the older people that are really almost hobbit like in their dimensions. They rather remind me of Quiniesque-like folk, with his evil attitude and lack of cheer. Luckily they are old and feeble, so you can just push them aside and ignore them like we do Q.

In closing the trip has been fun and full of neat events. I wish time at work would go by as fast...;)

I'll keep posting more stuff with the hope that it is entertaining and interesting.

Hasta luego,

Don Juan de Gijon.

Trip to the Continent....continued

Just a quick word or two before I head out of the hotel again. I am using my niece's PC that happens to run dog slow because it has Vista basic on 512MB o' Rang' (RAM) in Spanich!!!! There are already plenty of pics with funny tales to tell but I will add these tonight after I get back to my room. One thing I can say is that it has been a lot of fun to be amongst my people. I now feel complete. I am actively looking for employment as a Count or Marques of something or other. If that does not pan out then I am joining Alonso's team as a personal computer/tech/what-do-you-need boy.