Barcelona in 2.5 hours, more or less. 19 June 2022

I woke way too early this morning, but I slept well in the big ole bed in Madrid. Yeah, yeah I could’ve slept until ten or eleven, and maybe I should’ve since the trains ran late today. At least the Madrid to Barcelona ones did. There are three lines that travel these tracks. One of …

Where Was I? 18 June, 2022

I’m sitting in a cool, humongous room on a very large bed, with my legs outstretched, high above Plaza de San Martin in Madrid. I spent the early morning and part of the afternoon at a horse show my old friend, Marti and his kids were participating in. It’s f’g hot here. Unusual for our …

A Bus Ride into the Past, Madrid and La Alberca – 9-15, June 2022

Excuse me while I count my lucky stars as well as ignore the unfortunate ones. Okay I’m done, for now. Thursday was a relatively simple one. I ate my 11 euro breakfast in the hotel Meninas basement cafe. The buffet spread was vast, the pastries assorted, pork aplenty, eggs, cheeses, cereals with condiments, juices, fresh …

Hurry up and wait – 8 June 2022

I’m wondering whether traveling by plane is even worth the alleged time saved. It’s certainly not saving our environment. And man oh corporate patriarchal man, if you’ve not yet seen the international departure lounges lately you wouldn’t believe the mall-like Victorias Secret/McDonalds atmosphere. Consumer-arama. I got up early partly because I’m still riding on the …

Living like Royalty in Lisbon June 5, 6 & 7 /2022

I went to bed last night utterly spent and not feeling right in the leg. I’d had a great day yesterday. After eating at the Brazilian restaurant I took a walk with the intention of getting dessert, but, I reasoned for the good of my waistline, only after the Museum of Marionettes. While debating the …

Toodle Loo Seville – hello Portugal 6/1 & 2, 2022

We traveled in style yesterday by plush BMW sedan with amicable driver Albertino, golf journalist/Daytrip chauffeur, from Seville to Tavira and then to Faro. Our stop in Faro was to meet fellow Austinite, now Tavira resident, Becky, for an enjoyable but brief sandwiches (I had smoked salmon on a baguette- yum) and confab. There’s a …

Shopping then to Seville 5/30/31 2022

My morning consisted of a fast slow-fast walk in search of homeopathic Mag Phos for my funky leg. Walking gave my legs the chance to work out some funk. I began on the straight and narrow streets surrounding the hotel, eventually hitting an incline, this slowed me down. Determination is a motivator. It compelled me …

Hospitals and Soccer – Madrid 5/29/22

You may have read Yesterday that I had a scare of sorts here in Madrid causing me to visit the emergency room. Picture This: me as I rode through Madrid streets in a wheelchair, accompanied by doctor because no taxis could get through due to street closures - a parade for soccer. One might suppose …

Churros, Chocolate & Dread in Madrid 5/28/22

I’m sitting, rather lying in bed, in my crappy room at the Hotel Europa in Madrid. Outside it has been noisy, all night and into the wee hours. It is now morning and the noise never ceased. It’s kind of like staying one floor above Times Square. I was too tired to change rooms yesterday …

Hoppin Mad and Terrible Sad 5/27/22

I haven’t written in a couple days… I’ve been Processing. I thought I was just going to hop on hop off tour buses without thinking or particularly caring about what is happening at home in Texas. And while I my intentions were to play carefree tourist it was not going to happen. Certainly I am …