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Always A Tourist
Last morning in Florence. The Uffizi then the train to Salerno. We wandered, as usual, arriving at the Uffizi just in time for our...
Feb 2, 2023


Spirit Concealed In Matter
We thought we were up early. But making our way to the dining room, it was apparent that the good sisters start their day well before we...
Feb 1, 2023


A Good Day To Be Sick
I’ve got a cold. The one that got nearly everyone before I left home, but didn’t get me. I won’t complain, but it has slowed me down a...
Jan 31, 2023


Just A Few Things
Some readers have been wondering about Pa. In particular, why is it he’s not around at times. An example, the evening at the Ziryab...
Jan 30, 2023


So I Get Off The Ferry . . .
The voyage from Barcelona to Genoa was pleasant and uneventful. Old but serviceable, the 9 level “MN/Excellent” cut through the rough...
Jan 29, 2023


The Guest House
Juliann and Adam visited Barcelona a few years ago, before Lorelai was born I think. It’s difficult these days to keep track of such...
Jan 28, 2023


And You Look Up
Just outside my window is a small church, Sant Jaume. After a long day it was nice to sit in the dark, undisturbed. Not far from here is...
Jan 27, 2023


Note To Grandchildren
Hi kids, Today I visited a museum here in Barcelona - the Museu Picasso. It’s named after Pablo Picasso, a famous man born in Spain a...
Jan 26, 2023


Book Ends
We were up early and well rested. Our stay at the Palacio De Los Navas, though brief, was pleasant and a notch above the norm. The bed,...
Jan 25, 2023


What Is Heaven Anyway?
Today was the day, the Alhambra. At breakfast, I shared my excitement with Pa. He didn’t respond at first but then, somewhat...
Jan 23, 2023


No Strangers Here
The American short-story writer, Washington Irving (Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) visited the Andalusia in the spring of...
Jan 23, 2023


¿Qué es este lugar?
There is a point with travel when you cross over. I suppose it’s different for different people. For me, it’s happened twice. When I...
Jan 22, 2023


New Things, And Old
I met a young man at the Hostal. Just finished with college, he’ll fly to Boston in a week and a job at a homeless shelter. He took a...
Jan 21, 2023


A Time For Beauty
I’m staying at the Hostal Jentoft. A pleasant enough place. Near the bus station and the river, it’s on a quiet street within walking...
Jan 20, 2023


Eat Pray Love
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from traveling, especially overseas, it’s to never eat or drink prior to a long bus ride. I learned...
Jan 19, 2023


You Never Know
I couldn’t recall why we’d chosen to visit Faro. Neither could Pa. We knew nothing of it, except that it’s about as far south as you...
Jan 18, 2023


A Postcard
We were up early to catch the Metro. 15 minutes to the Oriente station, arriving just in time to catch the high speed train to Faro....
Jan 17, 2023


Public Spaces
Pa entered the law to avoid the coal mines and the tedium of his father’s life. It suited him well, given his easy way with people and...
Jan 16, 2023


Art As Autobiography
I wanted to visit the Gulbenkian. Pa resisted. I explained that the Gulbenkian is one of the finest art museums in the world. He...
Jan 15, 2023


After Dark
A friend reached out. Touched by Karen’s story, she wrote: “I still have a lump in my throat.” I understood, of course. I walked much...
Jan 14, 2023

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