Greetings from Spain
I made it. I spent yesterday in Frankfurt. (not on purpose but I sat at the wrong gate for too long). Fortunately they let me fly out later that evening for free). I didn't expect to hang out in Germany. I watched a movie in German and kinda understood. I recognized 'n actor from a movie I saw before. Mercedes are everywhere.
Every taxi is a Mercedes. It's sunny and cold. Their downtown is like Market street in down town San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf without the water and the pier. Shopping shopping shopping. These are some fashionable people. If I didn't hear them speak German they just look like folks from the City (SF). The only people that came up to speak to me were... Jehovah's witnesses...and Black she said "yes, we're everywhere." They spoke English too. I ate bad Chinese, yuck. I figured it would 
be safe, but no. Train station is huge and confusing and all in German. I finally made it to Madrid at midnight. It seems like I've been up for days. Ah espanol. Yo entiendo. The Metro is easy and clean. It's like 4 stories below ground. I transferred about 3 times to get to my hostal. When I finally made it up to the street corner it was raining. Looking for my hostal I rang the wrong door bell and some lady yelled at me. I thought I was going to have to find another place to stay at 1am. But fortunately I misread the address. My hostal was perfect.. for me. It's like a tiny dorm room. A bed, a bathroom a TV hanging in the corner and a cute little couple running the whole thing. Very friendly. Mostly quiet until about 2-3 in the morning. Someone came stumbling up the steps. But then quiet again until morning.
I wandered around all morning down tiny little streets, shops, cafes. It was gray and wet.. I made it to the Prado Museum. School kids, tourists and classic artists all crowded together in some beautiful rooms. I took some pictures in the Botanical Garden. I've been trying to find an internet place (that's open). I walked by this one earlier but was closed. About to walk so more. I'm off to another museum and the Royal Palace. Tonight... Flamenco.
Ahh.. a moment to sit still and rest. It's Sunday afternoon (late afternoon) and I just finished strolling the streets of Sevilla. It got upto about 28 C -- very warm. Everybody is out enjoying the sun. Men with strollers, toddlers tripping along the stones, and women clasped together like they're watching a horror movie all behind the backdrop of orange, yellow and red buildings. Generations of families move in swarms, slowly. I had to take a deep breath and slow my pace literally trying to keep my balance with each step. Maybe that's why everyone is leaning against someone; walking at this pace is tough by yourself. Every bench is occupied in the parks and along the river. Mostly older couples are sitting statue like but there are several younger couples intertwined in all types of positions.
The restaurants (the ones that are open) are filled to capacity, especially the ones along the river. There seems to be a church about every mile or so, each with towers and bright colors. I toured the Plaza de Toro (Bullfighting ring) --no bulls though. Because of security they only bringthem on "game" day. The culture, history of the bullis very interesting. The other thing really popular besides soccer is motorcycle racing. I've never seen so many motorcycles, vespas, scooters. They speed around town in them and do up to 160 KM/H on the autovia. Oh by the way, I rented a car. I made some changes on the way since Granada was so over crowded. It was my Friday night frustration. I drove aroundfor over an hour for parking. It was much busier than Madrid (maybe because it was Friday night). S o Idecided to drive to Sevilla on Saturday after I went to see the Alhambra (in Granada). It was nothinglike you've ever seen on MTV Cribs. This Moorish castle was like nothing I've ever seen. But back tothe autovia.. If you enjoy driving you'd love the autovia. Everybody seems to love it (or it was a special occasion). Kids were along the freeway overpasses just watching and waving. Every now and then you'd see a flag. It was like driving along a race track, with people cheering you on. (Later I saw that there was a motorcycle race on television in one of the towns I passed on my way to Cadiz.)
I don't know how the motorcyclist do it. They were flying pass me and I was doing my best to keep up I have "Un pie promo" (A lead Foot); I only figured that outbecause the gas station was only diesel and sinpromo.. hmm.. I know 'sin' means 'without' so must beunleaded. So anyway. I spent a couple of hours in Cadiz. I had to see the beach. Supposedly this is where Columbus set off before he "discovered" the new world. The coast was full of restaurant/bars/cafes with people intables wherever they could squeeze in some space. Motorcylces and their riders filled all the otherspaces. There's a whole lot of red leather going on. Since I left Granada early I figured I'd stay in oneof the coastal towns. It was nice to wander throughthe narrow streets to see churches, ice cream shopsand markets boxed in these shadowing neighborhoods. Most of the streets is about big enough for one car todrive through. And not an American car or a SUV. I know where the Yugo market is. There's nothing butcars the size of minis. Oh and I must thank Reggie for teaching me how to drive and park. I thought itwas hard to park in San Francisco. Phew! I parked assoon as I could and walked around. If I were into shopping, this would be the place. There was all types of shopping and selling going on. Before I knew it someone asked me about drugs. But no, I wasn't buying or selling. I wandered around getting lost in the tiny little streets and large plazas of kids playing soccer and old lady's gripping onto canes before I decided that as nice as it was, I wanted to go back to Sevilla. I found this really nice hotel overlooking the city. It has free internet so I'm taking advantage. When I was walking around yesterday and today everything was closed. And when I first got here someone else was on it and I was dead tired from driving or should I say racing. You have to stay very alert driving aroundhere. Kids in motorbikes buzz around the streets and it's hard enough trying to make sense of the trafficsignals. I mostly got it, but I got turned around(literally) a few times. There are so many circularintersections you could just drive in circles. Thereare no street signs. Just an occasional sign on theside of a building. I found myself just memorizingmonuments and buildings. The time just changed last night so it's really after 8pm but the sun is still beaming softly like it's 5 in the evening. I'm starving. Tomorrow is my big daytrip to Morocco. So far I've touch'd Frankfurt, Germany; Madrid, Granada, Cadiz & Sevilla, Spain. I'm truly on thego. Every now and then you have to choose quantity orquality. I'll definitely have quality memories. I'll be in touch.
An early ferr. Mediterraneran trip. Algeciras to Tanger for a day walk to the motherland. R ock of Gibraltar is amazing. a natural fortress surrounded by ocean and sea. Private clubs on the port to serve snacks for those most deserving. Houses on hills get a glimpse of glory every morning. I'll have this picture. Rocks emit life and growth in its stillness. Powerful stillness. Peace. Metal island painted and marked by corporation flat from North to West to south to East. Packaged goods stacked for train tracks and diesel trucks making a buck along the autovia.
It's 2130 and we're moving and I had a train to catch in 2145 Algeciras, Spain and this is a 21/2 hour ferry from Tanger.
This ferry is the size of a Trump hotel, but the quality of a Greyhound station. Screaming childred, tired tourist adjust and squirm to find comfort. We're all restless. Others used to this commute are more comfortable with the timeless guarantee. Just happy to be moving. I can't complain too much. It's not everyday you see North Africa. Walk with camels, view palaces, drink water from natural caves. This inconceivable adventure was worth the inconvenience. All the waiting, being told different departure times, the cancellations altogether, smiled by an underage guard in broken English, "No more Fast Ferry. Go check agent." Thanks for the heads up I thought, hours later. Hmm, it was all worth it. I'm not even sure how I'm getting back. I had a rental car due at 7pm and a train leaving around 10pm. It's already 9:45, 2145. I'm just havppy we're moving.
Movement all day has kept me intrigued. I've followed a guide up and down narrow streets filled with rugs, spices, nuts, fabrics, dogs of all types, school children rushing and laughing, a few people standing while other men and women pull barrels, carry fish, or pull yards of silk. They stretch, twist and braid the silk attaching it to hooks along the corridor looking like they're about to hang laundry. I avoided the best I could bumping or knocking into anyone because I was moving at such a fast pace. I don't want to offend or disrespect. Don't even know how to say excuse me in Arabic.
I'm sure there's some gesture. Arms and hands work together moving rhythmically from another hand to your heart to express thank you. Finger reach out to tickle someone's ear in a hey what's up or maybe goodbye. they hold wrist, clasp elbows, wrap necks and shoulders. They wave and even salute. soldiers, guards, and police hold guns, pace in front of decorative iron or maybe that's brass or perhaps gold gates, lining driveways to government figures homes. Up in the hills flowers planted to enhave the already fancy gates. White pait spread and layered for bright contrast and newness. 
Keith
posted by Mr KIT @ 8:25 AM
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