Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello from Spain-
I hope this message finds you well. Just a program note for all of you, I now will be home late on March 14. It was a hard decision to make, but I know that it is time for me to get back home and take care of some things. As some of you know, I have decided to start the process of building my own educational foundation/charity that will, broadly defined, help to educate poor children around the world. I have been giving my nest steps much thought, but after my time in Cambodia, it is quite clear that I desire to give this my energy and passion for quite some time.
That aside, it will be good to see people back home and catch up. I miss being with friends, even though I have met some good people along the way. My last day in Vietnam was fun, exploring the city of Ho Chi Minh, eating some great food, and reflecting on my time in Cambodia.
My time at the Bangkok airport was quite interesting. I had a 12 hour layover there and discovered that the international terminal was simply a city within the airport. I did alot of reading, writing in the journal, thinking about my new direction, getting a Thai foot massage, and some window shopping. Amazing that i did not even have time to take a nap. After boarding the plane for the 12 hour flight to madrid, i think i fell asleep before the plane took off. I must say that i woke up to a smell that i thought was going to kill me. Apparently the person next to me had quite a gas problem - I AM NOT JOKING! It was AWFUL. I actually had to move seats. He was sweet enough to apologize to everyone, but that did not make it much better - poor guy.
after arrival in Madrid, I waited for 1 hour watching the luggage carousel go around and around and around thinking my bag would magically appear. IT DID NOT and i no lionger believe in magic and/or miracles. I arrived at 8:30 am on thursday and received my bags at 11:00 pm SATURDAY NIGHT! I wish i were joking. IN fact, it appears that my bag went from bangkok, to Los Angeles, to Zurich, and then to Madrid. I might ask for frequent flyer miles for my bag. I did go shopping for new clothes and new shoes and WILL get my $$ back from the airline or my travel insurance. Needless to say, this kind of dampened my time in madrid.
I did some exploring (did not take many pictures - guess i was a little bitter). The weather here has been nice, reminds me of indiana spring. My hostal was quite nice and cheap (in Europe terms) I MISS ASIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This place is so expensive. In asia i was able to eat 3 meals for around $10 US. Here in Spain i can get a cup of ice for that price - Meow!
I am off to Paris tomorrow at 5:45 AM. I cannot wait to see the Dave matthews concert. I will meet up with a new friend from the previous tour in paris and explore some museums. I am then off to Brussels to see Dave again and beleive that I will rush the stage to see him.
After my time in madrid (i was robbed here in my previous trip in 1997) there are TWO things that I will never do again:
1. fly thai airways (they lost my bags for THREE days! and their food was lousy and the person had bad gas)
2. visit madrid under any circumstances (not even for a rich, hot Spaniard!)
3. fly thai airways (did i say that already?)
I look forward catching up when i return. I will write more in Paris.
All the best,
Jeff
- comments