Life As It Comes
Of My Time in Midelt (Part 1)6 Comments
The first afternoon/evening in Midelt was spent running errands with Cory. We went to see some artisans in a close-by village, still considered Midelt, Ait Gharyat. He picked up some purses, which I learned were in exchange for free medical services an American doctor in Midelt had lent to some of the ladies. To get to this village/neighborhood, we had to cross a wheat field, and Cory would sing “Now We Are Free” from the Gladiator soundtrack.
Of the Journey to Cory2 Comments
Today is Saturday. I’m sitting with Cory against a wall in the train station in Tangier. We are sitting here, because it’s near the power. 
We watched 300 and had some “petit pan” for breakfast (little things of bread with chocolate baked in). We finished the movie about an hour ago, and we’ve been sitting here waiting on a train that we meant to catch early this morning. Cory does a little twist dance which helps to pass about 15 seconds at a time. When we first got our tickets, they were for Meknes, and thankfully Cory remembered that we really want to go to Fez, so he went to the ticket window and corrected the mistake. The ticket man told Cory that “You really ought to know where you’re going when you start traveling.” Friendly advice, the kind you can use.
Of My Time in Madrid8 Comments
I’m sitting in “El Retiro,” a grand and beautiful park commissioned by Felipe IV. The weather is beautiful, and reminds me of England and California, though the ocean is farther away here than the parts of California I’ve been to. It is warm and cool at the same time. The sun is direct and warm but not overpowering because of the strong, cool breeze. I can hear all sorts of birds singing and chirping. Though there is a breeze, things seem to barely be stirring. Runners, bikers, a dog walker, and people merely passing through the park are visible from my bench. I passed many “jovencitos,” no doubt on field trips, as I again walked passed “El Museo del Prado” and “El Real Jardin Botanico.”
But let me start at the beginning…..
Man vs Wild5 Comments
Lately, I’ve been enjoying a show called Man vs Wild (pardon the video that’s currently featured on the site).
The show has an outrageous, exciting premise:
Bear Grylls jumps (more often than not) out of a plane or helicopter into a dangerous and randomly selected part of the earth, and allows himself only a few days to make it back to civilization. He takes with him an empty canteen, a knife, and a backpack - sometimes less than that. He has no map. He has no other supplies. He must simply survive and make it back somehow.
Enthralling.
FlashbacksNo Comments
I was looking through Shelley’s Flickr Photostream, and I saw a few that brought back some memories of my visit to London.
In the afternoon of my last full day in London, I visited the house of Shelley’s host family and had dinner with them. Their dog Lulu loved to jump and catch toys. Here is the entryway to the house.
And here are just a couple shots that make me feel like I’m still there: 1, 2. London is an interesting mix of the modern and the antique that just leaves you breathless.