Tea and Crumpets

No, I will not be coming home from Britain with a belly button ring like I did last time. London is still my favorite city. I was here 7 years ago and just like last time, a week goes by too quickly. I'm not sick of traveling. I'm already looking forward to future trips abroad. I've met the kindest people on this trip and I've had fun with my friends. Next time, you should come with me! I'll be back in Davis next week and in Encinitas soon after. Thanks for reading! Cheers!

The Rain in Spain

falls mainly in Madrid? A gorgeous thunderstorm quickly overtook the city which made the temperature in the lovely 80s. (The previous day it had been 105 degrees F at 7PM.) The Prado is free on Sundays so I saw some intense pieces by El Greco, Goya, Raphael and many others. I was very excited to get in for free too. The storm cleared up a bit and the roommates in the hostel gave information about a free symphony in Mayor Plaza. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences I've had this trip. I'll post more info about it later, but it was a magnificent symphony in an open air theater where people paid for seats in a reserved area but hundreds of others stood around outside that area for a fantastic free show. And then it began to rain again. Thunder and lightning highlighted the already dramatic Beethoven and Tchaikovsky pieces. It was a magnificent way to end the time in Spain.

I'm currently in Kent, Britain which is just outside London. It's lovely to be able to be in an english-speaking country again. I'm excited to be here and I'll tell you all about it later.

Withered arms and the Holy Grail

Hey all

No Grandma, we did not get pictures of the naked man. I did, however, get pictures of St. Vincent´s withered arm. I looked all over the internet and I believe it is St. Vincent Ferrer´s arm but I have no idea why it is here in Valencia and not with the rest of his body.

I spent almost all day yesterday in the Mediterranean Sea. Very warm and clear water. Valencia is also a Port for the America´s Cup so there were lots of sail boats and spectators. And topless women. Are all the beaches in Europe topless? Or is it just Spain? Whatever, it was wonderful to be in salt water again, although I prefer the waves at home and less boobies.

Today´s agenda includes searching for the Holy Grail which is supposed to be in some church here in Valencia. :)

Valencia

I´m in Valencia, Spain now and it´s soooooooooo much nicer than Barcelona. The only thing Barcelona had going for it was the naked man with tattoos and piercings all over his 13" penis who just walked up and down the street. Valencia doesn´t have that, but it does have better, cheaper food, and less dog and human poop all over the streets. Barcelona was pretty gross. I´m way happy to be here and not there.