I cannot bring myself to write group emails. My internet rations are spent booking hostels, trains, buses, flights; finding directions; updating this blog. I do, however, reply to the emails I receive. If you're missing my pseudonym in your inbox, send a message in a bottle. I will respond. The ocean isn't as formidable as it once was.
I've started a second blog: structured thought.
I wanted an online space for my experiments in prose and poetry. I wanted to see the improvements that Google has made to Blogger. I wanted structure and imagination.
Since last we spoke, we've relocated to Madrid. Our last weekend in San Sebastian was spent with Howie and Tania. Tapas and Paella were enjoyed. Beaches were slept upon. The Guggenheim, and the art within it, marveled at. (Saw 3 or 4 Kandinsky pieces. What a museum!) Crab and prawns were purchased, cooked, then devoured. Pubs were occupied. Clothing was bought. Sangria was made. Streets were wandered down, around, and through.
We spent today visiting Faunia, getting lost in the suburbs, and drinking espressos. The animals were magnificent; the suburbs, illuminating; the coffee, strong.
I am currently reading, The Game, by A.S. Byatt. I think she loves commas and semicolons, more than I.
"I have grown fond of semicolons in recent years. . . . It is almost always a greater pleasure to come across a semicolon than a period. The period tells you that that is that; if you didn't get all the meaning you wanted or expected, anyway you got all the writer intended to parcel out and now you have to move along. But with a semicolon there you get a pleasant little feeling of expectancy; there is more to come; read on; it will get clearer."
- Lewis Thomas
Really? [November 2004]
Shan and I, after one too many drinks.
We spent a week living in a restored 18th century fort, 15 minutes outside of Lisbon, in Oeiras. Our hostel was beach front, complete with a paved 2km boardwalk for morning runs, and evening strolls.
Our directions for locating the fort were sketchy. We got lost. But only after taking the train from Lagos to Lisbon, locating and navigating the metro, locating the inter-rural train station, arriving in Oeiras, and walking to within 15 minutes of the hostel. We were lost for a good hour, in the dark, with our backpacks on. As always: Good times.
The night train from Lisbon to San Sebastian was long, yet un-eventful. We shared our sleeping quarters with two Portuguese grandmothers, and one grandpa. They fed us, even though we insisted that we were full.
We'll be making a day trip to Bilbao soon, in order to visit the Guggenheim.
Both Bilbao and San Sebastian are in Basque Country. Yesterday, in broad day-light, we watched as two kids peppered the streets around our hostel with Basque liberation and pro-ETA graffiti. [More Basque info]
Yesterday, I bought a 4 CD comp of Spanish Hip-Hop.
Howie and Tania will be here in under a week. Excitement.
I just booked our accommodations for the Czech Republic. Our first 9 nights will be spent at Romatika Apartment C, (for nearly half the listed price). The following week at the Arpacay hostel.
Yesterday, I swam in the ocean. Today, it rained. Tomorrow, Lisbon awaits: the anticipation of new.
Last night, we had fun at a local pub, chatting with the owners and fellow temporary friends.
