Hi buddy, 👋 looks like your having an amazing time. Getting sick on a trip sucks. Especially food poisoning. 😫 I got sick in Mexico years ago. Christ, my insides where exploding. I never ran so fast to a bathroom before. Like someone was chasing me with a knife. Just praying with hands in the air yelling "get out of my way." 🤣 🤣 All the beautiful art and history there is amazing. I can't wait to hear all about it. Anything tall, dark and charming yet? 🤗 Keep your options open. 😅
Yeah, I can't read all the doom and gloom everyday. The corruption is off the charts. Unfucking real!! My grandkids keep me busy. We have hockey schedules. They're both playing. Cade is doing great with his piano lessons and hockey. He's in his first Christmas play. His music teacher says he has perfect pitch. He can sing. He sure didn't get that from our side. 😁
I'm doing doctor shit. I have zero fucking patience with them. I'll be fine. The brain tumor is small and nothing to worry about. So they say. What the fuck ever. I'm over it. I have to do physical therapy for my balance issues. I walk like a day drunk person without the drunk. I already hate it. I'm working on my pissy mood. Fuck, it's Christmas. I have to go buy a elf on shelf tomorrow. Can't find where I hid it. He keeps asking for him. Goddamn elf. 😆 Love you sweetie!! 😍 Throw on back for me. I need it!!
Been wondering/and worrying/ about you! My guts seem to be calmer today (as I write this is 11:30am) I slept TEN HOURS last night! I feel better today...being very careful now with food... booze isnt the culprit though Thank God! 🤣
And..no tall, dark, and charming. But it's good for the soul to look at handsome Spanish men! My goodness!
NOW... LISTEN TO ME (she said in her stern doctor voice) Do exactly what those medical people say...cheerfully and without question, OK? I need you in one piece. ❤️❤️❤️
Love you too, you amazing woman. Life's too short to stay pissy! 😂😂
Thank you friend. ❤️ I needed to hear that. I will do what they say with a smile on my face. Promise. I have an appointment this morning and I made an appointment with my therapist. She's a dear. Gratitude changes my attitude. I'm grateful for you. I'll get my shit straight. Fuck, I'm exhausting. 🤭 Look forward to picture Friday. I love you!! ❤️ You're the best!!!
Ditto here!! I'm always thinking, God I hope she's having the best time. We'll plan something when you get home. Hey, when my family gets frustrated with me I point to the cup you gave me. It says it all. 🤣🤣🤣 I'm fucked. 😂😂😂😂 Oh, well. 🤷♀️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Stay well my spirit sister. Don't eat anything furry that moves on your plate. That was hysterical. 🤓
The artwork you featured is simply spectacular (and I LOVE the chicken TOO!). I don’t recall seeing much of that when I was there, but I’m so glad you did, and shared it with us! Sending a big hug!!!
Barcelona and Lisbon sit close on my horizon for when I shift into a road-tripping nomad life next year. I’m holding a few paths open, though this one seems the most realistic right now, partly because the car still counts as a kind of shelter and gives me a tangible way out of Germany if my disability pension gets hopefully approved.
Brava, my furry raccoon amiga!🦝 Thank you for changing the damn subject! The eejits are imploding. We can afford not to look or listen for 24 hours, and instead, celebrate history, art, culture, and perspective! 🥰🎉☕️
eejits. See, I love getting to know you because you teach me new words every time! ❤️
I think my mind went to a raccoon because it was a Spanish vocabulary word: Mapache. I remember thinking, why in the hell are they teaching me the Spanish word for raccoon? 🤪 Oh well, you never know when you'll need that. I guess.
I adore graffiti everywhere because I'm a huge Banksy, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat fan. Once you learn a little about their genre, you start to see the real artistry and the ground-level democracy of the medium, and it begins to look different. Our guide in Barcelona started his discussion of graffiti by asking us to suspend our American assumption that graffiti is gang-related. Then he explained that business owners PAY artists to graffiti their store doors and property. Yes, it's true some of them did this to avoid having their door painted without their control, with something they don't like, but as your photos show, this history has blossomed to something much more artistic. I got to thinking about all that and realized that there is an element of oppression going on in the U.S. when we have been trained to think all graffiti artists are gangbangers (i.e. Black). I loved it when the railroad companies gave up stopping the graffiti on train cars. It's like an art gallery whizzing by me next to the highway. I realize the art form is not to everyone's tastes and it is pushed on us by "defacing" property but it is also a medium where poor people can get a chance to express themselves with just the cost of a can of spray paint. How else will I hear or see their POV? BTW this is not to excuse in any way racist, anti-semitic graffiti, f*&k those white supremacists.
You cant go ten feet without seeing art in some way, shape or form. And as you know, everybody walks here…I love how the streets and crosswalks are designed for walkability. I love walking because I get to see all this artwork! It’s a win-win! I need to add the Banksey Museum to my list!
I’m glad you’re here Kathleen. I have been walking around in stunned awe at everything. From the streets to the museums, Spain offers remarkable beauty. (Except my little food poisoning last night was no fun! 🤣).
Furry shrimp with racoon legs! Yummy!😂😂😂 Every city could use some Barcelona graffiti. The region of Spain that you're presently in has been trying to break away from Spain since 1975. They voted in favor of an independence referendum several years ago, and the Spanish government cracked down on the independence movement. I'm hoping for some Mediterranean photos in tomorrow's photo dump. Considering that I've been in snow removal mode since Monday, I could use them. At least I can dream about warm.😂😂 So where to next? A day in Lisbon? Basque country? Wherever you end up, I'll be looking forward to it. Have a wonderful day.😃❤️😘
The last leg of this adventure is Gran Canaria. Then home. It hasn't all been fun and games, tho. Last night I came down with some food poisoning - and it was miserable AF. Didnt sleep a wink! It's rainy and cooler here so a good day to chill and sleep. I MUST/WILL get to the sea before I leave here, which is Dec 11. Yes, I heard that about breaking away... interesting. Everyone has something to complain about. 🙄 SORRY About the snow...I'll be in it soon enough! STAY WARM! 💙
I travel vicariously through you, my friend. I’m too old to travel comfortably anymore. I don’t plan to spend time away from home unless an emergency arises.
Your photos are amazing, and I’m so proud of you for learning Spanish. Enjoy your trip, and please stay safe. Love you, and I’ll see you at lunch when you get back.
You bet...looking forward to our lunch. I am not moving as fast or with as much energy as I once did, which is why I take time off between things. Had food poisoning last night and thought I might die. 😂😂 Hopefully the sun will be out tomorrow and I'll feel normal again...whatever that is! HUGS!!
I heard that it is supposed to be done in 2026? I had to miss my tour this morning due to food poisoning...ugh. That was not fun. But I will reschedule because thats is a MUST SEE!! Gaudi was an interesting guy!
David you will not regret a trip here! My brain is on overload with so much art and history. It’s cultural and…so far… kind. I’m so glad I took this trip!
So are you and thank you. Plus, you do photos! I do need to visit Spain someday. I'm finally thinking maybe I can now that I'm beginning to feel like I may actually fully recover from my sudden illness last November. Six months ago I would have said, I dunno, that feels like a stretch. The human body is quite the miracle sometimes. Thanks again.
Hi buddy, 👋 looks like your having an amazing time. Getting sick on a trip sucks. Especially food poisoning. 😫 I got sick in Mexico years ago. Christ, my insides where exploding. I never ran so fast to a bathroom before. Like someone was chasing me with a knife. Just praying with hands in the air yelling "get out of my way." 🤣 🤣 All the beautiful art and history there is amazing. I can't wait to hear all about it. Anything tall, dark and charming yet? 🤗 Keep your options open. 😅
Yeah, I can't read all the doom and gloom everyday. The corruption is off the charts. Unfucking real!! My grandkids keep me busy. We have hockey schedules. They're both playing. Cade is doing great with his piano lessons and hockey. He's in his first Christmas play. His music teacher says he has perfect pitch. He can sing. He sure didn't get that from our side. 😁
I'm doing doctor shit. I have zero fucking patience with them. I'll be fine. The brain tumor is small and nothing to worry about. So they say. What the fuck ever. I'm over it. I have to do physical therapy for my balance issues. I walk like a day drunk person without the drunk. I already hate it. I'm working on my pissy mood. Fuck, it's Christmas. I have to go buy a elf on shelf tomorrow. Can't find where I hid it. He keeps asking for him. Goddamn elf. 😆 Love you sweetie!! 😍 Throw on back for me. I need it!!
Been wondering/and worrying/ about you! My guts seem to be calmer today (as I write this is 11:30am) I slept TEN HOURS last night! I feel better today...being very careful now with food... booze isnt the culprit though Thank God! 🤣
And..no tall, dark, and charming. But it's good for the soul to look at handsome Spanish men! My goodness!
NOW... LISTEN TO ME (she said in her stern doctor voice) Do exactly what those medical people say...cheerfully and without question, OK? I need you in one piece. ❤️❤️❤️
Love you too, you amazing woman. Life's too short to stay pissy! 😂😂
Thank you friend. ❤️ I needed to hear that. I will do what they say with a smile on my face. Promise. I have an appointment this morning and I made an appointment with my therapist. She's a dear. Gratitude changes my attitude. I'm grateful for you. I'll get my shit straight. Fuck, I'm exhausting. 🤭 Look forward to picture Friday. I love you!! ❤️ You're the best!!!
😘😘. It no lie when I say I think of you often.
Keep me posted. ❤️
Ditto here!! I'm always thinking, God I hope she's having the best time. We'll plan something when you get home. Hey, when my family gets frustrated with me I point to the cup you gave me. It says it all. 🤣🤣🤣 I'm fucked. 😂😂😂😂 Oh, well. 🤷♀️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Stay well my spirit sister. Don't eat anything furry that moves on your plate. That was hysterical. 🤓
Babe, you get me! 😂
The artwork you featured is simply spectacular (and I LOVE the chicken TOO!). I don’t recall seeing much of that when I was there, but I’m so glad you did, and shared it with us! Sending a big hug!!!
Have you been to Santa Fe, NM?
Street art is everywhere.
Really good street art.
Years ago I was in Santa Fe. I remember loving it. Thanks for the reminder, an American city I should revisit!
Oh, beautiful Street Art, Susan. Beautifully set in scene. Thanks for sharing. I see Barcelona remains on my bucket list.
I could (and maybe have already!) walk and look in awe for days and days! I have enjoyed this more than I can say. Yes... it is bucket list worthy!!
Barcelona and Lisbon sit close on my horizon for when I shift into a road-tripping nomad life next year. I’m holding a few paths open, though this one seems the most realistic right now, partly because the car still counts as a kind of shelter and gives me a tangible way out of Germany if my disability pension gets hopefully approved.
Wonderful. I hope you see beauty everywhere the road takes you. ❤️
Brava, my furry raccoon amiga!🦝 Thank you for changing the damn subject! The eejits are imploding. We can afford not to look or listen for 24 hours, and instead, celebrate history, art, culture, and perspective! 🥰🎉☕️
eejits. See, I love getting to know you because you teach me new words every time! ❤️
I think my mind went to a raccoon because it was a Spanish vocabulary word: Mapache. I remember thinking, why in the hell are they teaching me the Spanish word for raccoon? 🤪 Oh well, you never know when you'll need that. I guess.
Haha, language is so entertaining! BTW, I learned "eejits" from the book by Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes. UK term with panache!
Really liked your images! You def have an "eye." 🥰
oooohhh... its a good word. And you can bet I'll be using it! 😂
THANK YOU for the kind words...I'm editing tonight and see if I can save a few!
😘
😎👍💯
I adore graffiti everywhere because I'm a huge Banksy, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat fan. Once you learn a little about their genre, you start to see the real artistry and the ground-level democracy of the medium, and it begins to look different. Our guide in Barcelona started his discussion of graffiti by asking us to suspend our American assumption that graffiti is gang-related. Then he explained that business owners PAY artists to graffiti their store doors and property. Yes, it's true some of them did this to avoid having their door painted without their control, with something they don't like, but as your photos show, this history has blossomed to something much more artistic. I got to thinking about all that and realized that there is an element of oppression going on in the U.S. when we have been trained to think all graffiti artists are gangbangers (i.e. Black). I loved it when the railroad companies gave up stopping the graffiti on train cars. It's like an art gallery whizzing by me next to the highway. I realize the art form is not to everyone's tastes and it is pushed on us by "defacing" property but it is also a medium where poor people can get a chance to express themselves with just the cost of a can of spray paint. How else will I hear or see their POV? BTW this is not to excuse in any way racist, anti-semitic graffiti, f*&k those white supremacists.
You cant go ten feet without seeing art in some way, shape or form. And as you know, everybody walks here…I love how the streets and crosswalks are designed for walkability. I love walking because I get to see all this artwork! It’s a win-win! I need to add the Banksey Museum to my list!
Awesome graffiti!!! Barcelona sounds divine.
Isnt it something! I was immediately struck by the fact that it is EVERYWHERE! And very cool!
Susan, I'm so glad that I checked this out. Beautiful art. I felt quite special walking through Spain with you amongst all of this beauty.
I’m glad you’re here Kathleen. I have been walking around in stunned awe at everything. From the streets to the museums, Spain offers remarkable beauty. (Except my little food poisoning last night was no fun! 🤣).
Oh no, food poisoning. Been there done that twice. I hope you feel much better now.
Oh man! Yes I do now. But at the time… 😭
Practice your Catalan in Barcelona and your Spanish in Madrid. To my crappy ear, Catalan sounded like an Italian/French/Spanish mashup.
Furry shrimp with racoon legs! Yummy!😂😂😂 Every city could use some Barcelona graffiti. The region of Spain that you're presently in has been trying to break away from Spain since 1975. They voted in favor of an independence referendum several years ago, and the Spanish government cracked down on the independence movement. I'm hoping for some Mediterranean photos in tomorrow's photo dump. Considering that I've been in snow removal mode since Monday, I could use them. At least I can dream about warm.😂😂 So where to next? A day in Lisbon? Basque country? Wherever you end up, I'll be looking forward to it. Have a wonderful day.😃❤️😘
The last leg of this adventure is Gran Canaria. Then home. It hasn't all been fun and games, tho. Last night I came down with some food poisoning - and it was miserable AF. Didnt sleep a wink! It's rainy and cooler here so a good day to chill and sleep. I MUST/WILL get to the sea before I leave here, which is Dec 11. Yes, I heard that about breaking away... interesting. Everyone has something to complain about. 🙄 SORRY About the snow...I'll be in it soon enough! STAY WARM! 💙
Food poisoning sucks! Is there Spanish Pepto Bismol?😂
You know, I didnt look. I just need some sleep now.
I travel vicariously through you, my friend. I’m too old to travel comfortably anymore. I don’t plan to spend time away from home unless an emergency arises.
Your photos are amazing, and I’m so proud of you for learning Spanish. Enjoy your trip, and please stay safe. Love you, and I’ll see you at lunch when you get back.
You bet...looking forward to our lunch. I am not moving as fast or with as much energy as I once did, which is why I take time off between things. Had food poisoning last night and thought I might die. 😂😂 Hopefully the sun will be out tomorrow and I'll feel normal again...whatever that is! HUGS!!
Food poisoning is awful, I hope you feel better quickly. 🥰
On my way... I hope!! Tea and toast! 🙄
Hola Susan!! I m still in absolute awe of Gaudi’s cathedral. I want to take one more trip to Barcelona before I die to see it finally complete!
I heard that it is supposed to be done in 2026? I had to miss my tour this morning due to food poisoning...ugh. That was not fun. But I will reschedule because thats is a MUST SEE!! Gaudi was an interesting guy!
“I’d like the furry shrimp soup with the raccoon legs, medium well, please.” - 💀🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I tried to think of the dumbest thing....I think I nailed it. 🤣🤣🤣
You should seek out doing stand-up comedy. You’re hilarious! 😘
Only you think that! 😂 But I love you for it.
Also, ever since I was a young lad, I've never been able to see a reference to Franco without thinking of this gif
https://media1.tenor.com/m/MSkkLJYRqaoAAAAd/chevy-chase-generalissimo-francisco-franco-is-still-dead.gif
Any reference to Chevy and Weekend Update is a win!
LOL! That's hilarious! 😆😆
😂😂😂
Spain is on my bucket list.
David you will not regret a trip here! My brain is on overload with so much art and history. It’s cultural and…so far… kind. I’m so glad I took this trip!
Wow, thanks for the callout, Susan! I hate trying to promote myself so it's really nice to get a callout like that.
I actually missed your tag to me before I restacked because I (confession) went straight to the pictures. The street art caught my eye right away.
It looks like you're having a lot of fun there. Lucky you! I'm jealous, but in a good way. I can live vicariously through you with your photo journey.
You can’t go 10 feet here without seeing something artsy! It’s wild. And you’re a damned good writer and people should know!!
So are you and thank you. Plus, you do photos! I do need to visit Spain someday. I'm finally thinking maybe I can now that I'm beginning to feel like I may actually fully recover from my sudden illness last November. Six months ago I would have said, I dunno, that feels like a stretch. The human body is quite the miracle sometimes. Thanks again.