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Archive for June, 2006

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Paris in the Summertime!

Friday, June 16th, 2006

Is just as beautiful as the spring! Made it here yesterday safe and sound. Are lucky enough to be hosted by our friends Laura and Gary who have made us feel right at home under the Eiffel Tower. Will be getting our sight see on for the next few days.

Have added some more photos! The rest of Australia and about half of Italy are up. Go to the “Pictures” heading under “Categories.” Hope you enjoy them!

Viva La Rioja!

Monday, June 5th, 2006

Have been in Northern Spain for the last few days with my harem (Terra, Kathy, and Leslie). Let me first say that, as a man of average height, appearance and intelect, I get a lot of looks entering a room followed by three beautiful women. My status is raised instantly:)

Have had a great time exploring one of the great wine regions of the world. The Rioja region is well know for its red wines and we have made a valiant effort to try them all. Found the ¨wine experience¨to be quite different here than in the Willamette valley at home. Most, if not all, of the wineries here are large operations housed in big warehouse type buildings. Not quite as quaint as we would have expected but just as fun.

Prior to the Rioja region (the town of Logorno and Haro mostly) we spent 4 days in Barcelona. What a wonderful city! Stunning architecture (see Gaudi), culturally diverse, great food and liberal beaches (you know what I mean RD). Had a great time exploring the famous Bar-THe-lona. Yes, they say it with a ¨TH¨ sound.

Are now planted deep in the heart of the the Basque Country. Spent last night in Bilbao (home of the world famous Guggenheim Museum). Today, we went to Guernika. For those of you in the Treasure Valley, Guernika is the namesake of the popular bar in Boise. Did not know until the other day that Guernika was leveled by German bombs (ordered by Spain´s dictator Franco) in 1937 to ¨test¨the idea of carpet bombing. Leveled the city and killed 2000 Basque citizens. Mainly happened because the Basque people were openly critical of the Franco dictatorship. Picasso later painted ¨Guernika¨which was housed in NYC until 1978 as Picasso refused to let it reside in Spain until a democracy had been established. It is now house in Madrid.

Writing this entry from San Sebastian. Another great city on the Bay of Biscay. Back to Madrid tomorrow!