(San Sebastian, 10/15/11)

(San Sebastian, 10/15/11)

These trees lined the waterfront park in the old part of San Sebastian. From far away, they look like an impressionist painting. Up close, they look like any old coniferous tree but they feel silky.

(Béjar, 10/12/11)

A cairn on our trail. I'm catching the hiking bug again.

(Salamanca, Fall 2011)

Salamanca's a conservative city, but that doesn't stop the liberal-minded people from speaking up (loudly). 

The first poster includes pictures of almost every European politician, including both spanish presidential candidates and the pope. Fascism is an incredibly touchy subject here, as Spain's only 30ish years removed from Franco. In fact, you're considered fascist if you fly the national flag if there isn't a soccer game that day.

The second picture says "Cancelled because of animal cruelty". 

(Manarola, 08/27/11)

We made a point to sit outside for meals whenever possible. Upside: you can watch the sunset and smell the ocean. Downside: smokers. (Hasn't Europe been informed about lung cancer?)

Luckily, we found a (cheap) cafe on the water just as the sun was setting on our first night in Cinque Terre. I sampled their delicious pesto lasagna. In fact, pesto was invented in that region. Probably in that very cafe. 

(Venezia, 08/21/11)

The most difficult aspect of talking to Spanish people isn't the vocabulary, necessarily, but the cultural differences. 

For example, I use "creepy" and "awkward" very often, it turns out. These words don't exist in Spanish, and I've failed to explain either one adequately.