My Bike Friday!

Rule # 1 Never start looking on the used websites unless you have money to spend. Yesterday I bought a used folding bike that I have been wanting for years. It is an older version of the New-World Tourist pictured here, but it has been lovingly cared for by it's previous owner Jim. It comes with a trailer/suitcase that the bike fits into too! I haven't tried out the trailer, but the bike works beautifully! With a few more test rides, it might be Camino Bound!

Location:Russell St,Victoria,Canada

Year Three: Addicted to the Camino de Santiago 2011

Gord and I will be returning to the Camino de Santiago in July 2011 to pick up where we left off at St. Jean Pied de Port (kilometer 760 of our journey). This time I will be on bike and he will be on foot. I am done grieving that walking is not in  my plans and ready to cycle over the Pyrenees for the second time in a year. In order to stick together Gord will be walking long days and I will be cycling short ones. This is the first trip we have ever done together where he will be working harder than me. We fly into Bayonne France on July 8, and I am starting to get very excited.

Information on the Camino Frances

There is so much information out there on the Camino Frances, but I would recommend you start with the The Confraternity of Saint James. Their overview of the route can be found at: http://www.csj.org.uk/route-camino-frances.htm.

Gaudi Wonderland

Wow! Words and pictures don't even come close to revealing the wonders of Gaudi's marks on Barcelona. We have slowly been making our rounds to see some his buildings and monuments around the city. Yesterday it was the Casa Batlló part mansion, part dragon and part pure whimsical joy.

Today we visited Park Güell a beautiful terraced public park sprinkled with many Gaudi treasures. It was designed as a private pleasure garden for the upper classes, but now can be enjoyed by all.
From there we wandered down the hill to La Sagrada Familia; Gaudi's unfinished masterwork.

Consecrated as a Basilica by the Pope just last month, La Sagrada Famillia is one of the most outstanding buildings anywhere in the world. It is still under construction and won't be completed for another 30 years but already it is unbelievable.
Gaudi was killed by a tram in 1926, but at least 400 workers are still on site working to complete his fantastic vision.

Location:Barcelona

Christmas in Barcelona

Matthew and Ruth

It's Christmas time in Barcelona! Most of our trip has been chasing the early signs of fall as we moved south, but by the time we made it to Marrakech summer had arrived again.Two days ago I was putting on sunscreen and listening to the call to prayer. Now we are surrounded by parka wearing Spaniards doing their Christmas shopping. I think the parkas are more of a fashion statement than a necessity - it is sunny with highs of 16 degrees!

Gord and I have colds but we are still getting out to explore. This morning we walked around the Barrio Gotti and this afternoon,  Matthew headed off to the Meseu de l'erotica while Gord and I went to the Picasso Museum. Each to our own artistic interests.
The huge nativity scene here has a unique Barcelona addition. Each year somewhere in the city's display lies a figure of a man taking a crap. I really don't understand the symbolism but it is unusual enough to merit a mention. The Christmas market follows up this theme by selling a wide variety of famous figures taking a crap, including Michael Jackson and local politicians. I am taking orders right now. How about a Thriller for your crèche.

Last night in Morocco

Our last day here has been pretty low key. Gord, unfortunately has food poisoning; I think it was the date that didn't taste right. He has been laying low with a pussy cat for most of the day. When I asked someone at the hotel what the cat's name was I was told quite clearly that, "the hotel has no cat." Well then who was that purring mess sleeping with us last night?

In the morning we visited the  lovely Bahia Palace. I spent the afternoon in the souks shopping. I would love to report that I have become a shark at bargaining, but I'm afraid that would just not be true. Our timing in the square was late today so we missed seeing John Malkovich - Oh well. We are still waiting and hoping Susan Sarandon will drop by.

Location:Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim,Marrakesh,Morocco

Snake Charmers and Movie Stars

Hotel Sherazade, Marrakech

Marrakech is a city of contrasts where everything comes together. Even within Djemaa El Fna, the main square in the Medina, snake charmers and acrobats share space with VIPs here for the International Film Festival. Apparently Catherine Deneuve and Francis Ford Coppola are among some of the celebs in attendance.

We saw Susan Sarandon tonight at an outdoor screening of one of her films. The film was competing with drumming groups and the high pitched flutes of the snake charmers. In all the chaos Susan still flashed me a winner smile when I called out to her with shameless abandon,  that we loved her. We were only about ten feet away. I think we'll be great friends.

As we wind through the noisy and congested streets packed with shops and restaurants, doors become frontiers into other worlds. From the street you would never guess what magic lies within the grubby walls. We are staying in a Riad, one of these new worlds, where all the outside chaos is left behind. Instead we have court yards and terraces filled with plants and cozy corners in which to enjoy a cup of mint tea.

Mint tea is the common element of both worlds. We have enjoyed it within our Riad and also out of dingy cups on crowded sidewalks. No doubt mint tea is also being sipped by the movie stars at the Mamounia Hotel.

Location:Rue Mohamed el Qory,Essaouira,Morocco