Took a side trip up north to Figueres, a otherwise unremarkable town if not for the Teatro-Museo Dali. It´s one of the most interesting museums i have been to. The exterior of the building is covered in what looks like little dots from far away but they are supposedly poo. Along the roof are gigantic eggs, one of Dali´s other obssessions. Yea, he is one wacky dude, but you gotta love his creativity. The museum is filled with scuptures, mixed media art and paintings with eggs, deformed human bodies (most of them with drawers coming out of their torso) and lots on his wife, Gala, and lots of other fun art.
Needless to say, it was well worth the 2-hour train ride.
My time is Barcelona is coming to an end although i will be back for a day or so next week. I am leaving for Bordeaux, France tomorrow to meet up with the parental units. More good wine and good food. Can´t complain!

Nick posted the pics! They are not really organized yet and there are about 650 pcitures in total. Here are the links, one with pictures from my camera and one from Nick´s. Here are a few of my favourites if you have limited time:
Deborah - the best employee at United who helped us get on our flight to Germany
Oktoberfest - early evening , a few liters later and many beers later
We really weren´t kidding when we said it was snowing
The Steady Stead
Innsbruck
Bolzano, Italia - town surrounded by the Dolomites and here´s a fun one near our campsite
Driving through the Dolomites - C and i, Alpine Lake, Beer delivery by chopper, more Mountains, Frolicking, Group photo
In Klagenfurt, Austria with Heidi
Vienna - Ferris Wheel, Coffee shop
Finally, getting our bikes!
This is proof of the river crossing - nick, k and c
Here is a nice view of the Danube from one of the bridge crossings on our way to Bratislava and as we are getting into Bratislava in the dark. And here is Nick posing in the main promenade the next morning.
One of the nicest bikepaths we took was in Slovakia, from Bratislava to Gobcikovo. And here is Charlie´s attempt in cushioning his sore bum.
Here is a pic of the only ´hotel room´ where we could bring our bikes in. It was an abandoned university dorm and our only option in Gobcikovo. Here is another one to show how abandoned it was. And our lovely dinner.
The next night we arrived at Komarom, Hungary where we stayed with Edith and her husband in their very homey cottage.
Ah, and of course, a Trabant, they were all over Hungary.
The next destination was Eztergom, one of my favourite towns. Here is a nice view from our room in the attic at Lazlo´s 1600 home. And a beautiful sunset over looking the Danube atop the town. And of course we had to document our hungarian omelete breakfast the next morning with Lazlo´s wife.
This is Charlie and I about to collapse from exhaustion from climbing the hill from Eztergom to Szentendre. Apparently there is a Santa Fe Cafe just about anywhere in the world. Did we mention that Paprika is a Hungarian specialty?
And finally, arriving in Budapest!! We made it up to Castle Hill just as it was getting dark. We had a nice traditional Hungarian meal, and a stroll across the Chain Bridge.
The next day we visite the Hungarian History Museum, the Parlaiment ...and cafe, a stroll in some massive mall (we were looking for an internet cafe) where you were allowed to do just about nothing and a delicious dessert (it´s a Hungarian specialty but i can´t remember the name), upon Valeria´s recommendation, to end the night. Well, we did other things too but there are too many pictures for me to post them all (and i am getting tired...)! Definitely go check out all the other great pics on the websites!!

Well, as Karen learns Spanish in Barcelona, my hotel-living phase seems to have drawn to a close. I moved in with a co-worker John, who had an extra room and offered it up. Although I can't expense my living expenses like I can in hotels, hopefully the new situation will be slightly more stable. And it comes with a washer and dryer.

I don´t think i have ever seen it rain as hard as it did the other night. It wasn´t a hurricane, just a gigantic rain storm. It rained cats and dogs all night, like someone was pouring loads of buckets of water from the sky. It stopped early morning but homes were flooded, as were some of the metro stations (and of course one of them was the metro station i get off for school). It poured again this morning for a few hours, and stupidly, I got off the wrong bus stop and had to walk a few blocks in heavy downpour, the umbrella didn´t seem to have done much since my pants and shoes are soaking wet, they still are, after 5 hours. You can imagine how uncomfortable it was sitting in class this morning with wet socks.

The sun is out now and hope it will stay that way. Commuting in the rain here is no fun. Anyhow, i must have gotten really used to the predictable and mild weather in San Francisco.

Well, Barcelona has been great. I haven´t done all that much other than going to class and roaming around and I am starting to get the schedule down! I get up at 8:30am, get on the metro with the rest of the Barcelonians, a late lunch after class at 2 or 3pm and dinner at 9 or 10pm which are the normal meal times here. Some nights we go have few drinks and then in bed around 1am or later. I cruise around with Pablo on his moped, get fresh produce at the local mercado and I am going to go join a gym today. Yea, living like the locals!! Now i just have to master, eh...learn, the language which is going to take a while. Going shopping is a great way to learn and practice Spanish though. Good excuse, eh?

Pablo and his roomate Maria are having a little dinner party tonight, should be great fun and great food!
Vale, Hasta luego.

Well, I've been avoiding posting, since I'm not truly traveling. Though I do live in hotels....does that count? Packed up the Car in Mountain View from Karen’s house and headed over the Sierras on Monday, Oct 7th, 5 AM. The unfortunate realization that I don't indeed have a place to live besides hotels for the next few months is sinking in.

My current digs are the Plaza Hotel in Carson City. Thought I'd give it a try, since it's close to work, have a good weekly rate, and a kitchen. I had been staying in the luxurious Sienna, which I far prefer, in Reno. They have free high speed internet access, pool, spa, and workout room. Needless to say, the Plaza has been a big let down, including an adventure in buying my own food this week, and finding there were no pots to cook with in the kitchen. They stopped providing them, according to the front desk, because they were routinely stolen.

I'm headed back to the Sienna fo' sho, even though it will cost me 70 miles a day on my leased car that is nearly out of miles!

So, though its not really traveling, you may look forward to several months of dreary posts about Nevada lifestyle... or perhaps I'll save it.

I made it to Barcelona and got some much needed rest thanks to my gracious host Pablito who offered me his bed!
After roaming around all morning i found a spanish school and had a couple hours of class today. Feels good to be doing something productive.
Well, not much to report quite yet but its time for some lunch.
hasta luego!