(Manarola, 08/27/11)

(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. 

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. 

(Salamanca, 12/03/11)

Perfect spanish sunset. 

(Firenze, 08/23/11)

We saw many statues in Florence--Perseus/Medusa, fake David, etc., but Poseidon was the best.

Wikipedia calls it Neptune. I prefer my own reality.

(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.

(Barcelona, 11/25/11)

Las Ramblas. The heart of Barcelona tourism. Still beautiful!