Just Chillin.....

After the prodding of a few people, I have decided that now is a good time to provide a short update to my thousands of fans out there, who have this crazy desire to see what I have been up to since my return to Baeza.  In reality it has been a time to rest, recover, and ultimately prepare for my next big adventure.  Since my return I have spent most of my time here in Baeza with a few detours.  A few weeks ago, I made a return trip to Cordoba; a city that has quickly become my favorite city in Spain.  There I enjoyed some time with my two new best Spanish friends, Jorge and Fernando.  We chatted about our wonderful Christmas vacations (while I was touring Europe, Jorge was in Hawaii and California with his American girlfriend, Tracy), relaxed, walked the city a bit, and enjoyed the wonderful nightlife that is always present in Cordoba.  Unfortunately I did not have my new camera yet and do not have any pictures from this trip.  Following this weekend I spent the next couple in Baeza.  Mostly relaxing, enjoying my friends here, going out occasionally, and excitedly planning for my upcoming excursions.

This was all followed by yet another brief trip to Cordoba this last weekend.  Ismay, Caroline, and I made our way there and although Jorge and Fernando were out of town, we stayed with our other teaching assistant friends there and had a wonderful time.  Friday we enjoyed a night out and then spent Saturday walking the streets in the Juderia, exploring the Mezquita again, eating at the famous Bar Santos, and relaxing on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.  At the end of the day, Caroline and I hopped back on our bus, while Ismay stayed to meet her parents who were on their way to see her.  Saturday was a great night back in Baeza, as Caroline, Justi, and I enjoyed a night together.  We hadn’t had the opportunity to do so for quite awhile, so it was great fun for our trio to spend some time together again.  Sunday was spent napping, enjoying a drink in the main plaza, and walking around the murallas (the road that circles the outer edge of the city).  The weather has been beautiful all week and we are finally hoping that the winter rain might be just about over.

Other than these activities and short day trips, my days have been filled enjoying my friends here in Baeza, planning for my upcoming trips and visitors, and maybe more importantly, submitting my application for the Best Job in the World.  For those of you who don’t know about this, I will give you a brief description here.  The job is on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is for six months starting in July.  The responsibilities of the job are as follows:  live in and take care of a three bedroom villa on the beach, explore the islands, go on tourist excursions, and report back on your activities.  And here comes the real kicker.......the pay is $100,000!  There have been thousands of applications submitted, so it is obviously a long shot, but as evidenced by what I am doing right now in Spain, you can always dream.

Well, unfortunately I don’t have much more for you at this time.  However that will soon change.  Tomorrow I am heading to Jaen for a short afternoon trip where myself and other auxiliares are able to learn something more about the olive process.  Should be interesting.  Thursday I will be on a train to Cadiz for the world-famous Carnaval festival.  I will be staying with Russ, which I’m sure will be a great time.  Then, next week, I’ll be heading to Belgium and Amsterdam for a long weekend with several of my friends here in Baeza.  So although I don’t have much right now, check back soon as I will have more stories very soon.  Not to mention, I am now starting to plan for my April trip with Russ, Zach, and David to Paris and Berlin, as well as the exciting conclusion to my time here in Europe, that comes in the form of nearly two months of family visitors here.

On a final note, I would like to say Good Luck to my network of swimming friends back in the Twin Cities.  Best of luck to the men’s and women’s Gopher teams at the Big Ten Championships as well as to all of my friends and swimmers at the Minnetonka Swim Club as they wrap up their season at A/B Finals, State, and Sectionals.  Even though I will be traveling quite a bit over the next couple weeks, you will be in thoughts.

To be continued.........