Hostal Paraiso Zaragoza

Spent another night on a parking lot near the city centre. When trying to find a decent place to park our van near all the sights, we got caught up in a lybyrinth of narrow streets, filled with cars (sometimes even in the middle of the crossings...). Well, Boštjan is a very good driver, but my nerves are not as good as I thought.

With the help of a security guard at a bank in one of the ...

... offer much more than that.

Though not really hungry, I needed to get something to eat, given that it was 17:30 and I still hadn't eaten lunch yet - feeling so ill, it would only be a matter of time before I passed out. After an extremely late lunch, I popped inside the basilica - many come here to honour a little statue of the Virgin Mary, kissing the sacred pillar upon which she rests. Countless people have kissed it, which has left a large ...

... spires of various lengths with something different on top of each pillar.

The inside is incredible with extremely high ceilings, with paintings on the tops and plaster angels and cherubs all around.

The organ is huge and the choir area is wood chairs and walls with ornate carvings on the wood. The nave is incredible with so many carvings and niches to look at.

Around the corner there is ...

Boring long day on the A23, highest col 1223m.

Looking for aire in Zaragoza when Brits James, Clare and Katie in their motorhome took us under their wing to the park they'd already stayed in. Left over from 2008 water based expo, with typically spanish rusty iron "sculpture".

35 degree C until light shower cooled us all off.

Bren washed her hair in the public drinking fountain, starting a trend with the other family.

... of places with snow on the mountains and all around us. After we got lost a few times and had to ask for directions 3times by local police men we finally found the main road again. Sat around the camp fire for awhile but not very warm even with all the layers on and not worth buying a blanket as will defiantly not need it in a weeks time with the warmer conditions its just because we are so far up. So headed to bed for an early night. Lucky we have got really good sleeping bags ...

... you care about, with who you have had so many great times, that get on planes to come and see you (in Madrid/New York/Argentina/New Zealand/Australia/France) that go out of their way to get you gifts, that stand by you, that accept you and never judge you, well when you have an abundance of these people that are in the very place that you are leaving well its hard... but nothing lasts forever i guess and even if when i get back and some of them are not there, they all ...

We said goodbye to our wonderful host Sylvia in Guadalahara. The morning light and warmth felt like late May back home. We took to the A2/E90 heading NE towards Zaragoza. One hour later we turned off the highway to visit an old Roman fort on the top of a mountain with a spectacular view, Mendinacellini. Structures ...

... entering the city. I instantly decided that if I ever made a list of women I'd travel back in time to sleep with, she'd be on it- it's not something I ever plan on doing, but still. I walked round the city for a bit before coming to the Plaza De Pilar, a truly amazing square on the banks of the river. In addition to several fountains and some Roman ruins, there is the massive Cathedral Des Pilar. According to legend, St James, one of Christ's apostles, had ...

26.09.07 On the first day, Sr. Morse said that during the first few months we would have extreme highs and lows. I'm starting to see what he meant. It's really a strange feeling. Some days I'm feeling happy and good (most days) but then there are those that absolutely amazing, where nothing can bring me down at all. And then there are those days when I just feel sad. I have no reason to feel sad, I just do. It's so ...

... omelette), etc. Her family was extremely gracious and hospitable. Getting a chance to practice my Latin American Spanish to these Castillian Spanish speakers was a great experience. The Castillian Spanish spoken in Spain had a slightly different accent and grammatical structure, but we were able to understand each other clearly. WEDNESDAY, Sep 27, 2006: PAMPLONA, "ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICANS" Today was the day when John, his family, and friends were to arrive to Pamplona from ...