Hotel Yaka Les Angles

... having a beer and watching a man try to dig his van out of the snow. To my knowledge his van is to this moment where it was when I left the bar.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to post some pictures of Canillo when it's snowy and the sun comes out. Don't have too many, but figured it was worth a post.

... waiting for him too. Probably not, but he was still a hero in my book.


We finally arrived at my destination at about 8:30am, and I proceeded to try to get my bearings in a new place. I was surprised at how quiet everything was, and also by the fact that most of the shops were still closed at close to 9 on Saturday. A few hours later I realized this little town doesn't really get started until about 9:30 or 10. Never ceases to amaze me as the ...

... village et quand on est arrivé, il avait le marché du matin. On a acheter du vin à environ 1 euro le litre (vin de pays) et du bon fromage bleu pour le déjeuner.

On avait pas le droit de prendre des photos dans la grotte pour pas faire de la pollution lumineuse (il y avait déja des ptites pousses de plante pres des lanternes...ils veulent pas en rajouté non plus). Aussi il faut pas déranger les chauve souris...pauve cocottes...

... than anything else. However, for a first time climber this is often the most difficult. The death grip mush come off the rock and weight comes off your feet. Floating on air! You push aside thoughts of whether or not the rope will hold and begin to descend.

Actually, I found the job of belaying much more difficult than that of climbing. Not only ******* the arms hauling the rope around and holding it securely, was the knowledge that ...

... with cathedral ceilings, arched entryways, dangling chandeliers, and stone sculptures filling in the corners. Walking through this grandeur with tips of toes and hushed whispers watching as the scenery continually changes. One moment there’s a wide expanse to the right, then it opens all around, then it‘s a tight passageway with new sights only coming into view just as you arrive there. Catching glimpses from different flashlights ...

... of the most hair-raising turns. Trying to drive these roads is bad enough. Trying to remember how to drive after not doing it for 3 ½ months adds to the difficulty. Having to reverse shifting a standard to a Right-Hand drive complicates the issue. And of course, it’s a Right-Hand drive vehicle driving on the right hand side of the road, so all perception’s off. No problem!

Thankfully it's exceptionally ...

... 1.6 Euros! (ok, fair enough, maybe you guys do have a point, but food and wine are as key to the french culture as the medival ruins and churches) So, anyways, back to the care.....I figured a bottle of red and a bottle of white (ugh, now i have billy joel in my head for the rest of the night.....) but Jason, being the practical english man that he is, thought it better to get a bottle of white (and mind you when i ...

... never French. As in Barcelona, though, the main language is Catalan, one of Andorra’s few claims to fame. For me, though, it has another claim to fame. THIS IS MY 100TH COUNTRY!!! WHOOPPEE!! BREAK OUT THE CHAMPAGNE!!! As it is, I’ll settle for a decent meal and a decent night’s sleep. At least I have a decent room for a decent price, so better than the last night in Barcelona and no small consideration for any ...

... to use it. It's been so relaxing just to arrive at the Gite or Refuge and just take a bed for the night. At around 10 euros it's hardly worth unpacking the tent. I have continued to cook for myself all but one evening to keep the cost down. The French don't really understand the concept of not eating meat, so if I were to take the evening meal in the gites/refuges then it's guaranteed to be a cheese omlette everytime. Whereas tuna pasta hits ...

... We all take turns in preparing meals, washing up, etc. Our jobs so far have been milking goats, strimming, watering the crops, planting vegetables, digging holes and planting trees, making paths, damming a stream, feeding the chickens & ducks and collecting the eggs, and best of all shepherding the sheep & goats on the mountain! Check out the pics! So far the hottest we have seen has ...