2026 Daily - 03/30/2026

 Almost end of day... and I'm really tired... Barely remembered to make some kind of post...

Well - tomorrow - visit w/Rachel, walk w/Ava... 

AND - Ellen will join me/us for 2nd nite Seder...and she will make the potato kugel... And I'm going to try making the boxed passover cake with an additional egg AND yogurt... 

found a nice music thing of African music... see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZswnzkQHWxc which is titled:  "INSTANT CALM Zulu Vocal Harmonies That Will Soothe Your Soul | Relaxing African Music"

and now -- to sleep... bed... etc etc.. after Long Life tea...orderer? - NO - can't find it... maybe out of business.

2026 Daily - 03/29/2026 .. Sunday flying back

 Movies watched on plane to DC.. Bugonia, Sentimental Value, and The Chorale.

Now in United lounge. Beer and snacks. Aok...

Last few days in Spain seemed exhausting.... And so I didn't write. Two back to back long bus rides... And seemingly too many views of things from the outside.... Or. No ticket for Black Madonna in Montserrat.. I wad feeling annoyed but held it in to not be negative. We did have some good meals... But one was an optional! Too many optionals which I think should be included! Imho. I need to pay more attention to what's included and also THEN make A comparison. BTW.. Morocco or Ireland/Scotland on agenda.

As for seating.. I mostly got over it AND... plan to make contributions to the Ukrainian stuff Michael does. He is brave!! And wheelchairs???

When I get home... This time.. Some life changes!!!

walk

Eat less

Stretch

Workout of course

Massage!!!

Writing

2026 Daily - 03/26/2026

 Long drive today. I'm not happy with seats. Will complain at survey time.

Saw cave dwelling and in Valencia saw wonderful stuff from outside. Actually.. Disappointed we did not have time to enter shot museum complex. Too long a drive for one day with no entry to cool places. That may be the same in Barcelona except for optional extras cost thing to Montserrat.

Seating: assumption that Vic and I were together; failure to give what Michael said we'd get on LONG trip, poor rotation that put us in front of bathroom. Oh... And lousy lynch at crowded road cafeteria. All in all . bad travel day. So that's that.

Off to included paeilla dinner... with drinks. Tried an ok aqua del Valencia.

Early up and out tomorrow. Last two days in Barcelona. More stuff ONLY from outside. I'm souring on Trafalgar.

2026 Daily - 03/25/2026

 i am tired, Its late-ish,,, I had a beer at dinner.... I am thinking... Drink less but then I drink alobg with friends. OY.

Day full... Alhambra plus walk around town of Granada. Nice place,

Lots of mentions of Jews,,, though few live in Spain. There has been a return of Moslems.... Interesting!!! Moslems came as workers recently. Jews still staying away though I note Chabad does have a presence as per web listings.

Nothing profound. Might try to write Ellen an email... Or to sleep perchance to dream

2026 Daily - 03/24/2026, day 4??!

 Good day. Cathedral in Seville as well as old Moslem building??? And flamenco at night.

And ... Me and choice.... As per automobile decision .  it vey!!!!

That's all for now. A bit late and a slightly early start to Granada tomorrow. 

2026 Daily - 03/23/2026, day 3??

 Is this day3 ???

Good day. Saw BIG mosque... Now a cathedral inside and operating.. In Cordoba. Quite a tour and site to see. Later a tour of an olive farm oil production place. Had a taste of one with definite tomato aroma. Bought for gifts and personal use.... Ad after I use Greek oil..  Today there was a lot of time on bus..  But alright.

Tomorrow... A cathedral and more and then dinner and flamenco show.

Tired now... Some Times games and then sleep.

2026 Daily - 03/22/2026 - Toledo and Madrid, day 2

 End of day,,,, after optional dinner show,,, REALLY NICE,,,  Spanish opera and good food and wine and SANGRIA which I liked.

During day went to Toledo - I got some gifts and a souvenier, SawJewish Quarter and Synagogue, Saw some cathedral and government buildings from outside,,, Sunday meant we couldn't go it... BUT we did get to see the GREAT El Greco painting.

All together a good day,,, Lots of walking,  I used the knee supports, People all very nice, Talked w/Juan and Elena, Friendly folks. 

Talked movies,,, Last one mentioned, essentially = DIVA,

Now to bed,,, 7am bags out, breakfast, on the bus at 8.

2026 Daily - 03/21/2026 - First day Spain w/Trafalgar

 End of first day with group. ok!!! Even got an invite to Mike's table when alone. Very nice of hin and i look forward to that. Things w/Vic and Hollie and Marie fine. Vic and I went to the Prada ... ok time. I was tire and that was a downer... I slept hardly at all last night. I hope tonight will be better. Also looked at bull fighting ring and took some pictures of outside. They still do it! And sometimes there is a statue of the father of antibiotics who helped save the lives of many matadors. Name - Dr. Flemming! Tomorrow... Toledo and more. party dinner tomorrow night.

The high speed train we took from Jerez to Madrid was kind of impressive. FAST - sometime over 150 miles and hour!

At dinner talked w/Neal from Cherry Hill who is traveling with his parents.A guy from India, I think. I mentiioned to Holly as followup to conversation last night = some more movies I like.. Grand Canyon, LA Story... more.

I am off to sleep NOW-10:20pm.

2026 Daily - 03/20/2026 - Jerez

Missed yesterday... Here now. Got hear after meeting Vic at train station...He was without luggage... airline problem. Getting resolved as I write and he is training back and forth to seville airport to put his hands on it... Seems good and will work.

Today - easy day ... fortunately we did not reserve a sherry tasting or Vic would have had to pass so as to get luggage. WE DID SEE a wonderful flaminco show..at Los Mejores Vinos De Jerez -- small venue, good seats, sherry and food and show... A lot!!!! 

We are now with Marie and Holly. Having some fun.. eating, drinking, talking, a bit of differences of opinion, aok... I hope and think.

Now it is half past 4 and chilling, digesting, I tried to walk to a church but got lost... came back ok...  .We had a lot to eat... tapas like... (and some pre-lunch ice cream). Dinner.... maybe .. Right now full.... but thought is to have a real meal. We'll see.

Tomorrow - early morning fast train to Madrid.. and hook up with Trafalgar Tour.

Right now... A nap... wake at about 5:30 and go to lobby.

=====================

Listened to some music.. Canadian and other... On youtube.

Dinner...real, ok... Salad and carbonara.

Vic got back with his bag. 

And now .. Sleep and early morning start.

O

2026 Daily - 03/18/2026.... Faith

 In hotel .. hostel in Seville. Good long day traveling. Tired. Took a shower. Texting and calling possible on my phone via Xfinity plan. Tested a bit. Looking good. Data something else.

Local time.. 7:10pm .. I'm hungry and heading out to eat. I've identified a place. More info later. Probably too bad I'm not spending more time in Seville. BTW... This hostel is basic inexpensive, clean.... Ok. 

_----------pause--------+

Faith from r. Nachmans book.... Faith in my self PARAMOUNT. And there's the rub... I just don't have a certain level of self confidence that I could and SHOULD. That is at core of my troubles.... Deciding things to do or get. Deciding about people. My waffling on issues is ok... To a point. Choosing what to finally and fully own is the problem. . rethinking thoughts .. ok ... Redoing that which has been done. Harder to undo. Possible... But sooner rather than later!!! Do I have the strength? What do I want, need....to change???? When???

_--__--------------------

And..

Nice dinner at little local place. Got a little too much. But ok. Salmon and spinach lasagna.   Lots of cheese. Not sure of layers. I could work on it!!!

Heading to sleep soon .. lights out by 10pm  i AM tired. Good day. Tomorrow should be good, too!!!, maybe more so.

2026 Daily - 03/17/2026

  And today is st. Paddys... I'm heading to Spain. First flight aok..some turbulence... And new Yorker article k we PT in mind. 

And then.. What about planes flying??? seems like magic OR SCIENCE...  Well science explains what feels impossible! Yet TRUST is the thing about what happens and science tells its story which can result in new more advanced stories.. Can I, will I talk to some people about this??? why, what for?  

And then there's a black hat in the lounge... Shall I engage him about G-d??? From that new Yorker book review? I could ask... Can we talk a bit about hashem and kabbalistic emanations? And why would he know what? Anyway.. He's left. 

Who will be sitting next to me on next leg? 

So quiet day. Some texts ably my travels. Nice to have gotten into lounge... Maybe a bit early. They ware not very busy. The lounge has beer and other complimentary dtinks. And sandwiches. And cheese. And soup and salad and cookiu. GOOD. I'm going to stop eating and drinking around 9pm... Boarding around 10:30pm. I have no idea what will be served on plane. Not worrying.

Navigating the blog on my tablet ok... And I do have the keyboard to connect in future. Glad I tried this. Btw... Charging port here seems better, faster, stronger.

And... Now that's all for today.

2026 Daily - 03/16/2026

 this might be last post til April... as I am off to Spain tomorrow... BUT might be able to post... Just not so easy while traveling.

Today - just Facebook/WebCam for services .... Their zoom not working.

I am packed (mostly?). Plan to awake about 4pm and call an uber/lyft... Checked in. Weather warnings hopefully will not really interfere w/travels. 

Pub!ishing.... 3/17...at IAD airport