just a little note

As life here in Spain continues becomes more natural and I thrust myself deeper into my studies, it’s a rather nice feeling. I have no pictures from any trips to offer and no tails of great adventures, but I am simply finding joy in the day to day.

Here are a few of the things I am thankful for.
1. Books, I am currently reading about the French Revolution and others.
2. Friends, both the ones in the U.S and here.
3. Don Antonio, my cactus that accompanies me almost daily on the window seal.
4. Languages (Spanish, French and a little English)
5. Good Professors
6. Freedom
7. Good food
8. Learning about myself and learning from others
9. Skype
10. Don and Lori Chaffer and their music that often soothes my soul.
11. My Parent
12. The mountains
13. The fresh air that the new day brings
14. Pictures
15. Distance and the perspective that it tends to bring into ones life.
16. Books
17. Running
18. Hope
19. Café y tortilla española
20. Hard times- (its always easier to say while we are not in them)

Well friends, I hope that when you read this you smile a little and know that I am also thankful for you. (yes, I know that is a cheese things to say, but its true)

A little taste of my world

I enjoy a concert and part as much as the next guy (only half true) but a week! That is too much for me. The Festival de Pilar is over and if you want to know what its about look it up on google. It was nice not being in school and I had good old Ernest Hemingway to keep me company on the window seal.

I am taking a break from reading an article for one of my classes and wanted to give you a little taste of what I am looking at.

La Relación Entre Población, producción y Progreso
T.R Malthus (1792)

Capítulo 1
Los grades e imprevisibles descubrimientos de los últimos años en la filosofía natural; la creciente difusión de la cultura general, gracias a la extensión del arte de imprimir; el espíritu investigador, ardiente y libre, que prevalece en el mundo culto e incluso en el mundo inculto; la nueva y extraordinaria claridad que ha sido proyectada sobre la vida política, deslumbrando y asombrando a los mas entendidos y especialmente, aquel tremendo…

ten pages to go!


and you thought all I was doing in Spain was climbing rocks and going to concerts. Nope, that is false. I have a lot of reading to do and the only option for me is to keep plugging along.

Life is mellowing out and it is a good feeling. I have made some friends and am learning a little french along the way. The weather has been nice over the past few weeks, however it is going to get cold soon enough. Time to keep reading, peace out friends.

Albarracin

One of the things I don't like about this whole blog thing is that you (yes, you who are reading these words) get the hear about my life, and see pictures about what is going on here in Spain. But, I have no idea who reads this, nor do I get the hear about any of you. You know if that is all I have to complain about then I guess things are not so bad.

Here are a few pictues and I will keep blogging for a while longer.

Here are some pictures from a rock climbing trip from two weeks ago. Albarracin is about two hours south of Zaragoza. It is a beautiful old city, one of the few walled cities here in Spain.

Barcelona and Ben Harper

Last weekend I went to Barcelona to see Ben Harper in concert and to see the city. The city was cool and all but the concert... wow, the concert was incredible.

The opening band was a group from Spain called "Ojos de Brujo" and they were very entertaining and I most definitely got my groove on with their crazy Spanish rhythm. Ben Harper came on and I proceeded to dance and sing as if I were the only one around. It was a liberating concert. Something deep within felt a since of relief after few hard weeks. The pressure of being in another country, language and a lot of self induced strain was really starting to get to me. Being in a place where I could just express myself was so good. Often times I get so full of different emotions that I don't seem to be able to manage, they build without an exit, so with my blue tie die shirt and my favorite pains on I danced and sang with all that I had and it felt so damn good.

some pictures

Here are a few links to some pictures if you care to take a look.


Torla, Biescas, monte perdido



My home, Zaragoza, Spain

Well said Mr. Chaffer

I connect with this song very well at the moment.

Life here is good, times of despair mixed with great joy. The exposure to new ideas and people from all over the world can be overwhelming for an Okie like myself, but it good to remind myself to just keep moving, keep writing, keep thinking and take it in as fully as possible.



Learning How to Rest
by Don Chaffer

I came around the corner
Of the outer edge of town
You were standin’ in the center
There were people gathered all around
I’d never get through this crowd
You know my heart went kind of numb
But You smiled when You saw me
And You beckoned me to come

So I struggled through the pressing mass
I had a thousand things to say
But I was sure Your ears were flooded
There was just too much in the way

CHORUS
But then You said to me
Come away by yourself to a lonely place for a while
Well, I’m sure you’re tired
You know, I cannot even see your smile
There’s just too many people here
Why don’t you come and be with me
Then you took my hand
And we headed out for the sea

I got here late this morning
You’ve been gone since the other day
They took You to the tomb
But I guess we all go there someday
I came out here to get away
To get some time to think
Nothing’s making sense right now
I feel like I’m on the brink

Then on the distant shore
I hear one strong voice say
That side is yielding nothing
Cast your net the other way

BRIDGE
You know things get hard and the world’s not stopping for me
But I know now what to do and I know where I need to be