The Spanish review

Hi everybody:

I have decided to make use of what Chris has written, so I needn't type it all again. I just need to tell you that planes are really strange things. One is lifted up really high and cannot leave the thing until back on the ground. In that it is not a bus, but it looks a bit like a coach, where drinks and sometimes food are offered and I get ice.

So here goes Chris' review:

 

hi everybody:

This is a very long review, of course, as my trip was great.

On Thursday, November 12, the journey started to Berlin, where my friend Silke picked me up. First we had lunch in a Persian restaurant - the smell felt familiar, and for my taste the food was delicious. It is no secred that I love most of the Persian cuisine. I had chicken with a sauce of paumagranate juice and ground wallnuts mix, rice of course, a salade and the ever-present yoghurt. Then we spent some time in a tiny neighbouring shop that sells colours in various shapes. Silke bought a few for the friend I was going o see in Spain. The guy in the shop packed the liquid component so it wouldn't break in the plane's belly. Then we went shopping in Berlin's modern city center, and then Silke took me to my sister's place, where Hapoo explored the yard, before we all went inside to have a drink, chat and watch a bit of TV. Finally Silke left, and it certainly was time to close the day.

 

The next morning started with a nice and luxurious breakfast with my sister and her husband, before the sister took me to the airport. Here the flying debut awaited Hapoo. The service was excellent, I boarded the plane last, and a passenger who used to be a member of the cabin crew, immediately changed seats to assist Hapoo and me, if necessary. Hapoo lay down and only looked up for takeoff and landig to receive little treats, and I gave her ice cubes to chew on. In Frankfurt, our stop, we were taken to the next gate in an e-cart, which Hapoo didn't like, but I surely had fun speeding along the aisles. As we were aproaching the City of Bilbao, the plane was hit by some strong winds, and landing seemed difficult. Hapoo sat up several times, but I managed to put her down again, as that is the safest position for her, and we made it on the ground safely. I didn't think the landing was too hard on my stomach, but the cabin crew told me they did have to provide little bags for passengers in need. I was met by a little Spanish lady who kept talking to me, even though I understood only fragments. She was fascinated by Hapoo, helped me claim my bag and then took me outside to meet my friend.

 

Meeting Ilka was fantastic, we both really enjoyed meeting each other. Ilka surely didn't like Hapoo's calm distance towards her, but I bet Hapoo was tired after all these new impressions. We drove three hours to the Asturian city of Oviedo, and on the way I noticed the wonderful smell, like we only have it here in flower shops. The ride was great, Ilka and I talked and listened to some great music, walked Hapoo after arriving, and then enjoyed a great dinner, prepared by her son.

 

Ilka is really good at describing things. She started by describing her apartment to me, so I felt at home from the very beginning. She walked Hapoo with me all the time, we explored new routes, once found a way to climb the hill she kept seeing from her balcony but so far had had no idea how to access it, and she described the areas we walked in. She also displayed great talent in navigating me across rough and slippery grounds, we really had quite some fun.

 

Saturday was so warm that I started my day on the really large balcony, and then we drove to a beach, where we lazed in the sun and had lunch. Then Ilka showed me that the sea can sound like deep thunder, when it finds its way through and across rocks and cliffs - I had never heard such sound of the waves before. Then we saw a little chappel, which she also turned into pictures in my mind. As we left that shelter, a horse aproached us calmly and followed us until the road turned. I wasn't sure if Hapoo would scare him, so I preferred to leave, although I suggested that Ilka take him as her pet and possibly keep him on her balcony. The horse kept looking at us until he couldn't see us anymore, I guess he was a little lonely.

At night we chased coins to feed public laundry machines, and that way I got to taste Spanish gooddies and cakes.

 

On Sunday we drove up to a lovely little city called Llanes. The city itself is lovely, and on sunday afternoon the streets were packed with people, restaurants were busy, and shops were open. We first explored the city and then walked along a well-kept grass road right at the sea. We picked figs from a gree and then sat on a bench to enjoy the nature. Then I had the chance to buy a few fouvenirs, and we discovered the delicious Asturian cheese. If you ever have the chance to go there, have a taste of good cheese, and you know why I have to mention it.

 

Our last complete day was spent going to a forrest - a really romantic place in the mountains with a river running, falling and speeding through. That morning I also had the chance to see her new place of work, the Spanish contact center. People were very kind, and I caught a glimpse of the cultural differences, as well. In the afternoon we went shopping, and my great friend gave me a present, a lovely candle. We talked and had a lovely last evening.

 

The next morning we had to wake up early, because this great friend of mine drove me the three hours back to Bilbao. Again we talked some more, until it was time for me to leave - sometimes grattitude is hard to put in words.

The two flights back to Berlin, this time via Munich, were uneventful, and on the second leg I had great company of an engineer, who did not mind putting his papers aside for a nice talk. Finally my sister found us, and we drove to IKEA, where we first were greeted by a colleague whom I didn't know, but she knew that I worked in Rostock - fascinating. Sister and I had lunch and then went shopping. I bought a few plates and bowls, simply because I had seen some of them in Ilka's cabinets and liked then so much. The following day was spent relaxing and watching football with the sister and her husband, and finally on Thursday a good friend of mine picked me up, took me home and checked my stereo system. There had been a bug, and with easy means he got rid of it. Then we went to IKEA for lunch and a bit more shopping, and finally I was at home.

 

However, yesterday was another packed one. I had breakfast with my colleague and his parents, and when we stepped outside, the weather was so gorgeous, that we decided to go to the beach front in a little nearby city. Then coffee and cake, and the night was closed in a Japanese restaurant. Good to know that i have another week of holidays ahead, isn't it?

Have a good night, cheers, Chris&Hapoo.