A Brief Gasp

Chris and I left Madrid on the morning of the 8th. As we sat waiting for our train to show up, I stood up and walked over to the TV screen announcing arrivals, and as I did, I noticed a familiar face walking into the station. It was none other than Shane Birney. "Shanerton!" I cried, somewhat out of surprise and somewhat out of relief that we wouldn't have to hunt for him in Barcelona. "John Ford Milton, you totally awesome dude!" was his reply...or something similar at least.

It turned out that Shane was unable to make the Barcelona flight he had planned on (he flies for free in standby because he is a Delta employee) but that there was space on an earlier flight into Madrid. Thus he, and a pretty new friend he made in the process named Amber, decided to fly into Madrid and then train into Barcelona. Thus, we all met in the Renfre station on that fateful morn, borded the train, and enjoyed together the beautifully dry country that undulated out of the city in a series of browns and dull yellows, punctuated by olive greens.

The train ride was fast and enjoyable, and as we passed through the low mountains into Catalunya, I thought about how the Tour de France had just finished up a leg in Barcelona and was that very day heading back into France through the same mountains. We were quite literally on the heels of the race. Signs for the Tour's arrival in Barcelona were everywhere when we arrived.

We parted ways with Amber, as she was due to meet her lifetime friend and spend the weekend in Pamplona, and then headed out for the hostel. Hijinks ensued, and shortly I will address them, but as the hour grows late here, and we have an early start manana, I will leave with this teaser:

Travel Guru Rick Steves says that pickpocketing will happen in Europe; it is simply a fact of life. Also, Barcelona is the pickpocketing capital of Europe. Long story short: Shane lost his wallet to some Gypsies.