Atlantic.

Step 1: Get Passport

Step 2: Send lots of money to person overseas you have never met.

Step 3: Get on a plane and pray.

So, I’ve completed step 2.

The master plan for heading over to the Spain is in full swing. In less than a month I’ll be running naked down the street trying to avoid being killed my wild animals with horns.

Half of me starts shaking with excitement every time i think about the adventure ahead of me. The other half thinks, “bring a speargun!”

I spent the morning and early afternoon last weekend with the local Rotary group at their annual conference. This is in preparation for a trip I will be taking with them to Japan in October and November. I’m amazed at the level of work those people do. Each time I speak to someone in Rotary, I gain a new level of respect for the people involved.

More on that later.

It seems I know many people who have been to Europe in some capacity and have much advice on what to do, how to dress, where to go, but only one person who has actually run in El Encierro.

Much of the advice I’ve received thus far has gone like this.

“It’s cheaper in a group.”

“Wine is cheaper than water, so buy it by the bottle.”

“Ride the train.”

“Don’t wear pants. Not cotton ones at least.”

“If you’re accepting drinks from strangers, just try to avoid anything that smells like trouble.”

I’m not so sure about that last one. To me, trouble would smell like BenGay or Gasoline. Not sure I would be drinking that anyways.

So July 6th, I get on a plane and cross the Atlantic ocean in it’s entirety for the first time in my life. I’m thrilled, excited, charged, enthralled, every adjective except scared. I lost fear a while ago.

I get to spend a day in New York City on my way out; another place I have not been before. After leaving NYC, I take a hop to Philadelphia and a loooong jump to Madrid. Spend an afternoon there, then ride a train across the Spanish countryside to Pamplona. Party there for a week, then go to Barcelona by train. I spend a day and night there, then fly all the way back to Phili and AZ afterward. In a total time of less that two weeks, I will travel a distance of over half the circumference of the planet earth. freakin cool.

I’m reading “The Sun Also Rises.” A story by Hemingway about a week he spent in Spain at the very same party I am going to, almost 80 years prior. He didn’t run. I will.

I had to struggle through the first section of the book, as it was about as lively and enjoyable as eating sand. The second part of the book was really quite well done, and the end seems to be losing it’s edge. Almost done, though. I picked up the names of some bars and a hotel that Hemingway stayed at in Pamplona, so I’m planning on swinging by and taking some pictures for an author friend of mine, as I owe him a favor.

I’ve left this American landmass for the first time this year by going to Puerto Rico. Now, I’m leaving the Continent and going to Europe. After that, one more trip to Puerto Rico, then Japan, then Australia at the end of the year. I’m almost tap dancing I am so excited.

Just a quick update today. More coming soon.

Also, if anyone has a copy of Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon could you let me borrow it?

Thanks!