United Statesian

Dear Citizens of the world! 2011 has started with a breath of fresh air, both indoors and out. As of January 2nd, it is illegal to smoke in any bars or restaurants in Spain! Now I can finally go out for a drink or coffee and not come home smelling like a musty ashtray! We decided to start our newyear by going cross-country skiing and hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees. We were blessed by sunny weather, great snow and fresh mountain air -- the only smoke being the soft, sweet smell of ceder coming for the village chimnees... As of 2011, you can only smoke at home and in the streets Enjoying the sun and snow in Benasque Whispy, smoke-like, clouds over a mountain that apears folded like a duvet Thanks for listening, The United Statesian A parting shot... Sunrise from the hotel in the village of Campo

Dear Citizens of the world, The demon dogs are back with Galloping Spanish Blightus. The doctors here have a strange name for it - pneumonia. The past three weeks have been spent sitting around, resting, coughing uncontrollably and trying to get the phlegm out of my lungs. Excitement with no end. This week I was greeted with a treat in the form of snow. Four centimeters was enough to collapse Madrid and cause all sorts of confusion - not so fun for commuters, but great for me. I got to spend the day watching cars try to cross a patch of ice on a slightly inclined road just outside my window. Cheap entertainment without even leaving home. See the video: I've got a nice car, but I don't know how to drive it... I recommend listening to Simon & Garfunkel's " Slip sliding away " while watching the video... Maybe next week the demon dogs will have relaxed and I can return to life as normal here in the little metropolis called Madrid. The United Statesian