Yusef Wateef, I Love How That Sounds !!!

These I took in Pamplona, Spain  while in the festival of San Fermin.  You might know it as "The Running of the Bulls!!!" I had no idea what fear really was until I felt the streets behind me tremble as six 1,400 lb. bulls came charging down the street at me! People from around the world gather to honor the Martyrdom of St. San Fermin who, as legend has it, was dragged through the streets of Pamplona by bulls.  It starts with a day of constant parties and bands.  Even a teatoddler like me had the party of my life.  You wear the white pants, white shirt, & red sash around your waist until the official opening at 12 noon.  The picture of the scarves in the air are us, holding them until the official start.  If you ever go, remember not to wear them until the official start in the town square.  You get filthy dirty with eggs, flour, & (get this) powdered cocoa being pelted on you!!! You aren't really in the groove until you smell like someone dumped cake batter on you.  But no fear.  If you follow the crowds under people's windows and chant "AAAAAA-GUAAAA, AAAAA-GUAAAA."   They'll take a bucket of water and dump it on your head!

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Another great thing about the festival is that it's not just for big kids, you see young and old alike enjoying things together!!

The food was great!   Chorizo, Roasted Chickens, Meats-On-A- Stick. I'm in Heaven!!!

A romantic view of the village I camped near.  El Molino.  I think.  We went during siesta to visit.

These are magazines  that keep me up on the world of travel.  They're great for info and tips as well as articles by other travelers. Southern Cross Magazine, TNT Magazine, & Council Travel Click below: www.southerncross.co.uk www.tntmag.co.uk www.counciltravel.com

Below, I felt like I had cake batter on my head.  I never got those clothes clean.  Had to trash the lot.  All I kept were scarves.

Just below is a scene from one of the endless parties that went on in the town square.  This was a live band. You can see the guitar tip if you look real close at the mid/bottom right.

{--To the left is my "Family Photo".  Well, actually it's a great friend of mine, Merryn, & a local girl whose mom took the picture of us.  Merryn & I wondered though the streets of Spain listening to a violin and bass guitar play "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life".  We had a blast!    This is probably my favorite picture of Spain.

In London, England there is no end to the people and personalities to see.  These are pictures on street entertainers and back porch philosophers I've seen, my favorite is the man at the famous "Speakers Corner".  "Speakers Corner" is in Hyde Park, London.  All you need is a soapbox to stand on and a topic.  It's usually politics, religion, or human nature that's on forum.  All you have to do is stand up and talk.  If people like what you're saying they'll form a crowd.  There's no fee or requirement.  Just the gift of gab.  Maybe during my next "European Tour"  I'll have something to talk about!!

Below is a slightly squished picture of Ivona & I. She really helped me discover London.  She and I spent many days walking places and touring Soho!!  Soho is the place to be!!

{--This is my friend Crystal, she was making her way to Turkey when I saw her last.  If you read this Crys., good luck!!!

This was taken by Ivona in an old fashioned English pub in London.  The guy next to me is a piano player.  When you come in he'll ask where you're from and play a tune from your country.  He's quite the geographer too.  He can tell you where what is in relation to almost anywhere.

This guy is Andy.  I have nothin' but love for him.  He invited me to this party (picture on the right) and when I asked him what it was for he just said "Why not?"  Every few weeks he and his mates get a dancehall and just tear the roof off.  We started out calling each other lots of  things but in the end I call him friend!  If you ever meet up with him, ask him who wrote "Satisfaction"!

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