Packed and ready to go

I'm off on my Spain vacation in the morning. The bags are packed, weighed and repacked again. Those pre-trip butterflies are back in my stomach and I'm trying to get them to fly in formation at least. This trip is my second solo trip so the first timer butterflies are gone at least. But I'm still very, very nervous since I really don't speak Spanish at all. Basic traveler's/tourist Spanish is all I know how to speak and I have a feeling that it will be like my Asia trip. =)

I'm probably going to update my other blog: www.offexploring.com/travelingchamelon

So if you could keep me in your prayers as I travel I'd greatly appreciate it. And check out the
other blog if you want to make sure I'm still alive. =)

Colorado Pictures

Packing for Colorado

Tomorrow I leave for a short visit to see my good friend from college, "Bob" (aka Stephanie Solich), in Denver. What to pack? I called Bob and my other friend, Tiffany, to see what the weather conditions were and how to pack. Basically they both told me to pack in layers, since it has been from 60 degrees to 40 degrees out there. So out goes my sweaters and I had to go and buy a winter coat, both for this trip and the one next week. Also gloves, we don't really need gloves out here in California since our winters are mostly wet and not chilly so that was another purchase to be made. But I think I'm ready for the cold now. I looked at the weather forecaset and it showed mid 50's for the most part of the weekend but I herd the wind makes it colder than it really is too. So we shall see if this California girl will not be turned into a popscile while in Colorado. =)

It has been over two years since I've seen Bob and about seven years since I've seen Tiffany. So this will be a nice quick visit to see them and give me an amuse bouche for my big trip to Spaing next week. I can't wait!

Haircut

In preparation for my trip, I went to see my hair dresser and had my hair cut. Last time I was there she mentioned giving me bangs. Now I haven't had bangs since middle school so I was a bit wary enough so that I stayed away a good six months. But since I am off to Colorado next week and then Spain the following week, it was time to get my hair cut. And this is what she did, I got the bangs but it is more like a side bangs. Frankly I think I look like my cousin =)


Notice the side sweep? =)


So what do you think?

I bought this hat in San Francisco since it reminded me of "Carmen Sandiego" that fictitious criminal mastermind cartoon show I used to watch.

Counting down

Okay so I have two weeks left before I leave for my Spain trip. This will be my second solo trip and so the butterflies of anxiety about going alone are not as bad as the first trip, but they are still there. Normally I plan and plan my trips about a year in advance but there were some unexpected circumstances that came along this summer which caused me to deviate from my "game plan". Originally I was going to try to learn the language and get just a basic understanding of commonly used words in the local language three months prior to my trip. What I didn't plan on was getting a promotion at work in May and spending most of my summer and part of the fall training for my new position, or as soon as I got trained in that new position that I would end up training someone else who may replace my old spot. So much time and effort went into work and the situations arising from the changes this summer that the only thing I could plan for my trip besides the plane ticket was booking my hotels in Barcelona and Valencia. Fortunately I have worked with a fantastic travel agent for a few years and she was able to assist me. At least I have a place to stay and the main two transportation's taken care of (I will be flying from Barcelona to Valencia and back, so this means another plane ticket besides just the cross country/Atlantic one).

So what do I have planned so far you may ask? Well I have my plane tickets going to Barcelona from San Francisco, my hotel in Barcelona and Valencia reserved and my plane tickets going to and from Barcelona to Valencia. I know where to go to get my Barcelona Card (this wonderful card that will help me maneuver the transportation system which includes bus and metro fare) and how to best utilize my two days in Barcelona so that I can get an overview of the city (using the Bus Turistic) before leaving for Valencia and the most important thing (for me as a foodie anyways=) where I will eat dinner my first night there and where the nearest chocolate cafe is. I found out that this one restaurant I went to in Paris, Le Relaise Entrecote, has a branch in Barcelona not too far from my hotel (not too far being about 3 miles away which is about 45-60 min. walk for me, typical when I travel to Europe I find) and about two blocks away is a popluar Chocolate cafe. As for the languange thing, well I bougth the Rick Steve's Spanish Phrase book which fits nicely into a small purse or a jacket pocket and a small journal to draw pictures in if necessary.

I found this video on youtube which gives a picture highlight of Barcelona along with some Spanish music.

A day at the Bay

Today Alli T and I went to San Francisco for the day. It was a nice clear day though windy and cold but that is typical 'Frisco weather. A friend had suggested we go up to Twin Peaks which has an awesome 180+ degree view of the city. It was beautiful and peaceful up there. Then we headed down to Pier 39 to get on a trolley tour of the city. It was fun and our driver drove down really fast on this one steep hill. I felt like a roller-coaster ride! The day ended with dinner at Bubba Gump's at the Pier 39. I did make one purchase that I liked very much, a red hat that reminded me of the one Carmen Sandiego wore.

Costumes on Holloween

I know it is a little bit late but we had some trick or treaters show up at work on Holloween. Tell me who you think has the best costume.



Little Cowboy

Poodles as a toilet (Those are candy inside that bowl!)

Tinkerbell

Avaitor, Raggedy Anne, Good/Bad girl