0Madrid, Spain
27th November 2006
God is great
There’s probably no greater example of how religion inspires monuments and artwork (and bloodshed) on a grand scale than in Spain’s south, where hybrid monuments from the Muslim and Catholic dynasties of the past millennium stand as timeless reminders of what faith can inspire.
0Córdoba, Spain
26th November 2006
A week of deflation
The Spanish love to take their time. I had one prospective job take close to three months to finally whither and die on me. Others simply never ripened on the vine. I had thought I’d turned a corner last week when I was asked to an interview only days after submitting an application, and offered a job before the interview was over. Alas, the haste with which this job progressed continued, right through to the offer evaporating in the dry Spanish air before anything was put to paper.
0Madrid, Spain
24th November 2006
Mordor
Madrid is surrounded by mountains from which rain clouds seem to sprout from the slopes at any time of the year. Somewhat fittingly, as I returned from the southeast on a high, the dark clouds rose up again. It should’ve been a sign, I guess, for the days to come.
0Alicante, Spain
22nd November 2006
Beyond a distant horizon
With a job now tucked away, I’m able to start making plans for the future here. I’m becoming aware of the need to start looking at logistics, such as finding an apartment in Barcelona, and when I get home, working out what I will and won’t bring with me. For now though, I’m enjoying my day in the sun.
0Valencia, Spain
21st November 2006
A day of elation
I had all but given up on finding work here. Nonetheless, I’ve stubbornly continued to apply for jobs in Spain, despite now being on a farewell tour (the only thing to disappoint me more than not finding work here, would be to have not seen the country as well). Now, I’m happy to say the effort has paid off.
0Zaragoza, Spain
20th November 2006
Like a red rag to a bull
There are so many royal palaces in Spain that I suspect a ruling monarch would have to change address every month just to keep the dust from settling in any of them. From Bilbao, I bumped along the northern coast and, just before reaching France, turned south again to Pamplona, and beyond that, Zaragoza.
1Bilbao, Spain
16th November 2006
Civilisation
I came to A Coruña for one thing—the Torre de Hercules. Though it’s largely a restoration, parts of this ancient lighthouse date back to the 2nd Century when the Romans were here. I’ve since found the north coast has several sombre reminders of what civilisation can mean at both ends of the spectrum.
0A Coruña, Spain
14th November 2006
Ruins and relics
There’s something about Galicia that stirs the soul, and invites exploration. Needless to say, I chewed up a lot of time exploring what has to date been the most impressive day of touring. Whilst there’s still a long way to go, I doubt anything will cap today.
0Zamora, Spain
12th November 2006
Castles in the air
No matter which city you go to in Spain, they all have something in common. They are completely unnavigable at night to all except locals. When setting an expected timeline for getting out of even the smallest town and/or city, double what you think it will take, then double it again. They come with a guarantee that you will visit most areas of the urban centre (sometimes twice), in your efforts to escape.
0Madrid, Spain
8th November 2006
Last roll of the dice
The clock has never ticked so profoundly for me as now. The torment of waiting to hear back from job applications is not in knowing whether I have or haven’t been successful, it’s the waiting to hear SOMETHING that’s the killer.