On the Road Again

In just a couple of hours, I'll say farewell to Steve and the children for ten days. For the first time in many years, I will be spend six nights in a hotel in Madrid before heading north to spend three days in a Jesuit residence.

Why is the hotel thing such a big deal? Because of the blessing of so many friends. For several years, whenever I have gone to Spain, I have stayed with friends. Or we rented an apartment. But things have changed - and it's all good. Leticia and Eduardo now have the baby that have longed for. Leti's mother is staying with them to help with newborn Alvaro. So there's no room in their Inn for moi. Not that I'm complaining. In fact, I am looking forward to lazy mornings, to not worrying about the mess I leave in the bathroom, and to staying up late reading and journaling.

First leg: Charlotte to Miami. Four hour layover. Have no fear: I LOVE AIRPORTS. Even with all the post-9/11 stuff. I am obsessive about arriving early and making sure layovers are long. Who wants to sprint through an airport with stuff in tow?

Second leg: Miami to Madrid. Window seat. Snacks. Protein bars. The only meal I've ever had on a plane that I enjoyed was a kosher meal a few years ago. Delicious, well-prepared food. New and real silverware. (The flight attendant was clearly confused by the black woman with dreadlocs who'd requested the kosher meal. I think I was wearing a cross around my neck at the time. She had reason to be suspicious, but it had my name and my seat number on it.) This time, I forgot to request the kosher meal, so I'll eat my nut mix and power bars, thank you very much.

Next Saturday, January 6th, the return journey will commence.
La Coruna to Madrid, Madrid to Miami, Miami to Charlotte.

I'm glad I love to fly. I have one friend who may never set foot on a plane again. How will you ever see my beloved Madrid, Karen???

I thank the Lord for frequent flier miles: the flights from Madrid to La Coruna and back cost more than the trip from here to Madrid.

If anybody's gonna be in Madrid in the next week, send me an email.

Grace, peace, and mercy be ours, now, in the new year, and always.
Kyrie Eleison.