Madrid is in my top five greatest cities and rising fast

Like the title reads, this town rocks. First of all thanks to Jon P. for introducing me to Nathan, and thanks to Nathan and Edurne for taking me in for a while. And thanks to everyone for helping me get on my way.

When I go there I was kind of hating life - jet lag has a strange effect. I went to sleep at 9:30 local time, woke up at three in the morning, finally fell back asleep around seven, then slept until noon. I walked around Madrid all this afternoon, then went to see a play (in English), celebrated St. Patrick's day at Paul, Kelly, and Lance's place, went to a bar, went to a club, then finally had dinner after three this morning.

Tomorrow Nathan and I head to Valencia for Las Fallas (Edurne is sick) - a crazy festival where effigies are burned and fireworks set off. We then head for a national park whose name I can't remember, then head to Cadiz and Malaga on the Meditteranean. We should be back a week from Sunday (I think).

Welcome h... um - back!

It's strange being kind of home. I've been living out of my suitcase, also know as my car, and staying at my old place and T&K's. I'm still tying up loose ends - packing, selling my car, buying this, cancelling that. I freaked out today and felt mildly depressed. I got over it. I will be in Madrid next Wednesday, whether I like it or not. :-)
I miss my family quite a bit right now. The month I spent with them was time well spent. Even though at times I felt like I was going to go crazy, I really miss being with all of them.
My oldest nephew, Steven, plays football, is benching something like 245lbs, and taking steroids. (Just kidding about the steroids). Anyways, the kid is strong! Chris is sporting a new mohawk courtesy of me. Alex just turned six and is already doing division. Stefan (just turned five) read a book to me. And Jacen (three) won me over many times by clinging to me like a monkey.