The Ipod goes missing... AHHH!!! A guitar purchase is the obvious next move

The Night we left Barcelona was actually the night of the World Cup Final... And the song, that had been hauting me the whole of my trip, "My Hips Don't Lie" Shakira, was performed that night... by the sexy Columbian and WyClef at the Stadium... It seems i could not escape the song or those hips...

We had to leave at half time, which was a bit of a bummer, but, hey, Aussies were out, and i didn't think much of the French after the dog poo incident and well, the Italians, although leaving a good impression while i was there, i was still upset with "the dive" in the 94th minute episode...

So off we trotted... A long long train ride where i didn't really get that much sleep, but it seems in the time that i had fallen asleep someone had come along and pinched my speaker case which contained my Ipod... BRILLIANT... i didn't notice until later on when we were on the beach... We couldn't check in till after 3 and it was only 8 in the morning... The beach was calling, so we slept there for a good 4 hours, when i woke to about 200 hundred school kids (7-8 year olds) just absolutely running a muck... WHY?
The funniest part was The Doff had fallen asleep with his runners still on... here is a a great pic...
check the hands...
So we checked in later in the afternoon, and headed out for dinner... i am a bit sketchy, on the exact events of San Sebastian, but i will tell you what were the highlights...

Apart from the beautiful scenery, San Sebastian has two main beaches, divided by a river that flows through the old, cobble stone street, town... It has an old castle up on the hill with a huge statue of Jesus at the tip... It's worth the walk...

On one of the nights, Bob Dylan played a beach concert to about 60,000 screaming fans... i think old Bob, as much as a song writing legend as he is, he is certainly past it... But the encore of "All Along The Watchtower" was certainly the best part of the show... I think soon after me and Doff we swimming in a pool that was on the beach... Why not hey?

There was a pontoon, about 200m swim from the shore of the main beach which had a slide for kids and a 3m high diving board... very very cool. Except for the fact that i am a terrible swimmer... but i was determined to get out there and dive off that board... Lucky i went out there with Kell, she is a fully qualified life saver... I made it there, but refused to do it ever again... Damn swimming is hard work.

I filed a report of the missing Ipod and speakers at the Police station with another half dozen or so saddened individuals, and decided i still needed music. The next obvious thing was to buy a guitar... 60€uro.. A bargain... have been playing ever since...

Met some really cool guys and girls from the states and spent a couple of nights with them and even had some of famous Spanish Paella... Mmm Paella... so good, it's rice with vegetables and chicken, but so so tasty.


Kell had organised a car for us to drive to Pamplona the next day, we had to leave at like five, to get there for the running, and after driving the wrong way for a bit, some great directions, from a taxi driver, my spanish still needs alot of work, once again, hand gestures and pointing came in to play... but we managed to get on our way and follow all the signs to Pamps...

Now was The Doff and Myself ready to run...

HELL NO!!! After hearing stories of one American who is now in a wheelchair from the first day of running... and with the Doff's foot and my lack of balls, we decided to watch the action from the Arena...

A lesson i have learnt is to always play by the rules whilst in the ring... you may tap the bulls and run in front (if you are crazy!) but never, never hold onto the bulls horns... This one guy i saw did that, and after he had let go and the bull ran off, every Spaniard in the place came and kicked the crap out of him... Not cool... but they are the rules...

I filmed prety much the whole thing and can't wait to get home and edit up the "best hits", so many dudes just got hammered!!! Loved it... and also loved being in the stands...

We kinda stood out in our civvies, so we bought some clothes to fit in with the customary red and white outfits that covered the small city streets. After purchasing our "Pamps Get-up" for the day, and in serious need of rest we headed back to the car with a quick stop off for some food and drink for a picnic in the park... It was wonderful... As soon as our bellies were full of chicken and ham rolls we all passed out and when we woke it was almost time for the big show of the Bulls vs Matador's in the Arena (which we had purchased tickets for prior, always a good idea).

The girls were not so keen but "When in Pamps" as they say, we headed in with our bucket full of beer and Sangria... Now sangria is a top drink to be consumed in copious amounts but at these events it seems, the only reason the Spaniards buy the Sangria is to throw it at the crowd... Kind of a Throwing beer up at the cricket when the mexican wave goes around... But not only do they thrwo Sangira but, prawn heads... oh yeah... prawn heads... i took a couple in the shoulder and the head and then retreated to the alcoves...

The whole spectacle of the Matador vs the Bulls was really a bit of a disapointment to me, the bull just doesn't have a chance... and by the time the Head Matador comes out the Bull has already been stabbed several times and has two spears hanging out its shoulders... The bull is clearly knackered (and i mean tired not de-bullocked)...

The tight sparkly outfits (very KAK, bedazzlered up to the Max) cracked me up and so did the mannerisms of the Matador's, but they are the kings of that domain and are looked upon as such by the people... So respect to the lads.

We left that night and slept on a beach somewhere between Pamplona and Santiago (our next destination)... The Doff and I were awoken in the early hours by a tractor that was combing the beach about 20metres from us... we bolted up the beach but had to wait till he finished before we could rest up again.

More to come..... Santiago, no not San Diego which is Latin for a.... never mind