Back in the USA!

I had planned to take lots of photos of the Christmas lights in Barcelona the night before I began my trip back to the States. Last year I wrote about the lights at the Sant Pau Hospital (link to Lights! Camera! Action!). This year I went to see them again and they were beautiful, but I should have opted for just wandering the streets. That’s next year’s plan. The City recently announced that Barcelona was elected a European Christmas Capital 2026, recognizing its Christmas customs combining tradition, innovation, and sustainability. Here is a link to a video produced by the City of Barcelona: Barcelona Christmas Lights.

A photo of the tree lighting in Begur is below. There were more people in the main square this year than I have seen in the square ever for anything. It was really fun to be out with all the locals.

Even more exciting news is that I ran into the Russian at a local IKEA-type store. He and I have waved hello in the past, so I know he knows my face and that I am a neighbor. But when I saw him in Jysk, I said hello and he embraced me like I was his long-lost cousin. I mean he hugged me tightly! I’m not sure what would have happened next after I picked my jaw up off of the floor, but just then someone “encouraged” us to move out of the main aisle of the store. He went one way toward the counter to pay and I went the other to continue my shopping mission. How bizarre! Maybe he’s being nice to me to throw me off the trail of whatever crimes he has been committing!!

I’m writing this post from my home in Galveston, Texas where I’ve come to hang out for a few days before and between flying to visit my kids and grandkids in Florida and California. I had planned to leave both dogs at my friend’s house in Spain over the month I would be gone, but after Cassie passed away, I didn’t have the heart to leave Cam alone. He wouldn’t have been literally alone as he has other pets to play with there and he gets plenty of attention, but I felt that at this moment in his life, he needed to be with me. This was my first time flying transatlantic without a friend handling the second dog. It was hard getting all of my luggage plus Cam around with no assistance, but we survived. The only complication along the way was that my baggage was sent through to Houston from Barcelona and was not available to me for my overnight stay in Paris the next night en route to the US. The Air France agent in Barcelona had assured me that I could pick it up in Paris. But no. I had no toiletries, no clean clothes, no nightgown, and worst of all, no dog food. The Air France agent in Paris gave me a goody bag with a few things – toothpaste, oversized tee shirt, deodorant, etc., which helped. I got Cam a breakfast bar and a pack of small sausages from the hotel’s shop. Poor thing.

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday!! I will be back in January, hopefully after a stress-free, glitch-free return flight. Ha ha, like that could happen. And fingers crossed for my medical tests!

BONES FESTES!!!