10 FEET IN THE PYRENEES~LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN! july 2007

NOW I'm excited, for all of those who have been asking for months. NOW it feels right and I can´t stop smiling. All the work toward making "this" a reality. Thanks to each of you for prodding me along and assisting me in my journey before the journey. The getting here is as memorable as the "this". And those helpers are never forgotten!

My moment of paradise is stimulating all the senses! The bluest of skies above, the dry desert heat of the Spanish sun pouring through my open balcony door...into my air conditioned room that allows cats, an accordion player below in the street serenades me for free, sipping my café and once again reunited with my journal. What a glorious first day abroad.
Birds speak an international language to cats...Carb just saw his first Spanish bird from our 2nd floor balcony in the heart of Madrid.
The wonders a ducha, siesta y café can instill in the weary traveller.
Carb is nestled under my bedsheets and Gas is cowered in the farthest, darkest corner under the bed. Are they having fun? If asked, in perspective, compared to 2 international airports and a cargo hold for 7 hours plus, I think they're thinkin' this is paradise!
So now that I've tested the waters, rest assured, 'twas a piece of cake, so you too can now all come over and bring your cats!
Security on both ends was a joke. I carried my unconcealed lighters through security and was able to immediately have my post-flight smoke in the taped-off floor section of the Madrid airport. Mac was completely ignored. At customs, the "cats were scanned" by a nonchalant vet who wouldn't acknowledge my tagged ears and away we rolled with our teetering trolley piled high with cat kennels and packs.
I'm going to send the tourist information señora a Christmas card...she made the final path of our day's journey flawless. Makes for dull journaling, but after many months of toiling with the "what if's" in my mind, dull is a Godsend. She arranged a shuttle to a 2 starred Hostal in the heart of my old stomping grounds.
I anticipate the cats will sleep for the next 3 days, revitalized just in time to up heave the peace they've found here.
Carb has a love/hate relationship with his kennel...the provider of his security. At Pearson, while unloading my "oversize luggage" backpack from the top of our cat tower, his kennel flipped off backward and overish! Pinned beneath towel and kitty litter box...it stopped his meowing!
No one ever talks about the gas that builds in a pressurized bowel flying at a 30 thousand plus foot altitude. I'm certain I'm not the only one who suffers this. After the first test of a jet's efficient air filtration system, I'm certain I'm not the only one releasing. Maybe this is why they don't allow lighters in carry-ons!
A good night's sleep with my right un-depressurized ear down to the pillow and my puffy ankles elevated, I think this 46 year old body with history will be ready to venture out into the Spanish version of the Western World.
4 siestas in my first 12 hours after arrival, followed by a 12 hour sleep! And do I feel good!
My stress growth, which I duly named Margaret, has disappeared. Now I have a blister I named MJ.
Bought the cats Spanish cat food...it's called Ultima, so of course they like it.
Retracing steps in Madrid of three years past. Cool to begin in familiar territory. Minimal changes, favourite cafés and stores still here. Lots of tourists, Spaniards still short.
Cats are disgusted with their portable cat box, for rear ends only...but we're all maintaining regularity.
I have achieved peace of mind, that state of mind when the heart is content. I soooooooooooo love my life, the choices I've made and the people who have dared cross my crazy path!

My cell phone is re-simmed! My new phone number is:
(34 = Spain) 676275521

En route to the mountains in 2 days...until then,
love always,
dana, carburetor and gasoline
xox