I've travelled through a good dozen countries in my life, and I maintain that American men are the best looking. I believe this is because of the vast diversity in our fair country, so I find it a bit ironic. But I suppose it's just genetics really, you mix two breeds and get a much superior specimen. Therefore, I find the term "Ugly American" a bit misleading, though extremely deserved. As America is going through a tough, and controversial time politically, most of the world has taken note. Most people I meet for a prolonged period, when trying to make conversation, [View Full Entry]

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I have hit the Mecca of help exchange. One of the reasons I picked this spot, other than the location near Southern France, was the large number of positive reviews from previous Help Exchange participants. It's always a little nerve-wracking showing up at a train station, and getting in a car with complete strangers. It even crossed my mind that some people could write reviews of themselves, posing as Exchangers...if they were really twisted. I saw their picture from their website, and they looked like a sweet, old British couple, both with glasses and white hair, one balding. Very gran [View Full Entry]

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I've reached my next destination, for all those concerned. I'm trying to get it added as a town on this website, so we'll see. It's somewhere between Bordeaux and Toulouse...Actually, it's even smaller than Marmande, it's called Il Bretonie or something. I will write a full entry tomorrow night. [View Full Entry]

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As the culmination of my experience in La Llacuna, I was recruited to help serve at a Wine tasting/luncheon with Anthony. As part of his work, he sets up wine-related events for a club that he runs. It turns out, none of the club members were signed up for this particular luncheon; rather, a different club of Barcelonians (Barcelonans) filled all the spots. It was a club for divorced single folk, who do things together when other people might be out as couples. Sounds like a firecracker waiting to be lit, but also a rather nice idea. One of them later [View Full Entry]

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Last night I finally had the opportunity to reap the benefits of working for a Wine Tour Operator (besides my daily overdose of wine and cava). Anthony had a business-related winery tour to attend last night, and needed someone to watch Jethro. Thus, working over hours, I tagged along as the nanny. The reason I was not at all reluctant to work extra, was the promise of free wine and sample snacks. Last weekend when Anthony and his new girlfriend took me out for a sandwich, neither of them would stop raving about this cured ham they had eaten the night [View Full Entry]

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For those of you concerned, my ribs are quite nearly healed (did I mention that I slipped in the shower again in Marseille?! That one only resulted in a skinned shin, and now a nasty bruise). I moved and dusted about 50 bikes today (the cruel irony that I can´t ride a single one of them not lost on me) and the dust kicked up had me in a sneezing frenzy. I was able to sneeze away with pleasure, and only a slight twinge in my ribs. Perhaps I should learn my lesson and forgo showers forthwith, and become a dreadlocked [View Full Entry]

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I had another lesson in culture today, with my first ever game of "paddle". It's exactly like tennis, except wimpier. It seems to be the trend in British culture, to go for the more dainty version of a sport. Take cricket versus baseball. Or chess versus Risk. They must be able to observe, "I say old sport, good show!" after a play, or it's not the game for them. In paddle, you use tennis balls, but the rackets are smaller, and flimsier, the court is squishier, and there are back walls off of which to play. For example, if you hit [View Full Entry]

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Rain for days. I can´t get any outdoor work done, I´ve been imprisoned at this computer screen for 20 hours. I´ve developed a twitch in my left thigh, and after Gary´s near-death experience, I´m convinced it´s a blood clot. That´s silly of course. Tons of people sit at a computer screen daily, for 8 hours straight. They´re called "gamers". But that´s not the life for me. I finished today´s database entry and said (to myself), "screw the rain, I´m going for a walk". It´s been freezing all morning; I´ve lost sensation in my left pinky toe. I have on two long-sleeved [View Full Entry]

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This morning I woke up, and there was no water. Luckily, that awesome spring water abounds in jugs around the house, so I managed to wash my face and brush my teeth with that. Unluckily, jugs of spring water don´t make the toilet go flush. I have to pee so bad!!! My host is nowhere to be found. I´m pretty sure he mentioned something last night about being gone, and gone he is. He does have a way of disappearing. Yesterday, he invited me to go into town for a sandwich with his girlfriend. All weekend they´d been inviting me places [View Full Entry]

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Once again, not Barcelona, Vilafranca. I had my first day of real work today, and I´m actually pretty tired!! My tasks for the day were to vaccum and mop, mow the grass, add a billion emails into his database, and port a BILLION bottles of that delicious cava from my potential room to the new cellar. I got almost all of it done, and I think I´ve done enough for today. This area where I´m staying is amazing! On his plot of land, Anthony has an orchard with apples, pears, almonds, cherries, green and purple figs, something that looks like a [View Full Entry]

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