More on the real land of milk and honey

I am on my way back to Faro now. My visit to Lugano was perfect. We did none of the things I thought we would, save visiting my old dorm, but I would not change a thing. Mostly every night I stayed up with someone until 3-5am talking and sipping wine. We had so so much to discuss after all these years, spouses to get to know and new wines to try. I do not have the energy to give many details right now, these I will share in person for sure, but I wanted to show you some pictures. Generally, these are of the views from Arianna and Ryad's place, the double rainbow, around Lugano, panino stand, the lido bar, Arianna's best sofia lauren, making pancakes, Alfredo's arrival and the martini bar, Arianna and Ryad's new tree, Locarno film festival, thermal baths somewhere in german switzerland (I never did get to look at that map), Arianna's pool, dorm Giardino, dinner at Christina and Jake's and our reunion with Prof. McCormick at a grotto near Franklin. The more artistic shots were taken by Matteo, Arianna's talented cousin (I simply provided the machinery).

I will say that my two night stopover in Madrid was quite nice, except for the windowless dingy hostal room. I visited the Museo del Prado where I was able to experience Bosch's Garden of Earthy Delights (Beautiful is not really the word, but it is amazing to stare at and has got to be evidence that LSD was in fact invented by a Hoffmann precursor sometime in the late 15th century...it is filled with 70s style pink spaceships and other structures straight out of Sleeper). The Prado also has a great Goya collection from his black period, portrayals of country life in gray, black and brown each with something white in the center which gives every piece a feeling of infinite darkness surrounding some small hope...at least that is what I saw :) Also I caught the Van Gough exhibit at the Thyssen museum showing the 70+ pieces he produced during the last 70 days of his life...amazing. Afterwards I walked around the Gran Via and Puerta del Sol areas and then met Asun, a post doc I know from Faro, for drinks and pinchos.

My plane leaves in 2 hours, I need to buy sunglasses, and although there are things I do not want to leave, I think I am ready to get back to Faro and become a grad student again....