26 June 2004 Girona, Spain My 12th European nation and what a delightful treat. After a gorgeous flight and uneventful arrival at Girona Airport, the mad-driving taxi delivered me to Hotel Peninsular. I did not notice anything noteworthy about the city during that trip, perhaps fearful for my life. After settling in I ventured out and was taken by its beauty. Why have I never heard of this place before? On this warm late afternoon with few others about, I made my way through the old section of the city. The narrow, cobblestone streets, earthy toned houses, and shallow river Girona has offered a quiet but wonderful refuge. I already feel at home here.

27 June 2004 Girona Rising before sunrise, I walked through the streets of Girona with almost no one else about. It was a glorious morning for moving about this beautiful city. Without knowing exactly where I was going I found myself at the base of the old city wall at its eastern edge. I climbed the walkway and looked over the city. With my fear of heights I wasn't terribly comfortable at some spots of the wall, but it was a great experience. The grand view of the old section will long be in my memory. The cathedral seemed to rise with my climb until it jutted above the lower lying city; with the Pyrennes mountains serving as a background, the view was splendid. At each tower I stopped and took in the beautiful scene. At the end of the wall I found a stunningly beautiful garden; shattered walls of now-gone buildings were ingeniously intertwined with the greenery. This serene place is a gem.

A litttle later I began to hear others and knew that my time alone was over. Gradually I descended the higher portions of the city through the narrow streets. Occasionally I heard classical music playing in the residences above me. It was neat way to take all this in. After purchasing water on this warm, bright morning, I walked towards the city park. It was unremarkable except for its unkempt and trash-strewn appearance. It was not a pleasant place.

Later in the day I walked in the southern part of the city. The intense sun was a mixed blessing. Not many people were out during the siesta time. This newer part of the city is an interesting mix of contemporary architecture and traditional Spanish style. There are many playgrounds but not many children. High end stores seem to predominate, and I noticed only one church.

Yet later I took the tourist "train" through the town. I saw little new, but enjoyed the serene setting.

28 June 2004 Girona The 5:45AM bells of the nearby cathedral awakened me, and offered a leisurely pace to prepare for my departure. After checking out a taxi picked me up promptly at 7AM. This time the driver was not from hell or going there! Ryanair, a new Irish discount airlines, was a joy to deal with, and we were airborne right on schedule: 8:45AM and landed in Rome five minutes early.