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I love Spain. What a great country this is! It kinda reminds me of home with the laid back approach to work and life... yet things do get done if at times frustratingly slow (like ordering at McDonald's). The people here are so open and friendly it doesn't matter if you don't speak their language. My Spanglish is coming along quite nicely now. I have narrowed down all the essential words as follows:
si - yes
no - no (quite convenient)
manyana - tomorrow
no problemo - no problem (can do or yes)
grazias (sp?) - thanks (the z is pronounced with as th)
and a whole lot of finger pointing on a map and head nodding or shaking
occasionally a shoulder shrug brings about a new approach from either party
it also helps to know place names!

There are three things I've noticed about Spain that need mentioning:
1. The hair cuts:

If aliens were to land and judge each country by their hair styles the Spanish would win the wacky award (by far).

For the guys to have a "business on top party at the back" sporting a mean mullet, side temples shaven and a piece of thread breaded in you are king. Or you could go for the simple once over with an obscure piece left uncut about 5cm long randomly selected about the back of your head... you still in the cool league.

For the girls anything goes from a no. zero all over to fancy colour effect to things breaded in. What gets me is the fringe cuts. Every girl you meet has a fringe. It does make them look cute.

2. The architecture:

I must say they know how to make a building look good. Driving up to any obscure town in the dessert the apartment blocks have a good look and feel to them. But not just the housing, all new buildings have a modern feel and look that I like.

3. Sculptures

The Spanish are not shy on expressing themselves with art. Everywhere you go there is a piece of art work. Driving along the highways I'm always delighted to see a great big hunk of something that can be construed as art in the middle of nowhere.

I'll put more pics up when I get the chance

"One Night in Madrid"

I met the coolest Finish people in my dorm room. Jo-jo and ST, brother and sister from Scandinavia, and Ben (an Aussie dude on his way to Liverpool) all up for a party 24/7. Within 5 minutes of walking in I had a drink in my hand (not a soft drink) and was on my way to a good night. Ben had been partying with them for a few nights (and a few more before that) so when he recovered we were all off to a club. Needles to say I only got to bed after the sun came up (well before the others).

Most of my day time in Madrid was trying to organise to get to the Pyrenees to do some hiking. I had misplaced the pamphlet Shonny had given me so it was a bit of a mission getting information. It seems most Spaniards didn't even know they had a mountain range bordering on France. But persevere I did and finally made it there.