Leif's Blog

Creating a new norm

2011-03-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

Life as we know it is changing. Wages are stagnant, food and gas prices are up, global warming seems to be ever more present and things seem like they are not getting better anytime soon. Some people believe it is beyond their control and that the little things that an individual can do are not sufficient enough to make a major change in this world.

We Americans are the biggest energy consumers in the world and very wasteful. We drive too much, we spend too much and we eat too much junk. When you think about the world, are you part of the cure or the disease? Most of us, if we look long and hard enough, would realize that despite are high moral values, we are contributing to an unsustainable world. Blame is easy to lay on others, but the truth of the mater is that most of us are at fault, me included. It is easy to disagree with politicians, but do you vote? Do you write your representatives to let them know how you feel? Are you angry about gas prices going up? How often do you drive? Could you drive less or drive a more efficient vehicle?

Now is time to create a new norm for yourself. Be a part of the solution and make conscious decision about what you do. It is hard to stay focused in a society of mass media and instant gratification, but I guarantee that you will be a happier person is in the long run if you slow down and participate in the better good for humanity. Carpool with a coworker, invite friends over for dinner instead of going out to eat, write a letter and let your opinions be known.

Best of luck. Leif

The man who walks his dog with a truck.

2011-02-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

The sun is peaking its bright head over the top of Mt. Baker spilling red and orange light down its slopes. The sky is a bright blue with just a few white wispy clouds handing around like a scarf around a person neck. Ahhhh, I thought to myself, this is a nice drive to work, but man would I love to be going on a walk right now feeling the crisp air in my lungs, the sunlight on my face and all my senses coming to life.

As I look to the left out my car's window I see the Smith road soccer fields and a friendly dog, sniffing, running and enjoying his walk as I wanted to be doing ( I could do without the sniffing). Behind him slightly I noticed a large F-150 slowly creeping along and then it dawned on me, this dog isn't alone, he is being walked by a truck! It isn't the first time I've seen this truck before and the dog shortly following behind him, but it was this occasion that it dawned on me that this dog was being walked by a truck.

Is this man handicapped? Is this man extremely lazy? Does the dog think the truck is his walking companion? Are there people that also walk their dogs with trucks? I don't know the answer to any of my questions, but I do know that to me, he will always be "the man who walked is dog with a truck."

San Diego

2011-02-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well well well, look who is back. I know it has been a long time since I have put anything up on my blog and by this point, I imagine that my small group of followers has abandoned checking my site for updates. Tiss tiss Leif!

I have decided that as I am not traveling much these days, that I am going to change what I write about. I haven't come to a concrete decision as to what I will write about, but I'm hoping to allow some of my foreign friends to get a more cultural connection to the this beautiful corner of the United States. They have shared a great deal of themselves and their culture with me over the years and this is opportunity to give a little back. As for my fellow state side friends, I hope to share a little more about what I think, do and where I hope to go in life. Until then here are a

few pics of my trip to San Diego during winter break. Looking for sun and beach time all Eleanor and myself found was one of the rainiest weeks in history. Lucky we had great hosts, two Spanish friends of Eleanors who are studying in SD.

Part of Coronado Island and downtown San Diego.

Downtown San Diego. We took this train in from Old Town.

Eleanor, Pati and Anayansi at 70% off Sushi Night.

Taking the Elevator to the very top for some great views.

Lake Ann

2009-08-13T11:34:00.001-07:00

I haven't done an overnight back backing trip in years, but a few weekends ago I was able to sneak off with my friend Ben to a lovely hike to Lake Ann just 4.8 miles beyond the Mt. Baker ski area. Despite giant flesh eating flies and tons of mosquitoes we had a fantastic time. No cell phones, no cars, no crazy people at town hall meetings bashing a health care system that might actually get me health insurance, just us, the great outdoors and breath taking glaciers, vistas and waterfalls. Ahhh Washington in summer time.

Me with Mt. Baker looming in the background.

Ben and Mt. Baker

Lake Ann and the back side of Shuksan Arm.

Lake Ann.

Leif learns to ski

2009-05-16T01:48:00.001-07:00

I live in the "Costa del Sol" or Sun Coast, but 2 hours from my house there is Europe's most southern ski resort. A few months ago I got the chance to make my way up to the Sierra Nevada and finally try skiing. I have snowboarded all my life, but I have always had a desire to try skiing and to see what it is like. After a few hard tumbles I picked this new sport up without too much trouble and without expensive lessons. Believe it or not, I think knowing how to ice-skate helped me how to ski more than knowing how to snowboard, they both have very similar stopping movements.
What a beautiful sunny day to learn how to ski!!!!!

Me in action!

My good friends Nuria and Victor. Here we are in the village after a great sunny day of skiing/snowboarding and many many laughs!!!

Morocco and beyond

2009-05-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since my last post and so many things have happened that I don't know where to start except to talk about my one week trip to Morocco that I went on a month ago. I was last in Morocco at the end of 2005 and I have to say that the country has changed a lot since I was there. During my trip in 2005 I felt suffocated as a tourist, harassed many times and not at all comfortable. I remembering it being an interest trip, but not a relaxing one by any means. Apparently in 06 the government invested 1 billion dollars in tourism and cracked down on illegal guides and invested money in some different infrastructure project. Any who, the this trip was a refreshing change from last time and at the end of the week I was left with a desire to plunge deeper into Morocco and spend more time there. Enjoy the pictures!

Me over looking an oasis from on one of the stops we made during our 3 day package trip we took to the desert.

An old alleyway in a small Moroccan town.

The three of us (Eleanor, Leif and Layla) did this trip together. Here is a picture of us eating at one of many cheap and delicious restaurants. If olives, lamb and great bread is your bag, then Morocco is the place for you. I couldn't eat enough food and did not even get diarrhea. Yahoo for me!

One of many amazing villages we saw. See the donkeys below? They are to take people across. Did I get my feet wet and fall in the water trying to get a piggyback ride across the river from Layla? Yes, yes I did. Lets just say the locals had a good laugh at my expense and I saved a good 1 dollar.

Typical Breakfast

2009-03-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

Yummy! Here is a few pictures of a typical Spanish breakfast, it is simple but delicious. It is a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, a piece of toast with fresh squeezed tomatoes on it, a cup of coffee and a large bottle of olive oil so that one can generously splash his toast with this delicious and healthy Spanish product.

Mom in Spain

2009-03-08T13:36:00.001-07:00

Mom and I in the Plaza de Espana in Seville

After three years of living in Spain, my mom finally made it over for a visit. She has been here for a little over two weeks and tomorrow I will miss work and take her to the airport. As I do not plan on coming back to Spain next year it is good that she decided to come for a visit. I had a week off from work and was able to show her some of my favorite places in Spain and also share some new adventures as well. We spent 2 days in Granada, she visited the city and the Alhambra and I got to try skiing in the Sierra Nevadas with my friend Victor and Cecilia. Besides Granada we visited Sevilla, Ronda, Melbez, Cordoba, Merida and also got to spend two nights visiting my friends and old stomping grounds from last year, Caceres.

A weekend in England.

2009-02-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

My friend Edu (bald Spanish guy on left) has spent the last 4 months or so working as a waiter in England to practice his English. I took advantage of cheap European flights (as did Victor (guy in the middle)) to visit Edu and have a "local" tour guide.
Here are a few random observations about England.
1) The food is bad. How is it possible to ruin a burger or fish and chips? I don't know, but both were without taste and gross. This rule held true for everything... well. minus the beer.
2) An excessive use of "thank you" or "sorry." I'm all about being polite, but I ask you, is it really necessary to thank someone for saying your welcome?
3) Great live music! I love England style bars and miss the warm wooden feel that they bring, especially when they are accompanied by SwingSka music. Break a leg!
4) England wasn't as nearly as expensive as I thought it was going to be.
5) Double-decker buses are sweet. I got picked up by one as soon as I left the airport and have to say they are as cool as they look.
6) The rain and the clouds brought me pack to the Pacific Northwest without having to actually go all the way home.

Yes, this is actually a statue.

Our hostel in Bristol.

Look right Leif!!! If it was not for these signs I would probable be dead. It is hard to break the habit of looking left first after doing it for 27 years. doh!!!

England 2

2009-02-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of the weird and interesting things I saw during my time in England.

This photo was taken in the massive mall of Birmingham. In this photo you can see 3 of the 4 or so levels. A mall walkers dream come true!

This is a giant Jelly Belly bull. Yahoo for most flavors, bohoo for popcorn flavor.

One sweet ride!

TUNISIA

2009-01-11T03:36:00.000-08:00

ROEL AND MYSELF ENJOYING CAMEL STEAK. YUM!! It reminded me of Dad's bbq.

Tunisia. Where do I start? I would have to say that our best idea of the trip was to take the advice of the owner of a coffee shop and to leave the capital, Tunis. Heading south we found friendlier people, richer sights and fantastic picturesque villages. We saw the 3rd biggest Roman coliseum in the world, in el Jem, a Star Wars town, dried up salt lakes, beautiful brick work, wondering camels, dried hanging figs and many other sights to fill the imagination. On top of that, we meet a wonderful Dutch couple, Nan and Roel, and managed to tag along with them and their rental car for two days of easy traveling and culture rich conversations.

TUNISIA

2009-01-09T11:28:00.001-08:00

In the center of Tunisia lies a giant salt lake. Near this lake is Tozeur, a small town famous for its brick work.

Paige and I standing on salt. The lake was dried up when when we drove on the small highway that makes its way across this lake.

Desert Rose, the small crystal I have in my hand. I purchased this little rock off my good friend seen here in this picture. He invited me in too see his house and his backyard as well.

Sheep in transport.

Random camel on the side of the road.

TUNISIA

2009-01-09T11:04:00.001-08:00

In southern Tunisia lies one of my favorite towns that I visited during my six day travel in Tunisia, Matmata. This small town was full of mist, sand, mystery and also the where part of the original Star Wars movie was filmed.

Paige and I pretending to drink sand. Notice the Star Wars memorabilia on the walls.

One of several cave hotels that you can stay at while visiting Matmata.

Our Hotel we stayed at.

Our cave room was surprising warm considering it had no heat and only one light bulb to light the room.

TUNISIA

2009-01-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

Me in the capital, Tunis, modeling some of my favorite bottled water and enjoying the clock tower.

Sometimes 1st class on the train means waiting for an open seat in between cars. After a 30 minute inter car ride we found some open seats and continue are comfortable train ride to southern Tunisia.

Me in the old Roman Colosseum in El Jem. Tunisia is an interesting mix of new and old.

My favorite part about traveling, street food. This delicious and spicy french fried stuffed chicken sandwich is just what the doctor ordered after a morning of sight seeing.

Day Trip to Ronda

2008-12-21T03:44:00.001-08:00

Nestled on cliff tops, this precious little whitewash town is a great place to revisit. I was here during my days of living in Jerez de los Caballeros. With stunning views, small streets and lots of nice hikes around the town it was a refreshing break from the traffic and noise of the Malaga.

It is hard to tell, but I'm on the edge of a bridge with a huge drop off.

A night shot

Cactus covered cliffs.

Getting some love from Store Front Santa!!

More cliff action!

Con pan y vino se hace el camino

2008-12-14T03:31:00.000-08:00

Roughly translated the title of this blog means, "with bread and wine we make the journey." I have picked this Spanish proverb for two reasons. First, the proverb is a nice reminder that in order to live, we actually need very little. (both bread and wine are very cheap in Spain) In difficult times, I hope that we can remember we all have much more than we need and that we can all live with less things. Secondly, this proverb makes me laugh because of how much Spanish people love bread, which is a staple at every meal of the day. During my recent trip to Caceres I discovered a new use of bread that I had never heard of, the chocolate sandwich. That is right!!!!! I took a picture of my friend's roommate (above) who introduced me to this magical invention. Aparently a very common sandwich for small kids, it is quite easy to make. Grab some bread and a chunck of chocolate and walaaaa!!! you have it. It reminded me of a smore without the marshmellow.

Cáceres revisited

2008-12-09T10:34:00.000-08:00

Hello all!! After five weeks of being in Malaga I finally had an extended weekend and was able to make the 7.5 hour bus ride northeast to my former home town of last year, Caceres. It was a much needed trip as seeing old friends and reconnecting is one of the finest joys of life. Caceres was cool and windy, but I found myself to be in one of the best moods I have been in since being in Spain this year. The only bad news of the trip was that our free hot air ballon ride (courtesy of Caceres) was cancelled to bad weather, so much for waking up early to get in line.

VICTOR AND I DOING SOME GOOD OLD JAMMING

YUM.. DINO BURGER! MY FAVORITE HAMBURGER
RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD. THIS "HAMBURGUESA
ESPECIAL" HAS :1 beef patty, lettuce, onion, cheese, a slice of ham (of course),
an egg and a special sauce to die for.

RANDOM STREET SHOT

"A BOMBA" a potatoe with a garlic mayonnasie sauce.

Random Spain- daily life

2008-12-03T08:32:00.001-08:00

What is this you ask and why does Leif post the most random photos? This my friends, is cloth grocery bag meets grocery cart. This little gem can be seen everyday and anytime you go out to the street and is a must have if you plan on walking to your local market or grocery store. As supermarkets can be found within several blocks of most downtown areas, this thing is used to tote home your fine Spanish ham and cheeses and in my case, canned Tuna.
Tomorrow is Thursday and I'm taking the 6 hour bus ride to return my home of last year, Caceres, to visit friends and old roommates. More pictures to come soon.

Crazy Tree

2008-12-01T08:58:00.001-08:00

I was walking home one day from the shore and stumbled upon this tree. I have no idea what kind of tree it is, but it definitely is one of the most dangerous looking trees I have ever seen. I imagine beavers don´t like this tree, just a guess.

Leif hits 1 month in Malaga.

2008-11-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

MODERN ART MEETS ARABIC CASTLE
Hello all! I just wanted to give a quick update on my life here. I have finally started to find the grove of life and feel more comfortable being back in Spain. I have found my local market, where I buy my fresh vegetables and meat, I have a workout routine, I have money in a Spanish bank account, I know how long it takes me to walk to the bus station and even have a barber. This things seem trivial but it is the day to day activities that make up our lives and make us feel connected the world we live in.
The weather here has headed south and now we are hitting more winter like weather, in the 40's and 50's. It looks like beach time is over until spring.

A trip to the post office

2008-11-19T11:32:00.001-08:00

A Spanish Dropbox
Spain never seizes to amaze me. With my fingers crossed I left my apartment at 7:30 p.m with hopes that my local post office was going to be open late. To my surprise post offices are open until 8:30 p.m. I was shocked of course and thought this is great news!!!! Of course things are never has they seem and Spain is notorious for its laid back approach to customer service . I was less surprised when I found myself waiting 40 minutes in order to send my one little package. Next time I'm buying stamps and dropping it into the nice yellow drop box.

Long live pasta!!!!

2008-11-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

My roommate Samantha the Italian and her boyfriend Alex.

Hello all!! After 3 nearly sleepless nights living in a Youth Hostel I found a place to live. Yahoo!! I'm living in the historic part of the city with 2 very nice Italian girls, one who is a cook. I was welcomed into the apartment shortly after meeting Samantha and drinking an Italian coffee with her in the kitchen. But, the real reason I got the room (it wasn't my charm or gringo like ascent) is because Samantha's dog Nina took a liking to me. (photos of her to come soon). After a few quick barks and a sniff test, Nina welcomed me to my new home with open paws and a Yes We Can attitude. Thank you Nina. Any who... Last night we had a wonderful spaghetti dinner (after 10pm of course) and a fantastic time.
As far as me.... I'm doing well. I'm getting back into shape and making the most of having incredible sunny days and hi temps in the upper 60's to low 70's. I make it the beach about every two days to run and work out and also to catch a few rays of sun. Working with elementary school kids has been great so far. I'm learning to loosen up and how to invent kids songs and and sing-a-longs. More updates to come soon, until then. CIAO!!!!!!!
p.s. Notice my huge plate of pasta. Mama mia!!!!!

The street where I live.

Take 3: Malaga, Spain. Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all!! I made it to Malaga, Spain. I arrived 3 days ago to the hostel I'm currently staying at around midnight a tired and confused mess. The next day I woke up too early for functioning brain activity and took the 35 minute bus ride to my new work, a bilingual elementary school. My first day I basically just met the staff and visited a few classrooms to get a feel for what they are like. Today I spent the whole day going from class to class playing the guitar and singing Halloween songs. The kids are loud like Spanish people tend to be, but super cute and nice. Many kids also wore Halloween costums today.
Tomorrow I'm looking at an apartment in hopes that it will be my new home.

4 days in Lagos, Portugal

2008-06-09T02:45:00.000-07:00

I went to Lagos with the idea that I would spend time reflecting on life and my seven months in Spain. As it turns out, you don't go to one of the most touristic places in Portugal to do this. Traveling to me means trying to connect with the locals and in a beach town filled with northern Europeans this is hard to do, but still possible. I am impressed by how kind Portuguese people are.
1) Grocery store girl: Everyday she happily cut 8 slices of lunch meat and 4 slices of cheese for my simple lunch that I would bring to the beach. I have never seen anybody take so much care and pride in doing her work and all this for a guy who can't speak Portuguese and was buying a total of 2 dollars worth of food.
2) Old man Portugal: Next to the hostel I stayed at there was a tiny hole in the wall store that I would buy my snacks and cold beverages from (beer). This "store" was run by an ancient man with wind whipped leathery skin and few teeth. As I paid for my items, he would slowly count out my change in Portugues as if I was getting 100 Euros in change back instead of 1.50. After he said, "Obrigado" or Thank you I return his thank you and do what I often do when I don't have the vocab to explain myself, give a big smile. :)
There are more examples that I can give but that will do for now. I meet a million people at my hostel, mostly Australians and Canadians, and I got some major sun and beach time in which was nice. Enjoy the pictures, LEIF. CLICK HERE FOR LAGOS PICS

The end of a school year

2008-05-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is my last week of work as an assistant English teacher. After almost 7 months of getting to know my students it is hard to say good-bye. I am not sure what sort of impression I left on them, but I hope that I have made English class a little bit more exciting and that they have learned a few things from me. This morning I gave class for the last time to one of my classes. They wouldn't let me enter in the classroom for a minute and then when they did they surprised me with the poster that I have posted. It made my my day as I really wasn't expecting to receive anything from them. It was the closest to me being in tears in a long time. THANK YOU CLASS OF PRIMERO DE BACH. - C Ha sido un placer ser parte de sus vidas y darles clases. Nos vemos pronto!!!

Day One: Off we go

2008-05-12T06:14:00.001-07:00

Our first picture together.

Time: 11 am
Location: City center of Caceres, Spain
Destination: Salamanca, Spain
Distance: 270 kilometers on the Ruta de Plata trail
People: (left to right) Leif Miller, Victor Vargas and Edu
Days off: 5
Spirits: High
Spandex: a lot

Hello all!!! Welcome to my 5 post series on biking in Extremadura. The following posts are attempt by me to explain the great joy and pleasure that I got out of this biking trip. The trip was my top Spain moment of 2008, although I still have one month before coming home, so that could still change. It was the first trip that I have ever taken on a bike, but will not be my last. Good times!! Adiós my friends and see you soon.

This is our first sleeping accommodation's, the floor of the old elementary school.

The shell symbol.

Extremadura must have the largest population of Cigueñas (storks) in the world, I don´t know if that is true, but these bad boy are building nests and flying about everywhere. I have been trying to take a good photo of a stork for a long time and I finally took a good one on this trip.

Day Two: 90 kilometers, mud, streams, wet feet, spent legs and the best day of the trip

2008-05-10T03:09:00.001-07:00

Day two was suppose to be an easy day, is was not. After a quick breakfast of toast and coffee we were on our way to face a day of opening cow field fences, crossing small streams, running from giant bulls, riding though mud and getting our feet wet. Everyday seemed to be the same for me. I felt fine on the bike until I hit about the 30 mile mark and at that point my legs started to feel the burn that is exercise.
After about an hour of riding we passed the majority of the other pilgrims (the walkers) that left the
hostel 3 to 4 hours before we did. One advantage of riding a bike is the amount of ground that you can cover in one day. We finally arrived to Hervas (our destination town) around 6 at night or so.

Doh!!! After thinking that this giant beast was going to take a charge at my red riding suit it decided to turn the other way. Thank god!!

<----Thank you Victor for being so outgoing. Thanks to him we made all sort of new friends in Hervas. There is always time for a beer after a long day of bike riding.

Did we take a wrong turn?? No, just part of the biking experience.

A perfect place to have a mid-afternoon snack. Victor takes a minute to rehydrate and check out one the most famous of Roman Ruins on the Ruta de Plata. Notice the snow on the mountains and the blue blue sky.

Victor and myself get our feet wet crosing one of the many streams we encountered.

The countryside in Extremadura, Spain.

Best sandwich ever!!! Hunger really is the best salsa to add to any food. I am happy to be sitting and enjoying a much needed rest.

Grimaldo, the first town we slept in. So small that if you blinked while driving through it, you would miss it.

An action shot.

Day Three: Adios Victor, hello pig nose

2008-05-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

After little sleep and a hostel breakfast of weak coffee and bunch of muffins, it was adios Hervas and hello bike. Ohh... how my butt hurt the first ten minutes. It took us 5 miles of back tracking to get back on the Camino de Plata. After that, it was a several hours of a up hill climb. Expecting to find my legs a complete mess after day two, I was pleasantly surprised to find my legs strong. Around 2 in the afternoon we made it to a small village and found its only bar. There a lady cooked us up a huge portion of pasta that was just what the doctor order. A few more hours of bike riding we made it our destination town Fuenterroble. After a sad good-bye to Victor, Edu and myself had the best dinner of our bike trip.
Once again it was the only place to eat in the village, making the only option the best option. After entering this modest bar we were shown to our table in a small side room. The room was full of French and German retires drinking wine and chatting merrily, many of them from the same hostel that we were sleeping at. Edu was the only Spanish person besides the waitress, me being a close second. The waitress, also the principle cook at the restaurant, tired but happy, sat down with us and read us off a list of food options that you would except to hear in a 5 star restaurant. I picked the pig nose dish. In Spain they say the eat every part of the pig and I believe it. The pig nose was surprising tasty and luckily for me it was chopped into chunks and not presented as a whole nose as it is typical presented. (the waitress/chef explained that she once had to take back 10 dishes of pig nose because tourist can't handle the fact that they are eating a nose, but if she chops it up they think it is delicious. )
The nose had a texture of well.... a nose, fat and soft. hehe
After we polished off our pint of red house wine and had some flan for desert it was off for a quick walk around the quiet stone buildings to listen to the frogs and be bewildered by the stars. Good-night day 3!!

Number 8, our sleeping arrangements. Unfortunately, or fortunately, all the beds that I slept in during my bike trip are softer and better than my bed in Caceres, which seems to be made of metal springs and designed for ultimate back pain.

The little bar we ate lunch at.

Always time for foosball. Victor and Edu put on their game faces after several hours of being on the bike. Foosball is very popular in Spain and you often find foosball tables in bars throughout all of Spain.

Me in action.

"Hunger is the best salsa." <--- a literal translation of a cool Spanish quote. )) This pasta tasted delicious after a day of riding.

Day Four: The last leg

2008-05-07T10:18:00.001-07:00

If there is one travel trip I can pass on, it is bring ear plugs. I slept great, but Edu did not thanks to a group of elderly snoring Germans and loud early talking Spaniards. Both bars of Fuenterroble (where we slept) where closed until 10am so we each ate a granola bar and got on our way. Me without coffee is a bad idea and the next town turned out to be 12.5 miles away. After an hour and half of riding in the crisp morning air we found a tiny pueblo. We entered the first bar we found only to find a man in his 80's behind the counter and another man in his 70's at the bar drinking some sort of shot of liqour (yes it was 11 in the morning). Of course there was no coffee, so we headed to the next bar and bought an overpriced but much needed cup of joe. (Picture above-> first glimpses of Salamanca.)

It was a cool and crisp morning. Snow powered mountains in the background linger behind us as we make our way north on this dirt path through the country.

Tired, but at least not smelling like sweat, we take a quick rest on some steps in the city before we spend the afternoon eating and drinking

Yum!!! This big salad was just what the doctor ordered.

Leif pouring some cider from this fancy dispenser. Yahoo for portable cider dispensers!!!

Edu, full and happy, enjoys his dessert wine.

Day Five: Salamanca and bus ride home

2008-05-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Edu and I woke up early as is typical when you are sleeping in a room with 16 other people. There always seems to be someone who has to wake up hours before everybody else and wakes you up with them. After a quick Youth Hostel breakfast of coffee and toast we spent the day walking around Salamanca. Edu spent two years living in Salamanca and was a wealth of information and was like having my personal tour guide. Despite multiple cups of coffee throughout the day I never felt like I woke up. I spent most of my time reflecting on my time spent on the bike and how magical of a trip it had been.

Me in the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca. Notice the golden glow of the sandstone buildings in the background, a unique feature of this city.

A cool museum. I like the glass.

Have a Nice Day. I will, thank you.

Facade of the famous University of Salamanca. Can you spot the frog? It is very difficult to find, but if you can you will have good luck and get married within a year.

The Cathedral of Salamanca

The bike is packed away and bus will soon be there to pick me up. A Spanish adventure comes to a end.

Spanish BBQ

2008-04-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

How is a Spanish BBQ different from a U.S. BBQ? I don't know, but there were no burgers, hot dogs or steaks in sight and instead of beer we drank tinto de verano (Coke mixed with red wine). It sounds gross but is actually very refreshing in warm weather and beneath the sun. Throw in an acoustic guitar, good friends, some cactus's, and a big bowl of strawberries with whip cream and there you have it.

Spain doesn't have marshmallows as far as I know. These bad boys were brought from N. York City courtesy of Ana (girl in the white shirt). I taught them the slow roast method, the combination of patience and twirl to achieve the ultimate roasted chestnut color. yumm
I am wearing my favorite jacket when flashes are involved, you can't help but be impressed by my bling.

My roommate Jesús grilling up some pork and our friend Carmén drinking some tinto de verano and soaking up some sun.

Little Spanish cottage.

Leif poses with cactus in background.

Goofing around.

Yummy fruit bowl.

Trying to keep it together.

2008-04-10T04:50:00.001-07:00

I work in two High Schools here in Spain, one in Cáceres where I live and one in Móntanchez. Móntanchez is about 45 minutes away by car from Cáceres and is a beautiful little town nestled on the top of a big hill. It is famous for its cured ham and also has a beautifully old and romantic castle that sits even higher up on the hill. One day I was giving class at school and explaining an activity when I suddenly heard a strange noise from out the window. I looked to my right and waaabam!!! I was looking into the face of a donkey similar to the one you see here. I gave small smile and continued with what I was doing, but inside I was dying from laughter and thought, "How cool is it to see a castle from your school window and also a donkey at the came time." viva Spain!!!

More photos of Istanbul

2008-04-09T13:18:00.001-07:00

Hi all!!! I have posted a few more pictures of my trip to Istanbul, so click HERE to check them out. Here is a picture of Kevin (a U.S. guy I meet at my hostel) drinking tea on the boat ride from Europe side of Istanbul to the Asian side. Yahoo for 60 cent boat ride teas!!! We needed these bad boys.

Istanbul, Constantinople

2008-04-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

How do you sum up a week in Istanbul? It is difficult thing for me to do, hence the late BLOG update. Lets start by saying that is possible that it is the most exciting and interesting city that I have ever seen. The food is fantastic. From baklava to kebabs, from ayran (a yogurt drink that helps cool hot spicies) to Efes Pilsen (Turkish beer) and beyond, Turkey offers a fun dance for any tongue. The people are friendly, the city has great cheap public transportation, the prices are good and there is shopping that will satisfy anybodies need to shop.

Who knew I was so big?

So pretty and so nice, the Hagia Sophia.

By far my favorite food I found, fresh fish sandwiches off the boat. At about 2 dollar U.S. these
bad boys were tasty, filling and delicious.

My nice roommates before a night of going out. The guy in the middle is the coolest Portuguese guy I have ever meet. Go Bruno!!!!!! Notice my sweet bling reflectors on my REI jacket. Safety first!

Take two, Monfrague National Park

2008-03-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend I spent my second weekend in a row planting trees, this time in the beautiful national park of Monfrague, located about 1 hour north of where I live. Another weekend of meeting new people, eating lots of food and visiting several new places that I had never been to before. Our accommodation's were a large and cold pavilion, instead of nice stone cottages and there was a huge group of high school students that made sleeping almost impossible. Besides having a cold and getting almost no sleep it was another weekend that I will never forget. Ever heard of a black stork? Me neither, but I saw one this weekend and a scorpion too!!! If white storks bring babies, what does the rare black stork bring???

Watch out for these bad boys!!! This guy was only the size of my thumb.

Just like a tree, I need water, food and sun to grow.

Some ladies doing laundry in the street in the tiny town of Mirabel, Spain.

Me and Alonso posting bellow the Salto de Gitano in Monfrague National Park

Leif goes planting

2008-03-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I got the chance to give back to mother Spain. Thanks to a volunteer program here in Extremadura and the regional Spanish government I was able to participate in a reforestation program about one hour north of where I live. There were around 80 of us who participated this weekend and we all were provided free transportation, free accommodation and free food. In total, I think I planted around 60 or so native trees. Besides being left with a bad sun burn (next time I will think twice about not bringing sun block) I am left with many new memories, friends and an appreciation for being outsides in the hot and powerful Spanish sun.

Leif gets down and dirty

A mighty American swing!

My Spanish friends: Paula, Ana, Jesús, sunburn boy, Carol and Victor

The results of a fire 8 years ago and a tractor that has cleared the land.

Our sleeping arrangements. A camp group run by the government of Extremadura.

For my Jerez de los Caballeros students

2008-03-03T03:50:00.000-08:00

Hello students from 2nd de Bachillerato!! Click HERE for pictures from our trip to Gibralter and for pictures of El Dia del Centro. It was very nice and fun to see all of you again in Cáceres. I hope to see you soon.

I love PIPAS

2008-03-03T03:41:00.000-08:00

What is Leif doing in this picture and what is a pipa? Pipa is Spanish for sunflower seeds. Spain has the best pipas ever and Spanish people seems to have mastered the skill of getting the seed out of the shell. After many hours of practice and observation I am closing in on receiving my PHD in pipa eating. Often, sunflower seeds are part of your beer drinking experience here in Spain, order a beer and out comes a dish of sunflower seeds, peanuts and other dried snacks.

Biking Continued

2008-02-20T06:06:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning with very little desire to go on a bike ride, my bed was soft and my brain lazy. I needed a power boost and so I did what I haven't done once since I have been here, I went American on myself. I ate eggs, bacon, toast and had a cup of coffee for breakfast. YUM!!! after that I was ready to roll and I was glad that I got my lazy butt in gear. The other guy in the photo is Victor my bike mentor and roommate.

Me just outside of the old part of Caceres.

Old Roman bridge for bikes, horses and walkers only

Victor and myself.

Victor with Old Caceres looming in the background.

What a beautiful day!!!!

Biking around Extremadura

2008-02-17T04:22:00.000-08:00

I never thought it would happen, but yes, I have officially worn Spandex. I blame my roommate Victor for having an extra Spandex laying around. The worse part of it all is that it makes biking a whole lot more enjoyable, unfortunately I can't get over how goofy it looks. Biking in Extremadura is great as you get to see olive trees, white washed houses, lost villages and orange tress all accompanied by great weather.

Pau Gasol

2008-02-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

Basketball is Spain's second most popular sport, first being soccer of course. There are four or so Spaniards who play in the NBA, Pau Gasol from Barcelona being the most popular of the group. The Spanish are very proud of these individuals. The recent move of Pau Gasol from The Grizzles to the Lakers is big news around these parts. I really like Gasol, but as I am from Seattle Supersonics fan I am not allowed to like the Lakers.

Saturday in Trujillo

2008-01-21T04:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of me in Trujillo showing off a statue of the famous Francisco Pizzaro, the conquistador of Peru. Born in Trujillo, he is famous here. In Peru, not so much.

The plaza of Trujillo by night.

From left to right->>> my roommate from last year Ana, her mom, our friend Val, and her mom. Click here for more pics.

Sunday in Guadalupe

2008-01-21T03:18:00.000-08:00

Guadalupe is famous for several things: its beautiful monastary, its wooden balcones on its stone houses and for morcilla.

The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe. Initially built in the 13th Century.

Yummy morcila!! better known to Americans as black pudding or blood sausage. The Spanish verison is usually made with pork blood and fat, rice, onions and salt. Grab yourself a table in the plaza (beware of fat and hungry pigeons) with a view of the Monastary, order some delicious morcilla, a glass of wine/or beer and throw in a sunny 64 degree day in January and presto!!! that is me last Sunday.

Random Stuff

2008-01-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

This is how most milk comes in Spain. No refrigeration required
until opened, which is eaisly done with these easy twist caps. Here
we have both 1 liter and 1.5 liter sizes. Oh yeah!! Entera means whole milk!!!

Here is a picture taken from my bedroom window. It is of the back of an apartment building. These closes lines are what the majority of Spanish people use to dry their clothes.

When the weather is bad drying is very difficult outside so we move the clothes indoors to these handy "drying racks." Even during winter it never takes longer than a day and half to dry your clothes on these bad boys, just plan decided ahead of time what you want to wear so you don't get stuck with wet underwear. Ochhhh

Our new roommates!!! From left to right--> Bruce Lee, Vaughn Spencer and Pamela Anderson.
No, these names were not my ideas. ohhh how they swim!!!!!

Daily life in Caceres

2008-01-12T10:20:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Here are some pictures of where I live. CLICK HERE This is a picture of the apartment building I live in (the redish one in the background in the middle) which is next to a small park where I took this picture. I live on the 6th floor of this bad boy which means I take an elevator many times a day. There is a man who lives on the first floor who takes care of the building. He wears a blue jumpsuit, mops the entrance everyday, likes to smoke, picks up our garbage that we leace outside our door and does many other random things like putting up the fake xmas tree during the holidays. Yeah for blue jumpsuit guy!!!!!!!

X-mas in Amsterdam

2007-12-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

What is going on here?? I love this country. Street urinals for men. These are located throughout the city and often are located next to a canal for a peeing experience with a view. ahhhhhhhh much better. CLICK HERE for a link to more exciting photos of Amsterdam with comments included. MERRY XMAS and HAPPY NEW YEARS to all. Mucho love. leif

Lisbon, Portugal

2007-12-10T03:13:00.001-08:00

Street codoms? Why not! Jesús gives Victor a quick lesson on safe sex.

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Street alcohol. yummmm taste like cheries.

Lisbon the city

2007-12-10T03:04:00.000-08:00

Jesús and I taking a quick rest in the front doors of a beautiful building

Whatever happend to police officers riding horses? or bikes for that matter?

Swimming in Dec.

2007-12-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

When is the next time I will get a chance to swim in Portugal? I do not know and for this reason I had to do it. Despite the sun going down, wind, a lack of a towl and swimming trunks I had to do it. Although I have no pictures to prove it I stipped down into my underwear and ran into the surf like a mad man. My roommates followed shorly there after and jumped in as well. We looked crazy and cold and one guy even took a picture of us in our skimpies, but it made me fell more alive then I have in along time. ahhhhhhhh the ocean. The picture is of Jesús and myselft shortly after the swim.

Lisbon for a day

2007-12-10T02:50:00.000-08:00

Lisbon is about 3 hours from where I live here in Spain. Saturday two of my roommates and myself spent the day exploring the city and trying to see as much as we could. Here is one of the old trolley cars that you can find in this beautiful capital city. Click here for more pics.

Thanksgiving Spanish style.

2007-11-29T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hello All!!! Despite not being able to find a turkey, my Thanksgiving dinner turned out to be a Blast. 3 Americans, 2 Brits, 1 Italian and a bunch of Spainards. All told we were 12 and me head chef. 2 chickens, mashed potatoes (White Miller style ( my dad) ) veggies, gravey, pumpkin pie, apple pie, etc. Throw in a spanish omlette and 12 liters of Sangria, two guitars and your friend Paige singing La Bomba while standing on a couch and you have one great dinner. It was the first Thanksgiving for everybody minus the Americans and all in all I think in went over well, we even took turns giving thanks at the table. I have to admit that I lied and told everybody that we were eating baby turkeys. Hope everybody had a great Turkey Day. Tell next time. Adiós!!! CLICK HERE FOR MORE THANKSGIVING PICS

Who's that touching my arm?

2007-11-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hello all!!! So, this is my first BLOG while being abroad. Exciting stuff. The title comes from my bus ride from Madrid, Spain to Caceres where I live and teach. I sat next to a "older" lady (40 or so) who was going to Caceres for the Med Evil festival. Spanish people do a lot more touching then Americans and have much smaller personal bubbles. At first I thought the lady was hitting on me (not really) but I did think it was interesting that she grabbed and touched my arm about every minute or so. This is very common in most conversations with friends and with strangers. I am known to be a close talker and sort of a toucher as well, so this bodes well with me. The lady on the bus and I had a conversation for an hour or so I got to know all about the Med Evil festival before I even arrived. Well, that is that.
The three guys in the photo are my roommates from left to right : Victor a.k.a. Licra, Jesus a.k.a. Piru, Jaunto and Gui-leif (guiri is slang for white English speaking person) This pic was taken after a game of Parcheesi. We each have our lucky hats on.

Take this RICK STEVES, Leif and Paige do Italy.

2007-08-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

During my time off for Semana Santa or Holy Week as we know it I got the chance to visit Rome with my good friend Paige. We visited Venice, Rome and Milan, Rome being my favorite of the three. Check these photos out.

Sevilla

2007-08-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

I went to Sevilla multiple times as it was a transportation hub for many of the cities I visited in Southern Spain. Click here for some of the picts I took while in Sevilla. PHOTOS

Valencia, Spain

2007-08-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is were my friend Cristina lives and were I spent my last couple of days in Spain.
Click here for more Pics

Jerez de Los Caballeros

2007-08-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Jerez de Los Caballeros is were I lived and worked in western Spain in the province of Extremadura.
Click here for PICS

Walking off into the land of BLOG

2007-08-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hello all. As I am out and about in this world, I thought it was time to do a BLOG. This is new to me, but hopefully this helps out with communication while I am abroad in Spain or just far from friends. My hope is to share stories and pictures with others.