pamplona fireworks sin toros

the ribbons of lights disappeared, and there was darkness, but the people, young and old, hand-in-hand, oh how they danced, danced, danced....(now I know what the fireworks mode in my camera is for)

the problem of morality

I actually listened to this twice, which is a first. Interesting stuff about the moral basis of politics and religion. Would make for great discussion.

Sudestada

Jess and I went to an Asian restaurant serving S.E.A food today that left me sweating with tears in my eyes and a dribble coming out my nose. This is probably the closest I'll get to home over here and the most I'll ever pay for a bowl of laksa in my life. Oddly enough, it's opened by Argentinians, but the food is pretty solid and picante.

Looks like some modern version of an old coffeeshop.

We shared the curry of the day which was rendang and a laksa dish which came with cockles and a small crab.

Vamos a el metro

If it were only that awesome.



I'm not sure if this is a little politically incorrect.

In transition

Transition journeys on trains, buses, boats or foot are rather underrated I must say. While staring out of the window and wishing you were at your destination 5 hours ago is rather miserable most of the time, the long bumpy rides has potential value in itself. Flying, I think is just cheating, or perhaps, devalues the transition journey by being confined into a sterile box in the air - but of course if you're pressed for time, lack the youthful vigor to take the bumpy ride or simply aren't traveling for traveling's sake, you're excused. There's more to see on the ground, more to smell, more to feel, the heat, the cold, the discomfort, the gentle rock of the train or the dust storms stirred up by the whizzing bus. It is not really about comfort or convenience but about experiencing as much as possible. Cushy experiences don't bear much fruit. You will always remember the bumpy rides but not the comfortable ones.

Of course this whole thing could just be a Nietzsche-ish slave morality affair since I always look for the cheapest routes which are usually bumpy and uncomfortable. Indeed, too cheap to fly. That being said, I do hope to do the Camino Francés in my lifetime but not because I can't afford the flight.