Tuesday, April 27, 1999

Actually in Barcelona

Hola everybody!

Well, at long last, I'm actually here in Barcelona. Good lord, I've been going to be going to Barcelona for like six months now. Thank god Oracle USA re-organized and gave me an excuse to punt.

Anyway, I'm here at the prohibitively expensive Cafe de Internet on the Gran Via dels Corts Catalanes (which *is* the Michigan Avenue of Barcelona). It's my fourth day here. I've had like two real conversations since I got here-- I mean, when I say I speak Spanish, I'm using a very broad definition of the word "speak". And I'm all confused about this Catalan Frangspañol thing they speak here.

Now I'm waiting again for my Permiso de Trabajo stuff to go through so I can actually begin working. This should take about two months. I plan to use this time productively, sitting around, drinking coffee, and playing Guitar. If you have a mind to come visit me here in Barcelona, this two month period would probably be a good time, 'cuz I have time to play now. After that, you're all welcome, except I'll be working so you'll have to put up with me being all stressed-out and uptight again because I'm so dang dedicated to my work. Right.

Anyway, I'm headed out to Las Ramblas to play a little street guitar and see how many Duros (which *are* the nickels of Barcelona) I can pull in before the cops run me off (just kidding mom, busking is legal here). I miss you all. Now would be such an excellent time to write me a long email. Take care. -Tim