DAY 68 AUGUST 1 BACK IN THE USA

CELEBRATING A RICH EXPERIENCE AND CREATING A NEW FUTURE

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE MUTTERINGS OF BUBBA AND BOCA THIS PAST ADVENTURE.  

We had a blast visiting ENGLAND, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SLOVAKIA, CROATIA, SERBIA, BULGARIA, ROMANIA, SLOVENIA, PORTUGAL, GIBRALTAR & SPAIN

Yes, I pretty much have become a chick with too much baggage -figuratively and literally.  And may I quote my daughter's favorite philosopher:

Way too many pack and unpacks for Bubba's old bones and still achy break back.  Humour was the way and the key to not ending up in the pokey or stabbing your spouse while traveling.  

Bubs is calling this trip the Bubba-Boca version of "9 1/2 Weeks".  We definitely had the opportunity to scratch our travel itch this past couple of months.   And at times Boca called it....

 I do believe my photography has gotten worse instead of better-what's up with that?

 You know it's time to get home when you start daydreaming about your bed.  Then ah...your first night home.  Sweet.

 Our list of places to experience continues to grow as we have had the opportunity to do new things, taste new food and wine and best of all, meet fabulous and interesting folks in the world.  Such inspiration.  Such authenticity.  They all come together as little memories sprinkled on top of a glorious birthday cake.  Wonderful Memories!  Still waiting to meet an Alien or two- Annie. 

 This trip included traveling back to the past as well as visiting new places.  Ok, so this trip was not  back packing intense but nonetheless it was grueling being on the move and seeing so much- especially for us "vintage travelers".   Including a whole lotta walking and learning about history and politics...never mind the churches Bub.  

 Please forgive me for my misspellings,  grammar bloopers and the myriad of typo's- blogging is done on the fly and with intermittent Internet-grrrr.  Several thousand of you are out there peeking in on Bubs and Boca- whoever you are, I hope you had some fun riding along with us.

Pleep also inspired,  has added to his bucket list,  Tomato Throwing Contest in Spain,

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN- 

Taking suggestions for the next adventure....

DAY 67 JULY 31 SO LONG EUROPE: HOMEWARD BOUND

The Reign in Spain is anything but plane...and speaking of planes....

THE PARTY'S OVER....SO LONG, FAREWELL.  Let's roll...

Pleep, are you sure you double checked the room??  I am down to 2 pair of underwear???

One last,  squeezing into those small  European style elevators.

One last, buffet breakfast with Miso soup??

One last check in...

One last, cheap vodka in the the airport lounge for Boca...

One last, not getting the wifi to connect....

One last, staring at the bottom of some Ugly Americans nasty feet...ewwww

One last, riding with headless flyer's in a vintage British Air plane...

One last, Pleep eating all the peanuts ...

One last, I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!

One last, reminder about life from your wife...

One last, chant of I'm Proud to be an American!

One last, not knowing how to work the self check in Kiosk...

One last, going through US Customs without a Global Entry Pass.

One last,  Customs encounter.

One last, landing at Miama-MIA and watching the luggage carousel go around and around for an hour and not seeing our luggage....wonderful British Air....are they going through my dirty laundry and tschokes in Madrid, London or here?  Surely that would discourage anyone from opening for longer than 5 seconds....

One last, receiving our luggage 3 days later delivered lighter than we packed it....

Now time to reflect on Bubba and Boca's, In The Footsteps of the Griswolds.....

DAY 66 JULY 30 HOLY TOLEDO, SPAIN

A day trip (about 50 miles or so) out to Toledo.   Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage and historical existence of  Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures.  AKA "The City of Three Cultures".  Absolutely stunning!  Bringing a whole new meaning to HOLY TOLEDO!








Known from Roman history- ca. 59 BCE)- a long and rich history.  Toledo was the capital of the Spanish empire until the mid 1500's when the Royal court moved back to Madrid.

Picturesquely sited on a hill, the old city is located on a mountaintop with a 150 degree view- surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River.

The Christmas photo?  Nah.

This breath taking city has a population of 84,000 or so today...and loads of visitors.

Before the tour starts 30 mins of shopping for the gals...dudes watch and hold the bags.

and chew the fat....

Do you think you can make me a special....hello, hello, I'm talking to you sir....what do you mean my husband told you to not look up????

Let the tour begin- Boca where is your Vox?

Dave is still trying to figure out how his Vox works...

 OH JOY, ANOTHER CHURCH!
Yes Bubs, the Toledo Cathedral.  This massive cathedral reflects its history as the spiritual heart of the Church in Spain.  The present cathedral was started in 1226 and finished in 1493- how's that for sticking with a building program.  Hence- HOLY TOLEDO?

The metal working industry has historically been Toledo's economic base, with a great tradition in the  manufacturing of swords and knives.  For you folks from Ohio, your Toledo Blade newspaper's namesake is named in honor of that sword-making tradition.  Go for it Annie...I think you still have some empty space on your walls....

The winding, cobbled streets of the old town are intriguing with lots of shops and interest.

Yes, Bubba you can make it up the street- rumor has it there's a Starbuck's up there.

For all my Jewish friends- loved the Jewish quarter.  Mach Shnel!

Taking driving in a tight spot to the next level...

Enough already with the cobble stones....

The Museum del Greco is dedicated to the painter and  understanding his work and influence...and NO PHOTO'S ARE ALLOWED.  Did you hear that Boca???

Was the Burial of the Count of Orgaz on the do not photo list Bubs?  Boca, why do you think the guard is giving you the evil eye and the NO NO NO FINGER.  I don't know why they called this Greek painter (yes he was born in Crete- original name- Domenikos Theotokopoulous) El Greco?  Oh, I get it.  Duh.  Isn't it time for lunch?

Lunch time always includes the, who knew, very good Spanish vino...isn't that right Bubba?  Salute!

Our Aussie pals, Nellie and Sam, enjoy some grub and laughs with us.

Come on Annie, we missed a few shops!

Michelle and Rich chillax for the ride back to Madrid.  Hey, where's Bub?

SUPER CHILLAXING...

As some of the Taucktorians broke out in song for one last ride....

FAREWELL DINNER:

Annie is the table pathfinder...

What's up with that?  My wife hasn't worn a dress in years...

Per our young fellow Tauktorian- you old farts were a lot of fun!  Not.

Per Joe, "Micheal, you get the patience award of the year!"

Well, we know Boca was in NOT line for that one.

La Bamba???

And Joe, our very own hot Latin,  breaks out in some Enrique Iglesias... BAILANDO!

Group hug...

Nothing like a bunch of juiced up Taucktorians....

The Hora???

A la Pharrell Williams-  Because I'm Happy....clap along if you feel like a room without a roof....

They can Hora and Clap all they want...don't get between me and my sugar fix.

Asia meets Aussie...

Ok Annie, let's call it a night.  We need to pack up...

Why did you bring those high heels?  You only wore flip flops or gym shoes.

Boca shares her bounty (gift from the manager for water leaking into Boca's light fixture over the shower)....well duh....he thought the book would be a fond remembrance??? Zap Zap

Good night Annie- it's been another fun trip with you.  Thanks for coming along with Bubs and Boca.  AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THOSE PESKY ALIENS!!