Lost Highway.

In this case, I was literally on a highway and lost; nothing to do with the movie that Geoff is still upset about watching with me 15 years ago.

Anyway, if I had to be lost, at least it was a nice sunset.

Oculus.

Not an original photo, or even an original thought, but the Pantheon is like, Whoa. How'd they do that?

 And even more so, how'd they do that almost 2000 years ago?

Gaseous.

Now a part of supermajor ENI, I'm glad to see they kept the old logo, even if said logo doesn't really make any sense.

Why would you want a six legged fire breathing dog around oil and gas?

Seems dangerous.

Roadside Attraction.

Spain has a wonderful system of government run hotels called Paradores. The concept is simple; the Spanish government is in possession of dozens of old cathedrals, monasteries and palaces that it cannot afford to keep up.  The Paradores are sites around Spain that have been partially converted into hotels. 

 The profits go in part to the restoration and upkeep of these historic locations.  Visitors get to spend the night in a castle or a palace.

Below is my "hotel" in Leon: the 16th century Monastery of San Marcos.

No Sleep.

Hello, Danny. Come and play with us.

Come and play with us, Danny.


Forever and ever and ever.

Raison D'Etre.

Even in Rome they're excited about Dogfish Head beer. Since I can drink it in the US for less than 7 euro for a third of a pint, I decided to get a seasonal Christmas ale from an Italian brewery instead.

Not Brazil.

And then suddenly, along the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, there was this.

I have no idea.

Out of the Sun.

I suppose when one grows up in Europe, you simply get used to the idea that everything is old and beautiful and historic. And after a time you just move on with your life and go about your day. Here, a group kids are skateboarding in the shadow of an 18th century cathedral.

Coastal.

A narrow peninsula on the Southwestern coast of Spain, Cadiz faces the Atlantic ocean and is the site of one of the oldest settlements on the Iberian peninsula. Even in the middle of the winter, Cadiz is a beautiful place to walk around for the day.

Without delving into several thousands of years of conquest and reconquest along the edge of the Christian and Muslim empires, let's just say that Cadiz probably saw some pretty regular warfare.

I have no idea what this sculpture commemorates, but it seems pretty unpleasant.

The Off-season.

It makes sense that one would want to protect the white marble statues scattered throughout La Granja, the royal gardens outside of Madrid that were modeled on the gardens of Versailles.

I'm sure during the rainy, icy winter it's wise to keep them covered.  But my god does it add a terrifying foreboding to the acres of empty hedgerows and fountains.  Hmm, perhaps the setting for a movie?

And this one just seems intentionally scary.

Amen.

"First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin.

Then, shalt thou count to three, no more, no less.

Three shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three.

Four shalt thou not count, nor either count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out.

Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it."