Korcula, Croatia.

Another day, another island and another rest along the way. A small flowering meadow on Korcula.

Olives ripening on the vine.

To the Top.

Did I mention that we were riding bicycles? We were riding bicycles. And on this day we were riding to the highest point on Brac, a little over 2,500 feet up up up. Anyway, as I was climbing one of the last steep sections, very slowly, I noticed this beetle and decided to stop and take a photo. A dung beetle! I'd never actually seen one outside of the National Geographic channel.

After I got my photo and climbed back on the bike, I was having a lot of trouble getting my feet back into my toe cages. After a few moments I realized that was because I was having trouble controlling my legs. Because that's how tired I was. Not a great sign. About 10 minutes later I'd made it to the top and was able to take a rest and drink some water. The view was worth it.

Nice Tie.

I'm sure at some point a child played with this, and probably even cared for it dearly. But while in a small stone house deep in the Croatian hills, I could only see this doll as a real life prop from a horror movie.

Things Along the Way.

Another gorgeous day on Brac Island, this time crossing from Pucisca to Bol, with a detour climbing to the highest point, Vidova Gora. I'm sure this village has a name, I don't know it.

Picking olives along the roadside.

A few very friendly donkeys just enjoying the view.

Under Way.

Goodbye to Split while on our way to Brac Island. A beautiful day with calm seas.

Taking a break on Brac Island. On the road from Supetar to Pucisca, looking out over the rooftops and back toward mainland Croatia. We would later have dinner and spend the night in a 15th century palace on the harbor in Pucisca. Just another day in the Adriatic.

Up Early.

Sunrise over Split, Croatia. While on vacation I couldn't sleep, so rather I got to see the last few revelers from the night before filing out of Club Tropic while the cleaning crew started in with their vacuums.

From West Africa to Madrid.

Selling handbags on Madrid's Magnificent Mile while an advertisement from Vogue's Fashion Week looks on.

Arts and Crafts.

Here is a photo of Spanish President Mariano Rajoy.

Here is a photo of someone attempting to strangle a puppet Mariano Rajoy holding scissors that he will use to cut the government budget.

I have no opinion on the sentiment expressed in this photo, but I do think this is a pretty impressive crafts project that someone spent a lot of time on. They've really captured his likeness.

Naturally.

Naturally, all that protesting really works up a thirst.

And, I mean, down the with the capitalist, right-wing, war machine and all that, but you can still enjoy a leisurely lunch with wine and cheese and cured ham. Right?

Another Weekend, Another Protest.

Of course, the Spanish are expert protesters, it seems there is some sort of crowd somewhere every weekend. Every now and then there are arrests or an injury, but for the most part everyone behaves. A bit of very loud whistling.

Some (Communist?) flag waving and chanting. The chants mostly consisted of swearing at the president or simply "Huelga! (Strike!)"

And as you can see, the police weren't particularly concerned either. No helmets or shields. No batons or even intimidating numbers of police. Everyone just sort of does their own thing and then heads home.

Cuts.

Big protests across Madrid this weekend, huge crowds out in the streets upset about cuts to government spending.

Various interest groups protesting budget cuts that affect them. Firefighters from the north marching against budget cuts:

Teachers with giant green pencils protest cuts to public education:

And here are music teachers protesting cuts to music education. This group was marching while playing Darth Vader's theme.

Holy.

So, is that like a mosque or something?

Attack.

I will eat all of the pizza of these Italians!!

Another Tour.

I guess it's been a year already. Once again La Vuelta makes its way into Madrid for the big victory lap. Last year they came into town by way of the grand avenue, Castellana. This year they blurred by us along the Arco de Triunfo near Moncloa.

Bunk.

Just one of a few machine gun nests leftover from the Civil War. This one is in the middle of a large park on the northwest side of the city. No plaque, no explanation of what it is or why it's there.

I'm not even really sure why it wasn't torn down, other than perhaps inertia. Anyway, this one was part of a series that ran along the university campus, the site of many bloody urban battles.