Dreaming of Snow

In exactly 7 days, I will be jumping on a bus for the long drive to the south of France to spend a week at Val Disere with the University Snow Sports team. However, the snowfall right now is similar to the Sahara in July..... pretty slim. To be fair, there is some snow falling right now and there might, that being the key word, be a foot on the ground when we get there. It is pretty frustrating given how much money I have spent on this trip but I have decided to make the best of it. If there is no snow in the lowlands then Alan Perry will just seek higher ground. I will bring my back pack and I will ascend each and every of the highest peaks in search of fresh snow and fast lines. I will not let the Man bring me down. Please, if you have a chance, pray the God stops snowing so much on Oregon and sends some over this way. Mt Hood Meadows was not even open and they received 7 feet of snow. If I did not know better, I would say God made a small mistake about where his great white package was to be delivered.

Regardless, I still have a lot to look forward to. Ryanair, the cheap airline over here, has been successfully baiting me to give them business with penny fares all over the place. I booked a flight last week to the beautiful country of Spain for my birthday. I will fly from Nottingham on Wednesday, January 3rd, to Madrid, the capital of Spain. I will be making the two hour flight for a mere 9 pounds, or $18 for all of you who are keeping track of the dismal decline of the value of our currency. Sadly, it may cost me that much just to get a bus or taxi to the airport. This continent is a bit strange. Anyway, I will stay 2 days in Madrid, and then take a day trip of Friday for either Segovia or Toledo, to which I have yet to decide. Back to Madrid on Saturday and then that night I plan on sleeping in the airport to save money. On Sunday morning, my 22nd birthday, I am taking a 6am flight from Madrid to Barcelona for a mere 25 euros, about $34, to meet my friend Celeste there. The train, would have been more expensive so I figured I would continue my flying, by this time I should be getting pretty good at it. Finally, Celeste and I will hang out in Barcelona for 3 days and fly back on January 10th. It should be a pretty fun trip and I look forward to going out for a nice dinner in downtown Barcelona for my birthday. Oh, and to top it off $12 flight to get home from Barcelona

Between France, Spain, and Austria, I have a lot to look forward to in the next month. Keep sending me emails and phone calls and updating me on what you are up to.

Cheers,

Traveling Al


A Fountain in Madrid


The great cathedral in Barcelona, known as La Sagrada Familia from the sky.


Las Ramblas, an iconic pedetrian mall in the Gothic District.