Today I am finally wraping up trip to Barcelona....tomorrow and Saturday I will spend the nights in a monastary...then on Sunday I will travel to Bilbao which is in the northern part of Spain. The trip is a nine hour trip by train...It is very cold there and it is raining at the moment.
Why there? The name of Zaldivar originates there..My dad often spoke about being basque....I never knew whether or not to believe him...It does not matter now...I amn doing something that my dad I am sure wanted to always do....
I understand that the name of Zaldivar traveled from the northern part of Spain to Mexico via Cuba....I have enjoyed Barcelona...but there is much more to see...It is a chore each day....because I take a few subway cars to come to Starbucks to use their wifi system to upload these notes and my photos...I lknow I will not be able to do that all weekend...
Talk to you soon...
Richard
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Photo Blog is now up
My photo blog is now up at: www.pbase.com/richard_zaldivar.......Please enjoy the photos...it is the best I can do....since you are not with me...I will be updating this site as my journal from time to time....Many people wanted me to share with them some of my travel experiences...I hope you are not boared with it all...
Best...
Richard
Best...
Richard
Thursday, February 16, 2006
February 16, 2006
It has been some time since I last entered in this journal....I have been having a bad time with the wireless internet at the local starbucks....on Las Ramblas...in Barcelona....I think that the system might be overused with all of the customers trying to get in on the free wi fi service...
Today was actually a very nice and warm day...I went to the starbucks and spent several hours there until my battery went out on me....The manager is this fine lad from Portugal.....He is very professional and interested in my background...as I am interested in his native country....I plan to visit Lisbon and Fatima very soon....
I also picked up the local daily called El Perdiodico which is a fantastic publication. Reading it is not easy....while I do fairly well in reading La Opinion.....I feel that I can understand the Spanish back at home....but here...it bit different.....they dedicated an entire section to the politics of the Unites States...and they are not very fond of our president...
Later in the evening...I went to get a bite to eat and met a young american girl who is traveling throughout Europe....at the age of 18....her mom founded a recovery home for women in Santa Barbara, California...the mother has eight years of being clean and sober....I just realized that I will be coming up on my 16th year...on the 24th of the month...
I ended my evening going back to Starbucks...and met two guys from England....and another round of bush bashing....They were angered by America....and disappointed it her...I cannot blame them....a sobering thought...to end the evening....here I am in a county that last year approved marital rights to same sex----about thirty years after the end of the Franco regime....for all of those who are too young to remember...he was a right wing dictator who silenced millions of people......
It is now early in the morning.....may I say good night....
Today was actually a very nice and warm day...I went to the starbucks and spent several hours there until my battery went out on me....The manager is this fine lad from Portugal.....He is very professional and interested in my background...as I am interested in his native country....I plan to visit Lisbon and Fatima very soon....
I also picked up the local daily called El Perdiodico which is a fantastic publication. Reading it is not easy....while I do fairly well in reading La Opinion.....I feel that I can understand the Spanish back at home....but here...it bit different.....they dedicated an entire section to the politics of the Unites States...and they are not very fond of our president...
Later in the evening...I went to get a bite to eat and met a young american girl who is traveling throughout Europe....at the age of 18....her mom founded a recovery home for women in Santa Barbara, California...the mother has eight years of being clean and sober....I just realized that I will be coming up on my 16th year...on the 24th of the month...
I ended my evening going back to Starbucks...and met two guys from England....and another round of bush bashing....They were angered by America....and disappointed it her...I cannot blame them....a sobering thought...to end the evening....here I am in a county that last year approved marital rights to same sex----about thirty years after the end of the Franco regime....for all of those who are too young to remember...he was a right wing dictator who silenced millions of people......
It is now early in the morning.....may I say good night....
Friday, February 10, 2006
February 9, 2006
The plane took off at about 7:37 or so... I am seated towards the rear of the plane. The flight crew is very friendlyy and courteous.
The fear of flying 5,933 feet high or so has taken away my attention of what I had feeling earlier. My emotions being a bit raw...I needed to write this....I hope to keep up this diary....on a daily basis....because I really want to share it with you.
Today was not an ordnary day in my life. It truely was the begining of the rest of my life. It truly is.
I awoke early this morning and could not get back to sleep. I lounged around the house for several hours before I got dressed. I was kind of happy to have awaken so early...so that I could sleep on the plane later on the flight that evening.
I had breakfast with Eric Sagot at Dinos...in Lincoln Heights for a fat breakfast. When I first saw Eric this morning,..I knew I looked very pensive..., but by talking to him, he brought me back to reality a bit. I usually speak to Eric several times a week....I am going to miss him so....he has been good to me...I love him...
The rest of my day was all about my trip to Europe. i went to Samy's store today to purchase a camera battery charger. Don't ask me what happend to the old one....I got a hair cut, saw Reina at Supercuts...I had not spoken to her for a bit...I had been worried about her...I had a small and meaningful chat....I know God givers her small challeges,...and she always meets them...I stopped by St Andrews Church in Pasadena....I love that church...it is one place that I really thinks that God hears me when I speak to him.
I asked God for his help for me and prayed that he would be each of you at the office or part of the orgnization. God has been good to all of us.....and we have been good to him....I feel good about that...
I packed some clothes and stopped by the office to say good bye to Yose and wish her the best,,,She is a very powerful woman....and mother...I hoped she enjoyed as great as the time as we had enjoyued her. I said my good bye to Humberto, Luis,Daniel and Ariel downstairs. I went upstairs and said good bye to Carlos and Eddie....I really lovve eacn and everyone of these guys. Their achievments have been great for the movement. ...It's 8:15 and a bit bumpy....thank god for my doctor...I can ride this one out......sure I can....
When I said my good bye to Carlos....I became a bit more emotional....I have had the opportunity to work with him a bit closer and I really enjoy him....He is one of the finest...with a tremendous sense of dedication and devoution to the cause,. Carlos has been a God shot......just when we needed someone like him, God brought him to us.
Eddie followed me home so I could leave my car adn he took me to the airport. I was lookinh at the gleem in his eyes and he was actually excited that his boss was finally going to go on sabbatical. He asked ms "how do you feel?". I said that I was nervous, but I really wanted to breakdown crying. I felt good that he really cared....and I cherish that very nuch. He went on to tell me that it was an important trip fpr me...and I agreed...I told him that it was to be the most important trip in my life...because I know that what I learn from this will held define who I am way past I am gone. and that is ok.
We arrived ar the airport and helped me with my bags and my hands were trembling; we embraced and said good bye....any moment I was about to breakdown and cry, but I did my best to holdit back...I thanked Eddie for being so persistent. If it had not been for him, I would not be boarding the plane now for Spain.
As I waked into the Bradley terminal, I saw Eddie one more time and waved...and went inside and cried. ...My child has grown up and so have my children...
Eddie was genuinly excited for me and that made me feel so good and proud. You see, I have mentored many of the staff from Las Memorias. Eddie and I go way back there. I have been there for many of his challenges and he has for me...and much is the same for many others.
I am overwhelmed to have seen the excitement iin Eddie's face and thanked him for his persistnace in making me take this trip. God was good to me in sending Eddie our way. ,.....By now, I am on the plane and tears are just streaming down my cheecks. ...the man sitting next wo me...looks at me and asks z"is everyhing ok?" I respond, that I jsut broke up with my wife.....i do not know if he believes me, but it feels good for no one to know who I am.
I said my good byes on the airlplne to Eric, Tim and my cousin Sandra...and Irma,,,she has been so kind and sweet with me......I have much more to write from the first day...but Starbucks is closing ..it is almost midnight....
Well....the first day is now history....good night with much love....
The plane took off at about 7:37 or so... I am seated towards the rear of the plane. The flight crew is very friendlyy and courteous.
The fear of flying 5,933 feet high or so has taken away my attention of what I had feeling earlier. My emotions being a bit raw...I needed to write this....I hope to keep up this diary....on a daily basis....because I really want to share it with you.
Today was not an ordnary day in my life. It truely was the begining of the rest of my life. It truly is.
I awoke early this morning and could not get back to sleep. I lounged around the house for several hours before I got dressed. I was kind of happy to have awaken so early...so that I could sleep on the plane later on the flight that evening.
I had breakfast with Eric Sagot at Dinos...in Lincoln Heights for a fat breakfast. When I first saw Eric this morning,..I knew I looked very pensive..., but by talking to him, he brought me back to reality a bit. I usually speak to Eric several times a week....I am going to miss him so....he has been good to me...I love him...
The rest of my day was all about my trip to Europe. i went to Samy's store today to purchase a camera battery charger. Don't ask me what happend to the old one....I got a hair cut, saw Reina at Supercuts...I had not spoken to her for a bit...I had been worried about her...I had a small and meaningful chat....I know God givers her small challeges,...and she always meets them...I stopped by St Andrews Church in Pasadena....I love that church...it is one place that I really thinks that God hears me when I speak to him.
I asked God for his help for me and prayed that he would be each of you at the office or part of the orgnization. God has been good to all of us.....and we have been good to him....I feel good about that...
I packed some clothes and stopped by the office to say good bye to Yose and wish her the best,,,She is a very powerful woman....and mother...I hoped she enjoyed as great as the time as we had enjoyued her. I said my good bye to Humberto, Luis,Daniel and Ariel downstairs. I went upstairs and said good bye to Carlos and Eddie....I really lovve eacn and everyone of these guys. Their achievments have been great for the movement. ...It's 8:15 and a bit bumpy....thank god for my doctor...I can ride this one out......sure I can....
When I said my good bye to Carlos....I became a bit more emotional....I have had the opportunity to work with him a bit closer and I really enjoy him....He is one of the finest...with a tremendous sense of dedication and devoution to the cause,. Carlos has been a God shot......just when we needed someone like him, God brought him to us.
Eddie followed me home so I could leave my car adn he took me to the airport. I was lookinh at the gleem in his eyes and he was actually excited that his boss was finally going to go on sabbatical. He asked ms "how do you feel?". I said that I was nervous, but I really wanted to breakdown crying. I felt good that he really cared....and I cherish that very nuch. He went on to tell me that it was an important trip fpr me...and I agreed...I told him that it was to be the most important trip in my life...because I know that what I learn from this will held define who I am way past I am gone. and that is ok.
We arrived ar the airport and helped me with my bags and my hands were trembling; we embraced and said good bye....any moment I was about to breakdown and cry, but I did my best to holdit back...I thanked Eddie for being so persistent. If it had not been for him, I would not be boarding the plane now for Spain.
As I waked into the Bradley terminal, I saw Eddie one more time and waved...and went inside and cried. ...My child has grown up and so have my children...
Eddie was genuinly excited for me and that made me feel so good and proud. You see, I have mentored many of the staff from Las Memorias. Eddie and I go way back there. I have been there for many of his challenges and he has for me...and much is the same for many others.
I am overwhelmed to have seen the excitement iin Eddie's face and thanked him for his persistnace in making me take this trip. God was good to me in sending Eddie our way. ,.....By now, I am on the plane and tears are just streaming down my cheecks. ...the man sitting next wo me...looks at me and asks z"is everyhing ok?" I respond, that I jsut broke up with my wife.....i do not know if he believes me, but it feels good for no one to know who I am.
I said my good byes on the airlplne to Eric, Tim and my cousin Sandra...and Irma,,,she has been so kind and sweet with me......I have much more to write from the first day...but Starbucks is closing ..it is almost midnight....
Well....the first day is now history....good night with much love....
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