Back in Spain

Okay, I realize that my last post was something of a downer. In fact my friend Fred wrote from Czech that he hoped I would hold off sleepwalking through Europe until after we came to see him and Kelly. Sorry for the bad attitude. Travel has its ups and downs, and there are days when you have to work at seeing the bright side.

On the other hand, sometimes the bright side jumps out and smacks you, as it did yesterday when we spent a sparkling day in Segovia with Dave and Daphne. Segovia is a wonderful town with an astonishing, huge and intact Roman aqueduct and a magnificent castle. Best of all it has many small wandering streets with ancient crumbling walls--a perfect place to wander around and marvel at the antiquity of the place. The conversation was stimulating over lunch in a cozy restaurant with decent food and wine. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's so good to be with friends, and in such a place!

We're here all week and will continue exploring the region around Madrid, using the Fishers as our guides as they have time. Plus we're getting familiar with their friends and colleagues here. And I'm preaching in their church on Sunday.

We also had a wonderful time with Dean and Wendy in Geneva. The city surprised me by being small and casual, almost like a small country town in spite of the many important organizations headquartered there, and the depth of its history. (Think John Calvin, whose reputation has fallen on hard times.) Spring flowers were brilliant, and the Hirsches' apartment was a short walk from beautiful parks and Lac Leman, so we enjoyed walking and exploring the city. One day we drove around the lake and went to a hot bath. We had plenty of time to talk and relax. We ate good food and drank good wine. We went to a wonderful church service. We talked quite a lot about our futures, as Dean is winding up his many years heading up World Vision--he's by far the longest serving president ever--and Popie and I are exploring what we ought to focus on at this stage of life.

We were reminded that when we were kids Switzerland was high on the list of travel destinations. Its popularity seems to have fallen off, but it is as beautiful as ever. Such scenery. From my student days I remember the Swiss as being unfriendly, but that certainly wasn't my impression this time around. A very easy place to enjoy.