'uego Madrid

The niceties of coming and going are a complicated business in Spain. If it wasn't enough having to get used to Spain's ubiquitous hola - even hollered up from underneath toilet stalls - additional pressure is exerted by employing the correct delivery of hasta luego. Hola is easy - but hasta luego? One doesn't say hasta luego, but 'sta luego, or 'ta luego, or 'a luego or just 'luego. I even heard a 'go once. Christ. Perhaps these variations can be explained as regional differences or as an indicator of the sincerity (or insincerity) of the 'see ya later' but if there is a code, I have yet to decipher it.

Tomorrow I'm off to the south of Spain. Not for good probably but for a bit. Señor Gato Gringo and I are starting new jobs, essentially doing the same crap job for the same crap money but - and this is the important part - in the sunnier warmer climes of Andalucía. I firmly believe that the meteorologically motivated lateral job shift is a phenomenon grossly under-studied. But one which I readily embrace and endorse.

I hate winter. Yes, I'm Canadian. I still hate winter. I even hate Madrid's winter which isn't very wintery but is still winter because I cannot wear flip flops in January. I hate winter.

In conjunction with higher temperatures and brilliant blue skies, I anticipate the emergence of an erratic blogging pattern. I have no idea if my hotel has wifi but my vast and worldly travel experience tells me that where there is no mini bar, there is no wifi. I may have to blog in internet cafés. O the shame! Hubris! Hubris! I may have to drink in the hotel bar. O the shame! Hubris! Hubris!

So until things are settled, posts may be a little non-existent. Or not. Who knows? Perhaps I'll just text message my posts to Señor G.G.. Since he is unwilling unable to join me until the end of the month, transcribing my texts into insightful blogs will be a challenging experience and a much needed diversion from his pain and loneliness. Expect very short blogs. Or none at all.

I will miss Madrid. 'uego Madrid! - see you in September! I will miss Señor G.G, even more. 'uego Señor G.G.! - don't drink too much. See you in 12 very long interminable days.

xxx
G.G.