butterflies and wild flowers

last night i staying in estella. i stayed in an albergue that hires impaired people, both mentally and physically. it was a welcoming place and i was happy to be there. until about 11. my italian friends were there too and we had a great dinner, again pasta and wine, but without the violin. they are very funny people and i enjoy being a part of their group. massimo even told me my italian was getting great, more words and longer sentances etc. nice. but last night, oh my god, the snoring was horrible. i picked up my yoga mat and sleeping bag at about midnight and went to the reception area and slept on the tile floor.
then there was massimo, all dressed and with his back pack. i asked him what time it was, he said something and mezzo. i assumed 5 and mezzo, 5:30. i thought great, i´ll get up and we can go. then i checked my ipod clock. it was 4 and mezzo! 4:30. in my new great italian i said "you are crazy pilgrims." they are also slow pilgrims when it comes to leaving in the morning. they were in and out and whispering and laughing until about 6 when i decided to get up and get going. i was thankful i asked where they were staying today so i could stay someplace else. i need a little sleep.
today was gorgeous. spanish gorgeous. to me that means a wide open world, soft hills, golden fields, olive trees, wildflowers, butterflies, and blue sky. i am in los arcos and am going to go take a nap now. buenos tardes.
nonna
ps i just heard a man speak basque and it reminded me of a little happening. a quick story. i was in a post office in a town called trinity de los terre or something like that ( another disappoiting package is coming home, only discards from my backpack. sorry) anyway, a woman came in and i felt like she was critical of something that had to do with me. she was talking loud and people were embarrassed and looking at me. then she said something to me. i said in my little spanish " excuse me, i don´t speak spanish." then she really went off, and said she didn´t speak spanish either and then i remembered that i was in basque land. i just said in english, i am so sorry. she looked at me and held out her hand. i took it. she pulled me toward her and kissed both of my cheeks and said something about santiago. holy cow, this can be intense sometimes. one minute i am the enemy and the next i am loved.