Time sure does fly by even when it doesn’t seem that way. In June 2015 I kinda dared myself to embark on a journey to let no razor touch my head or my face. It was not a religious quest or anything, just doing it because I can and because David started it and Matic said it would make me smarter. There were times on the journey when I was tempted to just give up, but I persevered, determined to see it through, not wavering in my cause. My beard and I had a big year, but I finally brought it to a close. Since my last confessional, we have been to Barcelona, which was excellent. I think I could live in Barcelona but there don’t seem to be many Spaniards living in that city. Maybe I should have ventured further away from the greater metro area; nevertheless what a cool city! I got to practice
speaking Spanish and the best part was people let me finish my
sentences and even helped me when I struggled for a word, instead of cutting me
off and saying, “Just speak English, like everybody else.” This spring has been
good for wein festivals and long walks: these two things are about as German as
you can get without actually going full German. Memorial Day at the Meuse
Argonne American Cemetery in France was moving. I have been now to several War
Cemeteries commemorating the great losses of the great wars in Europe, and the
Pacific. The price paid is overwhelming…. Cinque Terre and Pisa, Italy was
great, but I could have done with less Pisa and more Cinque Terre. As always, there is plenty to do and see in Germany, too. With under 6
weeks left in Germany, I have a couple more trips and outings in the works, but
time sure does fly by. 
