far too much writing, far too many photos Monday, March 25, 2002 The summer-like weather continues here in Madrid. Spectacular. I'm picking up color just walking around doing errands. Among those errands is trying to track down a pair of shoes for Sam, a Belgian friend currently living in London who's going to be here next weekend. We'll be driving down to Granada with three other people for two days. In advance of that, the following e-mail arrived: "Can you do me a big favour? I want to do a girl a favour who I really fancy. But I'm not sure whether it will work without your help. Basically (don't be disappointed), I promised her to bring some Camper shoes in Spain next weekend as they are 50% cheaper. I'm a bit worried about holidays and shops being shut so I was wondering whether you would be able to wander in a shop and buy them. Would that be a problem? Let me know. DON'T worry if you can't do it." After giving me particulars re: model number and size, he wrote: "You may find a bit embarrassing to buy woman shoes. The key thing is not to try them on yourself!" Bwaaaahahaha! What a guy. Camper shoes are very in here right now, and can only be bought, as far as I know, in Camper shops. A short time ago I joined the late afternoon crowds filling the pedestrian ways between Sol and Gran Vía, stopping into two different Camper tiendas, both near Callao, a major crossroads and shopping area off Gran Vía. I was easily the oldest person in both shops and judging by looks received from two or three of my co-shoppers, I was considered an alien life form, possibly a dangerous one. It could just have been my pointy boots, but somehow I think it was the whole package. Or it could have been sour grapes at being confronted with the reality of a butt far cuter than theirs. Both shops had the shoes Sam's looking for, but not in the specified colors. I've sent him a note and await instructions. Truthfully, it's not as if spending time walking around the city center is a hardship. Madrid is beautiful, and this is one of the times of the year when it's at its finest, despite the sudden Easter vacation appearance of hordes of young American and German tourists. They will come and go, and Madrid will remain, packed with personality and grace. rws 12:30 PM [+] BLATHERINGS August 2001 September 2001 October 2001 November 2001 December 2001 January 2002 February 2002 March 2002 April 2002 May 2002 June 2002 July 2002 August 2002 September 2002 October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 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