Routines, patterns, similarities....

Coming back home from the pub last night after watching FC Barcelona performance on Wembley I’ve wished I was on La Rambla right this moment. The atmosphere must have been amazing. Catalonians where simply outstanding. They played great football and they’ve deserved the Champion’s League title. I could only imagine what Barcelona was like that evening. Knowing the Spanish, they were partying till the dawn (if no longer). Once again, CONGRATULATIONS BARCA. Well done.

I’ve had few beers in the pub last night (4 to be exact). I felt a little tipsy. I have took my pills once back home and still watched some TV and I have to say i didn’t feel any worse even 2 hours latter. Previously the pills have enhanced the feeling of being drunk or dizzy, however last night I’ve felt fine. Also this morning i feel fresh as a daisy. No hangover or other side effects. Is it possible my body has again adjusted itself to the combination of the meds and some alcohol ? I will not pretend that this fact was totally unimportant to me. I do enjoy an occasional drink with friends. In any case I still do feel that i haven’t really figured out much about what is triggering the side effects I am getting. It is still very much a learning process and I guess it will stay as such for a while yet. I the meantime need to concentrate to learn to live with these side effect and record as much details from my daily routine, stress level, lifestyle, exercise (I do squash and inline-skating nowadays), food and drink consumed, times I was eating/drinking etc. on order to be able to analyze any similarities. I know that I will find a pattern soon.

Football night.....

Football night tonight. The final of the Champion’s League: Manchester United vs. FC Barcelona. Played at Wembley Stadium @ 7:45 GMT. Wish I was there. Instead i will be watching the game in my local pub in Sopot. The whole day today I was wondering who shall i support tonight. The reason for that is that these are my 2 favorite teams (apart of Celtic that is) and I have great dilemma. Having said that I still recall a great feeling I have experienced while watching Barca at their ‘Camp Nou’ few years ago. So, I think my support tonight tends a little more towards Catalonians. In any case I believe it will be a great football match and the better team shall pick up the trophy after the game is finished.

Over 1000 page hits......

First of all  I would like to THANK YOU all once again for reading this blog. Few minutes ago I was checking the stats I can now confirm that we have now officially exceeded 1000 page views (1004 to be exact at the time I was checking). I am totally amazed. Almost 8 weeks ago when started this blog i wanted and needed to open myself, I wanted and needed to say how and what I felt. It was part of process how I have dealt with the fact that my life was changing due to the fact that I need to start medication for HIV. I didn’t know how long it will last and i really can assure you that knowing myself I didn’t really expected the whole project to last that long and reached over 1000 hits. Over this 8 weeks You’ve had a chance to read about my feelings, my physical well being as well as simple diary of events that have not a direct connection to HIV as such. You’ve also had a chance to read some of my poor attempts to write poetry as well as some really good pieces suggested by my friends to share on this blog. There is no doubt that the BLOG has helped me tremendously to deal with above mentioned changes in my life and at the same time I hope You have enjoyed reading it.

Originally I have intended the blog for my friends, however when checking at the statistics it became clear that I have reached to other people in sometimes very far corners of the world. At this point I can already hear my friend Martin saying >quote< I have told you to use Twitter. You will be amazed how many more people will start follow your story >unquote<. Thanks Martin for explaining me the Twitter idea. I will get round to it soon. I promise. Anyway I was thinking I will also give you some real numbers about You - my readers:

First of all are the stats of page views per country:

United Kingdom 638

Poland 201

United States 87

Spain 46

Germany 8

India 8

Isle of Man 5

Denmark 4

Singapore 3

Australia 1

Secondly the stats of page views per operating system: 

iPad 331 (34%)

Windows 286 (29%)

Macintosh 233 (24%)

iPhone 102 (10%)

Linux 9 (<1%)

Other 5 (<1%)

And Finally the stats of page views per browser:

Safari 622 (61%)

Internet Explorer 231 (23%)

Firefox 114 (11%)

Apple-PubSub 36 (3%)

Mobile 1 (<1%)

My first observation in the above is that Apple products are very popular amongst my friends, but I will let you do your own analysis and come to your own conclusions which of course I would welcome very much in a form of a comment.

Wishing You all a very good and relaxing weekend.....and please keep reading.

Flight cancelled...

I am anxiously following all the news about the new ash cloud after the eruption of the volcano on Iceland. As you all probably remember last year the whole Europe was paralyzed for days. I was also a victim as my flight from Riga to Scotland was cancelled.

It wasn’t a major issue then, well I missed a concert of Rufus Wainwright in Edinburgh. Thanks God the ticket was used by a good friend and as they say what friend gets is not lost. This time however the problem is of totally different matter. On 6th June i have my doctor appointment in the clinic as the prescription will be finished on 7th. Meaning if I won’t make the flight on Friday 3rd as booked i will run out of tablets, and this is NOT GOOD !!! I am really not sure how the Polish medical system works and if the drugs I am talking are permitted on Polish market or even available. Today the airspace over Scotland  and north of England was closed. The experts are talking about only short term distractions, however last year nobody forecasted the flying ban over Europe would last almost 2 weeks. As much as I am not big fan of RyanAir I did like their initiative today by doing a test flights over Scotland, collecting and analyzing data in order to prove that the security measures in UK are simply ridiculous. Yes, I do understand that the authorities don’t want to take the responsibilities, however if Ryan Air can gather an independent team to analyze the situation then what are the authorities doing ???? Well, perhaps I am too cynical and not understand the complexity of the problem and potential risk, but i do have feeling that people in charge of these things aren’t much more advance with their knowledge that I am.

On the quest to find the fountain of youth....

There is nothing better than cinema if you feel half of the hangover from the day before. You don’t really want to do much, yet you  feel you need to get out of the house......

The state of me yesterday afternoon was exactly as just described, hence I have decided to check what movies are currently shown on the big screen in Sopot. There were few movies I was actually considering, however I have settled for the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 4’ in 3D. Medium salty popcorn and large coke later I was sitting in a large auditorium with a 3D glasses on. It seems that the 3D technology is starting to dominate the cinema.I was amazed of number of films in that format currently showing. I agree that there is many movies that for sure will gain the artistic value from 3D, however in many cases it is simply overrated feature and the effects are simply disappointing. I have to admit that I have thought movie like Pirates of the Caribbean would add enormous value to the whole movie experience, however the effects are rather.....well..... I would say just OK. Movie it self was good, few bad cuts and i am also not sure about Penelope Cruz - somehow she wasn’t very convincing. Johnny Deep on another hand delivered yet another brilliant performance as Captain Jack Sparrow. Overall great entertainment. If you a have seen the previous parts then you must see it. If you didn’t than.... well is not fantastic cinema, but is good entertainment. Most important that the music theme mixed by DJ Tiesto for the first part of the Pirates of the Caribbean is still dominating throughout the whole movie - FAB.

Back home straight after the cinema and in bed before midnight as today I was going to visit my parents and have home cocked lunch. FAB !!!

Margaritas for everyone....

What i night !!!! Great food, great company, great laugh. After kind of slow start on beers, we all decided to simply go for it and ordered their famous house margaritas. From that moment, the margaritas were arriving to our table in big jugs...I have lost count after 8 jug so not sure how many we had but it was plenty. It very much reminded me of my last spontaneous 'margarita party' with Wiktor and David and Maja in Battery Park NYC 3 years ago, the only difference was that in NYC we drank Strawberry Margaritas. Yes, I have to say I am starting to see why people like this place. Previously, when with customers I always let them order mix platter kind of dish to share and I think that was the reason why I didn’t really liked it. Last night I had jalapenos stuffed with cheese deep fried in butter to start with..... HOT HOT HOT. Followed by dish called: ‘Chimichanga’ - which was fajita dough pancake with chili com carne served with mexican sweet rice and bean paste....absolutely GORGEOUS. Only today, I feel how hot my dinner actually was. The expression ‘my ass is on fire’ is simply understatement ! So, all that gorgeous food we had and the margaritas and it turned out to be PLN 100.00 per head which is approx. GBP 20.00. Seriously cheap. Apart of that the place was full of Latin-American hunks. Must be rugby players or something....lots of eye candy.....

I am feeling a bit rough around the edges today, but not major hangover. I hope i will have chance to enjoy the day, cycling or inline-skating perhaps. The boys are driving to the country side - Mr M and his brother have a summer place out of town. I am invited and I’ve said I will come, but really not sure can face another party today. Tomorrow i am driving to my parents for lunch so I want to be fresh for that. I think it was very first time I got really really drunk since i have started the treatment. It wasn’t very late night so can’t say if the pills have increased the ‘drunk’ feeling. I was taking them as we were leaving the restaurant and 30 min later I was already in bed. Thats the way forward for me. When I do party, then it is late afternoon / early evening. I think i need to discuss with David the ‘Summer Party’ concept.

Nachos with cheeseeeee...........??? No thank you...

TGI Friday !!! It was a very long and hard week at work. I am really looking forward to this weekend. I am going out with my pal Grzegorz (Gregory) from Poznan, who is visiting ‘3City’ on business. Few weeks back you have read a post about a great re-union in Poznan - this is the same Gregory. We are going to a Mexican restaurant called ‘Pueblo’ suggested by him. Funny thing is that since my arrival here few customers and subcontractors have also suggested this restaurant when I was meeting with them. So i know the place pretty well, however i am not sure what the whole fuss is about. I really don’t see anything special about this place, food atmosphere is ...just OK i would say. So perhaps Gregory or the mystery man called ‘M’ who is joining us will tell me today. Gregory recently came out from a very long relationship with a guy named Martin. When he told me he is in ‘3City’ I was asking him where he is staying and the answer came’ In Gdynia, because a new ‘M’ has appeared here (the word he used in Polish could also mean ‘has opened’) and numpty heid me thought he is talking about some hotel like ‘Marriott’ or something... but as it turns out it is a new man called Mark.... Anyway I am very much looking forward to dinner. Wishing you all great weekend..... XXX

Sopot's Pier..

I am sitting on the Sopot’s Pier, enjoying very warm spring evening, watching the world pass by. I had to pay PLN 5.5 (approx. GBP 1.25) to actually be allowed to enter the pier which i find it simply ridiculous. During our recent holidays we were visiting Bournemouth in UK and the entry ticket for their pier was GBP 0.60. Here is more than double the price and although Sopot seem to be posh place i don’t think it is as posh as Bournemouth. Having said all that why the hell pay to enter any pier in the first place. It is nothing really that exciting about them... just bridge going out 100 - 200 meters into the sea. Right, already sense that you want to ask me why did I pay then ...well... all i can say is that it will not happen again. I guess I wanted to go out of the flat and sit down somewhere nice to write few words for my blog. I can’t believe that it is after 8 pm and in May and I am sitting in shorts and t-shirt enjoying this calm moments.The systematic sounds of waves reaching the beach is very relaxing and almost hypnotizing.  Down beside the pier, first beach volleyballs players opening their summer season. Couples walking along the beach holding hands, catching last strokes of the sun which setting down behind the Grand Hotel. First stalls with tacky gifts trying to attract tourist. The air is very misty over the sea, however in far distance I see queue of vessels waiting to get into the Gdynia port. I really think i was very lucky finding the apartment I am living in right now. I wish David could be here with me. I  feel he going through a very rough time right now feeling fed up. To be honest hearing daily report about the weather in Scotland I am not surprised. Wish there was a way he could come over here and perhaps open similar business he has in Scotland. First however I need to try to get him to visit here and also will suggest him to bring his Mum and her partner. I am very sure they would enjoy this place as well. 

Anyway, time to get moving, i still would like to go get some exercise today. The inline-skating track is only minutes from my flat.

13 slices....

After busy day at work myself and Lukasz (my colleague) were scheduled for 1 hour squash in not far away gym. I have to admit I wasn’t really looking forward to it, however because we have changed the reservation so many times already I wasn’t prepared to suggest it to change again, so we went. I have to also admit, that i am now actually glad we did go. It was 1 hour of a very good exercise......and I have won the game ! My very first game played officially for points and I have won all 5 sets. I have feeling Lukasz wasn’t really playing his best and with that I basically mean he did let me win. I guess there was a reason in his madness. He perfectly knew that if i lose i will most probably not come back to play squash again, now he has me kind of hooked on this heavy duty sport. There is no doubt that squash will burn my calories like there is no tomorrow. I think with the combination of inline-skating and the squash I will get very fit very quickly. In addition there was a very nice gesture of the gym reception staff when we were leaving. We have received 2 packets (each) of a cereal with fruit ‘Muessli” as a promotion. That means as from tomorrow I will be starting each day with a healthy breakfast too....I feel I am loosing weight already from thinking of all these good things that are happening. I need a fry up for dinner I think..... or perhaps shall I cure my ‘itchy eyes’ by having a kebab... (sorry it’s personal joke of AT, TJ, DK and myself). At the end I went to local supermarket and got some cold meats and cheese and nice bread and tomatoes...... nice, healthy options of a Polish evening snackette...

Anyway... while I was standing in the queue to cold meats counter I was watching a couple in front of me discussing what they should order comes their turn and I was totally amazed when eventually they started ordering. The lassie almost on one breath said: “Could we please have 3 slices of cooked ham, 5 slices of...; no 6 slices - the husband interrupted; yes, 6 slices of chicken ham and 4 slices of headcheese. Thank You” I started to think about it...here they are ordering 13 slices of cold meats after their long discussion, are they really so well organized with their lives to know that this is exact amount of slices ? Please note that this couple didn’t look like they are watching their pennies, so what is it ? I mean do people really shop this way ? Are they really  working out in their heads before buying that “tonight we will have slice of bread with one slice of headcheese each and tomorrow I have one for breakfast while he (the husband) has cooked ham for breakfast” . Do they ? Is there something wrong with me that I don’t have such precise planing ? Shall I be looking into it ? Please tell me if that is the case... I hope I am not loosing the marbles yet, and looking at the reaction of the lady behind the counter I wasn’t the only one who found it totally bizarre..... 

Another day, another pill....

Another day, another pill,

Taken precisely at the given time.

Will I get dizzy, will I be ill ?

Will I not know what I really feel ?

Another day, another pill,

On empty stomach, I need to remember.

Are these pills working ? I feel awful chill.

I no longer know whats dream and whats real.  

Another day, another pill,

Very sore stomach and a rash on my skin.

Despite these problems, I’m very strong still

And I’ll keep fighting and I will win.

Another day, another pill,

I’ve learned to live the life on treatment.

The years will pass and with God’s will

I will be with you, if you want me still.

Another day, my very last pill,

I won’t be needing any more treatment.

They found the cure, they found the pill.

Yes, this is dream, but so very real !

RR, May 2011

Getting fitter......

I am back. After few days of break in writing I am back. I hope you’ve missed me a tiny bit.

Last Wednesday I was traveling to Riga on business. I have to admit that I am not sure what has possessed me that I have decided to drive from Gdynia to Riga. Instead of flying for 2 hours each way perhaps i have decided to take the car. Well, big mistake ! The distance looks exactly the same as from Warsaw to Riga and I have done this route on so many occasions in the past, however I haven’t realized that the international road A16 between Olsztyn and the Polish-Lithuanian boarder should be actually classified as ‘C’ road or even lower. Instead of 7-8 hours journey I was sitting behind the wheel for the whole 12 hours !!! Arrived in the hotel in Riga at 2 am only to get up at 6:30 in order to meet the customer.... meetings the whole day (till 5 pm) and I had to face the journey back. I have however only traveled to the Polish boarder and decided to stop over night in a local hotel. I was very tired and I was worried that I might get dizzy after taking the medication. 

I have to admit It was great feeling to be back in Riga...short trip, very short actually but nice. It was great to see my former staff in the office. Everyone seem to be happy to see me too. Anyway, after very very long drive i have eventually made back safely to Sopot on Friday afternoon, had a bath and went straight to bed. Woke up to a very sunny and warm Saturday morning. On my mobile I have found a SMS from my friend Wlodek, who has a flat in Sopot, however currently is working in Warsaw and is back in Sopot every 2 or 3 weekends. He was back in town this weekend and wanted to meet. We’ve met at 11 am had a nice breakfast and then went for a very, and i mean VERY, long walk along the beach towards Gdynia and after that came back and kept walking towards Gdansk as we were looking for nice fish stall. I am not sure how many miles we have done walking altogether, however my legs were very sore and I was very tired when I came home at 5 pm. I had a very nice afternoon siesta. Got up at 7 pm and started getting ready to go out again. This Saturday was a Eurovision Song Contest night and, as all good homosexuals around Europe, we’ve decided to organize a small party at Wlodek’s place watching this ‘circus’ and make cheeky remarks on facebook about each and every contestant’s outfit as well as abilities to sing - FAB. The party turned out to be very small indeed, as it was only two of us. Two other friends came by only much later. We ate, we drunk and we had a good laugh, sitting at Wlodek’s till 3 am. Once again I was initially worried that I will have to leave early due to the dizziness after i swallow the pills.. As expected the dizziness came about 45 minutes after I have took the medication, however approx. 20 minutes later for some strange and unknown to me reason, it has eased a fair bit. I was amazed.  Dont get me wrong, it was there (the dizziness i mean) for the rest of the night, however really almost unnoticeable even for me. I still can’t pin down the reasons behind the reactions I am sometimes getting and sometimes not, but I am sure I will figure it out shortly.

Also during this weekend I have made decision that I really need start getting fitter again. Being so active for so many years I feel sad and.... OLD when after walking few stairs or small hill I am out of breath.  Hopefully the fact that I am currently leaving in Sopot will help me get back into shape. On Sunday I went to a shopping centre near me and I have purchased new rollerblades. My old ones were left on Gran Canaria 11 yeers ago when i was moving to Scotland. Today after work I went out to test these. I haven’t forgotten how it’s done, however what I did forget is that I am 11 years older and also few pounds heavier than last time I was inline-skating. I have lasted 20 minutes on the track. Little disappointing....isn't ???

Link worth to be looked at....

I have posted this yesterday from my travels, however for some strange reason the post wasn't published....
Link worth to be looked at: 'Drugs reduce HIV transmission risk'

Walking along the beach....

Today after work I came home, had something to eat and went for a very long walk. Firstly on the pier in Sopot and then along the beach towards Gdynia. The weather was great, blue sky...turning a into red as the sun was setting down above the forest. Lots of people out walking, cycling and inline-skating. Headphones in my ears on full blast play Chantal Kreviazuk.....

There's something in your eyes

Makes me wanna lose my self,

Makes me wanna lose myself in your heart,

There's something in your voice 

That makes my heart beat fast

Hope this feeling lasts

For the rest of my life

If you knew how lonely

My life has been

And how long I've been so alone

And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along

And change my life the way you've done

It feels like home to me

It feels like home to me

It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from

It feels like home to me

It feels like home to me

It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

A window breaks down on lumdard street

And a siren rings in the night

But I'm all right cuz I have you here with me,

And I can almost see through the dark there is light

Well if you knew how much this moment means to me

And how long I've waited for your touch

And if you knew how happy you are making me

I never thought that I'd love anyone so much

It feels like home to me

It feels like home to me

It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from

It feels like home to me

It feels like home to me

It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

......I miss David !

Great (delayed) news.....

The RyanAir flight schedule was changed and thanks to that I was allowed to sleep a little bit longer than usual when i fly to Poland from Edinburgh. The flight was leaving at 11:05 so there was no rush this morning at all. Flight went pretty smoothly. The weather in Gdansk was also not bad - sunny and around 15 degrees Celsius. Apparently last 2 weeks were very cold in Poland so it looks like I have managed to bring some of the good weather from Madrid in my suitcase. Lots of emails in my mail box despite the fact that I was checking them during my holidays in order to ensure I have relatively easy start today.  Back to full speed tomorrow.....

Please note that only today I have realized that I didn’t share some great news I have received during the first week of my holiday. I owe you apologies for that as it’s regarding my last blood results - exactly what this blog should be about. Instead, my blog became a holiday diary...

As you have read in the post: ‘Holday day 6’ i have called my clinic and requested the results, I have called back following morning and was a little bit shocked when i have heard the results: CD4 count: 317, Viroload: 167 !!! I have thought, I haven’t heard properly so I have asked the nurse to repeat the Viroload again and she said: ‘167 - One, six, seven’. This is is really excellent news. That means that the pills are working even better than expected !!! I now simply need to continue the treatment and learn to live with the minor side effects I have from time to time

Going back to work......

Lazy day at home. Well, well not exactly lazy as there was a plenty of washing to do after the holiday. Now re-packing again. Monday morning flying out to Poland. Back to work. I have to admit that i soooooooooooooooo don’t want to fly out to. After more than 2 weeks its extremely difficult to even contemplate that tomorrow I will be again miles away from home. I am not sure when I will be back again. I have my next doctor appointment at the beginning of next month, however I do hope to be back before that. I will be looking at a flights as soon as I am in Poland.

There is however some good things happening as well. Later on this week I am traveling to Riga on business, I am looking forward to see my old office and colleagues again. After all, it was a 3 years of my life I have spent there. In the mean time, I need to put my head down and simply do my best job i possible can.

Traveling back....

The day of travel always seem to be like a lost day. Last few hours in Madrid. Last morning walk around Chueca. Back to hotel to check out. The bus to the airport to catch the flight back to Manchester. Little bit stressful as we have left a little bit late. We checked in and walked for miles to Ryan Air gates (which as usual are on the very end of the terminal). The flight went pretty smooth and we arrived in Manchester ahead of schedule.

We have picked up the car and 3 and the half hours drive to Glasgow. Great to be in Your own bed again. It’s washing day today. 

Holiday day 14

Our last full day in Madrid. We have seen so much and yet, there is few things we didnt explore the way we wanted. First stop for the day is the Retiro Park - kind of ‘Central Park’ of Madrid (although he Retiro Park is older than New York’s Central Park). Simply stunning, brilliant weather, perfect to sit in such beautiful park, with a nice cup of cafe con leche and watch the world pass by. At this point i’d like to say that during the whole visit in Madrid i didn't have one bad cup of coffee !!! How come when back home in Britain you hardly can find a decent (not saying good) cup of coffee ????

Later on we did another walk through the old part of Madrid and finally we have found a great food place. Passing by a very small old fashioned pub my hubby suggested to have beer here as it looked busy. Before we knew it we were eating great tapas and drinking canias. The place is called ‘Casa Alberto’. If you ever are in Madrid and looking for a nice Spanish place to be and eat I recommend Casa Alberto (calle Huertas 18)

In the evening we have decided to finally explore a little bit of Madrid gay scene. We didn’t really have a great expectations as it was a middle of the week. As we were based in Chueca most of the gay bars and restaurants were really close. We walked a bit around trying to get the atmosphere a little, however there wasn’t much happening. I can imagine the place being very busy during the weekend, but Thursday night was very quiet. Few beers in Bears Bar, then HOT Bar and back to the hotel. Time for bed as I was getting slightly dizzy....

Holiday day 13

Another amazing day in Madrid. I really am in love with the city. I will for sure want to come back here in the future. However by then I will re-fresh my Spanish so I can say to the some of most arrogant Madrilenios: ”Get yersell tae fuck, ya numpty heid” in Spanish.

We have done the second part of the bus city tour around the old part of Madrid and picked few places we wanted to see again later on. In the afternoon we walked back to the Royal Palace (and let me tell you a Royal Palace with a style. Buckingham Palace is a garden hut in comparison with this place), Plaza Mayor, San Miquel Market (where David met his customer from Glasgow), then back to Chueca. Everything seem to be in a walking distance from our hotel. Thanks again to our friend Rory for the recommendation. Unfortunately we haven’t managed to find a nice tapas bar - yes, I know it sounds ladicoulus, however it is true. there is plenty of bars and small cafeterias, however most of them focused on tourists charging a fortune. In Barcelona Isabelle took us to an amazing place (2 minutes from La Rambla) packed every evening with the ‘locals’ and the food is simply wonderful. I am sure there will be similar place somewhere here, we just need make friends with someone from Madrid who will show us such place.

Evening in the hotel after nice late afternoon coffee and gorgeous carrot cake in the local gay coffee shop (with cute barman who was woofing at David on Scruff earlier on), simply exhausted after another busy day. Wanted to go out at night, but I think we will leave till the last evening of our visit. 

In general i am feeling very good, some minor side effects, however nothing i can’t not live with.
Another sunny day in Madrid awaits !!!

Holiday day 12

I have decided I love Madrid !!!! Our first day here and I simply adore the city. We did the first part of the bus city tour and some walking around the old part (Passeo del Prado, Puerto del Sol, Plaza Mayor, etc). The weather was great apart of the 30 minutes of hailstones raining down around lunch time. Got back to the hotel at 5 pm, had a snooze and went back out in the evening to explore more of the Madrid. We walked around the Chueca district (where the hotel is) and had tapas in a corner bar. After that drinks on the roof terrace bar of our hotel, watching the sun coming down. Really nice. There is however one small ‘but’ in the whole being ‘in love with Madrid’. Hardly any Madrilenios do speak English. Also very often being  arrogant when politely asked in Spanish: “Perdona, Usted habla Ingles ?” - “NO, y Tu ?”. Only last week Louise has warned us about it, however i didn’t expect the matter to be as bad. It is a capital city with thousands and thousands of tourist from around the world. I am always trying to speak in Spanish first, however my knowledge of the language was never fluent and i didn’t use it for many years now. Hence a some help of English is necessary.

Anyway, I will not let this to spoil my experience of this gorgeous city. Today second part of the bus city tour and after that re-visit of some of the sites seen from the bus. Exciting.

Holiday day 11

Our brains are working in a mysterious ways. For so many of us the every day life and it’s ups and downs becomes so hard to bare that we are simply giving up. For some it might be abuse they are experiencing at work, for some a loss of a very dear friend who also has given up. Depression. Only few years ago I was very skeptical about this condition. Always thought that so many people are abusing the term. Then I have first experienced it myself. It was my third year on my ex-pat contract in Riga. I was away from home, my social life in Riga wasn’t great and also the satisfaction I was previously getting from work has faded away. It took me a while to realize that i was depressed. In fact it was David who told me that. I had a terrible time. Yet, i was strong enough to fight it once I have realized what is wrong with me. I wonder what would have to happen in my life that would make me contemplate taking my own life. I always assume that it’s people nature and instinct to fight for life. Yet so many of us gives up. Why ? What is prompting our brains to concentrate on this negative thoughts that eventually become unbearable. Today i was partially involved in a very sad situation. Young man ending up in hospital with overdose of an alcohol and some medication. It made me sad for the whole afternoon.

Flight to Madrid delayed by over 3 hours.....arrived in the hotel around 3 am local time. Very nice hotel indeed. BIG THANKS to Rory for the recommendation. Spacious rooms, comfy beds, trendy look and a free wifi !!! 

Its my first ever visit to Madrid. I am really looking forward to it. Quick breakfast in the hotel and out to explore the city... Exciting !

Holiday day 10

Another great day with the boys in Manchester. Starting with Bloody Mary for breakfast some small shopping and then the whole afternoon in the park next to Canal Street with bears and beers. A little bit windy, but still very sunny and warm. Back in the flat for 6:30 last preparation for the dinner that was cooking itself the whole day in a slow cooker. Sausage casserole a’la David. Rory, Jos and Chris arrived just after 7:00. After dinner we all have collapsed on the sofas.....stuffed. The feast however was far from over yet. Terry’s blueberry cheesecake with cream and we couldn’t move anymore.... The original plan was to go out at night as it was the last night of the Bearbash, however very quickly the plans were forgotten. Good night sleep is what we all needed. It was a very strange Bearbash weekend for us, for the very first time we haven’t bought the package tickets and we didnt really attend any of the venues of the event. To be perfectly honest I didn’t feel i am missing something. We have been out in the afternoons and met people we usually meet when down in Manchester. I will not lie if i say that it was the most sober weekend in Manchester ever (LOL). 

Off to Madrid tonight. At the airport right now sitting with a tea as the flight is delayed. Hopefully is not cancelled as if that is the case we will just go back to Glasgow. It has been very intense holiday so far and although we both really want to go to Madrid we decided we will not wait at the airport overnight.... 

Once again BIG THANK YOU to Alex and Terry for putting up for the whole weekend with two boring old farts...... See you soon in Glasgow.

Holiday day 9

I think I have figured out the secret of my going out at evening / night without suffering from the side effects. Of course i will need to practice this few times before the final confirmation, however i am very positive this is it. I wanted to go out last night with the David and the boys, however i was worried that the dizziness might be a factor during the night. The feeling is still there at night sometimes stronger and sometimes just a little bit and I believe one of the strongest factors in here is food. When stating FOOD, I don’t only mean what i have eaten, but mainly amount of it and the time. Its true that the pills are working the best (with least side effects) when taken on empty stomach. In general ‘empty stomach’ is described as 2 hours after last food is taken or 1 hour before it. Thursday evening we have been eating after 8 pm (I am taking the pills at 10 pm) - I got dizzy at around 11:30; Friday night I was eating after 11 pm - I got dizzy just after midnight; last night i was eating (half pizza) at 7 pm and i hardly felt any dizziness at all. We were out till 3:30 am and I even had few shoots of coffee sambuca (absolutely delicious) and some beers. Having said all that I also need to say that overall I was extremely lucky as the side effects. Some rash and occasional dizziness i really can’t complain.

Anyway a breakfast has just been served. I liquid breakfast - Bloody Mary with cherry, lime and celery... gorgeous ! Thank you Alex !