Hello everyone

Spain is a wonderful country... So wonderful that Loreena has decided to give us ten summer presents in her next European tour...

Spain is art, history, mountains, seas, nice people, ancient villages and modern cities...

We won our freedom and democracy in 1975... It has not been an easy way.

But our freedom and democracy have not ceased to be in danger...

Spaniards still die for fighting for freedom and democracy: the basque terrorist group ETA is still killing us, like they have done during the last 40 years...One thousand children, women, old people, politicians, policemen and judges rest under their graves in cemeteries all over Spain (Granada, Santiago, Valencia, Madrid, Bilbao, Barcelona, Malaga...)

TODAY IS A SAD DAY

Today, a young father and husband has been killed with a bomb in a small village in northern Spain... The terrorists have killed him just for beind a Guardia Civil (a police)... Four more people have been seriously injured.

Please, when you visit Spain (coming from friend countries like Canada, Argentina, France, UK, Germany, Australia, Italy) bear in mind that, although Spain is a wonderful country to visit and to live in, we still have terror...

Don´t forget that. Don´t forget us.

Juan Manuel Piñuel
1967-2008
R.I.P.

When will this terror be over????

Today is a good day to listen to Loreena...Her music can be a consolation.

Love

Martín (Castellon-Spain)

Hi Martin,

You say Italy is the most beautiful country in the world, thanks; actually Italy has many magical sights. By the way, as you are going to travel to Italy next year and particularly to southern Italy, I advise you to visit the island of Capri (simply wonderful)! There are many sea views that you’ll bear in mind forever, trust me!

Yes, quite strange your special link with Torino. I have been there just once at least 15 years ago and I enjoyed enough, but you’ll agree with me that other towns are the so-called brand of Italy, such as Venezia or Rome or even Firenze. If you go to Rome, however, don’t miss the Spanish Steps!!!

I’m wondering also why you visited Pavia really funny to see that town in your list; no doubt it’s a nice place, but I’ve never seen it.

Anyway, about Spain, I hope to come back soon and this time I think my destination will be Andalucia with Alhambra as first stage of my track, and then North Spain directly to Santiago….I’m already there with imagination…
And about your hospitality, thanks, should I need an accommodation and a guide, now I know whom I can rely on.

Ah, I was forgetting, stop by Tuscany, you can’t go away without taking a photo to the Leaning Tower in Pisa or the Old Bridge in Firenze, that’s a sincere tip.

I too hope to see Loreena this summer in Brescia. That’s not yet sure, but I’m trying to plan, and fingers crossed since I’d be really keen to listen to her intense voice live again.

Bye bye Martin, till soon.

freesoul

Hello FREESOUL !

Thanks for your words of support for Spaniards...

Nice to read that you love Spain, taking into account that you come from Italy, the most beautiful country in the world...

I have been to Italy twice in the last 3 years (Milano, Torino, Sanremo, Pavia) I am going back in 2009. Italy is so wonderful and life is so short... Southern Italy will be my destination this time (including Rome...).

It may sound strange to you, as it does to some Italian friends I have in Spain: I am in love with Torino... I love northern Italy, but Torino is special. Beautiful architecture, mysterious atmosphere, the Alps, sport everywhere, history of car...

So you had the chance to see Peñíscola ! Yes, Peñíscola and Morella are two medieval villages in the province of Castellon! But you MUST come back and spend a few days in Peñíscola. Its medieval streets, its castle, its sea, its cuisine...at sunset, at night, in summer or winter Peñiscola is marvelous (despite some terrible blocks of modern apartments that have been built near the village)

Well, when you come back to Spain, tell me and I will be your tourist guide. Me and my girlfriend like having friends at home at any time, especially if they can help us improve our Italian

By the way, we will go to Granada in winter (Christmas holidays) to go skiing and to revisit La Alhambra and the whole ancient town... Granada is simply magical... Like Rome, Paris, New York and Istanbul, everyone should visit Granada at least once in his/her life.

I hope you can see Loreena this summer!I hope to see & listen to her in Valencia.

Bye for now

Martin


"We are fools to make war on our brothers in arms"
Mark Knopfler

My heart goes out to you and all nations that are terrorized. I wish it will end soon and hope people realize that all life is sacred. Not else matters but the love we give to others and to ourselves.
I am grateful for Loreena and her music and wish more people understood her belief that "there is more to bind us together then tear us apart". Violence never solved anything.
Now I must put Spain on my list of "to do" list. May you are safe in your travels.
Love,
Gina

Spain is really a wonderful country I have visited five times since 1993 now. In your country I spent lovely Summer holidays until last August, not to count my last six-day school-trip to Barcelona in March 1998 too. Spain is in my heart, with unforgettable recollections of funny moments, enchanting sights and delightful tapas (…Loreena likes them too!!) and sangria, so for me knowing that local terrorist is still such a terrible wound is very sad. I am keen, however, to tell you that, despite that, Spain image is not spoilt in my eyes; I mean, whenever I left to travel to Spain, I was aware of the possibility of terrorist attacks, but honestly I was never afraid lest something could happen.

Last year my vacation was actually very, very fine; while moving from Valencia to Barcelona, I stopped by the village of Peniscola for a twenty-minute lunch in a tiny restaurant with a suggestive sea view. Good, good memories! If I’m not wrong it’s not located far from your town, Castellon! You make me travel to Spain again, which is a treasure full of jewels, and it is a great pleasure for me.
I could go on speaking for hours, but to make a long story short I add just that many places still have to be discovered by me, i.e. the mysterious Alhambra.

Eventually, a warm, heartfelt thought for the Spanish policeman you spoke about in your post.
Anyway, Martin, we don’t forget you and don’t forget that too many times Spaniards perish for freedom.

freesoul

Yes, Martín, I am so sad about it. I think Spaniards just want to go on with their lives and live in peace. Spain is a great country and I am sure that things will get well in time... perhaps with a little more spiritual conciousness?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Manel,