Spain { Palma de Mallorca } . . . 2001

I figure it is time to start talking about my overseas experiences.  Where to begin...

Palma de Mallorca, Spain - An island to the east of Spain's mainland. Much to see. Much to do. All I knew at the time was that I had just been onboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) for quite some time (months) and I was ready for a break from 7,000 of my best friends. From the grueling and intense 20+ hours a day, 7-day work weeks. Luckily, I had enough sense to bring along my mountain bike... a Trek 930 single-track, hard tail. I started out biking a few years earlier with a Trek820 and had just recently upgraded to this one. It was a nice improvement and the best part was the front shocks. Made for a much more pleasant ride on those bumpy cobblestone streets.

Getting off the ship for the first time in Palma, I felt a great sense of liberation. From, not only the ship, but from the typical cab rides/fares, trains and buses that everyone else had to take. We were Freeeeeeeeeee! FINALLY. From our ship's Commanding Officer: "Liberty Buddy" rule in effect. This called for us to always have at least one other Shipmate with us - at all times. Oftentimes in overseas ports, Sailors (along with civilian tourists) were easy targets for local criminals. Especially at night. Can't tell you how many times I have been a target myself. But remind me to tell you about it later... (kids picking my pockets, knife up to my throat, being shot at, fight... for my life, etc.).

But back to Palma...

There was so much to see and so much to do and I had at least 3-5 days to squeeze it all in. We bungee jumped, swam in the Mediterranean, rode all sorts of carnival rides, ate fantastic, exotic food, met people from all over the world and the best part... rode the countryside and just absorbed the natural beauty of Spain, itself. As the days went on, I found other Shipmates who had also brought their mountain bike and we would meet up and ride for a few hours then roll on and meet up with our original friends. We each brought a backpack which contained some clothes and hygiene kits; sleeping anywhere we wanted to. In a hotel. On a beach. Under the stars. Then, in the morning, we'd simply go to the beach for a swim, then shower on the boardwalk. We were always very good about looking out for one another. The great thing about having a bicycle, a MOUNTAIN bike, was that we could not only ride the neighborhood streets, but we were constantly veering off the main roads and riding across parks, dirt fields, rocky terrain, through heavy traffic and it was crazy. The drivers overseas are so nonchalant that we were not used to it. We were always very vigilant yet I clearly remember at least two times that someone either brushed up against me (with their vehicle) or I'd slammed into their bumper. "Peace! See ya!" (You think I want to be responsible for creating an "international incident?!" Um. NO.)

Forgive my ramblings... it has been so many years that I wish I would have documented everything as it happened. So, for now, ramblings is the best you will get. Here are some more. In random thoughts...

- eating a huge Burger King Whopper with Cheese and thinking "I wonder if they have portion limitations over here because this is GOOOOD! LOVE the extra cheese, mayo, pickles and bigger buns!"

- ordering a chicken plate at an outdoor cafe and expecting a plate with maybe some potatoes, greens and a chicken breast but instead... getting a FULL SIZE CHICKEN with the head and all! Looked like a Thanksgiving Turkey but much smaller and we finished it (we EACH had one full one)!

- getting sky-rocketed in one of those slingshot type balls at the carnival. Wishing I would have opted for the video. I had a great time but the super chubby (okay, he was FAT), British, tourist kid (around 12) lost his cookies and luckily I gave him this look in that millisecond of time that told him "I don't care HOW young you are or how much cushion you've got under those poor, poor clothes... Look Away NOWWWW or I WILL HIT you!" This, all as we were at the peak of the free-falling ride - suspended at the top - and were about to make our descent. Poor kid. He looked at me with a mouth full, eyes bulging, then looked away and released. NASTY. We pressed on. My buddies laughing at me! We got a kick out of that kid but I felt bad for him. Looking back. Wanted to tell him "thanks" but didn't want to risk losing it myself. Weak stomach. OH! You know who he reminded me of? Augustus Gloop! From Willy Wonka.

This is only the beginning of my ventures in Palma, but I wanted to at least give you something to look at for now. I'll be jumping all over the place as time goes on so I will be sure to revisit with you.

What you see in these next few shots are, unfortunately, very low quality pictures that I took with my digital camcorder. At the time, it was state of the art. Ha! Way to go J. Should have just bought a camera because now, I have a drawer full of mini-DV tapes and I have NEVER watched them. They just sit. Collecting dust. I'll have to get them converted to 8-track sometime... er, I mean cassette... no, CD... DVD? Point is, by the time I get to it, i GUARANTEE they will need to be converted to some type of holographic imagery that it might not even be worth it. For now, we have these pics. Enjoy! Oh, the chalkboard was just to fancy them up some. Does it help? ;)