Hi Ho, Hi Ho…
Welp, my bags are all packed because today Mr. Gladis goes on his first business trip!
At approximately 5:30 (GMT +01:00) I will be transported to the north of Spain to a quaint little town called Ponferrada. Once there, I will go directly to the hotel where I will stay in luxurious hotel room that my academy has so graciously paid for. Early the next morning, I will begin the first of three daily seminars that I will be giving until Wednesday. In the off hours, I will have plenty of time to go sightseeing around town and use my per diem to enjoy the fine local cuisine. Maybe afterwards I’ll finish off each night with a nice glass of red wine and a book while sitting on some terrace overlooking the countryside during sunset.
Ok, so that’s the version I’m telling all my friends. Let’s try it again, but this time wearing our Detect-O-Bullshit Glasses:
At approximately 5:30 (GMT +01:00) I will be transported (on a bus for 5 ½ hours) to the north of Spain to a quaint little town called Ponferrada. (Where?) Once there, I will go directly (walk 2 km) to the hotel where I will stay in luxurious hotel room (“modern facilities” = 4 TV channels) that my academy has so graciously paid for. (That is actually pretty cool.) Early the next morning (buttcrack of dawn), I will begin the first of three daily seminars that I will be giving until Wednesday. (Apparently, if you give an English class for 6 hours in a row, it becomes a ‘seminar’. Some other people might call it ‘Hell’.) In the off hours, I will have plenty of time to go sightseeing around town (where?) and use my per diem to enjoy the fine local cuisine (cow intestines.) Maybe afterwards I’ll finish off each night with a nice glass of red wine and a book while sitting on some terrace overlooking the countryside during sunset. (There is no sun in Ponferrada.)
So, there you have it folks. Paul’s Very First Bidniz Trip. Time to wipe the dust off those old ties and see how respectable I can pretend to be!
Unfortunately, there is no internet in the North of Spain yet (I’m not brining my laptop), so I won’t see you guys till next Thursday.
PEACE!
Lucky you! Ponferrada used to be one of the largest cities in the centre of one of the Roman Empire’s richest mining districts. The town was destroyed twice, first by the Visigoths in 456 and then by Muslim forces in the 9thC. (Remember dear English lecturer, that Spain was an Islamic country for much longer than it has been a Christian country – almost 800 years of Islamic rule). The bridge which was reinforced with iron bars gave the town its name – Pons Ferrata (isn’t English wonderful? Ferrous from ferrata!) Then, at the height of pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela, in 1178 Ponferrada was entrusted to the Knights Templar. (OOh.. I can see your eyebrows rising, juices flowing – who knew such history would be underfoot when you stroll around looking for some sightseeing!) The large castle – a serious castle with ramparts and crenelated towers – lasted for about 100 years until their explusion from Spain.
Ponferrada is still an important stop on ‘el Camino de Santiago’ with over 100 000 pilgrims trudging over that Pons Ferrata last year.
Enjoy your three days and if you see a few pilgrims (its winter now and there won’t be so many at this time of the year) give them a thumbs up sign and think of them sleeping in a pilgrim refuge or monastery.
Buen Camino!
Sil
Sorry – forgot to mention – there is an internet cafe or two in Ponferrada so take pics of you with the Templars and post them on this Blog.
Sil
There is no sun in Ponferrada. HA!!! Have fun, Pao!!!!
Sounds like the place is more interesting than you thought. Have a good time and we look forward to pictures!
Did your boss write that first message?
Even I haven’t been to Ponferrada and I’ve been to ALL the buttholes of Spain. Seriously though it is a tourist spot for something and las medulas sounds cool. Isn’t the medula your jaw bone or something?
all that and his mother’s a whore!!
Actually, babe, I think my magazine covered a story on Ponferrada this month??!? i’m deadass!! apparently, and this is really gross, you can get roast suckling pig, like the best EVER in like ALL OF SPAIN at Ponferrada. So, screw cow intestines. Apparently, baby pig is the way to go.
i love you so much!!!
It was wonderful to meet you. Yay for another who has escaped from the “Big House”
Omnis mundi creatura quasi liber et pictura nobis est in speculum.