Bacelona, Spain

David poses in front of the beautiful mountains

What a view

Debbie poses in the square

Getting valued Internet!

Relaxing VIP lounge to wait for flight from Barcelona!

The Basilica

Barcelona, Spain

            First, I need to follow-up on the game and yesterday evening. Sitting down to dinner at 6:00pm, the same time as the MU/UK kickoff was somewhat nerve wracking. It is such an important game since Kentucky has a poor record and to lose to them would sack our chances to win our division in the SEC, our reputation as a contender, and it would result in many other consequences. Dinner this night, however, was a slow-going process. We were receiving our dessert after 7:30pm thus halftime would be just about over by the time we finish. Finally, Debbie and I hurry to a hot spot on the ship claimed to have access to the Internet, but alas, it didn’t work. After waiting on Monica to give her some hair spray, we rush to the ship’s library for another try – Bingo! My heart is pounding as we wait and wait and wait for the mutigers.com screen to materialize. Eventually it does, and whew, we see a score of 28-10 into the 3^rd quarter. Saving expense minutes we tune in about every 10-15 minutes and watch the score go to 28-17, then 35-17, then 41-17, and finally, 48-17, a Tiger victory! Game Tracker also gives us the statistics and we review them all – two major school records are set: DGB (Dorial Green-Beckham) catches 4 touchdown passes to set a new record, and redshirt freshman Manny Mauck throws for 5 touchdowns that ties a record. Moreover, my favorite running back, Henry Josey, runs for 113 yards, including a long one of 86. There were other highlights but suffice it to say we are guaranteed a 9 win season, and could very well go 11-1, win our division, play in the SEC Championship Game, and possibly end up in the BCS National Championship Game – such hopes, such dreams, but stranger things have happened. We wish for the best; and regardless, this wins assures us of a good bowl game, so we will go bowling in December or January.

            We don’t see Ray and Monica again before disembarking the ship the next morning. We said our good-byes earlier and dearly hope they have a great time crossing the Atlantic on their way to Galveston, Texas. We thoroughly enjoyed traveling with them and earlier with other family members. The Mediterranean, from one end to the other, was truly a wonderful experience.

            Now to the present day – Debbie and I disembark to a tour bus that takes us to Montserrat, the famous monastery that sits on top of a mountain in the heart of Catalonia. It is truly a fascinating ride there, and once atop the mountain, we take a bunch of pictures. The rock formations, huge boulders reaching high into the sky distinguish the mountain from all others surrounding it. We walk through the Basilica, and stroll about the grounds before returning to a spectacular starting point with a stunning view of the valley below surrounded by mountains. The closest image I can give you would be for you to pretend you are on the rim of the Grand Canyon looking down to the Rio Grande river far below. I doubt our pictures can match that description, but I can assure you they come close.

            Montserrat is a place of pilgrimage for millions of Catholics the world over, and today it is Sunday, thus a huge throng of people make the climb to be there this day. The monks, 80 strong, are generating a great deal of money, but I am disappointed that I am unable to feel any sort of holy atmosphere in the place. In spite of the silence you are asked to maintain in the buildings, it seems little different from the many tourist attractions we have visited in the past three weeks. The views described above, however, mark it as a special place for prayer, meditation, and worship.

            We are delivered to the international airport as we depart Montserrat. It is about an hour distant and sits on somewhat of a peninsula that juts out into the sea. Flying first-class certainly has its benefits and I am again grateful for Debbie’s Anniversary present. We are able to go directly to the VIP Lounge for our four-hour wait. It is not just first-class; it is world-class! Complete with beds should you wish one, a counter full of free food and drink, huge comfortable lounge chairs, televisions, newspapers, and more. Best of all, free WiFi.

            Sandwiches, cheese, chocolate croissants, soda, and an assortment of other food are spread out for the taking; no charge. It’s a good thing I no longer consume alcohol for there is an amble supply of it, and also at no charge. Fortunately I see few people abusing the opportunity. After a good lunch, we go into one of the large rooms with the huge lounge chairs and access the Internet. Debbie goes to work while I prepare slides and required forms for a presentation I will be making for a conference sponsored by the School of Nursing. This reminds the two of us that on Wednesday, December 3, we will together present a major presentation to the School of Medicine and the rest of the University of Missouri sharing our journey with cancer; me as patient, Debbie as caregiver. The butterflies are beginning to swarm; it will most likely be our last major speech together.

            We board the flight to London on time and directly into a stunning sunset. And as the sun sets, the plane rises, creating multiple sunsets from multiple angles of red, orange, and yellow colors. In a very short time, we are over France heading for the United Kingdom leaving a beautiful dark red sky behind.

            We are astonished when we arrive at London Heathrow airport. The exchange rate is $1.85 US = 1 English Pound; expensive place this England. Our taxi driver is very nice and it is good to hear the good ‘ole English language again; God Save the Queen! The Marriott Heathrow is excellent; down memory lane we remember being here with the girls in 2001. Then, Becky was so small she slept in a chair, and Jessica was up all night unable to get to sleep. At any rate, before taking highly desired baths (on the ship, the last leg, we had only a shower), we go down to the Sports Bar, watch some closing NFL games and enjoy some delicious nachos. After being in a cabin for two weeks, our Marriott room seems huge, but the bathtub was definitely the highlight.

            It is exciting when we receive a “face time” message from Jessica. Olie is sitting up, smiling as usual, and responds to a crazy sound I make with my lips (I have conditioned him to know by the sound that it is me). Soon after we fall fast asleep dreaming of the good ‘ole USA and home!