Plans....for Spain

Well, I'm still working! In fact, until two weeks ago, I was on almost constant overtime in addition to lots of hours at my tax prep job. It seems weird now to go to work at the normal time (we do our OT before our normal work day begins at 7:00 a.m.).

There were eight layoffs in February instead of the 19 they originally announced, and we have not yet heard when or if or how many for the April layoff. Months ago I decided that I couldn't live my life worrying constantly about something that may or may not happen. I've maybe been a bit more careful about money, but I haven't avoided doing something I would normally just because I might someday lose my job.

A case in point is the trip I am in the process of planning to northern Spain. I have had an online friend for several years who lives in the Asturias province of Spain, an area that is not generally on the tourist path. He is now married and has a daughter who is nearly three, and the time has come for me to visit! Actually, Virgin Atlantic opened a new route from Chicago to London and had special fares of $171 each way (incredibly cheap) and I couldn't pass it up. I booked the Chicago-London leg right away, then took some time finding cheap flights from London to Spain. I settled on a Ryanair flight to Santander, about two hours from my friend's home in Mieres. It was 14.99 GBP, plus fees. When I return, I'll fly Easyjet from Oviedo (very close to my friend's town) for 20 euros.

I've also been in touch with a friend in London who runs Ball of Dirt, and he gave me some insight into how to get from Heathrow to Stansted airport for the cheapie flights. I think I will have to take a bus from Heathrow to Stansted, but I'm hoping that on the way back I can get him to collect me at Standsted. I will be arriving on a Wednesday evening and my flight won't leave for home till Thursday morning, so I have a free evening. Maybe we can work something out. I plan on just sleeping in the airport overnight.

My Spanish friend has booked me a cute little hotel about 5 km from his home. They offered to house me, but I thought that was asking a bit much of them considering I've never actually met them before in real life. He is taking three days off from work to drive me around, though (I'm buying the gas). There is not a lot in the guidebooks about the area, so I'm trusting him to come up with great things to see and do. Can't wait!