mountainman 0 #1 August 3, 2003 Hey there everyone: I just thought I would post a little update about my happenings. I am in Spain right now and have been here since July 1. I am in the city of Salamanca (about 2.5 hrs NW of Madrid). I am studying here to get my Masters in Spanish Language and Culture. I have 3 more days until I'm done. When I'm done, my wife is coming here and we are going to spend some time in Madrid, Seville, Cordova, and Valencia. It should be a great time despite the INSANE temperatures here. It is at least 40C here everyday. Today, it got up to 45C. Anyhow, I have been putting hundreds of photos on my website. Feel free to check it out and/or sign up for the update list on the main page: http://www.jumpinduo.com Have a good one all and I'll hopefully see you in the sky soon ! Blues, Brandonhttp://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katiebear21 0 #2 August 3, 2003 Brandon, looks like a blast! I definitely need to get out more! I have a girlfriend that wants to go to Ibiza but I think I'd like a less party-like touristy vacation! I guess I gotta start using some of my leave days to do something cool!Keep us posted! Katie Get your PMS glass necklace here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 August 3, 2003 QuoteIt should be a great time despite the INSANE temperatures here. It is at least 40C here everyday. Today, it got up to 45C. http://www.jumpinduo.com Geez! 40C is 104F and 45C is 113F!!! It's at least dry right? Or are you in humidity hell? Nice pics...I like the bell tower in your Aug 3 file...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #4 August 3, 2003 *Cough* Empuria Brava*Cough*..... And for the Mrs......there's a Club Med just down the street. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #5 August 3, 2003 Hi Katiebear: I actually went to Ibiza in '98 right after I graduated HS. It is hot there and is pretty much one of the Cancuns of Europe. If you go there, pretty much be ready for ALL foreigners. I am not a huge fan of touristy places either. If you really want to see Spain, I recommend northern Spain (very beautiful) and southern Spain (Andalucia). I hear they are the best of the people. Here is just hot and the people are cold. It is just "their nature"... whatever that means. Let me know if you ever have questions about it ! I also have a Lonely Planet - Spain book that I'll probably sell when I return. Gawain: Glad to hear you checked out the photos. Those were all taken today (obviously). I have quite a few more closeups like that scattered throughout. There are more churches here than I can believe. You pretty much just have to go look at as many as you can stand... especially due to the heat. It is really dry here... so I gues it is a dry heat ? LOL 113F is hot no matter what. Especially when you are walking over a mile to class and another back. Makes for long sweaty days. I haven't felt air conditioning for well over a month now. Things are very weird here and I am so glad that I'll be back in the best country in the world on the 21st. heh heh ...http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #6 August 3, 2003 What's up Clay ! Long time, no see. LOL Yeah.. I wish I could head up there. Between class five days per week, several obligatory excursions and being on the other side of the country of Empuriabrava, I won't make it there. I didn't bring my rig out of sheer lazyness. I figured there would be plenty to do here. Boy, was I wrong. BTW.. you'll have a PM coming your way. http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 August 3, 2003 QuoteHere is just hot and the people are cold. It is just "their nature"... whatever that means. Maybe you are just too close to France. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #8 August 3, 2003 Quoteand being on the other side of the country of Empuriabrava There's AT LEAST one KICK ASS DZ in Portugal as well. May be closer to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #9 August 3, 2003 QuoteQuoteand being on the other side of the country of Empuriabrava There's AT LEAST one KICK ASS DZ in Portugal as well. May be closer to you. I may have to check that out. http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #10 August 3, 2003 QuoteI may have to check that out. I haven't been there so I don't remember the name but I have watched literally HOURS of video from there. Including kickass skydives, beautiful countryside, and one FAST as hell Otter. Dammitt....I wish I could remember the name of the free fly boogie they throw there. I hear it's really good and attracts some of the best flyers from Europe. A friend of mine spent a good deal of time there training for the World Air Games a few years ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #11 August 3, 2003 I went through all the listings here on DZ.com, but didn't come up with much. Oh well. I really dont have time anyhow or my rig. Blah. Oh well. Next time I'll have to remember to study in Empuriabrava. Can you say "absent from class" ? Off to check the USPA site.http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #12 August 3, 2003 Found it...... www.skydive-portugal.com/ Oh....and I told ya this Otter ROCKED!!!!! Quote04.10.2003 - 12.10.2003 Go Vertical Free Fly Boogie (please pre-register) We are dropping from 16.000 ft. O2 on board. Our Super Otter will get you to that altitude in 13 minutes Registration fees is 30 € Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #13 August 3, 2003 Did you click to the next page ? Our Beech 99 that was supposed to replace the Twin Otter during May and June will not be ready to fly in time, we therefore have to close the DZ on April 28. Sorry ! The DZ will open again on October 4. How communist... er... socialist is that ? http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #14 August 3, 2003 That just simply BLOWS goats. One DZ in the whole damn country and they lose their Otter. What will those poor people do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #15 August 3, 2003 I looked at the other 4 DZs listed and they didn't look too much better. But, a DZ is a DZ. I also looked through ALL the other listings for Spain and there is NOTHING around here. I am in the Montana of Spain. Sheesh. They are all in Eastern Spain close (relatively) to Empuriabrava. That sucks. There is one down by Seville, where I'm going, but I'm not going to jump student gear from a 182 in 115F weather. No thanks.http://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #16 August 3, 2003 QuoteThere is one down by Seville, where I'm going, but I'm not going to jump student gear from a 182 in 115F weather. No thanks. WUSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #17 August 3, 2003 But it's a DRY HEAT !! LOLOLhttp://www.brandonandlaura.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #18 August 4, 2003 I was just wondering the other day what ever happened to you... we've only talked a couple of times, but you did a kindness for me w/ an old avatar that I haven't forgotten. Glad you are doing well in Spain. Safe travels... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #19 August 4, 2003 Hey MM.. long time! There's a DZ in Madrid, its probably the closest largish DZ in the area (I know Salamanca isnt too close to Madrid, but its not that far either). Skydive Elio or Ilio or something like that.... you should be able to find some info in Places to Jump...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steph2 0 #20 August 4, 2003 QuoteSkydive Elio or Ilio or something like that.... you should be able to find some info in Places to Jump... Lillo :-) If you're doing the tourist trail, you can't miss out Barcelona... fantastic city, and only 2 hours from Empuria! Hire a rig, you know you want to! Enjoy the rest of your time in Spain... Hasta lluego, Steph -x- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steel 0 #21 August 4, 2003 QuoteQuoteIt should be a great time despite the INSANE temperatures here. It is at least 40C here everyday. Today, it got up to 45C. http://www.jumpinduo.com Geez! 40C is 104F and 45C is 113F!!! It's at least dry right? Or are you in humidity hell? Nice pics...I like the bell tower in your Aug 3 file... ---------------------------------------------- Its not that hot all the time and that is just this time of year. Besides 45 is pretty close to the hottest it ever gets there anyway. The highest temperature in Europe ever was, (Seville, Spain Aug. 4, 1881 122F 50C). Which is significantly less than the hottest North American temperature in the (U.S. Death Valley, Calif. July 10, 1913 134F 57C).If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. Can't think of anything I need No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound. Nothing to eat, no books to read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 August 4, 2003 QuoteBesides 45 is pretty close to the hottest it ever gets there anyway. Uhhh...that's pretty close to as hot as it gets ANYWHERE. QuoteU.S. Death Valley, Calif. Dude...there's a reason they call it "Death Valley" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steel 0 #23 August 4, 2003 QuoteQuoteBesides 45 is pretty close to the hottest it ever gets there anyway. Uhhh...that's pretty close to as hot as it gets ANYWHERE. QuoteU.S. Death Valley, Calif. Dude...there's a reason they call it "Death Valley" --------------------------------------------------- I don't know about that. Thats about as hot as it can get in Texas. But it gets consistently hotter than that in El Azizia, Libya, Tirat Tsvi, Israel, Cloncurry, Queensland, Rivadavia, Argentina, Phoenix or Las Vegas.If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. Can't think of anything I need No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound. Nothing to eat, no books to read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #24 August 4, 2003 QuoteThats about as hot as it can get in Texas. But it gets consistently hotter than that in El Azizia, Libya, Tirat Tsvi, Israel, Cloncurry, Queensland, Rivadavia, Argentina, Phoenix or Las Vegas. Yeah.....and I have been in 125F in New Mexico and 130F some in the Kuwait desert. Hmmm...that's why I don't live any of those places. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steel 0 #25 August 4, 2003 QuoteQuoteThats about as hot as it can get in Texas. But it gets consistently hotter than that in El Azizia, Libya, Tirat Tsvi, Israel, Cloncurry, Queensland, Rivadavia, Argentina, Phoenix or Las Vegas. Yeah.....and I have been in 125F in New Mexico and 130F some in the Kuwait desert. Hmmm...that's why I don't live any of those places. ------------------------------------------------ I agree for I grew up in the NYC area where the temperature rarely goes over 90 (even in the unpleasant heat of summer). But Spain should not be placed in the same category with these other cities that resmble a version of hell in the form of an oven. No Spain is a paradise and is the envy of the entire Northern section of Europe. For the weather of Germany, England, Holland and all of Scandinavia sucks, royally! Ask anybody from there, how many jumps a year they can make? If I had to live in Europe you can be certain that Spain is where I would go. Besides the best weather, they have the best food and the Freindliest people (as long as you don't offend paradise).If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. Can't think of anything I need No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound. Nothing to eat, no books to read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
