We went to the Contemporarey Art Museum yesterday in Munich. Many of the exhibition rooms were closed, but generally it was a great collection… I am not going to go into the names, but they were mostly American. There was some great stuff from Germany (pre-WWI). Included is a photo of me next to one of the German paintings and also a photo of Niharika and I. For those of you who may not know it, Niharika and I were married back in the ’80’s for her green card. OK…I am guilty. My marriage to her fascilitated my invitation to Rajneeshpuram in Oregon….and that is an entirely other story….a very old story…a story that changed my life.

Jimmy Ray has always encouraged me to use Comex brand house paints for bright, rich, and totally groovy colors in portraying his sytax of the Groove. Well, we caught the dude today at the Caixaforum Museum here in ultra-beyond the beyond Barcelona…..he was movin’ to the slow Groove of a Sol Lewitt painting….copping the colors…digging the exactness of the line….God love him! Later we had dinner at quite possibly the best restaurant in our history together: Casa Leopoldo….we were definately impressed…..Loving our trip….Jimmy Ray has down-grooved lots of impressions and the Chapel is a happening in more than a cranial way.

We have become victims of Cava….the local champagne. After long walks during the day to various Gaudi sights or exploring the different Gothic neighborhoods….we get a bottle of Cava and do some serious people watching. Sitting here in Spain, I find myself wondering about the absurdity of United States culture. I have one word for the United States and its culture: SUCKS. Once, my sister Sarah said to me, “If you don’t like it here, then just leave”. I replied to her, “I did”. All in all, we are having a really divine time….the only piece of wisdom that I can impart is this…..”be careful in public restrooms, especially if you are a Republican”.

Today in Barcelona, Richard and I viewed Jimmy Ray stealing or borrowing or collaborating with the late Gaudi on ideas and possible future structures or motifs at our house in Mexico. All is this is up in the air because Richard and I have been so busy enjoying ourselves in this most lovely city and Jimmy Ray has given us space. Tonight we had dinner in the lovely Born district of the Ribera…tiny little Gothic Streets…a true youth culture here in Spain….Richard and I were met with genial eye contact and the Frida Tee-shirt that Patrice found us at the Frida show in DF was big hit…we love it here…Did Carol get her meds?

Well RikiBaba (Richard) and I have arrived in Europe. After a 10.5 hour plane ride from Mexico City we de-planed in Paris at Charles deGaulle Airport. The US pales in sophistication to Paris. I am reminded of the Houston Airport with all the mishapen weird Americans. France is another story. We were there for three hours. I enjoyed the people watching. Now we are in Barcelona. We went for a short walk to Sagrada Familia (The Gaudi Cathedral) last night. Seeing the surreal steeples behind the buildings as we approached was actually quite amazing and imposing. We ended the evening with a couple of really great cold beers and some Tapas at a local outdoor restaurant….

Well, Jimmy Ray is in flight.  As far as he is concerned…he is on his way to Barcelona.  Richard and I leave tomorrow.  We arrive in Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon.  While we are away, Carlos will re-clear the area for the chapel that has gotten overgrown due to all these rains.  When I return…..the Chapel will rise.  We are visiting Gaudi, Hundertwasser in Vienna, and the acient architecture of Istanbul….Jimmy Ray says I will find clues there….We are ready to go.  Tonight there is a small gathering at Patrice’s and we will show Joe’s film.  I am extremely excited on all fronts.  Life is sweet and full of goo and bliss.