EXCERPT FROM SARA’S JOURNALApril 24, 1999
Calle Conde de Barajas, Seville
Open House
"Hello, Javier?"
"Yes?"
"It’s Richard. We’re want to come back to Santa
Maria."
"Estupendico!"
"We want to come on Tuesday."
"It’s no problem. Come whenever you like."
"We want to leave on Saturday."
"Stay as long as you wish."
On Tuesday Rich’s parents will arrive in Seville for a two-week
visit. For both of them it is a first time to the Iberian Peninsula. For Rich’s
father, it is his first time ever to Europe. We will to drive them to the farthest corners
of Andalusia and offer a taste of some of our experiences.
Next Saturday my big brother David arrives for a week of sunshine after
three months of solid recording. Now that he is a Rock Star he feel entitled to a little
rest, a chance sit on the beach before he flies to London for a month of mixing. He’s
bringing along the singer of the band, Matthew.
Rich and I have devised a system of splitting up and communing with our
two visiting parties. I’ll consort with the Rock Stars, Rich will roadtrip with his
parents. Tuesday night we will drive up to the Sierra de Aracena for four days and allow
Rich’s parents to acclimatize to Southern Spain in the midst of the cacti, the grubby
terrier, the donkey tracks and the Milky Way.
In preparation we think that perhaps we should buy some new shoes and
maybe get the fan fixed on Alfi so we don’t have to hot wire it on the road.
Rich’s parents will rent a larger touring car for their visit, one with four doors
and air conditioning. David, on the other hand, will want to roadtrip in Alfi and I
suppose it would be useful to have the fan working. David picked up an almost identical
Alfa Romeo on his birthday last month in Vancouver. It wouldn’t be the end of the
world to hot wire the fan every time we start and stop, but maybe we will see about
getting a local mechanic to fix the problem (temperature sensor, wiring, who knows?) Rich
has found the name of a reputable Alfa mechanic in Seville through another old Alfa owner,
a mechanic who doesn’t have a problem with used parts, and with no shiny showroom
floor. The trouble is, with Feria, it is almost impossible to get anything done this week.
The whole city it seems, stops working and Monday is called "Hangover Monday"
for legitimate reasons.
