Saying our Goodbyes...

We are wrapping up our Spain tour...sad to leave this wonderful, sunny place. We spent our last full night in Granada at the San Nicolas mirador overlooking a reddened Alhambra listening to the hippies and gypsies sing the tantilizing songs of flamenco. Can´t wait to share our stories of our new favorite country...Adios!

It's Been a While...

...and it will still be a little longer before I post a long note. It has been very busy at the Castro B&B these past few months as several friends and family have graced us with their smiles and love here in Richmond. Edgar and I are leaving for Spain in about 8 hours to spend 10 glorious days in the sunshine, drink some sangria, and eat some tapas. I promise when we get back I will update our last few trips, chronicle our adventures with the guests, and begin a more normal routine of keeping in touch.

Many of you sent me best wishes for my birthday last week and I want to send a big THANK YOU and hug to everyone who thought about me on my special day. It was a very good birthday...in France with our best friends sipping the best wine in the world (in my humble opinion).

We'll be back on Tuesday the 29th...so until then, enjoy your summer and have a great weekend!

Freedom in Colombia!

I am so happy right now I can hardly type. In an unprecedented intelligence operation better than a James Bond movie, the Colombian military has RESCUED 15 FARC held hostages, including 3 American contractors held for 5 years, and Ingrid Betancourt, a French-Colombian who was kidnapped 6 years ago while campaigning for the Colombian presidency. The FARC were duped, plain and simple. No shots were fired, no one was killed. Please go to cnn.com and read all you can about it.

Colombia is such a beautiful country and it is very unfortunate that a small corner of this paradise is home to such an evil enterprise. This really hits home with me. My husband is Colombian and I have visited Colombia twice. On my most recent visit to Bogota, the capital, I witnessed the public outrage in what is happening. Signs hung all over the city expressing the desire to "Stop the Kidnappings". I have visited France numerous times and saw the vigils for Mrs. Betancourt everywhere from Paris to the small villages. In London, I have seen public peace rallies in Trafalgar Square demonstrating the desire for a peaceful Colombia. I am so grateful to everyone involved in this operation. I remember reading about the American contractors in Time magazine 2 years ago and vowing to follow their story. I remember thinking what a great day it would be for them and their families upon their release. I truly cannot believe this day has come.