Westworld Alberta

Winter 2015

Westworld Alberta

Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/590742

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MEMBERS EARN 2% IN AMA REWARD DOLLARS ON RELOADABLE ESSO CARDS * PURCHASED AT AN AMA CENTRE. PUMP MORE money INTO YOUR wallet! † Trademark of Imperial Oil Limited. * This is a prepaid reloadable Esso Gift Card, not a credit card. † Continue to EARN 2% in AMA reward dollars when you reload your card in-centre, online or set up Automatic Reload today. With Automatic Reload we will maintain your Esso card balance as you use it. All you need is a credit card and we'll make sure your savings never run out of gas! AMARewards.ca/Esso NOW EVEN EASIER WITH AUTOMATIC RELOADS! W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A 19 cussion. I explain how my family and I were in Catalonia last month when the region's inhab- itants took an historic, but symbolic, vote for independence. More than 80 per cent were in favour of separation. "Estan loco. ey're crazy," Fran says, suc- cinctly summarizing his opinion of Catalan nationalism. After what seems like an eternal climb toward the mountaintops, Fran steers his bike between two stonewalled shepherd huts and onto a weaving dirt trail. After 10 minutes of rapid descending, we traverse through another ancient-looking farm, then onto a steep path of cobbled stones. "This is an old Roman trail," Fran says, before disappearing around a corner. Such is the magnificent, multi-layered history of Spain, for now beneath the tires of my bike. Without the benefit of a local's knowledge, to me this would have been just a rocky path in the Sierra Nevada. AFTER SIX WEEKS IN SPAIN, I'M FINALLY beginning to understand the intimacy and conviviality of Spanish civic life, obtrusive to some no doubt, but a quality I find oddly endearing. We also have embraced the Spanish tradition of a family evening promenade. Many times I have pondered this country's unusual timetable, the national tradition of a solid afternoon siesta and a late dinner that puts it so out of step with the rest of Europe. And as cynical as Spaniards can be about the fortunes of their country, they have a joie de vivre that is infectious. Lisa and I share a few tapas of fried potatoes and calamari at a café conveniently located next to a playground to entertain the kids. Later we stop for some promised gelato. Couples walk along the side- walk arm in arm, wearing down puffies and bracing against, what in southern Spain is con- sidered a brisk breeze. Conversely our kids are in T-shirts and eating ice cream (tough Cana- dians, I suppose.) "No tienen frio?," a woman says, meaning 'you're not cold?' in English, shaking her head then laughing before giving Sabine a gentle pinch of the cheek. Later, as our kids chase down a balloon given to them by the girl at the ice cream shop, the slight chill on a late autumn evening in southern Spain washes over us. I think of home, which we left nearly three months ago. Our friends are knee-deep in a Canadian winter. But tomorrow we head to the Costa del Sol with bathing suits, blanket and picnic basket. W

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