Dearest Scoop,
My God - the amount you have showered me praises, I am really standing tall and am on top of the world ( I normally am!

). I am really happy about your brother being given a complete okay and you must convince him to post his story as it will mean a lot to a lot of people. One other thing is that helps you get everything out of system as eachone here has been through various degrees of trauma and would be glad to see what your brother did and what they could do and exchange ideas.
You know Scoop, strangely enough I have never ever been to the US - and in fact never wanted to. Now dont ask me why - but it just happened so. My sister lives in the US and very often before I contracted my Cancer, I would be travelling to Mexico and would spend weeks there. My sister would pester me to come across - but I was adamant and would ensure she came over to Mexico. However, that does not mean I dont know of how things work in the US and what the places are like - Palm Springs. It must be really great for your brother and sister in law, have settled down in a great place and must be really happy living a retired life there. Do me a favor and tell him - life does not get over till the last breath and as long as you are breathing live all those moments like a king and do everything as if there was no tomorrow. Live every moment. Once you are able to do that - all your thoughts on the illness vanish and in due course you will have even forgotten about it. Please, once again, do me thgis favor.
Ahh.. the kissing bit. It is funny how things work in various parts of the world and how one learns from people of that Country. Having lived in Spain for most of my younger days, I always felt felt hugging and giving a peck on one or both cheeks was perfectly fine. It is the done thing - but it turned out something else in the UK and thats why I put that poser.
I agree with you when you say - its one of the best ways to greet each other as it does bring out the warmth of friendsship and even ifone is not on very good terms - it helps in forgiving. As I used to travel all over Spain, South America and Mexico - it was greeting with hugs and kisses - be it between men and women, men and men, women and women. There was nothing extraordinary about the exchange of greeting this way. Even though I live in India now, I still follow the practise and noone has objected but have seen a lot of others doing it too. Guess its very infectious. Barcelona will always be home to me and I truly love the place but my days of travel are over and though at times I think about how things could have been -I just break off and think of now.
I recall in 1998, when I had still not been diagnosed, my life was forever shuttling between Argentina , Mexico and India. Working of Mercedes Benz and as we were setting up assembly lines in India - it became my job to ensure the machinery etc. that was to come from Argentina and Mexico came on time. As I was the only guy who could speak both Spanish and English - I was the chosen one. I know one thing for certain - there are no ugly Argentinans - so bet your boyfriend must be the envy of all your other lady friends! They are fitness crazy and they never miss their work out timings - this was good for me as I too work out a lot and it gave me a chance to do the same.
It would be great if you would post some of the snaps - but not of the normal Hollywood we all see but the other parts as well.The famous road or sidewalk where all the celebrities have put their prints ( dont know why I was never called!!

)and other lesser known spots. It would be great to be in touch with all of you'll - starting with you, your 'novio', your 'hermano'.
Do ask him to start - it will bring about major changes in his outlook towards life. He can see how life is truly beautiful if you make it so.
I dont even want to comment on the uncouths who have no common sense and talk through their hats without or with realising they are hurting a person. I wish they would put themselves in that situation for a moment and think before talking.
So - waiting eagerly to hear from your brother and all the details of your boyfriends stay in Barcelona and the musicians? Who knows we may some we know in common.
Take care and lots of love, kisses and hugs to each one of you,
Ananth