Rachel likes handkerchiefs and I am getting her one on my trip to Spain.

[CTyankee]

It seems she always carries one cuz she tends to get teary on tv (her words). Here is the story from the NYT Magazine today (pics of her lovely 1865 western MA house and her adorable chocolate lab!): http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/magazine/19wwln-domains-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin

She also likes champagne and lots of mustard varieties.

It's a nice article...

[rocktivity]

1. There's a "Worst thing about Obama" and "Best thing about McCain"

but not "Best thing about Obama" or "Worst thing about McCain." Yeah, Times, I noticed!

:mad:
rocknation

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Yeah - but consider who responded

:rofl: Rachel thinks he's an insignificant doddering old fool too! :rofl: And I'm one of those people that love Obama's self-possessed calm cool and confident air . . . but that wanted him to open a can of whoop ass on the Right Wing Media and particularly O'Lielly for the 'lynch' reference to Michelle.

Eh - He'll be in the WH soon enough and after eight years of knee-jerk cowboy 'diplomacy' - that 'negative' is going to be a big fat positive!

Try and have a good one - and yep - I DO get what you're saying re the Neg v. Pos . . . but if it makes you feel better? My Daily News showed up on the doorstep and they endorsed Obama! :pals: That's some feel good news for you - okey dokey? :-)

[glowing]

3. Well, it is Rachel.. so, they are asking the worst of her side and the best of the

opponent... I don't like the article chunked like that.. I tend to NOT like Q. & A. type.. It's drab and boring. Not much imagination.. AT ALL. But she rocks on her show, and I love how all these reporters are doing interest stories on her because she is an overnight success.

[mwb970]

4. You're going to Spain! My favorite country to visit.

Very thoughtful of you to get something for Rachel - she certainly deserves our thanks. Where all will you be visiting?

[CTyankee]

5. Thanks, I'll be going to northern Spain, a Smithsonian art & architecture tour called "Crossing the

Pyrenees." After a brief stay in Madrid we'll be heading to the Basque lands, Bilbao, Vielho, Hondaribbea, San Sebastian (w/a little stop on the way to Pamplona!). Then we'll have several days in Barcelona.

This trip is one of the FEW bargain basement type tour programs offered by the Smithsonian. The trip was $2199 and we got a great fare with Iberia on Priceline.

We had a similar trip with Smithsonian to Italy two years ago. It's not for everyone. I happen to like LOTS of museums and architecture walks/lectures. Since there is ample time and opportunity for wine/food experiences and a bit of shopping (I like to buy local art that I find at flea markets), I am happy! I find that I am always surprised by the town or city on my trip that I really love (Lucca in Tuscany, Perugia in Umbria, Verona in the Veneto). So I am expecting a surprise in Spain, where I have never been before...

You know, now that I think about it, my handkerchief might not make it to her. I'll send it in a manila envelope but do you think the MSNBC people will think it's some kind of a threat? It would be too bad because I LOVE to shop for soft goods like towels, handkerchiefs, etc and it would be nice if I knew she accepted it. I have two daughters about her age. Same with Michelle Obama (HER daughters are the exact age of two of my 3 granddaughters!). It's a feminist thing...

[mwb970]

6. Agh! You're going to my favorite part of Spain.

Maybe I could tag along with you? ;)

I love the "north coast" - it's so much less tourist-y than elsewhere. Are you not going to Santiago de Compostela (NW corner) though? It's a real gem. Maybe next time.

Enjoy!

[CTyankee]

7. I seriously considered another tour that would have taken me to Santiago de Compostela.

I had studied the images of goddesses in world art in grad school and read about the black virgin. It was a tough choice to make between the tour that offered that and this one. I really want to go to that old crusade route, exactly the kind of thing that excites me.

What are your other favorite places in Spain. I love to hear about really good, interesting places to go and I keep files on clippings about all the destinations I want to go to before I die (my own bucket list). Do you have a list, too?

[mwb970]

13. I wonder, could you be talking about the Black Virgin at Montserrat?

(Info on this web page.)

If so, you can take in Montserrat as an easy "day trip" from Barcelona. It's well worth it, especially if they finally have finished the loud construction activities that marred my last two visits there!

As far as the north coast, I liked Santander a lot, partly because there are both mountains and caves to explore in the same area, and you're right on the sea. Santiago de Compostela is like a giant museum, a really one-of-a-kind place.

It took me awhile to "get" Barcelona. The first time I visited, I was disappointed. Things looked run down, the people seemed down-in-the-mouth and even a bit seedy, and my camera got stolen! But on later visits (I've been to Spain five times, but I've never been to any other country) I had much better experiences and even came to see it as the "magical" city I had been expecting in the first place. Be sure to go to Gaudi's Park Guell while there. Amazing! Las Ramblas is another must, and always great (but hold onto your camera).

In Madrid, you have several large museums to choose from, but my absolute favorite museum is somewhat obscure: it's the Museo Lázaro Galdiano on Calle de Serrano (north side of town). It has all kinds of items, some truly exquisite, as described on the web page.

[soothsayer]

11. You should send it in a Manila envelope.

So she'll know it's Spanish. hee.

[CTyankee]

or maybe philippino? n/t

[CTyankee]

12. or maybe philippino? n/t

[JI7]

8. that was fun to read, i love the explanation for not having a TV

and i would love to check out that room with all those books.

she had a job where she had to wear panty hose.

one thing i would be interested to know about her is which skin care products she uses. she has perfect skin.

[CTyankee]

9. Yep, her skin is gorgeous and it can't ALL be makeup.

I think she is tastefully made up on her show. I only saw one time when her lipstick was too dark and she looked harsh. And I love her "assistant principle" look, altho I would prefer the real Rachel in her work clothes and sneakers!

Hint on skin care: stay out of the sun (best thing I ever decided to do).

[JI7]

10. oh, it's not makeup at all

even in pics and other appearances where she is casual with those sneakers and jeans her skin just glows.

agree about the sun ,i have naturally tanned skin so not as big a problem for me. but even then i wear sunscreen(i live in southern california). i work in the beach area and not only do you have women who lie in the sun all day, but many of them smoke also to stay thin.

[lonestarnot]

14. I have some with hearts on them.

:loveya: Rachel!

[renate]

15. thank you thank you thank you for finding that article!

She is just so doggone charming. And funny-- "Maybe all the pundits are hanging out and not inviting me" :rofl:

And I love that after she and her dog drive to the dump, they go to a sheep farm so the dog can look at the sheep. What a sweetie she is!

:loveya: