Well, there’s no such thing as being on vacation in my book. Easter Break started here five days ago and I’m exhausted. I did get a film or two in on the TV but other than that, it’s been nonstop doing all those things I couldn’t get done when I’m working. I’ve been to funerals, dinner parties, the hospital, IKEA. I’ve had a sonogram, written a book, started a play, read half the history of Madrid, played with my daughters’ guinea pigs, watched Real Madrid, spent hours assembling a table, and even taken a few shots of sockball, a local, very local, game. A now I’m off to a poker game. It being Holy Week and all, sounds like a perfect time for gambling. I can’t tell you where it will be because you can’t play cards for money in a bar in Spain. You can drink, smoke, play slot machines and hit on women…but you can’t gamble.
The last time I went I got fleeced at Texas Hold’em. Do you know what it’s like to take a beating at poker from a bunch of Spaniards? That’s our game! I’m supposed to be the local expert. That’s partly because I don’t like Texas Hold’em ‘cause I think there’s something suspicious about it. But there is plenty to tell…So, I’ll get it out to you.