CRACK! Ahhhhhh

So before I even got to Spain it was clear to me that Jordi was one of the nicest, most helpful people ever. First he talked to his friend about hosting me, then he offered to pick me up from the airport. Meanwhile, you might remember that not long before I headed to Spain my back went haywire. After some R+R in Brussels I was still in really bad shape. I had to email Jordi and Albert, my host, that I wasn't capable of doing a whole lot at the moment. We hadn't discussed exactly what kind of work I would be doing at the hotel, but I figured it would be some kind of physical labor, which there was no chance my back would agree to.

Albert responded by saying I should show up and consider myself a friend. Sleep in the next day, take it easy. Not only that, when I mentioned I would need to pick up an ice pack, he had one waiting for me when I arrived. I felt like such a jerk. Here was a total stranger doing me all kinds of favors and I was in too much pain to do anything in return. The next day, I said I thought I should see a chiropractor and Albert immediately made a phone call that lead to an appointment in 20 minutes - which, you guessed it, he drove me to.

Now, turned out this person wasn't a chiropractor but a massage therapist. I was doubtful it would be much help but after an hour I got up and walked away feeling a hell of a lot better. I was walking almost normally - it was so exciting! $40 euros well spent! I toured the town, found some seitan at the grocery store, and returned to the hotel with lifted spirits.

Sadly, a lot of my relief wore off by the time I went to bed :( The next day all I could muster the energy for was a walk around the hotel grounds, shooting some photos and a little drawing. Maybe I could contribute some artwork to the hotel...

Andy and his family had gotten to Costa Brava by now and were staying a couple of towns over on the beach. Yet another stroke of mad luck came when Andy told me his brother-in-law is not only a chiropractor, but just happens to be the guy who takes care of the Swedish Olympic Ski Team, and he'd be happy to take a look at my back. Are you kidding me - what are the odds?? As you can imagine, I didn't hesitate to take him up on his offer. Turns out Janne is a genius! He worked on me for about 20 minutes and I felt immediate relief. The best part was he even identified the root of my problem and gave me a stretching routine to keep up on my own. Janne - you rock!

By now, Albert had suggested I could help out with the social media for Hotel Golf Costa Brava. That, I could do! Finally, I had some mobility and a way to contribute. Maybe now I could start enjoying my time in Spain!

Neo, Jordi's puppy. I helped him take Neo to the vet one night...
he weighs 68 kilos. That's 150 pounds. That's somewhere around
40 lbs more than me... Good thing he is a sweet pooch! I have
never seen more slobber in my life!

A day at the beach, a night on the rocks... with Pernilla!

Obama, Elvis Presley... according to the home stores in
Spain - this is where it's at!

Brussels - Not Just a Sprout!

I wish I could say Belgium was awesome, but I spent most of it laying around Ilir's flat, nursing my back. At least he has a great place :) Out back is a sweet yard where fox like to run wild - it's a perfect setting for a morning cup of coffee. I rallied enough to take a short walk every day. The neighborhood where he lives is really nice. I was psyched to find 3 different natural food stores within my range of motion. There is also a forrest that would have been great to go running in, and a lush green park further up the road that I did manage to explore. Brussles seems like a town I would have enjoyed checking out if I had been up to it - damn the luck! All things considered I'm glad a had a chance to get some rest tho. If I had to travel again right away it would have just made things worse.

Ilir did at least drag my butt downtown my last night there so I could get a peek at what I hadn't been able to see on my own. The main square is pretty breathtaking. He actually informed my that in 2010 it was voted the most beautiful square in Europe. I might be slightly partial to Prague, but I agree it's pretty bad ass. We topped the night off in what I think is the coziest bar I've ever been to. Paintings hung overlapping paintings - it was a surprisingly soothing atmosphere despite the visual overload.

While my friends back home kicked off their 4th of July barbecues, I headed to the airport for my departure to Spain. One last Belgian ale and a session of sifting through Belgian chocolates for a dairy-free treat and my visit was complete. Au revoir!

A nice place for a morning cup'a joe.

Don't mess with a Belgian park slug!

This picture is totally not doing the square justice.

A goofy pose always make a mural 

look better.

Random street stuff.

This bar just screamed "drink wine"!

Cheers, Brussels!

A taste of USA on Independence Day. If only I could have
snapped this when Jason Werth was on the screen - would
have made it even more appropriate (even tho Philly boos
him now).

Belgium or Bust!

Things took a downward for for me after the Tuska festival. By the time we got off stage I knew my back was not happy. We left at 4:30 the next morning, and over the course of 34 hours of travel to Dessel, Germany, my condition got dramatically worse. By the time we arrived at Grasspop I couldn't sit, and when I walked I got shooting pains so bad they caused my knees to give out. I had no idea how I would get on stage that night. Our tour manager, Olé Bang got the festival to send over a massage therapist. After about a half hour of working on me she did a couple tests, saw that I couldn't flip myself over without screaming and said "Oh shit, I can't help you. You have a pinched nerve, you need manipulation".

After some chatting with festival production, I was pretty discouraged. It was Sunday and chiropractors usually won't touch you without seeing an X-ray. A phone call was made and all I could do was wait. Meanwhile, I had friends in the audience I couldn't get to, friends backstage I couldn't hang out with, and bands I wanted to see - not to mention, I was in serious pain. A little after 8:00 I finally got word - we found someone who can see you. Let's go!

I went to the office of Erik Gys. He is a doctor in Dessel as well as a local politician, who would have my vote any day. He spent a long time working on me and called his partner, Reinhilde Dirckx, to come and give me an anti-inflammatory injection. With less that 2 hrs to go before show time, I needed the works. When asked about payment, Dr. Gys simply said, "We're going to Grasspop - a couple beers would be cool". Seriously generous people! I can't thank these two enough. Without their help there is no way I would have been able to perform. I also have to give shout out to Akon Garv for helping me out - getting my things, getting me to the doctor. Whenever he is around he is a helping hand, and I was very grateful to have one that day!

Even after a powerful shot, it took one more pill to get me on stage. I was warned that twisting my back would erase the work just done. Crap - all I do is twist myself around up there! I had to make a lot of adjustments. I was nervous, but it went better than I expected. It was certainly a subdued performance on my part (sorry Grasspop!) but I got through it, and was relieved that is went as well as it did. King very kindly told me I did a great job - he knows how it is. The band and crew also checked on me throughout the show. Let it be known - I work with some of the coolest people on the planet :)

To add insult to injury, Iron Maiden played right before us and I didn't get to see any of their set :( Not to mention I was supposed to be stalking Bruce Dickinson all day! I did at least finally get to hook up with my friend from home, Ilir Morina, who is now living in Belgium. 

This is what 4:30 am departure looks like :P

I didn't get to se InFlames play but at least I got to 

catch up with Anders, looking far more lovely than I!