A Viking Expeditionary Force From Sweden Christmas

The word came from far off Malmö Sweden in the early Fall.

"Greetings New Mexicans. I, #3, Chieftainess of the VEFS have determined that our band of hearty warriors and screen watchers wish a warmer place to visit during the Winter break from pillaging. As our blood kin, surely you will let us sneak through your country's inane new international visit system and allow us to soak up your Southwestern Sun. Send us word of your blessings."

How could one not respond to such a well worded invitation. We responded.

"#3, may your warrior skull cup overflow with Kombucha. May we remember their contributions to the Re-Reconquista in Spain this past Fall the the previous Fall as well. We have booked you in the renowned de-I Sandia Outfitters palatial ABQ Foothills Resort and Penal Colony. (When confirming your reservation BE SURE to check the 'resort' box and not the 'penal colony' box.). Simply fill in the request for all your financial accounts with user names and passwords and you will have set yourself up for the most wonderful time her in the Land of Entrapment."

 Last Friday they arrived.

They had had to pay bribes in Dallas to get through the crazy back up of security line to make their flight. But they were truly wowed by the luxury of their accommodations. 

"Look Love, We actually have a BED to sleep on this time," 3A exclaimed.

3.2 after experiencing the Japanese style bidet toilet her accommodations featured exclaimed, "This is the greatest toilet experience EVER!"

Our guests were so happy, they broke out into the traditional dance celebration of their people.

 And of course, if one has Vikings, one must prepare massive quantities of MEAT!

 

We have many more activities coming up in the days ahead.

Eldership 2025 Spain - The Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel Takes on de-I & the VEFS

Up on the very lowest slopes of Mount Olympus, barely acceptable to any deity, no matter how lowly, the Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel (MUPGT) resides. She looks down on the world  of travel, seeking opportunities to sow mischief. She is a bit bored. She really didn't have much to do with the shutdown of the U.S. government though it has certainly caused plenty of chances for travel chaos. She is old school. She relishes the more personal travel disruption interaction. Call it the clash of heroes from the classic Greek literature. 

Ah! What is this she spies. It is one of her favorite foes, de-Intimidator. He's getting ready to go to the Alicante airport evidently to return some mercenaries he hired to do some dirty deed. Since he is not himself flying, he will never be suspecting a bit of torment from MUPGT. That will be his misfortune.

Wife and I, Wednesday morning had the VEFS crew up and ready to head to the airport. We set off with plenty of time. It is hard to believe that the fearsome Vikings 3.1 and 3.2 have to fly as unaccompanied minors. This is always a bit of a pain at the airport but something we have dealt with numerous times.

We know our way to the airport quite well now. Many of our day trips have gone right by it. As we get to the exit off the highway, however, the traffic is completely backed up. Fortunately, I see vehicles pulling out of line and determine there is a breakdown in front of us. We've lost some time but not that much.

Now we head into the airport. We know where to go to park. Well we should know. For some reason, Wife and I miss the turn (which is for arrivals and then to the parking garage) and go to departures. What the @!%$. This is terra incognita for us. There is a HUGE back up. Turns out the only way through is to go through an express parking area. You get a ticket. Enter. It is a single lane. THEN you have to wait as cars BACK INTO DIAGONAL PARKING PLACES. Crazy. This takes valuable time. I can hear a snickering from the ether. I have suspicion. We finally get through, Exit and go around the airport, reenter and park where we should. 

Now we go to our airline (Norwegian of course for Vikings) to check-in and do the unaccompanied minor thing. The line is long but not too long. But there are some people ahead who have some issues and are taking a lot of time. By the time we get to the agent it is 45 minutes before boarding. In fact, we are a few minutes later than that. We know this because the agent says we were to be there 45 minutes ahead of time and the Vikings' reservations have been deleted. (Uproarious laughter on lower slopes of Olympus.)

Wife calmly says we were in line in plenty of time and cannot control someone ahead of us having a problem. The agent reluctantly acquiesces. She calls her supervisor and they reinstate 3.1 & 3.2. (Humph of disapproval on Olympus). BUT, the agent says, "Do you have the special form for each Viking that has to be filled out in duplicate?" #3 never told us of any forms (she says she checked on their website and there is no mention of it). The agent gives us the forms that we now need all of us to fill out as it requires information only known to the Vikings as well as our own. (Equine smirking..."Time is running out de-I"). 

We finally get the forms completed. Boarding passes and passes for Wife and I are provided. They tell us they've called the gate but we need to not tarry. Well conditioned from following the Vikings around their conquests, Wife and I hustle with them to security. Wife puts down her pass on the reader to gain entry. In she goes. 3.1 does the same. Nothing. Multiple tries. Nothing. 3.2 tries. Nothing. The security person tells us we need to go back to the check in counter to see what the problem is with our the boarding passes. (Raucous demi-deity laughter wafts over the supernatural communication pathway. "You will never make it now de-I.)

Back to the check-in counter. Wife is having nothing to do with lines and just muscles her way back to the agent (even the Vikings are impressed with this martial prowess...MUPGT, not so happy). The agent realizes she gave 3.1. and 3.2 the old arriving boarding passes, not the new ones. Updated boarding passes in hand, it is back to security. In go 3.1 & 3.2. But now Wife's entry pass isn't working. Since she used it once to get in, it is no longer valid. Wife talks the security agent into letting us all through.

(What the &@#!$ MUGPT shouts with dismay!)

Boarding has already started. We have to go through a huge long shopping arcade (typical of international airports) before we get to the gates. But the Vikings gate is the very first one. And unaccompanied minors are the last to board. We even have time to quickly get a drink for the two warriors. 

 

"You haven't heard the last from us Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel! We are Vikings and know plenty of good recipes for Grilled Unicorn."

Eldership Spain 2025 - Finestrat

After their successes securing additional territory along the coast, we ordered our VEFS mercenaries to turn their attention inland. Their initial mountain conquest was the town of Finestrat. Finestrat Municipality is odd in that it has a detached piece of coast land that was given to it by a King as a reward for deeds done for the crown. However, the mountain town is the true center of the city. 

Like so many places along the Costa Blanco, there is a heavy expat population, both residents and people like ourselves who come for various lengths of time. It was Wife's turn to be Commander of the Eldership so the VEFS leaders wanted to show her around their latest conquest for the Re-Reconquista. 

Welcome to...

 

 Our VEFS Leaders

 

Showing the Eldership Commander around the conquest 

 

Excuse me! You're an Enlisted Person today.

 

 

Here is where the local forces had their last stand

 

We sent them all to the de-I Sandia Outfitters Tour as punishment.

 

According to our records, they need two tons of ensaladilla rusa a week, to be a peak efficiency.

 

 You again? No this Ensaladilla Rusa is not for you!

 

Street Art

 

 

 

 House Art

Nothing says 'Welcome' like someone being crucified

 

Or Pink Flamingos

 

 

 

Obligatory Church Photos

 

 Obligatory Blue Dome

 

 Obligatory Ornate Alter

 

 Obligatory Interior Dome Shot

 

 But Wait! Look at the detail. There is something different.

 

 

 

 

Each fresco on the corners has a person with a quill. Never have seen that before. 

 Workmen

 

 Flowers

 

 

 Laundry (has been slim pickings for laundry photos this trip)

 

 We are in the land of roundabouts.

 

Cityscape

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Adios Finestrat

 

Eldership 2025 Spain - Torrevieja and VEFS

The Reconquista of Spain didn't happen overnight. I don't expect the Re-Reconquista to happen quickly either. So once again we hired mercenaries from the Viking Expeditionary Force from Sweden to assist us. We'd identified two targets for conquest, Torrevieja on the coast to the south of us, and Finestrat, in the mountains to the north. Both expeditions were successful and our mercenary leaders were happy to bring Wife and I to observe the conquests. 

Despite local defenders manning sea patrols,

 

We successfully got our VEFS mercenaries in by air. Conquest is tiring business and our tow VEFS commanders were good at getting their rest.

 

 They brought us to Torrevieja to see our new holding.

"Come de-I, Wife, I will show you the beauty of the 'Pink Lake'.

 

 "Commander, the locals have destroyed the bridge!"

 

We found an alternative crossing.

"Now see the splendor of the Pink Lake!"

 

 

 

 "The pinkness comes from algae that grow in the very salty water.

"See de-I. You are now in control of the salt production that comes from these waters.

 

 On to our Tour of Torrevieja

 We were walking to our first destination when I saw this.

 

 

 Another first. Despite all our traveling, never seen 'walk - don't walk' signals on the sidewalk itself. 

Torrevieja is a nice city, with some interesting things to photograph. However, I'd say they were best a promoting themselves. The things we found interesting were not those that were touted in the tourist information. But they did have all the components one would expect of city in these parts. 

City Plaza with Town Hall and Major Church? Check.

 

 

 

 The Church itself was not spectacular but had some interesting things.

 

Your standard ornate inside front

 

 A different looking organ

 

Stained Glass Windows. Check

 

There was one painting of the Last Supper I liked for its variety of poses of the participants

 

 

There was a modern church with very different look.

 

 The city street lamps gave a very different look.

 

 

Christmas decorations were going up

 

Halloween is not a big deal here but there are some things.

 

 What happens when you look away before taking your picture of a plate of churros

 

 Who knew wireless antennas could be artistic?

 

 

 Candid Shots

 

 

Testimonials 

 

Photographer at Work

 

 

 Viking Commander 3.1

 

 Fountain

 

 There is no shortage of seating along the Torreveija waterfront

 

 

Old salt shipping quay

 

 Signs of the Viking attack were everywhere

 

Speaking of signs...SIGNS OF THE WORLD 

 This was a sign pointing to the elevator. But the word Aseos is for the Restrooms. Are these elevators equipped with toilets? We never found out.