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Michelle y Tim estudian en Espana

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Never ones to sit still for long, the Hannas are continuing their globe-trotting ways this summer.
   Tim and Michelle have packed their bookbags and are studying in Valencia. As in Spain.
   "They are both minoring in Spanish, so they took the opportunity that Florida State University offers with their International Study Abroad Program," Robbie wrote in a recent e-mail. "They are taking two classes, which will count for credit for them since it is through the Florida University System."
   Classes are held Monday through Thursday, freeing Michelle and Tim to roam the country on the weekends. They have visited Alicante, Barcelona and Sevilla. Classes were scheduled to end last week, but the brother and sister intended to stick around for a week and take a trip to Madrid, the nation's capital.
   Even an ocean away from home, Michelle apparently has held on to her knack for appearing in the spotlight: The local TV station was doing a story about the FSU program and appeared as Michelle was performing a song -- with guitar accompaniment, of course. "So we have a celebrity in the family ... on Spanish television, anyway," Robbie said.
   Michelle reports that she loves the laid-back attitude of the Spanish people. They have a siesta every afternoon after lunch, and no one makes any definite plans for anything. (Sounds like New Orleans.)

Both are guaranteed to learn a lot this summer, but it is unclear if they learned  answers to the two big questions: First, is there a barber in Seville named "Figaro"? Second, does the rain in Spain stay mainly on the plains?

WAGONS EAST
CHICAGO -- Apparently taking up residence in the Windy City did not take Bridget far enough away from home. Now, she and Mack have scheduled a backpack tour of Southeast Asia.
   "On Aug. 2, we'll leave from Chicago for Singapore. We'll be coming home on Aug. 29, but our flight home to Chicago leaves from Bangkok, Thailand," Bridget writes. "This means we'll be taking buses, planes, ferries, speedboats, taxis and our feet from Singapore to Bangkok in a month's time."
   The two have decided not to develop a firm itinerary. "That way, we'll be able to stay longer in the places we like and quickly get out of the places we don't," Bridget said.
   This isn't the first Asia trip for Mack. He previously made a similar trip and, as such, was able to impart valuable knowledge. Tip No. 1: Wear a backpack with an internal frame,

because those with external frames -- with metal bars on the outside -- tend to get caught on things like chicken coops in buses.
   Roughly, Bridget and Mack know they will start their trip at Tiomon Island, just off the east coast of Peninular Malaysia. They'll stop to snorkel, as the area is known for its underwater scenery, then wind their way north to Panang. From there, they'll fly to Thai islands, make their way to Bangkok, fly over the Ankor Wat ruins of Cambodia, then return to Bangkok for the trip home.
   "Sound expensive?" Bridget asked. "Just the tickets. According to Mack and the Travel guidebooks, we'll be able to live on an average of $25 a day. That's less than we spend at home. Of course this means we'll be roughing it. ... But I'll be able to see stars for the first time in year."

QUOTABLE
"Mimi!"
-- Sam, upon seeing a small red car parked outside a Houma area retail store and mistaking it for Liz's.

Calendar

June 24
St. Jean (Quebec)

July 1
Jennifer's b-day

July 4
Judy's birthday

Send a postcard.

-- Mike, June 20

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Last updated 11 a..m. CST, June 20, 2000