Talitha's Travels - Spanish Siesta "Bye bye, Talitha" called Jenny, Talitha's owner. *yawn* Talitha took a big stretch as the door slammed downstairs. She could hear the rain hitting the windows through out the empty house. "Ugh. Rain." She said. "There's nothing worse than rain. It's all... Wet." Talitha slowly made her way down into the kitchen for breakfast and some warm milk. "What to do, what to do?" She pondered. " right!" She said. "No more sitting around, it's time to do something!" Talitha knew what she wanted... An adventure. She strutted to a globe ornament in the corner of the living room, spun it and stopped it with her paw. She lifted it to see where she'd fly off too this time! "Spain! Perfect. There will be nothing but sun there!" She darted over to her bed, pulled out her brown suitcase and began to pack some essentials. "Sunglasses. Check. Spanish phrase book. Check. Sun cream. Check." And most importantly, she made sure she had her passport and money. "I'd better get going if I want to catch a flight!" Talitha grabbed an umbrella, put her sunglasses on her head and made a run to the bus stop. Moments later, a bus pulled up to the bus shelter. " I thought you were never going to come!" Said Talitha to the bus driver. "Oh have you been waiting long?" The driver questioned. "Not really, I just hate the rain" Talitha purred. Talitha took a seat and watched the rain trickle down the window for the rest of the journey. Just as the rain began to come down hard, the bus arrived at the airport. Talitha ran into the airport, trying not to get wet. She strutted over to the ticket desk and asked the ticket officer for a return to Barcelona. "The next flight leaves in ten minutes. If you run you might just make it" she said to Talitha. "I'll take it!" Talitha ran towards the terminal gate. "Sorry. Excuse me. Pardon me!" She said as she made her way through the crowds. "WAIT!" She commanded! "Just in the knick of time" smiled the flight attendant. " Thank goodness for that!" Talitha said while gasping for air. He tore her ticket, and she boarded the plane. "24A" she took her seat strapped her seatbelt in and sat back. WHOOOOOOSH! The plane took off. Reaching higher, and higher. Up, up and up! "I love flying!" She said joyfully to the lady sat beside her. "Well that makes one of us!" She said, with fright in her voice. The frightened lady had blonde hair, and dressed all in black with red lips."Oh dear!" Said Talitha. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Talitha smirked. "Is this your first time to Barcelona?" "No, I holiday here twice a year. What about yourself?" "Oh wow. Yes it is. I'm very excited. I love exploring new places" Talitha said to the blonde lady. "Well might I suggest Barcelona beach, and paella as two things you MUST experience while in Barcelona" "Yes. Thank you. I hadn't even thought of where I'd go" She said. And before you could say mucho gracias they had arrived in Barcelona! HOLA! Read a huge sign as Talitha stepped off of the plane. "Hola!" She said, In her best Spanish accent as she headed through the exit. " hmmm now how to get to the city centre..." Talitha stood on front of a huge information board and map. After a good five minutes, Talitha decided she'd take the tram! After all she did have a budget! She checked the tram departure board and casually strolled over to platform 'Uno' Talitha remembered from her Spanish phrase book that uno in Spanish means one. The tram approached the platform. *tzzz tzzzzzt tzz* the wires above hissed. The tram was bright orange, with red sliding doors. Talitha took a seat and waited for the ticket instructor to come over. Now was her chance to put her Spanish phrase book to some use. "Buenas tardes" (that means hello!) "Buenas tardes." He replied. " she then asked him for a ticket to Barcelona using her Spanish phrase book. "In billete sencillo para Barcelona, por favor" por favor means please, Talitha never forgot her manners. You should always be polite. He printed her ticket, took her money and went on to the next passenger. The tram journey wasn't a very long one, but it went right through central Barcelona. Spanish children played in the fountains, ice cream parlours everywhere, and blue skies. Crystal clear. Talitha was in paradise. A distant cry from rainy England! Talitha stepped off the tram, her sandals clicking onto the Spanish cobbles. 'Where too first?!' She thought. She remembered the frightened blonde lady said she must try some paella. She turned to look for a cafe or restaurant. "Hola, senioritta. " said a deep Spanish voice. Talitha looked, to find a black, tall alley cat. "Oh... Hola" she said politely. "You are English, no?" He questioned intently, coated in a think Spanish accent. "I am English yes. And very hungry! Do you know anywhere I can find some paella?" She said to the alley cat. "Ah si. I know where you can find the best paella in Barcelona! I can take you there?" Talitha hesitated but accepted the alley cats invite. "My name is horhay." He said to Talitha as they walked through Barcelona's busy streets. "I'm Talitha" she said politely. "Ah here we are" horhay pointed over to a rustic looking bistro. It was very small with only four tables! He ordered a large paella, and two blood orange juices. Moments later a large heavy looking pan sizzled its way to their table. Talitha breathed in a deep breath, and sniffed in a huge aroma of different smells. "It smells delicious!" She gasped. Talitha couldn't of eaten her portion quicker. After paying, Talitha and Horhay strolled eating ice cream in the hot Spanish sun. More and more people began to fill our the streets. "Where are we?" She asked. "By Barcelona beach come on! Lets go take a look" Talitha felt the warmth of the sand on her paws. Horhay walked back over to Talitha with a frisbee. "Let's play!" They found an empty patch on the beach and began to play frisbee, and others joined in! Talitha basked in the sun, and ate ice cream all day... 'I could do this everyday' she said to herself. She looked down at her watch... Uh oh. Time to go. "Horhay! I have to leave" she beckoned. He sprinted over and hugged Talitha. "I wish you could stay" "Me too... Spain's lovely" she replied. "Jump on that bus there, it goes by the airport. Wait. Get a photo. So we can remember the day" *SNAP. FLASH* Talitha got on the bus, and watched the sunset as the bus pulled away from the sandy strip. A little while later she arrived at the airport, checked in her bags and boarded a flight with a somber swiftness. To make matters worse Talitha had to sit alone! Talitha landed back to a cold and rainy England. "Welcome back" she said to herself. She collected her bag, and waited at the bus stop. "Back so soon" said the driver as he opened the doors. "Afraid so, and to rubbish weather." When Talitha got home, Jenny had already arrived. 'Uh oh' she thought. She ran, hid her suitcase, pine up her photo from the beach and slinked into the kitchen. "There you are Talitha!" She said. "I've been looking for you everywhere." Talitha purred as Jenny rubbed her head. Talitha jumped up onto Jenny's lap and closed her eyes. The end

Talitha's Travels French fancies "Hmmmph", said Talitha as she stared through the windowpane. Talitha was a tabby cat. Glistening green eyes, and a playful nature and the most shiniest fur you would ever have seen. But today Talitha was bored. She had played with her ball of yarn, chased her tail and even used her scratching post. But still she wasn't satisfied. Being as cocky as most cats can be. Talitha decided she was going to go on an adventure! But where, she thought? 'The desert?' "No. Much too hot", she declared. The North Pole? "Much too cold!" She said. "I know!" "I'll go to France" she meowed. Talitha darted to her cat bed and pulled out a brown suitcase and began to pack. "Tuna. Check. Blanket. Check. Sunglasses. Check. Sandals. Check." And most importantly, Talitha couldn't forget her passport and money! "Hmmm, now how to get to the airport?" Talitha questioned. Just as Talitha was about to give up a big red double decker bus stopped at the bus stop across the road. "Brilliant" she cheered. Talitha grabbed her bag, threw on her coat and ran for the bus. "WAIT!" Talitha shouted. "Phew. That was close. I almost missed it" she said to the driver. "That would have been unlucky." He replied. Talitha paid the bus fare and took a seat on the bus. Before she knew it she was at the Airport. Talitha couldn't wait to fly on her very first plane. She marched over to the ticket desk and purchased a return ticket to Paris, France and made her way to board the flight. "Tickets at the ready, please!" A flight attended announced. "It's my first time flying" Talitha said to the lady. "I'm a little scared". "Don't worry, we'll make sure you have the best first flight ever" said the flight attendant. "24A" Talitha read. "Ah, here it is!" Talitha placed her bag in the compartment and took her seat next to a pleasant looking old man. "Bonjour!" Said Talitha in her best French accent. "Oh yes, bonjour to you too" said the gentleman. He was wearing a grey suit, and reading a paper. He looked very smart. "Will this be your first time visiting Paris?" He asked. "Well yes it is. It's my first time flying too. I'm very excited bit nervous at the same time" she said while blushing a Rosie pink colour. "There's nothing to be nervous about, there's so much you can do in Paris. You can climb all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower, eat yummy pastry and make friends with French people!" Said the joyful old man. "Oh wow!" The engines started up, and the plane made its way to the runaway. ZOOOOOOOM! And the plane was away. Up, up, and up the plane went. Getting higher and higher. "Wooooooo!" Cheered Talitha with excitement and joy. "This is fun! We're so high!" About ten minutes later a short lady came to the old man and Talitha and asked them if they would like anything to drink. "Well what do you have?" The old man inquired. "We have tea, water, orange juice and milk." "Milk?!" Talitha jumped for joy. Milk was her favourite. And even better when slightly heated. "I'll most definitely have a warm milk please!" Talitha never forgot to say please. Her owners had always taught her good manners. The short lady passed her a cup of milk, and a napkin and then gave the gentleman some milk too. *gulp*. Talitha finished her milk on one big mouthful! "You do like your milk, don't you!" Said the old man politely. "Woah!" Talitha exclaimed, "why are we going down?! And so fast?" "Well to land, of course" he chuckled. The plane began diving down until it reached the runway. Bump, skid, bump, bump. The plane whizzed by and then gently came to a standstill. 'Welcome to Paris' read a great big sign,Talitha could see through her window. Talitha was so excited she could barely wait to get off of the plane. "Bye, good sir" "Goodbye. Have a wonderful time" replied the man. Talitha grabbed her bag, ran off the plane, through the Airport and hopped straight into a taxi. "Bonjour. Eiffel Tower, please sir" she gasped. "Ah oui oui" said the relaxed driver. Talitha couldn't believe it. 'I finally made it to Paris' she thought. She could barely contain her excitement. A short drive later and the driver pulled into a small space so Talitha could get out. Talitha paid the driver, said thank you and slowly walked over to the bustling tower. Beautiful gardens and parks surrounded the tower, people in French hats eating chocolate pastry all a round. "First things first" she said. "I shall get to the top of the tower!" Talitha started walking up the steps to make her way to the top. She climbed and climbed until finally she reached the very top! The sun shone down, the birds tweeted and Talitha enjoyed the view over Paris. She even got a polaroid photo as a memento. That was one thing ticked off the old mans list of things to do in Paris! Talitha walked all the way back down the tall tower. *gargle, grumble, grumble* her stomach growled. All that walking had made her very hungry. But what should she eat? "PASTRY!" She shouted! She could smell it, but where is it? Talitha would have to use her very keen sense of smell to find out where the scent of pastry was coming from. She sniffed and sniffed until, tada! She'd found it! She'd found the pastry van. "Bonjour" "Bonjour Madame" said the pastry van owner. "Would you like a pastry?" He asked. "Yes! Your finest, chocolate pastry, merci" she said with excitement in her eyes. She paid the man and took the pastry. She couldn't wait to eat it. It was fresh out the oven. Steam coming off it, melting chocolate dripping down the crispy golden pastry. Her mouth was watering. She took her first bite. Talitha's eyes light up. She'd never tasted anything like it, it was magical. She licked her whiskers and ate the rest. "Wow!" She exclaimed. She had to have another. She ran back to the van, and waited for another. "Back so soon?" Grinned the pastry van owner. "Yes. It was delicious sir. Please, please can I have another? I've never had anything like it" Talitha said confidently. "Why thank you" gushed the Frenchman. "Of course. It's on the house. You pay nothing, for such lovely, kind words. Enjoy" he said with a very strong French accent. "Thank you, Monsieur" Talitha ate the pastry even faster than the first. It tasted even better too! She didn't think it could be possible. But as she gulped down her last mouthful Talitha realised she'd made a French friend. The pastry van owner! And just in time too! She had to leave. "But I don't want to go" Talitha said sadly as she stared up at the clock. Glumly, Talitha said goodbye to the pastry owner. "Au revoir, mon ami!" Shouted the Frenchmen. "Mon ami? Ah, my friend! I'm his friend" she cheered. Talitha got onto another taxi and made her way to the airport. On the journey to the airport Talitha day dreamed through the window as the geese flew over. They were coming over a bridge. The view was breath taking. Little French houses and parks across the river, put a shy smile on Talitha's face. Before she knew it, the taxi driver had got her to the airport in no time. Talitha still had time before she had to get on her plane, so she decided she'd try one last French delicacy. Talitha slinked over to the cafe and ordered snails. The waitress offered her a sample first. "YUCK!" Talitha spat the snail out. "On second thoughts, I'll just have a warm milk to go" She checked her bags in, gave the attendant her ticket and took her seat on the plane. And you'll never guess who came and sat next to her... The old man! "Hello, again! Did you enjoy France?" "I most certainly did. I got to the top of the Eiffel Tower, ate the most delicious pastry and even made friends with the pastry maker! It's been wonderful" she said, grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "Oh it sounds delightful!" He said. "Shall we have a warm milk?" He asked her. "Oh most definitely" Talitha said locking her lips. For the duration of the flight, Talitha and the polite old man discussed what Talitha most enjoyed about Paris. "The pastry of course" she said, still tasting it upon her lips. "Welcome to England" Talitha read as the plane landed on the runway. "Hmmph, oh I do wish I were back in Paris" she sighed. "Well you can always visit again" said the polite old man joyfully. As she did to get to the airport, Talitha had to catch a bus. *yawn* Talitha had grew tired after all her galavanting. She pondered into the house, placed her bag by her bed, placed her plane ticket on her bed side table and curled up for a cat nap. "Ah there you are Talitha" cooed her owner, Jenny. "I were beginning to worry about you!" Talitha purred as Jenny lovingly stroked Talitha's head. She closed shed eyes, and began to dream of her next adventure. Where will she venture to next? You'll have to wait and see. The end.