A lifetime of encounters with Spain.
Posted in Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Nov 22nd, 2011
If you ever get to visit the fascinating port of Cádiz that guards the Atlantic approach to the Mediterranean in Southern Andalucía, the first place to go is an astonishing public market, which features rows upon rows of fresh catches from the Atlantic Ocean. You will see burly fishermen slicing enormous steaks of swordfish; other [...]
Posted in Amigos, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas on Sep 13th, 2011
Stephen Donahue, a Spain enthusiast and an old friend from the La Tienda community for over 10 years. He recently wrote the following comments to me: I am sometimes asked, “what is Spanish food like?”, by someone whose image is probably of the North Mexican cuisine we find here. I want to say no, that [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Jul 11th, 2011
We have a young houseguest, Ibon, who is a 16 year old student from the Basque Country. So this year the Fourth of July was an extra special day for us because of his visit. During his brief stay with us, he hopes to brush up on his English (he already speaks Basque, Spanish and [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas on Jun 7th, 2011
I have posted this itinerary in conjunction with my June 2011 Reflection posted on this blog and on www.latienda.com, which details this unique expression of piety and music in Cuenca — with the hope that you might be tempted to choose this wonderful experience in the future. Pictures of the Semana Santa processions can be [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Feb 14th, 2011
Do you remember that classic radio commercial “Dr Pepper: So Misunderstood”? It brought a new generation of customers to enjoy one of the original soft drinks (it was even older than Coca Cola). Among marketing circles, the slogan is viewed as one on the most effective advertisements ever made to reintroduce a product. Most people [...]
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Dec 23rd, 2010
Last month I attended my grandchildren’s primary school for the Veteran’s Day exercise. Seated before me on the floor were a couple of hundred boys and girls happily chattering with one another, surrounded by us veterans: largely fathers and grandfathers who lined the gymnasium walls. On the stage, the fifth grade chorus presented a program [...]
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Migas, Reflections on Spain, Tesoros, Un Sabor de España on Sep 15th, 2010
This book is a collection of some of the most interesting essays on this blog, which I have extensively edited, and included many pictures.
Posted in Amigos, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Aug 9th, 2010
Ferias and celebrations are part of every day life in Spain all year long. Their roots are in the religious and agricultural cycles of traditional life, although, with some notable exceptions, modern Spaniards largely focus on fiestas as joyful events for the extended family to mingle with the rest of the community. Earlier this year [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Jul 12th, 2010
There is a magical city nestled close to the coastline of Galicia, which is often overlooked by visitors to Spain. It is Santiago de Compostela, far away from the usual Toledo – Sevilla – Córdoba – Granada – Barcelona tourist circuit, both in distance and temperament. It has both a holy and a cosmopolitan air. [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas on Jan 25th, 2010
In the town square there were bonfires, lots of people in traditional medieval costume, and typical wares of the region. There were drummers, and recorder players, and traditional dances. Santiago Martin is the customary Grand Marshall of the fiesta, and he presides over the activities in traditional dress. This year he let Jose Andres have the honors. Speeches were made, the pig made its appearance and was raffled off, although it was so crowded we couldn’t actually see what happened to the pig. Afterwards, long tables with food and wine were set up and everyone (several hundred people) ate and drank – for free!
