A lifetime of encounters with Spain.
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Dec 20th, 2011
The essence of the holidays is the celebration of loving relationships, especially within the family. It is the time for children with their joy and enthusiasm and their sense of wonder. What fun it is to be with them as they open their presents with such gusto! It is not the gifts so much as [...]
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 Reflexiones en Español on Nov 22nd, 2011
Si alguna vez tienen la oportunidad de visitar la fascinante ciudad de Cádiz, puerto vigía en la confluencia del Océano Atlántico y el Mar Mediterráneo en el sur de Andalucía, mi primera recomendación es que visiten su impresionante mercado municipal. En él se extienden, hilera tras hilera, puestos de pescado fresco del Atlántico. Verán corpulentos [...]
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Oct 10th, 2011
Pork and ham are the foundation of Spain’s cuisine, and in many ways its culture. Visit any supermarket (worth its snout) and you will see dozens of jamones hanging from the rafters – and that means hoof and all. Anywhere you visit in this large country, whether it be in the mountains, on the high [...]
Posted in Reflexiones en Español on Oct 10th, 2011
El cerdo y el jamón son la base de la cocina española, y en muchos aspectos de su cultura. Entren en cualquier supermercado español que se precie y encontrarán docenas de jamones colgados de las barras expositoras, con pezuña y todo. A cualquier parte del país que vayan, ya sea la montaña, la meseta o [...]
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Sep 12th, 2011
When our family founded La Tienda fifteen years ago, Ruth and I imagined we were putting together a cozy mom-and-pop business in our retirement so that we could work together with our sons while sharing our love for Spain. The first days of La Tienda began with our son Jonathan working in our basement every [...]
Posted in Corners of Spain, Reflections on Spain on Aug 15th, 2011
My wife Ruth and I have visited virtually every nook and cranny of Spain over the last 45 years, and many times our friends ask me what our favorite part of Spain is. Sunny Andalucía, noble Toledo or Galicia with its hearty fishermen braving the turbulent Atlantic Ocean – which is my favorite? It would [...]
Posted in Reflexiones en Español on Aug 15th, 2011
Mi esposa Ruth y yo hemos explorado prácticamente hasta los más recónditos lugares de la geografía española en los últimos cuarenta y cinco años, y muchas veces mis amigos me preguntan cuál de ellos es mi rincón favorito. La soleada Andalucía, el noble Toledo o la Galicia de valerosos pescadores que desafían el turbulento Océano [...]
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 Reflexiones en Español on Jul 7th, 2011
Tenemos un joven invitado en casa procedente del País Vasco. Se llama Ibon y tiene dieciséis años. Por este motivo el pasado Cuatro de Julio fue una celebración extraordinaria para nosotros. Durante su breve estancia con nosotros Ibon desea mejorar su inglés (¡ya habla vasco, español y francés!) y experimentar algo de la forma de [...]
