A lifetime of encounters with Spain.
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Reflections on Spain on Feb 16th, 2010
In the early years of La Tienda, a young man named Tomás Lozano contacted me. At the time we were experimenting with many new products from Spain to discover what our customers would like. We featured ceramics, foods and a handful of hand-carved reproductions of medieval art, including wooden panels and crosses. He wanted to [...]
Posted in Migas, Reflections on Spain on Dec 18th, 2009
‘Spaniard’ comes for the French Espanyard when referring to a person from Spain, which is fine. The term was bastardized by the British, in particular the navy, when referring to their Spanish galleon combatants, in particular in the context ” dirty Spaniard’.
For those in the know, it is a derogatory term, no different than those used to identify various ethnic and religious identities throughout the world.
Posted in Amigos on Oct 23rd, 2009
I learned that what makes America powerful is not the strength of a great army but the flexibility of its social system, the incredible capacity to accept and include others.
Posted in Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on May 14th, 2008
Children, with all of their exuberance, are to be enjoyed and treasured within the family and all whom they touch; and a Spaniard’s home is thought of as an extension of his greater family. Perhaps the Jamón Serrano resting on its stand is a symbol of the hospitality that is the essence of the home.
