Cars do manage (barely) to fit through the narrow, winding streets of Sevilla
5.2.11
2.2.11
typical spanish pueblo
old people chillin' in the plaza. all day, e'ry day.
wondering what that young'un is doing on their turf.
Carmona
Below is the record of my day trip to Carmona, a small town northeast of Sevilla famous for its ancient Roman roots. The town is built on top of a hill for the purposes of protection from attack. Here are some of my findings...
La Puerta de Córdoba, the gate through which the road points to the city of Córdoba:
An ancient Roman mosaic of Medusa (something like 10 feet x 10 feet):
La Puerta de Córdoba, the gate through which the road points to the city of Córdoba:
a view of the Andalucían countryside...
La puerta de Sevilla, the gate that leads to Sevilla, which also happens to be a castle...
views of Carmona from the top of La Puerta de Sevilla..
And some Roman tombs, dating back thousands of years...
and some other un-identifiable things...
31.1.11
a little lesson on dialect
Although Spain's vocabulary is not even close to as bizarre and unique as Chile's vocabulary of chilenismos, there are a couple words that you Latin-American Spanish-speakers may not recognize:
1. venga - they don't just use it as the subjunctive or command form of venir...it's more something that they tack on the end of sentences, or use as a sign of understanding. when my students understand the directions I give them, venga!
2. guay - pronounced "why" means cool
3. chulo - also means cool (I only know slang words that mean cool because no one labels me anything else. jk.)
4. pijo - ritzy, posh
4. Spaniards use the vosotros frequently. Ustedes is only used for very formal situations. It's easy to understand but not quite as easy to remember to use, after years of training the ustedes.
5. People in Andalucía speak with "the lisp" that people associate with Spain Spanish. Meaning the "c" and the "z" are pronounced more like "th." I've grown accustomed to listening and understanding "the lisp," but am reluctant to pick it up.
1. venga - they don't just use it as the subjunctive or command form of venir...it's more something that they tack on the end of sentences, or use as a sign of understanding. when my students understand the directions I give them, venga!
2. guay - pronounced "why" means cool
3. chulo - also means cool (I only know slang words that mean cool because no one labels me anything else. jk.)
4. pijo - ritzy, posh
4. Spaniards use the vosotros frequently. Ustedes is only used for very formal situations. It's easy to understand but not quite as easy to remember to use, after years of training the ustedes.
5. People in Andalucía speak with "the lisp" that people associate with Spain Spanish. Meaning the "c" and the "z" are pronounced more like "th." I've grown accustomed to listening and understanding "the lisp," but am reluctant to pick it up.
Becca's bloggity blog
During Becca's two week visit, I (as per usual) gave her a full gastronomic tour of Sevilla and Madrid. Here, Becca writes about some of the culinary highlights:
1. Tinto de Verano
I drank tinto like I drink water. It’s a delicious mix of red wine and a carbonated drink such as Lemon Fanta. I can’t wait to make it for my friends, but I'll miss it terribly when I leave. Only a year and half until I can enjoy tinto in the states.
2. El Botín in Madrid
El Botín is considered the oldest restaurant in the world, has long been a favorite among famous artists. We walked down a very narrow, steep, brick passage to our underground table. It was possibly one of the best meals I have ever had: artichoke hearts with strips of jamón, a cheese plate, and roasted lamb.
(side note from Elizabeth: I was especially excited to go there, as the restaurant was a favorite of Hemingway's. He became friends with the owners, and in his novel Death in the Afternoon, write: “…but, in the meantime, I would prefer to dine on suckling pig at Botín than sit and think about the accidents which my friends could suffer.")
3. Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)
This traditional Spanish dish made from eggs and potatoes is great anytime of the day. I loved it on bread.
4. Churro con Chocolate
This isn’t the typical American churro with cinnamon. It is pure, fried, non-flavored dough, although it's not as fried or heavy as the American churro. The best part: it is enjoyed with a cup of melted chocolate! Many eat this around 6 a.m. after coming back from the discotecas. I enjoyed them at around 11 a.m. for breakfast, at the famous chocolate shop, San Ginés.
5. Berenjena con Miel
I know Elizabeth already blogged about this dish, but it was too amazing to leave out. Although it was not technically a dessert, it was so sweet that it was the perfect ending to my last meal in Spain.
6. Jamón Iberico
Although I never eat pig in the states, I couldn’t go a day without eating pig in Spain. This special type is only fed acorns. Spain has given me a new love for ham.
7. Becca left out one tapa that we shared together that I feel cannot be left unmentioned: capuccino de mejillón (mussel capuccino). Towards the end of a delightful dinner at Zelai, a boutique restaurant in the center of Sevilla, we debated the important decision of what our next tapa would be. As a compromise, we asked the waiter what he recommended, and he went into detail about why he loves the capuccino de mejillón.
What he said rings true: the capuccino de mejillón is a complete dish. Nothing could be done to make it more complete. In a small cup, a pumpkin flavored soup with tiny shrimp is covered with a layer of coconut foam, which first tastes of sweet coconut and then brings a surprising kick of spice. Laid across the brim of the "capuccino" are two mussels on a toothpick. It's a baffling dish - unusual, striking, and satisfying. Except for the fact that it comes in a small cup.
Pictured below: Capuccino de mejillón and tinto de verano
1. Tinto de Verano
I drank tinto like I drink water. It’s a delicious mix of red wine and a carbonated drink such as Lemon Fanta. I can’t wait to make it for my friends, but I'll miss it terribly when I leave. Only a year and half until I can enjoy tinto in the states.
2. El Botín in Madrid
El Botín is considered the oldest restaurant in the world, has long been a favorite among famous artists. We walked down a very narrow, steep, brick passage to our underground table. It was possibly one of the best meals I have ever had: artichoke hearts with strips of jamón, a cheese plate, and roasted lamb.
(side note from Elizabeth: I was especially excited to go there, as the restaurant was a favorite of Hemingway's. He became friends with the owners, and in his novel Death in the Afternoon, write: “…but, in the meantime, I would prefer to dine on suckling pig at Botín than sit and think about the accidents which my friends could suffer.")
3. Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)
This traditional Spanish dish made from eggs and potatoes is great anytime of the day. I loved it on bread.
4. Churro con Chocolate
This isn’t the typical American churro with cinnamon. It is pure, fried, non-flavored dough, although it's not as fried or heavy as the American churro. The best part: it is enjoyed with a cup of melted chocolate! Many eat this around 6 a.m. after coming back from the discotecas. I enjoyed them at around 11 a.m. for breakfast, at the famous chocolate shop, San Ginés.
I know Elizabeth already blogged about this dish, but it was too amazing to leave out. Although it was not technically a dessert, it was so sweet that it was the perfect ending to my last meal in Spain.
6. Jamón Iberico
Although I never eat pig in the states, I couldn’t go a day without eating pig in Spain. This special type is only fed acorns. Spain has given me a new love for ham.
7. Becca left out one tapa that we shared together that I feel cannot be left unmentioned: capuccino de mejillón (mussel capuccino). Towards the end of a delightful dinner at Zelai, a boutique restaurant in the center of Sevilla, we debated the important decision of what our next tapa would be. As a compromise, we asked the waiter what he recommended, and he went into detail about why he loves the capuccino de mejillón.
What he said rings true: the capuccino de mejillón is a complete dish. Nothing could be done to make it more complete. In a small cup, a pumpkin flavored soup with tiny shrimp is covered with a layer of coconut foam, which first tastes of sweet coconut and then brings a surprising kick of spice. Laid across the brim of the "capuccino" are two mussels on a toothpick. It's a baffling dish - unusual, striking, and satisfying. Except for the fact that it comes in a small cup.
Pictured below: Capuccino de mejillón and tinto de verano
25.1.11
the capital
For most college-aged kids gallivanting around Europe, Barcelona is all the rage. I, too, for a time, was under the same impression. Barcelona feels truly European, unlike any other city in Spain, and it's coastal location and Gaudí creations mean it is not a stop to be missed. But after my weekend trip to Madrid, I say, Barcelona, Shmarcelona. Madrid is the Spanish city. Madrid is Spain. And for someone with an Andalusian spirit and years of studying Spanish and Latin American culture under her belt, Madrid is it.
Some artistic highlights, including Dalí, Picasso, Miró, and a few others...
...fave photo of the weekend...
...gorgeous day in Parque Retiro...
...Madrid marketplace, fruit and veggie stands, fishmongers, and a whole lot of chatty people drinking wine in excess and grabbing mini bites from various food stands...
...and the whole trip (minus one cranky sisters-be-sisters day) was so fun because I was able to spend time with Becca Boo...
Here we are in front of the royal palace.
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