Spring is Here!

Hello from sunny, warm Madrid. Spring is in the air, and I hope it is here to stay. It has been in the upper 60's with no cloud in sight since about Wednesday, and will continue like this until late next week. Yesterday Nacho and I had a wonderfully delicious picnic lunch down at the river. It's amazing how a little warmth and sunlight (and also some smoked salmon) can change your perspective, fill you with energy and remind you of life's important things.

Kitchen Nostalgia

For anyone who has spent time in Spanish homes, I'm sure you've realized that the kitchens are teeny tiny. There is no room to park yourself on a counter, to sit down on a rug and pet the dog. It's not the most condoning space to have both the most meaningless and meaningful conversations I tend to have in my kitchen in Connecticut. No my friend, only an American kitchen can give you those things. Today I am missing my kitchen, a special, magical place.

This poem by Joy Harjo:

Tapas Tuesday: Solomillo

This weeks tapa: Solomillo
English translation: Sirloin

Tapas night in San Sebastian (Summer 2011)

5 Things Dating a Spanish Man Has Taught Me:

(Sorry Nachy, but I had to...well no, I wanted to)

West Hartford, CT, USA Fall 2012

Salamanca

As my classes on Friday were cancelled last minute, it was time for a impromptu overnight trip! When my sister studied abroad in Spain years ago she was based in Salamanca, and because of her stories I have always wanted to visit. I also know that the university there is one of the oldest in Europe, and because of that it attracts students from all over the globe. I figured the city must be young and full of energy, and for that I also wanted to visit. I posed the idea to Nacho Friday morning, and him being the smart, organized planner he is, quickly jumped online and found an airbnb room for us to stay that night. Within the hour we were on the road (with me behind the wheel!) to make the two hour trip west, into the autonomous community of Castilla y León, into the Province of Salamanca, to its capital city.

Found this style of graffiti all over the city