Andalucía – Exploring Southern Spain

25 April 2017May 18, 2017EddieSpain12 grapes, adventure, Andalucía, bla bla car, Córdoba, culture, Europe, family, flamenco, Game of Thrones, Granada, Ronda, Sevilla, tapas, travelLeave a comment

Andalucía

Earlier this year, we took a trip to the south of Spain, to visit Andalucía. This region is responsible for many of the stereotypes associated with Spain. E.g., flamenco, bullfighting, and the Moorish influenced architecture (it was under Moorish rule from the 8th-15th centuries). As we traveled though Andalucía, we began to feel a better sense of this amazing country. We saw olive orchards that seemed to go on forever. Green pastures with the famous fighting bulls (toro de lidia). Snowy mountains of the Sierra Nevada, with their views of the shore of northern Africa in the distance. Continue reading

4 Days in Madrid & Toledo

18 December 2016June 1, 2017HeatherSpainadventure, AVE train, bocadillos, Castilla-La Mancha, history, Madrid, tapas, Toledo, travel, wine, ziplining3 Comments

Last weekend was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception holiday in Spain, and we took advantage of the 4-day weekend to take a quick trip to Madrid. Thanks to the AVE high speed train, which goes up to 310 kph (192 mph), we made it from Valencia to Madrid in under 2 hours.

High-speed AVE trains between Valencia and Madrid
Madrid street vendors near Plaza Mayor
Chestnuts and sweet potatoes are common during the Christmas season
A perfect little wine and cheese shop in our neighborhood
Vietnamese Pho in Madrid
The nightlife was vibrant and energetic
Madrid's holiday decor was festive
Near Puerta del Sol
Legit street tacos at Takos Al Pastor, Madrid
Delicious champiñónes tapa at El Brillante cafeteria, across from Madrid Atocha station
The train station in Toledo is really cool
Exterior of the Toledo train station
The Alzacar in Toledo
Toledo
Toledo- Alzacar in the background
The Academia De Infantería in Toledo. Spanish Army Infantry school.
Toledo
Toledo
Toledo
Toledo
Toledo
The view from our Airbnb apartment
Carcamusas - traditional winter stew in Toledo
Interior of the Toledo train station

First Impressions

9 September 2016April 1, 2017HeatherCalifornia Expat, Likes and Dislikes, Spainarchitecture, bocadillos, culture, dislikes, family, likes, medication, persianas, pharmacy, shopping, tapas, Valencia, wine4 Comments

Plaza Ajuntamiento view from above — The view from our apartment in Valencia

We moved to Valencia about 2 months ago, so I thought I’d share some of my first impressions, both the good and the not so good. Keep in mind that we’ve only lived here for a short time, and much of that time has been spent finding an apartment, and setting up our household. We’ve been eating out a lot during this time, and since it was summer, TJ was not in school and we were working hard to try and keep him entertained. (Note: We now refer to our home in San Jose as “Home Sweet Home” and our apartment in Valencia as “Home”. It just makes it easier in conversation so we can distinguish one from the other). Continue reading