Travels in España

So, I spent two weeks in Spain. Good stuff.

The primary reason for going was to participate as an Anglo volunteer in an English immersion program for Spaniards, done via Pueblo Ingles. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in meeting new people and having a free week's room and board. After the program, I spent four days in Madrid, with a half-day side trip (by high-speed rail) to Toledo.

Some reflections on my trip:

• Spanish food is a religious experience. But you'd better like ham. Called "jamon," it is a salted, cured ham that is almost identical to prosciutto. I couldn't get enough of it.
• "Tortilla" is not the same in Spain as it is in Arizona. A tortilla is almost like a very firm quiche or omlette. Lots of egg, with potato, chorizo, and veggies. mmm... very nice.
• Wine. mmm. Lots of wine. Rioja is a regional red that's very popular. Served with all meals. and sangria. mmm. Very nice on a hot day of walking around.
• Coffee. This is what I will miss most. Cafe con leche for breakfast... after lunch... after dinner... very cult-worthy.
• Spanish people are some of the warmest, friendliest I've ever met. Love them, and they will love you.
• Madrid is very metropolitan. Like a very old New York. If you don't like New York, then I suspect Barcelona would be better. All of my new Spanish friends told me I should make it a point to go to Barcelona or San Sebastian next time. I will heed their advice, but I did love Madrid. In addition to being metropolitan, it was also very bohemian. I could have stayed indefinitely.
• See the sights. The museums, the palaces, the cathedrals. In Toledo, there are also the synagogues (which are now museums in themselves). So much history, so much age, that we don't get here in the states. A must to experience.
• Tapas and sangria/wine/beer. Ok, so we're back to the jamon. But you can get tapas with other things... ensalada, chorizo, shrimp, calamari, squingili... one word of warning, if you get shrimp, they don't clean it. So, you will have to pull off heads. I love shrimp, but this was just a little too much work for a snack.
• Experience Madrid with someone. A big city can be a little daunting alone. It is, however, a romantic place, so make it someone whose hand you can hold.
• Experience Spain the bohemian way. No set plan. Wander about aimlessly, from plaza to plaza, and discover what surrounds you. This is definitely the place to let things happen.

I can't wait to go back.

The Plagiarist's Corner, vol. 9: At Last I Am Born

Just returned from two weeks in Spain. Awesome experience. This one speaks to how I've felt since then.

At Last I Am Born
by Morrissey

At last I am born
Historians note
I am finally born
I once used to chase
Affection withdrawn
But now I just sit back and yawn
Because I am born, born, born

Look at me now
From difficult child to spectral hand to Claude Brasseur
oh, blah blah blah

At last I am born
Vulgarians know
I am finally born
I once thought that time
Accentuates dispair
But now, I don't actually care
Because I am born, born, born

Look at me now
From difficult child to spectral hand to Claude Brasseur
oh, blah blah blah

At last I am born!
At last I am born

Leading the one true free life
Born

I once thought I had
Numerous reasons to cry
I did
But I don't anymore
Because I am born, born, born

At last I am born!
At last I am born

It took me a long, long time
But now I am born
I once was a mess
Of guilt because of the flesh
It's remarkable what you can learn
Once your are born, born, born