Favorite Pics From My TIme in Spain

I'm feeling pretty nostalgic lately. Maybe it's because I've been in touch with a lot of old Spain amigos in the past couple days, or it's coming up on a year since I left (seriously, time goes faster the older I get!). Whatever it is, I feel compelled to share some of my favorite photos from my time in Spain and Europe in general. 

Once, while walking around Bilbao, I saw the Athletic Bilbao football team. My phone was dying, but I managed to get a pic of my favorite player/lover, Aitor Ocio.

My first glimpse of the Guggenheim...made many good memories there

Wine tasting in La Rioja

Cuadrilla from Year 1

Brugge-A fairytale city

One of the many fiestas

Family came to visit, Ali learned how to pop the head off shrimp

San Juan de Gatztelugatxe

Golden Guggenheim

Probably one of my scariest days in Spain (well, France), when the tide came in and we almost had to be rescued-but luckily were able to save ourselves.

Definitely missing expat Thanksgivings!

Prague

One of the many pieces of jamón I consumed-note Tana about to shank me with the ham knife!

Venice! Not overrated, in my opinion

Mis chicas, Ariana and Marina

Summers spent in Catalunya

Beach in the French Basque Country

Geeking out over the Tower of London

Colorful Burano

Best chateau, Cenonceau

Bizarre evening in a huge house in France

Friends and Fever!

Spain bloggers! Miss you chicas!

Swimming in Albania

Tattoos!

Last Eurotrip :(

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Eating (and Drinking!) Your Way Through Birmingham

Birmingham. The second city of England. Known as an industrial hub, I was delighted to learn that the food and drink scene in Birmingham is taking off in a big way! It's got Michelin starred restaurants, unique pubs and eateries, and lots of great food festivals. Next time you find yourself in the United Kingdom, grab a train ticket, book a hotel, and check out some of these cool foodie festivals in the West Midlands.

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Birmingham Chili Festival

This is one of the hottest festivals around. Check out chili inspired food, drinks, and trinkets at the various stalls. There are tons of great foods to choose from, from rum-and-chili cakes to chili pancakes to chili chocolate. There are also classes where participants show of their best recipes that involve chilies. The highlight of the festival is the chili eating contest, where the contestants try to last ten rounds of trying some of the spiciest chilies known to man. 

The Chili Festival is July 19th and 20th, at Brindlyplace

Ciderfest

It doesn't get more English than a good pint of cider, and this month-long festival pits four Birmingham pubs against each other to crown the cider cocktail champion. Cider has come a long way since Strongbow, and these venues are going to prove it's more than just a fluff beverage for teenagers (at least that's what my friends from the UK have told me). 

Ciderfest takes place throughout the month of July 

The Birmingham International Food Fair

International food festivals are my favorite. There's paella. There are ostrich burgers. There are delicacies that you're not sure what they are, but maybe it's better that way. The Birmingham International Food Fair boasts over 140 stalls filled with tasty treats from Iraq to Spain to South Africa. Come with an empty stomach, because you'll be wanting to try as much as you can. If you can't find something you want to eat here, there's something wrong with you.
The International Food Fair is the week of the 14th-26th of August

Midlands Whisky Festival

Whiskey makers from the entire island descend on Birmingham in September for the Midlands Whisky Festival. Over 200 different types of whiskey are featured, so be sure to pace yourself if you're a whisky fanatic. Enjoy some bagpipes while you swill your dram, or participate in a masterclass and learn about the art of distilling a good whisky. This festival brings in the serious whisky fanatics, so be prepared to rub shoulders with some whisky hot-shots.
The Midlands Whisky Festival is held on September 28th

From whiskey to chilies, you're sure to find a food paradise in Birmingham!

Off Spain's Beaten Path

When people think of Spain, the think of sun, sangria, and flamenco. Since living in Pais Vasco for two years, I can confirm that there is much, much more to Spain than these stereotypes. Of course, you can find these things throughout the country, but for your next Spain holiday in 2013, why not try something a little different? Here are my suggestions:

Asturias

Asturias, located in Northern Spain, has beaches, nature, and amazing food. If hiking is your thing, you can venture into the Picos de Europa, the mountain range for mountain climbing or horseback riding. The beaches are pristine, and not as crowded as some you would see in Alicante or Benidorm. The typical dish of Asturias is fabada, a hearty bean stew that you shouldn't miss. Make sure to wash it down with some Asturian cider (sidra), but take a hint from the locals and don't drink the last sip-toss it on the ground! 

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

Even if you're not up for the long walk that is the Camino de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela is a unique, beautiful city. The cathedral in and of itself is worth the trip, as its architecture will take your breath away. Peek inside where the bones of St. James are said to rest. It will probably rain at least once when you're there, so pack your rain boots and an umbrella! Seafood is fresh and plentiful, and if you're brave you should try pulpa a la gallega, fresh octopus prepared the Galician way. Delicious! 

Tarifa-Andalucia

Tarifa has beautiful beaches, but it's not the best place for swimming. It's one of the windiest places in Spain, which makes it uncomfortable for sunbathing, but amazing for kite surfing and other water sports. The village is small and quaint, with tiny bars and restaurants to explore. Tarifa is also the closest part of Spain to Africa, so it's possible to take a ferry to Tangier for the day if you're feeling adventerous. 

Valladolid-Castilla y Leon

I might be a little biased as this was the first ever place I lived in Spain, but if you are looking for Spanish immersion on your holiday, Valladolid is the place to go. This region is thought to have the purest Spanish spoken in all of the country, so your language skills can only improve. If you're interested in history, Valladolid was the capital of Spain before Madrid, and was the home of Miguel de Cervantes. There are countless museums, churches, and monuments to see. 

Lekeitio-Basque Country

Anyone will tell you-Basque Country is different! If you want to see just how different, you need to visit Lekeitio. It is definitely off the beaten path, but if you can survive the winding roads, you'll be rewarded with amazing views and delicious food. In Lekeitio, many people speak Basque as their first language, so be prepared to not hear as much Spanish. The beaches are amazing, and there is a tidal island that you can walk out to and explore at low tide. It's a small village, but a great place to see how Basque people live. If you can, try and go for the Goose Festival in late summer. 

Originally posted 4.15.13

Five Tips for Road-Tripping in Spain

I love a good road trip. Some of my best memories during my 2 years in Spain were on road trips. Two of the big road trips I did was a trip throughout the South during Semana Santa, and a trip from Bilbao to the edge of Galicia. So the next time you have the weekend off, consider renting a car and hitting the road!

1. Do your rental car research

There are tons and tons of rental car companies in Spain, so you'll need to do some research. Some of the top companies are PepeCar, EuroCar, Sixt, and Hertz. My favorite company is Sixt, as they've always had great customer service and you can get compact cars pretty cheap. Make sure you figure out how big the cars are, how many miles to the gallon, and if it's a manual or automatic. Most cars in Europe are manual, so make sure you know how to drive a stick, or know someone who can. Getting an automatic will bump up the price significantly. I have never had problems renting a car with just a valid US license, but that may vary depending on the company. You can get an international license from AAA in the States, but if you've been in the EU for two years or more, you're now required to have a European license. Just ask Cat. 

2. Find some friends

It's pretty simple: the more people you have in your car, the more people you have to split the cost of the car and gas. Renting a car can be a really cheap option if you're with a group of four or five people. Since gas is quite expensive in Spain (although the US is getting there, let me tell you), you'll want as many people as you can squeeze in the vehicle. Another hint: make sure someone in your party is 25, as it can be more expensive to rent a car if you're under 25. 

Pack 'em in!

3. Just because you don't see the cop doesn't mean you're not getting a ticket

This was a lesson learned the hard way. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I haven't seen many Spanish cops pulling over people on the side of the road for speeding. However, they do have radars set up that clock your speed, and they'll send you a ticket if you're over the limit. They will even send the ticket to your house in the States if they can't find you in Spain. The one time the Spanish Government is ahead of the game. 

Sometimes, you'll luck out with a REALLY sweet ride

4. Consider parking outside the city

Spanish streets are narrow. Much more narrow than in the States. When you get in the old parts of the town, the roads are so narrow you can barely get anything bigger than a Mini Cooper through the winding streets. You'll just get frustrated, especially if you don't know where you're going. If possible, try and park your car outside of the city and take public transportation in. This will save you a lot of stress. 

Would you really want to drive a car through these streets?

5. Be flexible

The best part of renting a car is the flexibility. No train or bus schedules you have to keep in the back of your mind, no early morning if you don't want them. Get lost, explore little villages that seem interesting, drive around in circles. This is where you'll make the best memories of your trip. 

Originally posted 4.6.13

A Long Weekend in Valencia

One of my first trips out of Bilbao when I started my time as a language assistant was to Valencia. At the time, it had been pouring down rain in Bilbao for weeks on end, and I was desperate to escape it. This was easily remedied by 6-hour bus ride to Valencia. I was eager to explore the city I heard was beautiful, see the beaches, and eat paella, of course. 

Orange trees! Not too common in Bilbao

The first day was spent exploring the city. I stayed at a small hostel in the old part of Valencia, and the winding streets were especially charming. Even though it wasn't very warm, I was just happy not to be schlepping my umbrella around with me. I stopped in the Mercado Central (Central Market) to take a peek at all the fresh seafood, spices, and fruits it had to offer. 

Exploring the streets of Valencia

Day two was spent at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, which is the modern-looking science museum/aquarium/IMAX theatre complex. It has such a futuristic feel, and is every photographer's dream. It was very cool to walk around the grounds and see the cool architecture. I ended up seeing an IMAX film, checking out the science museum, and attending a dolphin show (which was my favorite!).

   

My last day in Valencia was spent with two of my favorite things: food and the beach. Breakfast was churros con chocolate, which is always a good way to start the day.  It was a bit overcast, but I took the bus to the beach to check it out. It was pretty deserted, but I could imagine it in the summer overflowing with people. For dinner, the classic Valencian rice dish, paella, was on the menu. I found a small restaurant tucked away on one of those winding streets in the old town. I was thrilled to see it was packed with Spanish-speakers, so I was pretty sure the paella was going to be amazing. And it totally was. I'm a big fan of eating the local cuisine wherever you are, and I can confidently say I have never had a paella as good as when I was in Valencia. 

Empty beach

Valencia was definitely a success, and I was glad to be able to see this well-known Spanish city. Hopefully I'll be able to go back sometime in the summer to really enjoy those beaches!

Bonus: I also found a hilarious Spanish-English translation mishap, which always brightens my day. 

Originally posted 3.6.13