Friday, February 6, 2009
TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN
If you are a fan of James A. Michener and read his novel "The Drifters",
you may recall Britta Bjørndahl, the young girl escaping the gloom and
darkness of her original northern Norway, and in her quest for the bright sunny places she dreams about, finds herself on the "Costa del Sol' in southern Spain, specifically in Torremolinos in the early 1970’s.
Even then. Torremolinos was a Scandinavian - among other European tourist, - destination where girls like Britta hoped to land a job, and stay there, enjoying the sunny, bright days and beaches on the coast of the blue Mediterranean.
Today, if anything, tourism has increased. It is a noisy, fast paced 24 hours a day resort area, with about 6 miles of sandy beaches and a variety of water sports. Packed with restaurants and bars, Torremolinos is a very lively place. specially in high season; with a very high voltage nightlife. A good placee to
start the evening is one of the bars in :“Calle San Miguel", or in one of the restaurants on the promenade.
The menus, often in a few languages offer good dishes such as fish and chips. steak and pasta. However some excellent Spanish seafood restaurants can be found in the fisherman's district of La Carihuela, which has been
relatively undisturbed and has retained its Andalucian coastal charm.
There is a noticiable large gay community, centered on La Nogalera, where the clubs vary from the main stream to drag bars. Exotic shows are a feature here, and are popular\with both, the gay and straight visitor.
Playamar and Bajondillo are the two largest and most popular beaches, with all kinds of water sports. If tired, take a break at any of many bars and cafes along the promenade.- An excursion worth taking, includes a visit to "El Ranchito" where you'll see a wonderfully performed, skillful equestrian ballet, choreograph\to music, with beautiful horses, and their\riders.
MALAGA.
At only 16 mile east of Torremolinos, Malaga with its 500,000 habitans is
the second largest city in Andalucia. It’s als capital of the province, and
famous for its raisins and excellent wines. It also happens to be the hometown
of actor Antonio Banderas.
THE CATHERAL.
Malagas‘ Cathedral\at the Plaza de La Catedral, is one of the outstanding
buildings in the city. - The construction started in 1528 n the placeof a Malaga Mosque that stpped construction for lack of money, Even at this time, the southern tower of the church is ot yet completed, and theerefore, in Spanish is called “La manquita.“ ( Manquita being an endearing nick-name for a female with a missing\hand).
PICASSO MUSEUM.
One, if not the most, famous sons of the city is Pablo Picasso. His House at the Plaza de La Merced 15., is home of the Picasso Fundation. A more famous and larger Picasso Museum\ is at the Palacio de Buenavista at Calle San Agustin. A visit to Malagas most famous painter’s Museun should be in your “Things to do in Malaga“ list.
Many very pleasant and interestig towns and places n the Costa del Sol, are accessible from this well located and interesting city.
Monday, October 20, 2008
VISITING MADRID, SPAIN.
Right at the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, the capital city of Spain
is center of economics and administration of the country. With a legacy of centuries of fascinating history, art and culture are very important in Madrid life.
The city offers a broad variety of accommodations and services, that combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic and open, and at the same time warm and welcoming, has turned this metropolis into one of the western world's great capitals.
"El Prado" is the most important of its 73 museums. It has kept for over 175 years,
works enjoyed only by the monarchy before.- With its annex, "El Cason del Buen Retiro", is one of the world's finest galleries; exhibiting paintigs by El Greco, Rubens, Goya, El Bosco and many more.
One of Madrid's better known and busiest places is "La Puerta del Sol" (The Gate of the Sun). It is the center (Kilometer "0") of the radial network of the Spanish roads.- The Square is also where the famous clock that marks with its bells the traditional eating of the twelve grapes, and the beginning of a new year is located.
La Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century, and its name came from the rising sun seen from it, since the gate was oriented to the east. Now, a metro station named Sol lies under the Square.
GASTRONOMY.
Since Phillip II made Madrid the capital of Spain, numerous recipes and influences from all regions of the country entered its kitchen. Today, its practically impossible to say which dishes are original and which imported, so Madrid offers more of a Spanish, than a regional cuisine.
In Spain, dinner is served between 9 and 11 pm. (sometimes as late as 12 midight),
leaving significant time between work and dinner. During that time, Spaniards often go "bar hopping" (Spanish: Ir de tapas) and eat tapas before dinner.
Tapas is the name of a variey of appetizers served when you order wine or an alcoholic beverage of some kind. The word "Tapa"means lid, or cover. There are several explanations for the etymology of "tapa", the most commonly cited is that an item, such as bread or a flat card, etc. would often be placed on top of a drink to protect it from fruit flies. At some point, it became a habit to top the drinks with a snack.- Razor thin slices of Serrano ham, chorizo (sausage) and some kind of cheese, are the most popular tapas requested in bars when ordering a beer or a glass of wine.
Madrid has many exceptionally good restaurants; their Chefs rating among the best in the world. Internationally, I believe that the most known Spanish dish is the "Paella". One of my favorites are "gambas" (shrimp) deepen in a vinagreta sauce, covered by floating, finely chopped onion.
Going to a"Tablao Flamenco" should be in your What to do list while visiting
Madrid; where you can dine, drink wine or sangria, and enjoy the Flamenco guitar, singing and dancing. El Corral deLa Moreria, is considered to be one of the most famous in the world. Get there early. About half a block away, is a bar where you can sample some very good tapas with a glass of wine, in a very pleasant ambience while waiting for The Corral to open it's doors.
is center of economics and administration of the country. With a legacy of centuries of fascinating history, art and culture are very important in Madrid life.
The city offers a broad variety of accommodations and services, that combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic and open, and at the same time warm and welcoming, has turned this metropolis into one of the western world's great capitals.
"El Prado" is the most important of its 73 museums. It has kept for over 175 years,
works enjoyed only by the monarchy before.- With its annex, "El Cason del Buen Retiro", is one of the world's finest galleries; exhibiting paintigs by El Greco, Rubens, Goya, El Bosco and many more.
One of Madrid's better known and busiest places is "La Puerta del Sol" (The Gate of the Sun). It is the center (Kilometer "0") of the radial network of the Spanish roads.- The Square is also where the famous clock that marks with its bells the traditional eating of the twelve grapes, and the beginning of a new year is located.
La Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century, and its name came from the rising sun seen from it, since the gate was oriented to the east. Now, a metro station named Sol lies under the Square.
GASTRONOMY.
Since Phillip II made Madrid the capital of Spain, numerous recipes and influences from all regions of the country entered its kitchen. Today, its practically impossible to say which dishes are original and which imported, so Madrid offers more of a Spanish, than a regional cuisine.
In Spain, dinner is served between 9 and 11 pm. (sometimes as late as 12 midight),
leaving significant time between work and dinner. During that time, Spaniards often go "bar hopping" (Spanish: Ir de tapas) and eat tapas before dinner.
Tapas is the name of a variey of appetizers served when you order wine or an alcoholic beverage of some kind. The word "Tapa"means lid, or cover. There are several explanations for the etymology of "tapa", the most commonly cited is that an item, such as bread or a flat card, etc. would often be placed on top of a drink to protect it from fruit flies. At some point, it became a habit to top the drinks with a snack.- Razor thin slices of Serrano ham, chorizo (sausage) and some kind of cheese, are the most popular tapas requested in bars when ordering a beer or a glass of wine.
Madrid has many exceptionally good restaurants; their Chefs rating among the best in the world. Internationally, I believe that the most known Spanish dish is the "Paella". One of my favorites are "gambas" (shrimp) deepen in a vinagreta sauce, covered by floating, finely chopped onion.
Going to a"Tablao Flamenco" should be in your What to do list while visiting
Madrid; where you can dine, drink wine or sangria, and enjoy the Flamenco guitar, singing and dancing. El Corral deLa Moreria, is considered to be one of the most famous in the world. Get there early. About half a block away, is a bar where you can sample some very good tapas with a glass of wine, in a very pleasant ambience while waiting for The Corral to open it's doors.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
LOOKING AT CENTRAL AMERICA.
In the geographical Central America, there are seven countries, but only five of them constitute he entity that has been trying to unite into a Federation, following the political structure of the U.S.A.
Belice, once part of Guatemala at the extreme north, and leased to the U.K., becoming a Colony, was granted independence not too long ago; and Panama at the extreme south, once a part of Colombia and later home of the United States constructed and controlled Panama Canal, until President Carter decided to let it go, are excluded from the pretended Federation that so far has failed to become a reality; in part due to some Nationalistic groups that resist loosing individuality, and petty arguments like "Where
would the Capital of the Federation be?"
However, in spite of those difficulties, and differences such as local customs, accent and slang used, currency, etc. they have accomplished a limited union that permits Central Americans to cross borders with no other
papers than their personal I.D. issued by the country of birth, or any proof of Central American nationality.
Customs, as a rule are similar. e.g. with a very low percentage of exeptions, they love to sit around with friends - and friends to be - to socialize and consume navigable quantities of beer or liquor; rum being their favorite hard liquor mixed with Coca Cola as a "Cuba Libre," except in Nicaragua, where they prefer Pepsi Cola and re-name the mix "Nica Libre". Second in the favorites list is vodka.- Bourbon is practically unknown, and asking for a whiskey, invariably will produce a Scotch.
Central Americans generally get along well - if you ignore the so called "Football War" between El Salvador and Honduras. It had much deeper causes tan a soccer game, too long and complicated to go into them now.
Some times they tease each other in jest; each nationality having a nickname:
Guatemalans are "Chapines", Salvadoreans "Guanacos", Hondureans "Catrachos", Nicaraguans "Chochos" and Costa Ricans "Ticos".
Each country has its typical cuisine and special dishes which may include some non traditional food, like iguana eggs in a special native sauce in El Salvador, called "alguashte"- from the Mayan dialect "Nahuatl" still spoken in some parts of that country.
There are only two seasons in the region: rainy (winter) and dry (summer).
They all enjoy a great climate, Guatemala having the best. Further along, I'll try to go into each country outining their characteristics - so if you are curious and like to travel, look for my nest commentary on Central America, that will take you to Guatemala.
Belice, once part of Guatemala at the extreme north, and leased to the U.K., becoming a Colony, was granted independence not too long ago; and Panama at the extreme south, once a part of Colombia and later home of the United States constructed and controlled Panama Canal, until President Carter decided to let it go, are excluded from the pretended Federation that so far has failed to become a reality; in part due to some Nationalistic groups that resist loosing individuality, and petty arguments like "Where
would the Capital of the Federation be?"
However, in spite of those difficulties, and differences such as local customs, accent and slang used, currency, etc. they have accomplished a limited union that permits Central Americans to cross borders with no other
papers than their personal I.D. issued by the country of birth, or any proof of Central American nationality.
Customs, as a rule are similar. e.g. with a very low percentage of exeptions, they love to sit around with friends - and friends to be - to socialize and consume navigable quantities of beer or liquor; rum being their favorite hard liquor mixed with Coca Cola as a "Cuba Libre," except in Nicaragua, where they prefer Pepsi Cola and re-name the mix "Nica Libre". Second in the favorites list is vodka.- Bourbon is practically unknown, and asking for a whiskey, invariably will produce a Scotch.
Central Americans generally get along well - if you ignore the so called "Football War" between El Salvador and Honduras. It had much deeper causes tan a soccer game, too long and complicated to go into them now.
Some times they tease each other in jest; each nationality having a nickname:
Guatemalans are "Chapines", Salvadoreans "Guanacos", Hondureans "Catrachos", Nicaraguans "Chochos" and Costa Ricans "Ticos".
Each country has its typical cuisine and special dishes which may include some non traditional food, like iguana eggs in a special native sauce in El Salvador, called "alguashte"- from the Mayan dialect "Nahuatl" still spoken in some parts of that country.
There are only two seasons in the region: rainy (winter) and dry (summer).
They all enjoy a great climate, Guatemala having the best. Further along, I'll try to go into each country outining their characteristics - so if you are curious and like to travel, look for my nest commentary on Central America, that will take you to Guatemala.
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