Food Travel and Culture in Spain - Piccavey Blog

Today is the first day of Spring. This is my favourite time of the year.

From March until the end of May, this is quite a special season in this corner of the world.

The snow still covers the Sierra Nevada mountains. You can see this clearly from most places in the city. It´s most dramatic perspective is the one behind the Alhambra seen from the Mirador de San Nicolas.

The cherry blossom and other flowering trees and shrubs are blooming around the city. I visited the Alpujarra last week. In the countryside the almond treesswere in flower. Lots of delicate pink and white blooms filled many hillsides.

The local Easter processions are being prepared. Many brotherhoods are practising every weekend. They begin by setting up the wooden float structure without anything on. It is measured for the people carrying it. As there are some taller than others, this is all worked out. So wider beams are added underneath to reach the shoulders of those carrying the float. They will be teamed up with someone else the same height as them to take their spot on the long procession. Some take 12 hours or more. it depends on the route, the weather and how well they work as a team too.

As the weeks pass with the practise, they become more coordinated and stronger. They add weights and bricks to make the weight increase steadily. Finally by the time Easter comes along they manage to take the weight of all the decorations, candles, sculpture or image on their ´paso´ or float that represents their church or parish.

The local bars and restaurants are setting up or extending their outdoor seating. Now having a beer outside in the sunshine is becoming more and more tempting as the days warm up. Of course tourism will increase too as we get closer to Easter so they need to be ready for the rush.

Granada has plenty of agricultural plots around the city. The plains on the edge of the city have delicious Asparagus and Broad beans. Both are typically found in restaurants and in my fridge over these months of spring. Local ham from the Alpujarra works perfectly with the broad beans.

The Crosses of May follow the Easter processions in Granada and Almeria. Although it has changed slightly as there were many bars set up in the city next to the crosses. The locals say that taking this part of the celebration away has altered the atmosphere. I do agree with them, even so, this is still a special time to see Granada. This festival is celebrated the first weekend in May. The crosses are usually set up for one week.

I hope Spring has sprung where you are too.

Enjoy the weekend

Molly

I have been reading quite a lot recently with the rainy winter days. I have also compliled a list of 50 books about Spain on my blog: http://www.piccavey.com/spain-books/

One of the books added onto that list was this one ´Coffee, Castanets and Don Quixote eBook: by Robert Noble Graham¨

Here´s my review of that book:

It is not very often I read a book in one sitting. This eBook about Spain had me hooked from the first few pages. Coffee, Castanets and Don Quixote covers four Spanish cities. Barcelona, Seville, Toledo & Madrid.

Having visited these locations myself I was particularly interested to read how the author would describe each city. I began to read wondering if I would agree or relate to the descriptions.  If you haven´t had the chance to visit Spain yet, you will appreciate the detail described in each situation. The explanations of the people, scenery and buildings will give you a sense of this magical and varied country. As you read the words will transport you to these places. If you are considering travelling to these areas it is a perfect starter to begin to plan your travel.

Having lived in Barcelona for over eight years I was surprised to learn some new information about the city previously unknown to me. The descriptions of the Gaudi buildings particularly stood out, allowing me to vividly imagine each building.

The writing manages to blend useful fact on the location, mix in several anecdotes and also includes detailed but not longwinded descriptions of these cities of Real Spain.

The four destinations are at no point over romanticized for the sake of the reader. This Scotsman really does tell it like it is. The steep hills of the old quarters In Toledo and the problems with pickpockets in Barcelona are outlined and explained. Instead of being played down to give a glossy brochure image of Spain.  The reader is invited during the chapters to enjoy the authenticity of Spain. We are encouraged to savour the local food, wine and delicacies.

We all make mistakes when travelling abroad, get lost in a cobbled alleyway or get flummoxed with the language. Robert Noble Graham is no exception despite being an experienced traveller. Through the book we are told of problems with Catalan language when he is trying his utmost to learn Spanish and practice when he came and of being irritated by noisy tourists trying to order non Spanish food. (Something I can relate with)  

The majestic city of Seville is originally described as the author links the monuments and buildings into different Operas. This gives a slightly different and refreshing perspective on these famous Andalusian landmarks. When we reach Madrid the huge array of paintings and art that the capital city has on offer is explained in glorious detail. Although there is also a visit to the bustling Rastro street market held each Sunday morning in Madrid.

The writer´s passion for Spain is clear but this does not pollute the honesty shown in these tales of travel through these contrasting cities. At just under 70 pages this is a short but intense read for anyone interested in Spain.