Tag Archives: Spain
Flan Posted by Magda on Oct 19, 2010
Hay tradiciones, costumbres, y platos típicos que uno tiene tan asimilados, que se sorprende cuando descubre que fuera de su ciudad, o de su país, no se conocen. De la misma forma en que he visto a amigos extranjeros disfrutar comiendo, y cocinando, una tortilla de patatas, los he visto relamerse de gusto ante un…
La Rosa del Azafrán Posted by Magda on Oct 7, 2010
Los árabes hicieron aportaciones de enorme valor a la Península Ibérica durante su ocupación entre los siglos VIII y XV, gracias a sus amplios conocimientos matemáticos, astrológicos, médicos, literarios, etc. Pero también a su paso por España debemos hoy el cultivo de una delicada flor, y lo que es más importante, del preciado producto que…
Don Quijote de la Mancha Posted by Magda on Sep 30, 2010
“Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, a gentleman lived not long ago, one of those who has a lance and ancient shield on a shelf and keeps a skinny nag and a greyhound for racing (…)” When I think about chivalry, the first image that comes…
Sidra asturiana Posted by Magda on Sep 24, 2010
Llega el otoño, y con él se lleva a cabo en Asturias la elaboración de uno de sus productos más característicos: la sidra. Una vez recogidas las manzanas, y cuidado, porque no todas valen, se trasladan al lagar, o llagar, donde comenzará el proceso. Es en estos edificios donde se trituran las manzanas, ya que…
Bandoleros Posted by Magda on Sep 16, 2010
Historic events often facilitate the formation of social groups and characters that turn into either heroes or villains. When these become important, art, literature, and even music, all contribute to their immortality. This is what happened in Spain with the figure of the bandit. Just like in many other countries, bandits, criminals, and smugglers have…
Las Cabañuelas, or an ancestral weather forecast Posted by Magda on Sep 7, 2010
Who hasn’t checked the weather on TV before going on a trip or when planning a vacation? Well, in Spain we have more accurate way than just listening to a weather person, and that is to follow the Cabañuelas. This weird term refers to an ancient method of predicting weather. Used by our grandparents, simple…
“La Tomatina” de Buñol Posted by Magda on Aug 31, 2010
I’m starting to believe that there are celebrations for any random reason in the world. Bearing that in mind, it won’t sound so strange that in Spain we celebrate one with tomatoes. It consists in just that: people throwing tomatoes at each other. However, the tomatoes are crushed before being thrown, so you don’t hurt…