Category Archives: spain

internations

20 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in sevilla, spain

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Last night I went to my second Internations monthly meet up. They started having them here in October. And I think it’s going to be a nice evening out once a month (as long as I don’t have a tapas tour, which will be another sort of nice evening out).

Basically it’s a way for expats (really dislike that term) to meet and share their experiences of living in a foreign land, though there are also a few Spaniards in the group.

Last night’s meet up started off early (7pm) at the Horno San Buenaventura, the idea being that people could have a coffee and snack before heading out later for a tapa. Around 9 o’clock we headed over to the Plaza Alfalfa for tapitas and more chatting at La Bodega. I actually preferred the second location because it was easier to mingle. And even Peter was being all chatty – quite possibly due to the beer. He sure wasn’t too chipper this morning and by a total stroke of luck his two morning classes rescheduled so he could stay in bed a bit longer.


I’m not usually much of a group person, though I was a member of the AWC for awhile. This group seems a bit more lively than the AWC. First of all, it’s not just women. And the Internations meets are in the evening, which I like better. So we shall see.  Seems like a great way to meet new people. It’s kind of like twitter, but with everyone in the same room.  🙂

my first fabada

13 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in cooking, culture, spain

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I’ve had a kilo bag of alubias (white beans) in the cupboard for ages and finally decided it was time to do something with them. But what? Twitter foodie friends suggested a fabada, a stew from Asturias, so here it is. My first fabada.

As usual, when trying something new, I found a few different recipes on the internet and then did a sort of mash up while adding a twist or two of my own. I’ll try to write down my recipe and get it up on azahar’s kitchen this weekend. Meanwhile, any guesses as to what’s in it?

What’s the last new thing you tried cooking?

[update: recipe is up! Fabada Asturiana]

málaga memories

08 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in birthdays, christmas, food & drink, friends, holidays, Malaga, photos, spain, tapas, travel, trips

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Yesterday morning I went through my Málaga pics and had a lovely time reliving those memories. Peter and I left very early on Monday morning and arrived in Málaga with the whole day ahead of us. After setting up the apartment (we bring our own sheets, towels, kitchen stuff, etc) we went out to explore the city. First thing on the agenda was something I had never done during previous trips to Málaga – a trip up to the Parador Gibralfaro to enjoy a drink on their “balcony of Málaga” terrace, which turned out to be a perfect start to our mini-break. Afterwards we walked down the mountain (we’d taken a taxi up) and after a stroll around town had a fab lunch outdoors at La Cosmopolita. Later we checked out the new port area that was finally open to the public and went back to the apartment to rest up … we had dinner plans with food blogger Sarah and her husband at La Moraga, which ended up being a lovely evening.

Next morning we went to the Picasso Museum and saw both the permanent exhibition and the Alberto Giocometti retrospective and then headed off to the Atarazanas Market. After that – another first. We stopped in at the oldest bar in Málaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia, for a glass of sherry. It’s a rather bizarre place, full of both locals and tourists sampling sherries from the various stacked casks along with steamed mussels and grilled prawns. We just had a quick drink and headed out to find a place for lunch. After trying a fish joint and getting burnt rosada (sent back – cheque please!) we went to one of our favourites, Dos Gatos, and got some perfectly grilled rosada along with some terrific presa. Then another walk before heading home. Later that evening, after watching a spectacular sunset from the balcony (last photo in the slide show) we went to check out the Christmas lights, which is something Málaga does big time. Then home again for a light snack and a dvd before hitting the hay.

Third and last day in town we took a walk along the port before checking out the Eugenio Chicano exhibit at the Municipal Museum. Then there was just time for a stroll around the centre and a final lunch at La Reserva del Pastor before collecting our stuff from the apartment and catching the train home.

One of the best birthday presents ever. Thanks Peter!

(if you refresh the page you’ll see the pics more or less in chronological order)