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I loved the food, the way of eating.... long meals... mostly out doors and varied,
Tapas style. I also loved the afternoon
siesta nap... (from 2 to 6 pm ish everyday), and the late nights of everyone on the street. And the music.
MUSIC:
I was down south in Malaga
mostly, with day trips to Grenada & Almería (all in the province
of Andalucia) and you could really hear the north
African (Moorish) influence in the traditional music - which is what I was interested in musically. I also heard some great street
musicians - especially this guy with an accordion and an elderly female opera singer, singing in Spanish - very sweet. Also
a wonderful gypsy Flamenco guitarist. I Found a store that sold Flamenco clothing for the dancers and musicians, I wanted a pair of the men's Flamenco high waisted pants. The store was packed with mostly lady dancers,
moms (and their daughters who wanted to be flamenco dancers) and a few men trying on clothes. What was beautiful was that
the moms were stripping their daughters down to their underwear so they could try on the dresses right there in the store,
so all these kids were in their underwear walking around the store trying on dresses - there was none of that American shame
or paranoia in either the kids or the moms. Now I'm not a pervert, I like grown women; but to see these people just being
people (i.e. natural) in a store made me comfortable and happy. PICASSO MUSEUM:
Picasso was born in Malaga. and there is a wonderful museum there built atop Roman and Phoenician Ruins that
you can also visit while there. I especially love Picasso's sculptures, and there a few nice ones there.
FOOD:
Everybody eats
out a lot of the time in Spain, and grocery stores are a trick to find - because the restaurants are affordable and cultural.
Some of my favorite dishes were: Robo
de Toro (ox-tails), Gazpacho (I had it everyday), Pimientos de Padrón (fried
peppers) and Paella (rice and seafood dish) - All pictured below. A great restaurant to visit
in Malaga is Cafe Pimpi - they have an amazing collection of huge vintage bull fighting posters on the walls. If you are an artist or a graphic designer
it will especially blow you away. Funny Story: I was visiting a cathedral in Grenada and couldn't tell if I had to pay or not to enter a certain
room, there was a woman by the door who was distracted, and I sort of just walked by her quietly - kinda thinking I needed
a ticket, but deciding to chance it anyways, and as soon as I got a few steps past her I heard her say... "e Caballero...?!" (which means 'hey cowboy' or 'gentleman cavalier') - She was basically saying - "yo, cowboy,
what do you think you're doing? You gotta pay!" - it cracked me up!
Lastly:
The Moorish Alcazaba (castle) in Malaga is a 'must' visit. I swam in the sea and it was
so salty I floated effortlessly. There is something about being so close to Africa that does something to you... hard to describe.
Also: We went The Historic Alhambra Castle
in Grenada - but could not get in as it was sold out visitor wise, but is the ultimate Morrish castle in Spain - and is
worth the effort. The city of Granada
was Ultra BEAUTIFUL - and I vow to return. Flamenco is alive there - it's far more Gypsy than Malaga.
I like Spanish people, you can feel their blood in their veins.
Their's is in mine
now.
F.Q.O 8
/ 2008
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