Well here I am again, once again apologizing for not updating in a long while. This time I will blame things on work, which was busy, and that I had to finish up a paper for my Co-op work-term. On a side not I started my third and final work-term with Parks Canada last week. It is an accounting position, but seems like it will be pretty good. I work in Ardgowan, the home of one of the Fathers of Confederation, I actually have a nice stone mantle beside my desk and a set of french doors in front on me. Anyway want to know anymore let me know if not I will move on.
Seville, Spain
Having stepped into Portugal and experienceing Lisbon, its back into Spain. Seville, is an ancient city, dating back to the time when Greeks held the Iberiean peninsula before Rome did, and it actually has a founding myth that deals with Hercules and his visit to the Hespirides.
The older parts of Seville, is a picture of the romantic visions of Spain that are seen in movies and postcards, flowered terraces, narrow roadways, and hidden plazas. From what I have read this sounds like an interesting city, with unique culinary and historic attractions.
Seville has quite a few treats that from the area, that would be intereating to try. There are polvorones and mantecados, a sort of shortcake made with almonds, sugar and lard; Pestiños, a honey-coated sweet fritter; yemas de San Leandro, made by nuns in the city's convents, and Tortas de aceite, a thin sugar-coated cake made with olive oil. The yemas de SanLeandro sound particularly interesting to me for some reason, which is just a egg-yolk pastry, but is kind of neat in that Nun's make it and you can almost picture it having been made and sold for hundeds of years. I don't know just part of me that wants to connect in some way with history. Seville will definitly be a sweet spot to visit (sorry I had to).
As I said earlier, Seville also has alot of history behind it, with a great cathedral, a royal palace, and bull fighting arena. The cathedral dates back to the 12th century , and has some nice gardens and architecture, the roal palace, known as Real Alcazar, is also an architectural landmark with awesome craftmanship and detail. The local bull rig is a famous arena dating back more than two hundred years, though I am unsure if I would want to wach a fight or not. I know Melanie wouldn't want to but, but there is part of me that would like to watch it just to say that I have had the experience. I guess I will make that decision when the time comes, or maybe we will check out some flamenco dancing instead. Check out the pictures below.
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Spain continued....
Well it has been a while since I updated my blog, sorry. I would say that I have been extraordinarily busy, but that wouldn't be the truth. I blame it all on the World Cup, 30 days of Football, 2 or 3 matches a day which one do you think I would turn my attention to? It was a good World Cup, Brazil got eliminated but so did England which kept it from being a great World Cup. Enough rambling more planning.
Santiago de Compostela
I think this would be a good place to go next, not only for its historical significance, but it is also far enough away, that the train trip would be a good chance to get some sleep, and save money on a hostel.
A Pilgrimage Site
The third most important city in Christianity behind Jerusalem and Rome, this where the body of the Apostle James is said to be kept, and one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the medieval period.
Pilgrimages have taken place to this area since the 8th century, more than a thousand years! Though the places that have enshrined the remains has changed, the idea that millions of people have come to this place for the same reason is incredible. I know that millions go to Disney, but this place doesn't have daily fireworks or rides.
The present cathedral was built in the 11th century with additions through out the centuries that followed, as is the case for most cathedrals. The cathedral can be seen in the background of the picture above, towering over the typical clay roofs of Spain, or in a really nice pic if you follow the hyperlink above. A unique thing about the pilgrimage site is that there is a golden scallop shell that pilgrims kiss when the reach the cathedral. The scallop shell was the emblem of Saint James, and pilgrims often wore one of these shells around their necks. The Cathedral is also depicted on Spanish Euros.
A Beautiful Place
Santiago de Compostela may be place with unique and interesting history, but it is also a beautiful area over looking the Atlantic Ocean, the capital of the Galician community. The Galician area has many hills, beaches and scenic areas. The coastline has many fjord like indentations, and numerous rivers through dense forest. The many hills, some up to 6000 ft., make for some beautiful hiking and some great watersports. This area may make for a more recreational part of the European experience.
The local cuisine as can be expected, contains a lot of seafood and paprika. The dish that I immediately recognized that originates from here is Empenadas, a meat pie that most often contains cod or chicken. Empenadas are popular through out Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, though the meat is often wrapped as opposed to its original pie form.
Check out the pics below of various spots and scenery in the Galician area.
Next stop Portugal !!
Santiago de Compostela
I think this would be a good place to go next, not only for its historical significance, but it is also far enough away, that the train trip would be a good chance to get some sleep, and save money on a hostel.
A Pilgrimage Site
The third most important city in Christianity behind Jerusalem and Rome, this where the body of the Apostle James is said to be kept, and one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the medieval period.
Pilgrimages have taken place to this area since the 8th century, more than a thousand years! Though the places that have enshrined the remains has changed, the idea that millions of people have come to this place for the same reason is incredible. I know that millions go to Disney, but this place doesn't have daily fireworks or rides.The present cathedral was built in the 11th century with additions through out the centuries that followed, as is the case for most cathedrals. The cathedral can be seen in the background of the picture above, towering over the typical clay roofs of Spain, or in a really nice pic if you follow the hyperlink above. A unique thing about the pilgrimage site is that there is a golden scallop shell that pilgrims kiss when the reach the cathedral. The scallop shell was the emblem of Saint James, and pilgrims often wore one of these shells around their necks. The Cathedral is also depicted on Spanish Euros.
A Beautiful Place
Santiago de Compostela may be place with unique and interesting history, but it is also a beautiful area over looking the Atlantic Ocean, the capital of the Galician community. The Galician area has many hills, beaches and scenic areas. The coastline has many fjord like indentations, and numerous rivers through dense forest. The many hills, some up to 6000 ft., make for some beautiful hiking and some great watersports. This area may make for a more recreational part of the European experience.
The local cuisine as can be expected, contains a lot of seafood and paprika. The dish that I immediately recognized that originates from here is Empenadas, a meat pie that most often contains cod or chicken. Empenadas are popular through out Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, though the meat is often wrapped as opposed to its original pie form.
Check out the pics below of various spots and scenery in the Galician area.
Next stop Portugal !!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Oh well...
Just a quick note. A couple of posts back I mentioned that I applied for a job in South Africa, and much to my dissappointment, I did not get it. It would have been cool, but I guess it was not meant to be.
For something interesting, here is a picture of the Alcazar of Sergovia just outside Madrid. The plateau that it is on has been the a stronghold since Roman times. This Alcazar was built in the eleventh century, and is said to be one of the many castles in Europe that Walt Disney used for inspiration.
For something interesting, here is a picture of the Alcazar of Sergovia just outside Madrid. The plateau that it is on has been the a stronghold since Roman times. This Alcazar was built in the eleventh century, and is said to be one of the many castles in Europe that Walt Disney used for inspiration.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Forget France, Ole !
Well I have had enough of France for now, I am going to move on to Spain. Probably the first place to go will be San Sebastian and then Bilbao.
San Sebastian - What can I say about San Sebastian, just look at it, it is beautiful. It is also well known for its Basque cuisine, which should appeal to Melanie. The Basque use a lot of paprika, lamb, and various meats. They are also famous for fish stews, and can you really beat a good fish stew? I don't think so, the food sounds great hearty but lots of flavour. As far as any fascinating buildings or monuments, there isn't much to consider, as the city was burnt down in the early 1800's buy British and Portuguese troops after a siege of the French.
Bilbao - capital of the Basque region is home to one of the Guggenheim museums, and probably the best known Guggengeim museum for it's architecture. The Guggenheim Museums are dedicated to modern - contemporary art, and I am not one that really appreciates modern art. However, given the fact that this is where the best is supposed to be, I should probably have a look. They are supposed to have a giant metal spider there so that should be interesting, maybe not the Mona Lisa or magnificent fresco, but interesting.
Pamplona is near by as well, but the running of the bulls is not until July, so I will probably not be around at the time, but it would be on heck of an experience unless I got gouged. More from Spain coming soon.
San Sebastian - What can I say about San Sebastian, just look at it, it is beautiful. It is also well known for its Basque cuisine, which should appeal to Melanie. The Basque use a lot of paprika, lamb, and various meats. They are also famous for fish stews, and can you really beat a good fish stew? I don't think so, the food sounds great hearty but lots of flavour. As far as any fascinating buildings or monuments, there isn't much to consider, as the city was burnt down in the early 1800's buy British and Portuguese troops after a siege of the French.
Bilbao - capital of the Basque region is home to one of the Guggenheim museums, and probably the best known Guggengeim museum for it's architecture. The Guggenheim Museums are dedicated to modern - contemporary art, and I am not one that really appreciates modern art. However, given the fact that this is where the best is supposed to be, I should probably have a look. They are supposed to have a giant metal spider there so that should be interesting, maybe not the Mona Lisa or magnificent fresco, but interesting.Pamplona is near by as well, but the running of the bulls is not until July, so I will probably not be around at the time, but it would be on heck of an experience unless I got gouged. More from Spain coming soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
