Nepenthe

Thanks, mikelg, for the reminder to check your blog! Your post on Basque names was very interesting.

mikelg

http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetouris...stern-valleys/, the last entry, showing the least known area of Bizkaia, one of the Basque provinces.

mikelg

http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetouris...-not-a-racion/

Aduchamp1

Mike

Isn't pitxos a Basque word?

In other parts of Spain you pay for or get free tapas, they can be eaten by hand or with a fork and are smaller than a racion?

mikelg

Technically, Pintxos is the way we spell in Basque Pincho, which is a Spanish word that means "toothpick", well, kind of. We´ve just adapted the word to our phonemes. Yes, tapas are eaten by hand, the smaller ones, in some places they are free (in purity, they should be free, the paid ones are raciones).

Nepenthe

mikelg...Can you explain "Cocido" to me? Also, do you know anything about Astorga? Thanks.

annhig

yes - free in Granada [in our experience, others may know better] a few € in Seville.

As there were plenty of tourists in both places, can anyone explain the difference?

mikelg

Cocido is a stew, and its recipe varies from region to region. In Cantabria it´s cocido montañés (white beans, morcilla, chorizo, ham, cabbage,...), in Madrid it´s cocido madrileño (soup first and then the garbanzos, morcilla, chorizo, cabbage,...), in the BAsque area we have the Alubias (black beans and morcilla and chorizo and pork ribs...). It´s normally delicious, anywhere, and perfect for winter time.

mikelg

Annhig, you may also pay for tapas in Granada and get them for free in Seville...it´s normally the place, not the city, that decides.

annhig

so i found the right places in Granada, and the wrong ones in Seville??

that was clever!

Nepenthe

Thanks, mikelg...does the Basque version have garbanzos too, or do the black beans take their place? I am not a big fan of garbanzo beans, and some of my Spanish friends think I am crazy as a result. They don't know how I live without the garbanzo!

mikelg

just black beans...but there are dozens of types of stews in this area

mikelg

http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetourism/

my last post, dealing with the very much unknown Museum of The Basque Beret...

Nepenthe

mikelg...do women wear these too, or just men?

mikelg

just men...

jo_ann

Hello! I am deep into planning for a trip in April, 2012 (I know - it's early but I'm so excited!) We're planning at least 3 weeks in Spain, with adequate time up in the Basque country - and I love your blogsite! Thank you so much for posting - this will really round out the various guidebooks. My only problem is that I'm awfully fond of France, and will perhaps have to drift across the border for a couple of days up there, too!
Again: thank you!

Piccolina

bookmarking - upcoming trip to SS

mikelg

http://www.blogseitb.us/basquetouris...ary-and-onati/, new post on another Off the Beaten Track spot in the Basque Country...and very unique, too!!

cova

Mikel, have you seen today´s article about Arantzazu in El Correo? It is in spanish, but for the Fodorites who speak it, it can be a nice addition.
http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/ocio...tzu-onati.html

Bye, Cova

mikelg

thank you Cova...yes, and it says it´s 14 apostles, not 13...my mistake counting!! I went to the Aitzgorri mountain a month ago, and it´s really breathtaking. And Oñate is just beautiful. thanks!!