Spain's Gifts
Apr 20th, 2008, 12:59 PM
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Spain's Gifts
Last year we had a nice thread going about Spain. I hope you don't mind I took the liberty of consolidating it, keeping the original posters' names because the sentiments were so lovely. I am sure I will find out if it's not ok I suspect the Fodor's editors will let me know. In any case here are the lovely remarks in response to the question "What do you love or miss about Spain?"
<b>Cruiseluv</b>
.
Churros con chocolate!
Tapas bars
Going to dinner after 9PM
People of all ages in the plazas until late at night....
<b>Aduchamp1</b>
The museums in Madrid
The architecture and the sardana in Barcelona
Tapas in San Sebastian
The hills of Galicia
The boitefumiero swinging across the Cathedral in Santiago
The Roman bridge in Rondo, the Roman amphitheatre in Merida and the Acqueduct in Segovia
Kings piled one on top of each other in El Escorial
Walking the walls of Avila
Dining while looking over the Genralife
Dining over the gorge in Cuenca
Making friollas with an elderly cousin over a stone heated from wood.
<b> hanl</b>
The people!! I have always found them incredibly generous and welcoming. And a lot of fun, too.
And of course the tapas bars, the sunshine, the music, the architecture..
<b> marigross </b>
The seafood.
Wonderful coffee everywhere.
Art, art, art.
The cheap, good wine
The beautiful, elegant, seriously-jeweled older ladies.
Tapas
The vibrant social life in the late evening.
Cocido Madrileño, Fabada Asturiana and Caldo Gallego...
<b> TrendGirl </b>
TAPAS!
Women and Men that dress Great, and are so well grommed.
The Spanish People, who are warm and wonderful.
The mosaics in Barcelona
Elegeant couples "strolling in the evenings" in Madrid.
I hope to return to Spain again soon!
<b> ComfyShoes</b>
1. The people.... the way (some? many? most?) Spanish people relate with children and make them part of their everyday lives
2. Food: Specially seafood
3. Music: Flamenco or otherwise
4. Well dressed women
And many other things such as art etc
<b>adnil1962 </b>
The town of Cuenca
<b> mr_go </b>
Gosh, has anyone mentioned tapas yet?
Relaxing at a sidewalk table in some friendly plaza with some tasty tapas and glass of local tinto...that's sounding pretty good to me.
<b> igpjazz </b>
of course, the tapas!!
<b> robin23 </b>
The most unforgettable experience we had was visiting the Basilica outside
Segovia in the Valle de los Caidos. The Basilica is carved into the mountain, and there is a view of the giant cross dominating the sky. The church music emanating from the mountain was haunting and when we walked inside a wedding was taking place. It was incredible.
Also loved the all the art, the people and the tapas.
<b> Graziella5b </b>
Children lovely dressed.
Families strolling everyday in the Plaza Mayor de Salamanca.
The humor. " la sal " of the Spaniards people
Good manners. ( Many times at least, not always...)
<b> lucielou </b>
The way the Spanish people greet each other with genuine joy.
The way, people bring their babies out in their buggies at night for a stroll in the evening warmth.
The way the older ladies dress to impress and stroll.
The lovely scent of flowers in the evening.
The men with the gorgeous brown eyes 
God...I miss Spain so much.
<b> Philbill</b>
Andalucia and everything about it!!!!!!
<b> Nikki </b>
Sunshine and warmth in February, people wandering around in the evening enjoying the street life.
<b> PrincessOfPenguins </b>
I miss roast suckling pig... *droooool*
<b> kenderina </b>
I miss terribly my coffee !!!
I sure would miss my home made food My tortilla de patatas with a bit of onion on it , my Paella for lunch on Sunday...
<b> Audie79 </b>
The laid back atmosphere.
People of all ages enjoying food and drinks at a sidewalk cafe in the middle of the day.
Dinner after 9 p.m. and sleeping in the next morning.
Tapas and sangria!
<b> WTnow </b>
I miss the festivals in our little white village and the sweet people the most.
The beautiful sunshine and weather all winter long.
Watching my 6yo daughter walk to the local school.
Hearing the sounds of Spanish all around me ..and especially from my daughter in her perfect accented Spanish.
Everyday small village life...talking to the storekeepers, fresh bread, buying in the market or the nearby farmers with a bag, watching the people etc etc.
Beautiful ocean views from my terrace.
Walking around the warren of narrow cobbled streets and enjoying the breathtaking views. I never tire of it.
The food ...from my village, to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Cordoba.
Our friends in Spain
I loved them singing xmas carols late at night at our door with a special tamborine with lots of strings.
I even grew fond of all the fire works ….
All the orange trees in Seville...we used them this Easter instead of eggs for our Easter hunt during Holy Week.
Yes, kids playing in the street without cars to bother them ( as most of our streets are barely big enuf for a donkey.
The little old ladies in black...simple,elegant and proud. They remind me of my husband's aunts as they once came from this country.
I love all the sweeping, washing, mopping,white washing. Such hardworking industrious people who take pride in thier homes and village.
( NOW I know where my husband gets that sweeping gene as I had never met anyone who loves to sweep like he does until I came to Spain).
The little ol men who sit on the benches and talk.
I admire all the crippled and disabled people who make their way in old age up and down the hills of our village. One guy with a walker never misses a parade and another with a cane manages to take care of his grand daughter in a carriage.
How much work they put into their festivals. Where do they get the money for all these elaborate costumes??
Flamenco,Flamenco, Flamenco. I can never get enough of it. I am thrilled that my daughter is growing up with it as it suits her passionate nature.
The simplicity of village life and the fact that we can walk everywhere for what we need. And where ever we go we see our friends and there is always time for a little chat and smile.
Gaudi and the beaches in Barcelona
Art in Madrid
Dali Museum
Eating at the beach with friends.
Gorgeous sunsets from our terrace.
Snow on the nearby moutains at xmas while enjoying the day in sunshine and shirt sleeves. My idea of a nice white xmas.
The music and songs.
The horses..beautiful, elegant Andalucian horses and riding in the country side or at the beach.
The donkeys or horses clip clopping along thru town.
Opening the shutters in the morning letting the sun and warmth into our ancient village house and closing them at sunset.
Picking avocados off the trees.
The biggest grapevines I have ever seen in my life that make wonderful terrace shade tops like the one next door and the one at our fav restaurant.
The Moorish influence and being close to Morocco.
The beauty and joy of Andalucia!
<b> Humunculai </b>
The way the warm night summer air has the faint taste and scent of oranges...
The seductive howl of the nightly creatures that prowl the mountain passes...
That thrill of near-terror as your vehicle winds around bends on dirt tracks thousands of feet over a ravine...
Buying cheap ice cream of every flavour imaginable...
The delightful farms folk! There was one time when I was staying at a friends farm when all the nearby neighbours came over with baskets of fruit and vegetables, accompanied by a greetings hug!
<b> Aleta </b>
Hondarribia on week-end nights, when the main street is closed to traffic so that the people spill out of cafes and bars to the sidewalks and the children can play in the middle of the street while the parents socialize nearby.
It's amazing how many of us are writing about the socializing in the streets, the walks arm in arm, the warm greetings you witness in the streets. I tell my husband that people in Spain do not stay home in the evenings, they are all out for a walk, especially week-end nights. In so many towns, we have witnessed and loved watching this custom and wished we had it in our city.
<b>Amsdon</b>
Older couples strolling arm in arm
Tortilla de patata anytime of the day
Cokes in glass bottles
The loving way Spanish mothers speak to their
todlers.
Green olives
Small children playing with actual toys and dolls
White tablecloths in everyday restaurants
The deli at El Corte Ingles
The fact that ladies and girls, mothers and daughters, sisters and girlfriends also walk arm in arm too, not just couples!
Sensational rice pudding
Meticulously dressed retired gentlemen
The lovely stork couples in Pedraza de la Sierra outside our bedroom window every day.
The delicious roast suckling baby lamb at Yantar....and the big fat white asparagus.
Being addressed as Senora....and as usted..
<b> johnthedorf </b>
Nice to read that everybody "gets it" !
Did anyone mention the tiles, the wash hung from windows, the gardens, fountains and how clean it is? Loved "the stroll" at 7 PM.
<b> Iregeo </b>
may I please join in and keep it going?
-the amazing Moorish architecture in Andalucia.
-Retiro Park on a Sunday morning.
<b> NEDSIRELAND </b>
I must agree with Iregeo about Retiro Park Sunday mornings.
Food Markets in Spain are interesting: there's unwritten precedence rules (a quien le toca?) and each shopper getting into an informal queue But just to visit a market like Bilbao's 3-story market on the river can be a delightful experience. Sometimes it's even possible to sample morcillas or chorizos or quesos from various pueblos. I could spend a half day exploring Bilbao's mercado Central.
Then there are markets like the one in Huelva: outside for fruits & vegetables; indoor for meats.
<b>Cruiseluv</b>
.
Churros con chocolate!
Tapas bars
Going to dinner after 9PM
People of all ages in the plazas until late at night....
<b>Aduchamp1</b>
The museums in Madrid
The architecture and the sardana in Barcelona
Tapas in San Sebastian
The hills of Galicia
The boitefumiero swinging across the Cathedral in Santiago
The Roman bridge in Rondo, the Roman amphitheatre in Merida and the Acqueduct in Segovia
Kings piled one on top of each other in El Escorial
Walking the walls of Avila
Dining while looking over the Genralife
Dining over the gorge in Cuenca
Making friollas with an elderly cousin over a stone heated from wood.
<b> hanl</b>
The people!! I have always found them incredibly generous and welcoming. And a lot of fun, too.
And of course the tapas bars, the sunshine, the music, the architecture..
<b> marigross </b>
The seafood.
Wonderful coffee everywhere.
Art, art, art.
The cheap, good wine
The beautiful, elegant, seriously-jeweled older ladies.
Tapas
The vibrant social life in the late evening.
Cocido Madrileño, Fabada Asturiana and Caldo Gallego...
<b> TrendGirl </b>
TAPAS!
Women and Men that dress Great, and are so well grommed.
The Spanish People, who are warm and wonderful.
The mosaics in Barcelona
Elegeant couples "strolling in the evenings" in Madrid.
I hope to return to Spain again soon!
<b> ComfyShoes</b>
1. The people.... the way (some? many? most?) Spanish people relate with children and make them part of their everyday lives
2. Food: Specially seafood
3. Music: Flamenco or otherwise
4. Well dressed women
And many other things such as art etc
<b>adnil1962 </b>
The town of Cuenca
<b> mr_go </b>
Gosh, has anyone mentioned tapas yet?
Relaxing at a sidewalk table in some friendly plaza with some tasty tapas and glass of local tinto...that's sounding pretty good to me.
<b> igpjazz </b>
of course, the tapas!!
<b> robin23 </b>
The most unforgettable experience we had was visiting the Basilica outside
Segovia in the Valle de los Caidos. The Basilica is carved into the mountain, and there is a view of the giant cross dominating the sky. The church music emanating from the mountain was haunting and when we walked inside a wedding was taking place. It was incredible.
Also loved the all the art, the people and the tapas.
<b> Graziella5b </b>
Children lovely dressed.
Families strolling everyday in the Plaza Mayor de Salamanca.
The humor. " la sal " of the Spaniards people
Good manners. ( Many times at least, not always...)
<b> lucielou </b>
The way the Spanish people greet each other with genuine joy.
The way, people bring their babies out in their buggies at night for a stroll in the evening warmth.
The way the older ladies dress to impress and stroll.
The lovely scent of flowers in the evening.
The men with the gorgeous brown eyes 
God...I miss Spain so much.
<b> Philbill</b>
Andalucia and everything about it!!!!!!
<b> Nikki </b>
Sunshine and warmth in February, people wandering around in the evening enjoying the street life.
<b> PrincessOfPenguins </b>
I miss roast suckling pig... *droooool*
<b> kenderina </b>
I miss terribly my coffee !!!
I sure would miss my home made food My tortilla de patatas with a bit of onion on it , my Paella for lunch on Sunday...
<b> Audie79 </b>
The laid back atmosphere.
People of all ages enjoying food and drinks at a sidewalk cafe in the middle of the day.
Dinner after 9 p.m. and sleeping in the next morning.
Tapas and sangria!
<b> WTnow </b>
I miss the festivals in our little white village and the sweet people the most.
The beautiful sunshine and weather all winter long.
Watching my 6yo daughter walk to the local school.
Hearing the sounds of Spanish all around me ..and especially from my daughter in her perfect accented Spanish.
Everyday small village life...talking to the storekeepers, fresh bread, buying in the market or the nearby farmers with a bag, watching the people etc etc.
Beautiful ocean views from my terrace.
Walking around the warren of narrow cobbled streets and enjoying the breathtaking views. I never tire of it.
The food ...from my village, to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Cordoba.
Our friends in Spain
I loved them singing xmas carols late at night at our door with a special tamborine with lots of strings.
I even grew fond of all the fire works ….
All the orange trees in Seville...we used them this Easter instead of eggs for our Easter hunt during Holy Week.
Yes, kids playing in the street without cars to bother them ( as most of our streets are barely big enuf for a donkey.
The little old ladies in black...simple,elegant and proud. They remind me of my husband's aunts as they once came from this country.
I love all the sweeping, washing, mopping,white washing. Such hardworking industrious people who take pride in thier homes and village.
( NOW I know where my husband gets that sweeping gene as I had never met anyone who loves to sweep like he does until I came to Spain).
The little ol men who sit on the benches and talk.
I admire all the crippled and disabled people who make their way in old age up and down the hills of our village. One guy with a walker never misses a parade and another with a cane manages to take care of his grand daughter in a carriage.
How much work they put into their festivals. Where do they get the money for all these elaborate costumes??
Flamenco,Flamenco, Flamenco. I can never get enough of it. I am thrilled that my daughter is growing up with it as it suits her passionate nature.
The simplicity of village life and the fact that we can walk everywhere for what we need. And where ever we go we see our friends and there is always time for a little chat and smile.
Gaudi and the beaches in Barcelona
Art in Madrid
Dali Museum
Eating at the beach with friends.
Gorgeous sunsets from our terrace.
Snow on the nearby moutains at xmas while enjoying the day in sunshine and shirt sleeves. My idea of a nice white xmas.
The music and songs.
The horses..beautiful, elegant Andalucian horses and riding in the country side or at the beach.
The donkeys or horses clip clopping along thru town.
Opening the shutters in the morning letting the sun and warmth into our ancient village house and closing them at sunset.
Picking avocados off the trees.
The biggest grapevines I have ever seen in my life that make wonderful terrace shade tops like the one next door and the one at our fav restaurant.
The Moorish influence and being close to Morocco.
The beauty and joy of Andalucia!
<b> Humunculai </b>
The way the warm night summer air has the faint taste and scent of oranges...
The seductive howl of the nightly creatures that prowl the mountain passes...
That thrill of near-terror as your vehicle winds around bends on dirt tracks thousands of feet over a ravine...
Buying cheap ice cream of every flavour imaginable...
The delightful farms folk! There was one time when I was staying at a friends farm when all the nearby neighbours came over with baskets of fruit and vegetables, accompanied by a greetings hug!
<b> Aleta </b>
Hondarribia on week-end nights, when the main street is closed to traffic so that the people spill out of cafes and bars to the sidewalks and the children can play in the middle of the street while the parents socialize nearby.
It's amazing how many of us are writing about the socializing in the streets, the walks arm in arm, the warm greetings you witness in the streets. I tell my husband that people in Spain do not stay home in the evenings, they are all out for a walk, especially week-end nights. In so many towns, we have witnessed and loved watching this custom and wished we had it in our city.
<b>Amsdon</b>
Older couples strolling arm in arm
Tortilla de patata anytime of the day
Cokes in glass bottles
The loving way Spanish mothers speak to their
todlers.
Green olives
Small children playing with actual toys and dolls
White tablecloths in everyday restaurants
The deli at El Corte Ingles
The fact that ladies and girls, mothers and daughters, sisters and girlfriends also walk arm in arm too, not just couples!
Sensational rice pudding
Meticulously dressed retired gentlemen
The lovely stork couples in Pedraza de la Sierra outside our bedroom window every day.
The delicious roast suckling baby lamb at Yantar....and the big fat white asparagus.
Being addressed as Senora....and as usted..
<b> johnthedorf </b>
Nice to read that everybody "gets it" !
Did anyone mention the tiles, the wash hung from windows, the gardens, fountains and how clean it is? Loved "the stroll" at 7 PM.
<b> Iregeo </b>
may I please join in and keep it going?
-the amazing Moorish architecture in Andalucia.
-Retiro Park on a Sunday morning.
<b> NEDSIRELAND </b>
I must agree with Iregeo about Retiro Park Sunday mornings.
Food Markets in Spain are interesting: there's unwritten precedence rules (a quien le toca?) and each shopper getting into an informal queue But just to visit a market like Bilbao's 3-story market on the river can be a delightful experience. Sometimes it's even possible to sample morcillas or chorizos or quesos from various pueblos. I could spend a half day exploring Bilbao's mercado Central.
Then there are markets like the one in Huelva: outside for fruits & vegetables; indoor for meats.
Apr 23rd, 2008, 12:37 PM
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The smell of oranges and wysteria in Sevilla in the springtime
Walking through the Moorish gate by the Seville Alcazar to see the Catedral lit up, accented by the sound of a dripping fountain and clopping of horse's hooves
Cute old couples strolling arm in arm
The weathervanes and rooftops of Seville!
the contrast of ancient stone against brilliant, exuberant blossoms
The cheerful wrought iron windows with blooms and caged birds
The carefree attitude when Spaniards experience delays (maybe only my experience?)
All the serene little plazas
Sunset in Ronda, looking across shadowy hills, olive groves and tiled rooftops
Tinto de verano on the plaza
Flamenco guitar in any park!
Gorgeous tiled benches in Andalucia
Doves in Maria Luisa Park, as if we didn't get it already!! Ahh.
Walking through the Moorish gate by the Seville Alcazar to see the Catedral lit up, accented by the sound of a dripping fountain and clopping of horse's hooves
Cute old couples strolling arm in arm
The weathervanes and rooftops of Seville!
the contrast of ancient stone against brilliant, exuberant blossoms
The cheerful wrought iron windows with blooms and caged birds
The carefree attitude when Spaniards experience delays (maybe only my experience?)
All the serene little plazas
Sunset in Ronda, looking across shadowy hills, olive groves and tiled rooftops
Tinto de verano on the plaza
Flamenco guitar in any park!
Gorgeous tiled benches in Andalucia
Doves in Maria Luisa Park, as if we didn't get it already!! Ahh.
Apr 24th, 2008, 04:24 AM
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Apr 24th, 2008, 04:35 AM
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I just got back recently from my 5th time in Spain and it has been hard to re-integrate. Seeing this list really made me smile. Spain was a life-changing experience for me when I was there in school. The single biggest gift it gave me was the understanding that a happy life is the goal. I was so driven toward a career and achievement. The friends I had there taught me about cachondeo. So all these wonderful things on the list feed into that for me. Thanks!
Apr 24th, 2008, 06:23 AM
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Thanks Amsdon!
Yes I have been taking flamenco dancing lessons for some years now, though obviously they are on hold for the time being! Hoping to start up again in the autumn though.
And thanks for posting re. the Bienal de Sevilla
Yes I have been taking flamenco dancing lessons for some years now, though obviously they are on hold for the time being! Hoping to start up again in the autumn though.
And thanks for posting re. the Bienal de Sevilla
Apr 24th, 2008, 07:06 AM
#14
amsdon and others, This thread has been a pleasure to read. I'm looking forward to experiencing as many of the items as I can possibly fit into our upcoming-- first time to Spain-- trip. Thank you all for your insights.
Apr 24th, 2008, 10:40 PM
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* Cañón del Río Lobos (Wolves River Canyon Nature Park) in the province of Soria.
* Romanesque churches in the province of Palencia.
* Roman Theatre in Merida.
* Gothic cathedrals in León and Burgos.
* Playa de las Catedrales in the province of Lugo. The epithet of “Cathedral” is derived from the shape of the rock formations.
* Romanesque churches in the province of Palencia.
* Roman Theatre in Merida.
* Gothic cathedrals in León and Burgos.
* Playa de las Catedrales in the province of Lugo. The epithet of “Cathedral” is derived from the shape of the rock formations.
Apr 25th, 2008, 03:55 PM
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