Portals of Andalucia, Part II

From Seville to Cadiz, and little frontier towns in-between, here is an eclectic array of Spanish doors that I was drawn to capture...

Portals of Andalucia, Part I

From the doors of gardens and residences to derelict structures once grand, the similarities of style abound in this region of the world. Enjoy this visual foray into the texture, palette, geometry, complexity and simplicity of these portals of southern Spain...

Baelo Claudia, Bolonia, Spain

I swam topless in the ocean off the Costa de la Luz against a backdrop of the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia, watched a Corpus Christi Procession from Iglesia Mayor Prioral, and finished the evening by witnessing a breathtaking performance of Flamenco at the Hotel Monasterio in El Puerto de Santa Maria!!! Life is beautiful...




Aquaduct of Baelo Claudia  

Temple Ruins

Amphitheater

Museum of the Archaeological Ensemble of Baelo Claudia...  

Designed by architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra

Corpus Christ Procession, El Puerto de Santa Maria
c/o  http://ariashwagspain.wordpress.com/ 

Here's a beautiful bit of Flamenco and a lovely song!

Have you shared classical music with your child today?

Siesta, NO myth.

Bust of Alphonso X

I ventured out this morning into the local shops & markets of El Puerto de Santa Maria. With the assistance of my phrasebook and the patience of shopkeepers, I managed to buy postcards from a tiny bookshop, toys for souvenirs, and fresh frutas from a little grocer. The locals were sincere and accommodating.

All one's daily tasks must be completed by 2:30pm. The early afternoon hustle and din softens to a murmur as siesta approaches. It's a challenge to find lunch during siesta as many businesses close, and people tend to lunch leisurely at home. Usually, by the time I realize I should eat, it becomes apparent that nearly everything has closed! I've developed a habit of making a cup of tea, reading, sunning by the pool, or enjoying a walk on the quiet streets to pass the time. Some businesses re-open from 6-8pm, while people go out again for drinks and tapas. Dinner doesn't begin until around 9 or 10pm. Little children laugh and play alongside their parents late into the night. It's both an 'early bird' and a 'night owl' culture all in one!

Pallacios

 

And speaking of drinks, this is the Rioja region of Spain. The regional wine is smooth, heady and delicious! One should simply request a, "DO" (Designation of Origin) wine for a nice quality. It will typically only cost about 4 euro per glass. As Louis Pasteur wrote, "A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world."


Image c/o http://wineharlots.com

May the libations flow...

An Afternoon in Cadiz

It is a scenic drive from El Puerto de Santa Maria to Cadiz flanked by vibrant unending rows of golden sunflowers. Possibly the oldest city in Europe, Cadiz was originally inhabited by Phoenicians then traded hands between the Romans, Byzantium, Visigoths, and the Moors until the 13th century when they were conquered by King Alfonso X. It is home to an extraordinarily stunning coastline from which Columbus set sail on several voyages. It was my first weekend in Spain and I wasn't staying indoors. Unfortunately, after spending virtually 2 days in the air, flying across four time zones and racing through airports with tight connections, my body wasn't as cooperative with the agenda I had laid out for Cadiz.
The busy yet placid Plaza de la Catedral was beautiful. I took a seat at Bar Terraza, where I soaked in a marvelous view and attempted to avoid fainting. Yet the waiters were incredibly rude despite my attempts in espanol. I was served a plate of patatas dowsed in olive oil with canned tuna atop it, yuck! Amongst the array of amazing seafood available in southern Spain I am puzzled by their affinity for canned tuna. As my senses gradually recovered I passed by the Puertas de Tierra. Constructed in the 16th century, it was formerly the only land entrance to historic Cadiz.

...sort of like a modern Venus of  Willendorf

I strolled further down the Avenida Andalucia and wandered into a zapateria where I discovered my European shoe size, 36. I bookended my tour with a sassy new pair of zapatos. This picturesque city definitely beckons a return trip! It is certainly not complete without a visit to The Museo de Cadiz notable for its collection of paintings by Murillo, Rubens, and Zurbaran as well as many archaeological artifacts. Adios, for now...

Hola, Espana!

A room with a view in El Puerto de Santa Maria.

After catching all three flight connections by sheer luck I arrived in Spain last weekend. The southwestern region, known as Andalucia, is where the famous Rioja wine originates and, of course, flamenco. The lovely town of Puerto de Santa Maria in the province of Cadiz is where I shall spend the next few weeks. Last night a friend and I took an evening stroll to the restaurant Casa Flores on Ribera del Marisco for dinner. Our reservation was for 9:00pm, slightly early by Spanish standards, but we were greeted with a smile. The restaurant has a classic and refined interior with wood paneling and vibrant Spanish tiled walls. Original seascape paintings and framed nautical photographs of the region hung about the rear dining room. Plants in hand-painted clay vases decorated window sills, and antique furnishings created an old world atmosphere. We enjoyed succulent local swordfish and a fantastic bottle of red wine from Arcos de la Frontera, a nearby gem of a town...

Our day trip there a few days earlier was dreamy and picturesque. Arcos is a beacon of white that sparkles atop a sandstone cliff. We headed up the Calle Corredera and were delighted as our eyes took in the breathtaking sight of Iglesia de Santa Maria, the town's principle church, which was actually constructed atop an old Arab Mosque. Arcos marks the frontier where Spain battled the Moors in the 13th century. Here one will find three glorious churches that blend Baroque, Gothic, & Renaissance styles. The castle dates to the 15th century and is currently a private residence. But the view of distant hills, fields of chartreuse, and the Guadalete River below is most spectacular.

Iglesia de San Miguel 

Placard at Iglesia de Santa Maria

Flying buttresses of Iglesia de Santa Maria



Clay pots brim with fresh lavender

Earth Day: Into the Garden with Bees and Worms

I was reminiscing about past Earth Day celebrations. Once I participated in a beach clean up. In high school I dyed my hair GREEN with food coloring! Today I shall bring my travel mug to Starbucks for their Earth Day Offer and then show my little patch of earth some love. There is a local cafe in 5 Points that offers a 10% discount to anyone who brings their own mug AND serves a complimentary foam illustration in your latte!

 And while I'm on the topic of coffee, I've come upon the most brilliant invention for those who brew their coffee with a French Press! It's a French Press Cozy handmade of the most insulating fiber probably known to man: wool. After my own home-brewed morning cup of coffee sludge, I delighted in a poached egg over toasted sourdough sprinkled with paprika, pepper, feta, and pickled plum tomatoes over a bed of fresh spinach. Some indulgences are simply worth waiting for.

 

I watched a documentary about bees recently. Somehow, I am not surprised to find that the worker bees are all female! It's fascinating how bees must relocate, if perhaps their home is invaded by a a bear, or if they outgrow it. Scouts fly out first. Then the swarm follows, with the queen, usually collecting themselves for a brief rest on a tree branch or even a traffic light. Those in fear might call a pest company to eradicate them with a dousing of chemical poison. However, those in the know would realize that they're on their way elsewhere...to their new abode. I came upon a wonderful jar of raw honey from a local farm. Some proclaim the benefits of raw honey in relieving allergy symptoms. Local honey is derived from bees that pollinate flowers in your region.  Of course, opinions vary among the medical community.

A few days ago I was nominated to be the, "Garden Guardian" of our neighborhood school's organic garden. Having only an herb garden myself, this presents me with an exciting opportunity! Perhaps soon I'll be composting with a box of worms and dousing plants with a brew of compost tea...ew.

The Enviromentals (Episode 1) How to Make a Worm Composting Bin from Hal Brindley on Vimeo.

February Morning

My damp Earl Grey tea bag lay limp in my cup. It's a retro cup & saucer with turquoise diamonds that point toward the sky like star beams. My paramour arrived in Japan today, probably sleeping off the flight where he read page after page of Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby. It's raining here in the opposite hemisphere, but the moisture has brought warmth, and the chirp of birds from a branch brushing the nearby window pane. A winsome weekend spent in Savannah has inspiration seeping from my fingers. I've birthed 4 new jewelry creations yesterday, and I shall begin the layout for a journal in a few moments...

J'adore the humor in French commercials. Here is disco Friday~Vendredi!

Enjoy this treasury of quirky, brainy, cutesy Valentine gifts for your main squeeze!