Slice of Life: Spanish bars

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Marianne under Laws and Customs, Slice of Life

A bar here in southern Spain is very different from a typical British pub. Although layouts may vary, what you will usually find will be a bar counter, with tall seats around, often with a covered tapas display. This will likely be in two parts, one containing meats and tortillas ready to be heated up and served with your drink, the other with cold tapas and salads. Many bars still serve tapas at an inclusive price with the drink, whilst others serve rather more elaborate nibbles which are charged for individually.

One of the main differences with a British pub will be the size of drink. Normally if you ask for a beer (una cerveza) it will be in a smaller glass, either a “tubo” which is a tall tumbler or in a glass not dissimilar to a large wine glass. The only time you will see anyone with a “pint” glass, they will usually be a tourist on the coast. You will be just as likely to see people at the bar drinking coffee (un café) or a glass of wine (una copa de vino).

Tables away from the bar counter, either inside or outside, are typical café tables with upright chairs, not lounge-type tables and chairs like in British pubs .

There is usually a large display of spirit bottles behind the bar and invariably a leg of Serrano ham on a carving frame. You should try this typical Spanish delicacy – it´s delicious!

Almost everywhere, customers take all their food and drink and only pay when they are ready to leave. In busy big city bars, the tapas, usually more sophisticated, will each come with a small wooden skewer and, when you have finished, the barman will count the skewers and charge accordingly.

I would recommend you to visit as many bars and cafeterías as possible, especially away from the tourist haunts. Look for places full of Spaniards and litter, in the form of till receipts, on the floor signifying that you have found a good spot.

Some bars, especially on the coast, offer more seafood, but try different ones and you will inevitably find a handful that will become part of your regular tapas trail.

Where´s your favourite Spanish bar?

If you like this article….try also looking here:

The heart of Cómpeta: El Paseo de las Tradiciones

Photographs I love …. and why!

A flowering snapshot of a January day

Travel Theme: Signs

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Marianne under Laws and Customs, Photo challenges

Being a petrolhead, I usually make the pilgrimage to Jerez de la Frontera each year when the Moto GP rolls into town. There´s always a fantastic atmosphere on race weekends, with more than 120,000 fans (mostly arriving on motorbikes) making their way to the motor racing circuit just outside the city.

The roads along the route to the circuit are perfect for motorbike riding, and I never fail to be amused by the roadsigns warning bikers that they may come up behind slower moving cars!

This post is my response to the Travel Theme photo challenge – Signs

Other interpretations:

Four Deer Oak
Sounds like Wish
Broken Light
Practicing Simplicity
The Gingerbread Cafe
News of the Times
Canadian Travel Bugs

A Slice of Life: A Trip to the Post Office

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Laws and Customs, Places, Slice of Life

Living in the countryside (el campo), east of Málaga, means that many of the things we might have taken for granted, living back in England, are done a little differently here.

Take the postal system, for example. Our mail isn´t delivered to our home by the postman, so we have to jump in the car and take a trip up to the village to collect any mail from our post office box at the Post Office.

Being an enthusiastic driver, I enjoy the challenge of negotiating the picturesque, curvy mountain roads. The beauty and tranquility of the local landscape is enough to lift the spirits, even on the greyest of days, especially when you come face to face with a herd of ninety goats meandering along the road. I love meeting the goats and always wind down my car window to say “hola” and pass the time of day with the goatherd, as well as telling the goats what good girls they are!

It´s amazing how even though some of the goats climb up the rocks above the road to nibble at whatever plants take their fancy, and some stray perilously close to the edge, they all stay pretty much together. I dread to think how many would be left in the herd if I was in charge of them!

Just before the road drops down into my local village, I often stop at the Gaudi-esque mirador to marvel at the sight of the white village tumbling down the hillside overshadowed by the majestic backdrop of Monte Maroma.

This also gives me chance to drop off our rubbish bags and empty bottles at the rubbish and recycling centre (basura y reciclaje) next door, before making my way into the village.

Once I´ve parked the car, it´s a quick and easy job to walk to the Post Office (correos) and unlock our individual post box (apartado de correos) to see if there´s anything to collect. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Postmistress, I might wander around a few of the streets photographing the pretty balconies and their flowers, or have a cool drink at one of the many bars or cafés in the village.

Every Saturday morning there is a street-market on the main car park of Cómpeta village, making it convenient to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables, before heading home along the mountain road once more, having spent a most enjoyable couple of hours.

It certainly beats having the post popping through the letter-box or queuing outside an English Post Office on a cold, damp December morning!

Which everyday job do you enjoy doing? Do you sometimes go out of your way to make it last longer?

You might also enjoy:

Churros served with thick hot chocolate

A Slice of Life: The Spanish Postal Delivery System

The heart of Cómpeta: El Paseo de las Tradiciones

Welcome to Spain, Amigos!

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Marianne under Laws and Customs, Slice of Life

[Found here]

Back to the Future: An Evening at the Medieval Market

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Fiestas and Festivals, Laws and Customs, Places, Slice of Life

During the past weekend, a Medieval-themed market took over the main square of the white village of Torrox in the heart of the Axarquía region. Organized by the Ayuntamiento (town hall), there was lots of medieval bunting to transport you back to the 15th century, with suitably dressed character actors to set the mood.

There were various stalls selling crafts, jewellery, cheeses, traditional craftwork in metal and wood, as well as lots of food.

Huge wooden chess tables had been set up for anyone to enjoy a game of chess in the evening sunshine.

The most popular attraction was in one corner of the square where there was a roped-off area with many different birds of prey on display. Their handler gave a demonstration of the birds´ hunting prowess, which thrilled and delighted the crowd, especially the many children. The birds appeared to be well cared for and made an impressive sight sitting on their perches, patiently waiting their turn to swoop over the gathered crowd.

All of the bars and restaurants in Plaza de la Constitución had their outdoor seating areas overflowing with people all eating, drinking and enjoying this year´s Medieval Fiesta!