Imagine what it would be like to climb to the top of a pillar in the blazing sun, surrounded by thousands of vaquilleros (partygoers) all cheering you on. It´s early July in Spain, the crowd is soaked in sangría and they´re bellowing for you to continue. You waive the red pañuelico (handkerchief) faithfully in the air for all to see; the…
Ríos de piedra Borrocal Near Orihuela del Tremedal in the Sierra de Albarracín mountains flows a periglaciation 2.5 kilometer river of impervious Paleozoic rocks. It is one of the largest stone rivers in the world and quite astonishing to see. High latitude, high altitude, cold air temperatures and low precipitation are a good environment for periglacial…
Las Monjas: The nuns at the 17th century Convento de Santa Teresa. ℋ emos conocido el amor que Dios nos tiene y hemos creido en Él. We have known the love God has for us and we have believed in Him. -1Jn. 4, 16 — The words above the door as you enter to see las monjas. I have…
The Little Italian Village That Could: With the long winter lingering, my memories return to a quick jaunt from Spain to Italy last summer. Having visited Italy in the past, my favorite traveling companion and I decided this time to venture to Cinque Terre, which consists of five little picturesque villages on the northwestern part of…
Merry Christmas! Nothing quite compares to walking the streets of 5th Avenue in Manhattan or the Miracle Mile in Chicago at Christmas time. With a plethora of lights and ornaments adorning the grandiose trees, shopping centers filled with people gift-buying and the fancy celebrations, it’s a magical time. So how does a Spanish Christmas compare? To…
Celebrating Thanksgiving in Spain is much like throwing a party and only one guest arrives. I remember going home for the holidays, having the house decorated with lights, poinsettias and a Christmas Tree. Friends and family all around, playing pool or cards, eating a ton. The food spread on the table was plentiful from a big…
Lori Needleman’s: INSIDE ESPAÑA: As an American, Lori Needleman has been living in Spain for over five years. What is Spain actually like? Why is it so diverse and, well, fun? Learn the differences between pueblos, towns and cities. See how Spain is transfixed between a great traditional culture and a promising moderna future. Their…