Pinos and Piscinas

Surprise Excursion! Would you like a hint? OK!

You will need: 

1) A picnic lunch

2) A bathing suit

3) Sneakers

4) Sunblock

Well, the sneakers part made assured me that I was not being whisked away to the beach for the day, but the sunscreen, bathing suit and picnic were a good sign.

So like a good girl, I didn't ask for more for hints and I didn't spy or stalk. I waited patiently for saturday to roll around and I packed all the necessary items including a fresh new pasta salad loaded with veggies and high fiber pasta! yum

Esteban drove us one hour away from Madrid, in the mountains of the Sierra, where apparently in the winter it snows a lot, but I wouldn't know considering I'm anti-snow. Before we knew it, we were near the little tiny ice cream-less town called Cercedilla.

What brought us here? Pinos and Piscinas. Here for 6.50 euros on the weekends and 5.50 on the weekdays, you can enter a small oasis with carloads of other Madrileños and escape the city heat for the day.

The atmosphere was a bit claustrophobic at first, the number of cars and people entering was overwhelming, but once we found a spot I could soak in the atmosphere, and the sun's rays, and really enjoy myself.

scoot over, please

It was actually kind of peculiar, to be surrounded by pines and other trees, but to be in clear view of a large pool and getting whiffs of chlorine!  (Note: I did not go into the pool. It was cold, and there were few people in the pool... a bad sign in my opinion... a sign of extreme coldness)

There you can also find a merendero, or picnic area/restaurant because it is said that there is no eating in the area, but I felt kind of left out being the ONLY person not eating, so we caved and enjoyed our pasta salad on our towels on the grassy greenness.  We did take advantage of the merendero and order a sangria and a beer to enjoy in the sun....

Which brings me to my next point... alcohol and pools are NEVER a permitted pair in America, so this was strange to me... what if someone got drunk and drowned!?!?! Surely that would/has happened in America. Good thing I'm not there anymore, Ill just sip my sangria in the sun of the Sierra =)

Once we've had enough sun, we moved onto the next portion of the surprise.... Amezonia Adventure Park! Aka Ropes Course AKA Death Trap.

Ok, so we didn't participate. Ok, maybe I chickened out.... but it was a die at your own risk type of thing! There were only a few monitors on the ground and you were on your own in the air! I would have participated with a trained professional up there to guide me and make sure I didn't hook something incorrectly and zip line my way to my death. 

So we passed... at least until I can mentally prepare myself with an ample amount of time before hand, and not 3 hours.... It is something I'd like to do again in my life, but with my increasing age I find myself to be more of a "scardy cat", or maybe ill instead go with the word "cautious". 

In any event, it was a perfect day and a great way to escape from the heat of Madrid, while not really leaving Madrid because you can still have your personal space in jeopardy by clustered Madrileños.

cross this pretty bridge at the edge of the ropes course to arrive to the oasis of pinos and piscinas

Madrid Rio Park

Every major city in the world is there probably because of one thing: a body of water, aka a river. Some are more impressive than others, and most probably have very beautiful bridges that are worthy of a few photos.
New York: Hudson
Amsterdam: Amstel
Cairo: Nile
Baghdad: Tigris
London: Thames
Montreal: St Lawrence
Paris: Seine 


Some rivers dried up and were converted into Parks (Valencia) and others built parks around their rivers....
Welcome to Parque Madrid Rio, incorporated around the Manzanares river.

This park runs about 10 km in length. For those of you familiar with Madrid, it begins around Principe Pio and ends near Legazpi. In the park you can find typical rio type things such as a river and bridges, but you can also find bike lanes (byob.. bicycle), cafes, children's playgrounds, a plethora of trees native to Spain and even places to do some exercises so you can save your 30 euros a month and opt out of a gym membership, if working out in public while people have picnics and botellón is your thing.
There is even something called an "Urban Beach" to go swimming in the middle of the city under a very futuristic time warp type bridge. 

I like bridges

Near Principe Pio you can catch a gorgeous view of the Palace and Cathedral de la Almudena

This park is a great place to dar un paseo, or rent a bicycle and take a ride. However, Two points goes to Valencia in beauty and bike accessibility. But this park is fairly new, Madrid has a chance to pull through!

walking the park is hard work! stop here for a well deserved rest!

For more info on the Madrid Rio, check out their website here

Baco Y Beto- Don't forget the Setas

With a friend and her boyfriend visiting and more Guiri activities in the mix, we were looking for a good spot to have a nice last dinner.

The craving: Atypical Spanish tapas. I mean no more croquettas, no more tortilla, and please I need a break from Bravas. 

So we decided to go to a quaint spot in Chueca, Baco Y Beto. The first time I went to Baco y Beto I went with my friend who is basically a Madrid tour guide, and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately, that trip I only tried two plates; but I knew there was an entire menu out there to taste test! The place is also featured in some Madrid Guide Books, and the enticing description starts with a rant about how the authors friends BEGGED him not to include this tapa-haven in his book to avoid an influx of tourists. Too bad. 

We were seated in the back corner, this is the view of the entire restaurant.  Small and simple with big taste

We got there a little early to secure a table (930pm on a thursday) because the last time when we arrived at 930 or 10 on a saturday, we were not seated until 11. There are only about  10 tables maximum, each fitting only 2-4 people. When we arrived there were only a handful of people inside, but when we left at 1030-11, there were a lot of people clutching to their wine anxiously waiting for a table. In Madrid, the early worm always catches a table.

Here are some photos of some of our delicious tapas that left us wanting to lick the plate and also left us clutching our bellies as we walked out due to a delightful feeling of satisfaction and fullness. 

Duck with mango chutney and a PICKLE!

A favorite: Setas (type of mushroom) with truffle ali oli! 

pork in an orange sauce and fries. 

table favorite: chicken burgers with the most perfect sauces. Dont ask what they were!

I highly recommend this spot for a nice fairly priced dinner with that special someone or with friends. Get there early for a table, or you can eat standing up squished in the front!

Baco y Beto is located at C/ de Pelayo, 24 Madrid
Metro: Chueca

Humidity Has Never Felt So Good!

I truly don't think those words have ever come out of my mouth, until this past friday as Esteban and I were cruising down the A-3 towards Valencia so I could relive a little snippet of my Vida Valenciana.  We hit a patch of traffic so turned off the A/C and rolled down the windows. My first thoughts: I can feel and smell the ocean, and OMG my skin is sticky!

HUMIDITY!!!!

I have never really lived an extended period time without humidity, that I forgot what it felt like! First I found the sticky saltiness refreshing and a nice change, but by saturday morning I changed my mind after walking around the center all morning. But those cool, humid nights were a dream come true: a weekend without dry skin! Soak it up, Epidermis!

So what did I do in Valencia? Well, all of my favorite things of course! This is like my Valencia Wish List, and maybe things I would recommend to people who ask me "hey Im going to Valencia for 2 days, what should I do???"

First things first: Horchata, or as those Valencians call it, Orxata at Orxata Daniel... yummmm

Click here to read more about Horchata

Or here to read about a day dedicated to Horchata

At night we went for a nightly stroll and then to one of my favorite rincones in the center for some tapas

Torres Serranos at night are always breathtaking

Las Cuevas, a yummy restaurant in a quiet location

Saturday was the best day of my life.... we visited the Mercat Central for some yummy fruit, got some paella para llevar and went to the beach!

This photo later inspired our lunch: Paella de Setas 

beer: passionfruit, chocolate, pineapple, banana??

We went swimming and found beach glass!

buried treasure!

leave me here forever

Then we visited with my Valencian parents, Maria Jose and Miguel for some Horchata (and Tonino from Italy was there too!) We drank some of Miguels famous homemade wine flavored with oranges and the other with walnuts. Things in that home will never change, and that's comforting. I know I am always welcome there, and they will take me in with open arms, wine, cheese, and paella.

Later in the evening we stopped by Portland Ale House for some authentic American good times, and later for some Spanish good times for a Botellón in the middle of nowhere.

I got to see my name show up one last time on the ValenbiSi stand

Sunday we strolled through the Jardines de Turia, played in parque Guilliver and made it over to the famously necessary Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias for some photo ops.

playing in Guilliver Park

una dulce americana.... and a sculpture bearing the USAs flag

To end the weekend right, we bought 5 raciones of paella from LA SALSA in my old barrio and then went to an undisclosed location for a typical Valencian lunch. I've decided to keep this location a secret because I dont want it inundated with tourists and I cant get a table when I go ;)

The weekend was rushed, but relaxing at the same time. There is so much more I wanted to do, but like they say, It's better to not do everything so that you have a reason to come back! Heck, I still haven't been to the Aquarium!

I felt very nostalgic being there, but I was also thrilled to be able to share my favorite things with Estebn, it was like taking him to my home in NY, but right here in Spain

I had a blast with my friends from last year. It felt like I never left. We spent lots of time laughing and chatting like we always did, and of course Ruben kept me updated on all historical things of Valencia and also shared them with Esteban.  Unfortunately, something was missing these few days: my girls. It really made me miss my experience last year, and made me crave one last taste of the Vida Valenciana with my friends Nora, Rosemarie and Molly. We always had so much fun together!

Can I have another year in Valencia? Why did I ever leave?

Oh yeah, I have a pretty great life here in Madrid <3

my one souvenir from valencia.... a spoon rest! I couldn't resist the Barraca!

Quirky Cultural Differences

I really should have started composing this list ages ago, instead I began on Tuesday night, while watching my favorite program Modern Family.

Now we all know that going to another country may bring about some "Culture Shock", and there are lots of cultural differences that are obvious to an American in Spain:
-Siestas (and stores closing during this time)
-NO mixing sweet and salty (oh readily accessible Peanut butter how I miss you!)
-Large 7eleven coffees are non existant
-No eating in any place that is not MADE for eating (your home, a bar/restaurant or park)
-People play staring games on the Metro
-The noise level is noticeably higher
-Everything is closed on sundays

These are all very obvious differences that are quickly learnt by anyone who spends more than a few days here. However, recently I have discovered other differences that I found extremely quirky, things I would have never have learnt about if it weren't for American television being viewed here in Spain.

Example 1: Modern Family
Esteban and I love Modern Family, we always watch it in English with Spanish subtitles. Sometimes I find something hilarious, or simply funny, and I look over and Esteban is NOT laughing. I realize: crud, its cultural! So I have to explain.

The episode was the one in which Cam and Mitch had tickets to the Lady GaGa concert, and were very excited; until Cameron became sick. Mitch was in quite a dilemma, does he go to the concert or not?

While interviewing about the upcoming concert, Mitch says: We had great tickets for Lady Gaga. I was looking forward to this concert for weeks. It's the one gay stereotype I allow myself. 
After saying this, Mitch crosses his legs and places his hands over his knee, in a very "flamboyant" manner... suddenly upon realizing his quote and the position he is sitting in (the one gay stereotype...) he spreads his legs awkwardly far apart to look more "masculine"

gay? straight? or european?

This, I found funny. But Esteban did not. I had to explain that in our culture, when a man sits with his legs crossed like that, he is considered very feminine, and yes, GAY!

Esteban found this preposterous! Its a comfortable position, it doesn't mean he's gay!

Example 2: Rediculousness
This revelation was made a few weeks ago, but the rerun was on so I was reminded of this hilarious video of soldiers attempting something so simple as a jumping jack!

At the end of the video,  host Rob asks co-host Chanel if SHE can do a jumping jack. When she can Rob screams "Look at that! A fully coordinated American citizen!"

Go ahead, ask a Spaniard what a jumping jack is. Show them a jumping jack and ask them if they've seen them before, or have ever been asked to do one. The answer I believe, is NO

I have been doing jumping jacks probably since preschool! It is the most basic warm up of American society. I think I have probably easily done over 3 million jumping jacks in my lifetime.

For the record, Esteban also can do a jumping jack. The number of jumping jacks done in his life is now at about, 2.

A third non media related difference, is shamelessness.
After a long day of walking or if Im tired, Esteban has no shame carrying my purse for me. I insist that he doesn't do it, that he looks silly, but he doesn't care. I thought it was just him.. but lately I have seen lots of men carrying their ladies' purses around! And I must say, I LIKE IT! Go Euromen!

Look what he's holding! =)

I will keep my eyes and ears open for more!!!

Can you have 2 without 3?

"No hay dos sin tres" was the phrase that pays these past few weeks, translating to "there isn't two without three".

Although I don't find this mathematically correct, and perhaps it lacks validity in many other ways (for example, I think you can have 2 cookies without having a third, or maybe a couple does not want to become a love triangle...)  this was all we heard since the beginning of the EURO CUP. There was even a song about it by Spain's favorite curlycue cantante David Bisbal. 

Anyway, what does this nonsense mean? Well it started 4 years ago when Spain won the last Euro Cup. The Euro Cup is played every four years. Then, like the olympics, every 4 years the World Cup is played. The World Cup and Euro Cup alternate every two years. (and honestly, I'm not sure what the country does when there isn't a championship game in the summer...)

Anyway, Spain won the Euro Cup in 2008, the World Cup in 2010, and top contenders for the Euro Cup of 2012. Winning this years Euro Cup would make them the first country ever in history to win these 3 major titles consecutively. 

Well wouldn't ya know, at a time when a country really could use a pick-me-up after an embarrassing bank bailout... Spain pulled it together and won it, making World football/soccer history and positive headlines! 

Way to go, fellas!

My second favorite part about the win and about the anticipation, was the atmosphere and energy here in Spain. There were flags swinging in the breeze from apartment terraces, car windows, taxi cabs, store fronts, government buildings, etc. It seems some people had their faces permanently painted with red and yellow stripes. I even saw some cars with temporary yellow wrapping paper on their red cars to resemble the flag! More so, Im pretty sure most people never took off their jerseys, in fear of washing off the luck and being the cause of a possible loss

Photo by: Claudio Alvarez (El País)
Celebrations in Cibeles moments after Spain's Win

My most favorite part about the win, was going out onto my terrace after a goal, and after the final whistle was blown. Excitement could be heard throughout the city: fireworks, vuvuzelas, noise makers, cheering. We do not live in a very central part of the city, but you could hear the excitement and thrill from kilometers away. It was actually magical and made me very happy and proud to be here for this part of joyful Spanish history.

Not Gay, But Supportive

This has been my motto for many years now, ever since meeting some of my best friends from Cortland and joining the notoriously homosexual rugby team. Not Gay, But Supportive. Quick, someone get me a rainbow t-shirt!

Well this past weekend, I went to show some support for my euro-gays in memory of my Cortland Gays at Madrid's annual Orgullo!

true proud to be gay spaniard and a small fan

The street Gran via was closed off to traffic and instead the streets were overtook by pedestrian traffic along with small flowing creeks of beer and sangria and not sure what other liquids. There were groups of people in every corner, together drinking, laughing, dancing and enjoying "las fiestas gais"

The parade started around 6, but this was mainly a manifestación, or rather a gay rights activists marching around in support.

The interesting thing to me about this was, there were no "anti gay" groups in sight. In the US any time there is an event like this that deals with such sensitive political issues, there are always people there to protest, to show their disapproval, but not here. Here people were peaceful, supportive, celebratory, and there to party. 

these sailors get a birds eye view of the parade

Around 9pm the real orgullo started to roll in around metro Gran Via. Trucks and busses filled with proud people celebrating, waving rainbow flags, taking pictures, and living life.

a favorite of orgullo

like a bunch of big teddy bears, or "osos" as they prefer

The parade lasted way into the night, but I didn't. After a goodbye lunch with my coworkers and a graduation party the night before, I could only be supportive until about 10 pm when my legs gave out and the dirty puddles on gran via began to annoy this soggy supporter.

Also, it was getting difficult to dodge the people throwing water from the balconies to the crowd below.  And I'm not about getting caught in the rain, nor caught in a bucket of cold water being thrown from a balcony.

ready aim fire! water bombs away!

even mcdonalds supports