Tinto De Verano

Some days are really hot and there is nothing better than having a cold drink in one of those little cafe in front of the sea. Since I have been in Spain, one of my favorite drinks is the so called "tinto de verano" or "summer red wine". What's the difference from a normal glass of red wine? Well here is how you make it:

• red wine (it doesn't have to be the best kind either because you'll have to mix it)
• sparkling lemonade (if you are in Spain you might want to buy CASERA which is a "gaseosa")
• ice
• slice of lemon

In a tall glass put first the ice, then fill half of it with wine and the rest with the sparkling lemonade. As a final touch add a slice of lemon. You can adjust the proportions depending on your personal taste.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Semana Santa in Almería isn't like anything you have seen before! I had the opportunity to experience it this year, living in Spain and I was amazed by it!

Even if you are not religious, it is difficult not to be moved, the atmosphere is so vital and poignant. For some it is a fun filled fiesta time, for others a week of ritual and reflection. Without a doubt, Holy Week in Andalucía is a tradition that is an integral part of the culture and appropriately reflects the spirit of the people.

Each and every village proudly enjoys the beauty and mystery of "Semana Santa" although there are variances and some towns for instance, will preserve certain traditions more than others. The villages generally hold their parades on Thursdays and Fridays, while the large capital cities (Almería included) have week long celebrations and attract thousands of people from far and wide.

In a way, it reminded me of some processions I have seen in my mother's village in Sicily with all the women behind the statues with lots of candles everywhere and the strong smell of incense in the air. Processions are elaborately decorated with flowers and with either Jesus or Mary statues, groups of pointy-hood wearing Nazarenos (penitents), and many bands, walking slowly through the streets, from their parish church to the cathedral and back. It's an extraordinary experience that everyone would enjoy!

Christmas lights in Almeria

I have never given much thought to how the weather makes you fell more or less the Christmas Spirit but, since I've been in Almeria I have come to realize that Christmas without wrong, I love warm weather, but I just realized only when I came back to Sardinia that we really are in December!!! I can't help remembering when I lived in Trento. I remember that it was way too cold, but I loved going out for Xmas' markets and drinking a hot cup of hot apple cider or mulled wine, which I love!!!

However, I have enjoyed Almeria during December because of all the beautiful Xmas decorations and the Spanish traditional sweets and food for this particular Holiday. The main point where you can admire the enormous Christmas Tree and the markets is the beautiful main street "Calle Federico García Lorca", also know as "La Rambla". The street is a lovely wide boulevard with trees on either side where you can take a gentle stroll and enjoy the fountains and the statues as you go. West of the Rambla is the Paseo de Almeria, an older street but very busy shopping venue. At the north end of Paseo de Almeria is Puerta de Purchena, the city's real focus, a busy junction groaning with traffic, but also bustling with life. All these locations are the very core of Almeria and during Christmas time they are completely crowded and only then you remember that in Almeria live more than 200.000 inhabitants.

Nevertheless I introduced my Spanish friends to a classical Italian 'bread' called PANETTONE. It seems that many of them had seen it in the grocery stores but none of them has ever bought it or tried it since they didn't know what it was. I think that after they tried it, they were pretty much n love with it, and how could you resist such lovely and sweet Panettone? Ok, I might admit that I'm crazy about it, but even more I love the Pandoro!

Before I left Almeria, my sister best friend, Belen, has given me some products to bring home that are especially produced in Almeria, due to the tropical weather that you can find nearby. She game me this particular kind of tomatoes called "tomate raf" and a tropical fruit called "chirimoios". Needless to say that my family has appreciated a lot all these goodies!!!!

On the 10th of September my new adventure has started. I have left my beautiful country (Italy) to go to Almeria, in the South of Spain. Let's just say that I wasn't really enthusiastic because I really did not want to spend a year in a foreign country when I could have been in London. Anyway I had to take two airplanes too because, unfortunately there is not a direct flight from sardinia. Therefore my first stop was the airport of Madrid, Barajas, which is one of the biggest and busiest airports in Europe. After I caught my second flight, I finally arrived in Almeria where my sister's friend was expecting both Manu and me. I must say, thank God my sister was with me because even though I really did know some spanish, I could not understand very well what Belen (my sister's friend) was saying to me. Furthermore, here in Almeria, people speak with an andalusian accent: basically they speak very fast and do not pronounce s or d, which makes it very difficult to understand. 

Luckily, after the first week, I could already be able to talk with people and  to not embarrass myself too badly. I had a really hard time trying to find a room where to live, but when it seemed that everything was lost, I found the perfect apartment ever! I live in an attic at the 10th floor with 4 other people (an Italian and a spanish guy, an american and an Irish girl). The craziest thing ever is that everybody has a double room with its own bathroom too. It is really comfortable and the price is perfect too! The thing I like the most is the balcony, which is huge and from where you can see the sea in front of you. My flat-mates seem all really nice and it's great living with people you actually go along with!

After I found a place to live, I started exploring the city, which wasn't so bad as I expected.

 The old part of the town is very beautiful, and you can find the influence of different cultures in many buildings. The city has a colorful history that dates back to the Bronze age, and it is associated with the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs in latter times. The name Almeria derives from the Arabic Al-MAriyat, meaning 'The Mirror of the Sea' or Al-Mariyya, meaning 'lookout' or 'vigil' for its original function of protection of the city of Bayyana, currently known as Pechina. The most famous monument of Almeria is the Alcazaba, a Moorish castle that is the second largest Moslem fortress in Alndalucia after the famous Alhambra in Granada. 

What I love the most of Almeria, is the fact that you have the sea right in front of the city. It is beautiful and I cannot believe that in October I'm still going sun-tanning and swimming in the sea. Since I've been here, the weather has been very warm and since I'm usually used to London's weather, it's a nice change!!!! :-)

¡Hola!

Hello everybody,

it seems unlikely for me to actually start a blog since I usually give up updating them quite soon, but I have decided that I should at least try and share my year in Spain with my family and friends! Besos xxx