A bit late but it has been a busy few months..... here's a miscellaneous selection of the run-up to Christmas and all that it involves--food, drink and lots of chatter:
A seafood feast at Oscar's house
Christmas dinner
We went to a local restaurant and had lobster rice (famous arroz con bogavante....local lobster that's bigger than what I am used to--they do sell Canadian lobsters too!)...mmmm....
Typical "cocido montañes"--a stew with lots of beans, veggies, meats etc--very popular and common during the winter months
Sunday breakfast--toast with olive oil and tomatoes, cured ham and a glass of OJ--very typical, healthy and yummy! :)
Beans with chorizo--hearty and warm. This second attempt came up perfectly even though I didn't know what I should have been making.... ;)
Our attempt at lobster rice looks pretty but lacked the flavour of the restaurants. Oh well, it was yummy anyhow and a good first try--there will be more to come!
We went to the hotel balneario in Puente Viesgo with a 2 for 1 coupon to enjoy the spa--here you see the water circuit and then you head outside to the heated jacuzzi (top left corner) and finish off with various saunas and Turkish baths (far right behind the benches) and a relaxation room. Estimated time 2.5 hours but we stayed almost 3.5 and a girl came to warn us about staying too long--said your blood pressure gets too low and could be dangerous..... Very nice and fun!
Cute English-style teashop in Ruente, in the valley...who would have figured they would find this in a small town in Spain??
Christmas tree in Plaza Porticada.
The 3 kings (Three Wise Men) arrive on the camels, bringing presents to the good children and coal to the bad....
We went for a weekend down to Madrid to check out the Christmas ambience, but were a bit disappointed with the reduction in lights....crisis crisis means saving money on small things here and there.... =P
Lots of people in Plaza Mayor, checking out the booths. It's typical for people to buy silly hats and wigs and wear them around town....very Christmasy?!?!
Cool cafe called "The Secret Garden"...it was difficult to find but inside was very cool and even has a tree!
Gran Via and the famous Schweppes sign (it changes colours constantly)
People scrambling for last-minute Christmas lotto tickets. This place is known for winning tickets so there's lots more buyers. More buyers, more winners, right??
Metropolis building
La Puerta del Sol and the big hollow tree
You can go inside!
The view from the inside is much cooler!
Some lights along the streets, but not as spectacular as previous years, we're told...
Plaza Mayor at night
Government building--the congress or house of representatives/parliament...
Don't remember what this was, but in the area of the government buildings... =P
Some kids climbed up for a photo but were shooed away by a guard
Little lake in Retiro Park
Canoes for rent for a relaxing paddle around the lake
