una oliva al día

GWP: Iphones and Spain

2011-01-26T02:54:00.000-08:00

doh! make that iHam, in English. This image refuses to show up at a decent size, so I am giving up. You'll probably need to open it, if you even care about the price difference, and unless you're an American living in Spain, you probably don't. Still, I am thoroughly impressed with this marketing company. Check out their super clever ad, in English or Spanish.

In the Ghetto

2011-01-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

I've been trolling on the Internet today, looking at blogs about Spain and thinking about what I should write about here. Basically I'm trying to decide whether to be useful or useless. Maybe it’s best to keep my friends and family up-to-date on our whereabouts and what we’re up to. Or perhaps it’s better to write travel articles about Spain and its delicious food, majestic landscapes, and impressive imperialism, and bladdy blah blah.

As GREAT as Spain is, I can’t help but to always be drawn to point out the ridiculous or humorous or frustrating (that last one because I’m sure that nobody would care if I said it out loud). And I think that’s ok. There’s enough travel blogs out there that are eloquently written, chocked full of useful information. And I do mean full. (Seriously, people have a lot to say. They use lots of words, and ramble on, like this. But most are great. I mean that.) I leave you now with this gem by the Principe Gitano, which my friend Alberto and I used as a point of inspiration while looking for my first apartment in Madrid. Think of it as Spanish Culture 101.

If I can wake up...

2011-01-12T02:23:00.000-08:00

I need an outlet for random thoughts so once again, I’m going to turn to the blog. I thought about Facebook, but I have way too many acquaintances (aka not really friends), and Twitter just feels too pushy. So we're left with the blog. If you're reading this, it's because you want to, not because it shows up on your list of things to read. Unless you made it that way, and in that case, it's your own fault and you have nobody else to blame. So here we go.

Let me take this opportunity to officially apologize for my rants—the first and last apology as nothing’s more annoying than ongoing rants with a stream of apologies.

HULU! Thanks for not letting me watch any videos just because I’m located outside of your precious United States of America, but then consoling me with a message that says I Can Dream Videos are available for worldwide streaming! I eagerly clicked, thinking I’m going to some sister site, and this is what I find. This is the show that Hulu is willing to share with the world. Oh and the Today Show, of course.

Geez. All I wanted to see was Emmy Rossum’s cute orange getup on the Jimmy Fallon show.

nuzzle

2010-03-17T02:45:00.000-07:00

superbomba's photostream makes me infinitely happy.

more love for the espadrilles

2010-03-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

This photo from Jamón, jamón has inspired my love of espadrilles for years, years!

Adorable Penelope carries a fresh basket of produce, while trotting around in her perfectly Spanish combination of espadrilles, a short dress, and big hoop earrings. Does it get any better? Only when garlic-chewing Javier Bardem pulls up on his moto.

So no, it really doesn't get any better, but for a more modern take, I’m really loving these two-toned espadrilles from the Wren spring collection.

(Wren photo via a cup of joe)

warmer months ahead...

2010-03-08T06:26:00.000-08:00

Although it’s bone-chilling cold outside, the sun is already batting its pretty eyelashes and I can’t help but to fantasize about the warmer months ahead. It’s hard to focus when visions of afternoon plaza drinks, summer dresses, and espadrilles are floating through my mind.

I went through 1.5 pairs of black espadrilles last summer (I still have a ways to go until the second pair breaks), but I'm ready to graduate to brighter and braver colors. I better get over to Casa Hernanz before the tourists come out of hibernation.

Visions of summer are thirst inducing, and something tells me that this will be the summer of the white sangria. Even though it's not all that common around these parts, I know that I’ll be drinking it all summer long.

(photo from aconti & tschopper, via flickr)

Spotted in Madrid locker room:

2010-03-05T11:38:00.001-08:00

World's best gym bag!! Ole, ole, ole!

Considering the American Women’s Club of Madrid...

2010-03-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

... only to hang out with this fun-loving lady! BFFs?

Madrid's Taberna Oliveros is over 150 years old...

2009-12-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

... but this little darling can only attest to the last decade.

Looking for a plot of land in Madrid. City center. La Latina, if possible*!

2009-12-16T07:13:00.000-08:00

Only $48,000. In Euros, that's chump change!

*Ideally located on top of a building to enjoy beautiful city views and avoid pesky thieves.

(via ReadyMade blog)

Anniversary breakfast. Our cup runneth over.

2009-12-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

I love all my friends, but I have extra love for friends that make me breakfast.

2009-10-28T02:40:00.000-07:00

Goodbye summer...

2009-09-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Adios la Caleta,

summer sustenance,

on-the-beach bubbly,

roadside workouts,

...and roadside friends.

El tinto de verano ~ the red wine of summer (and spring, fall, and winter)

2009-08-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

Spain is renowned for its delicious wines, but when the temperature rises, your typical thirsty Spaniard is more likely to order one of three things: a caña (a small beer), a clara (a small beer mixed with Lemon Fanta), or a tinto de verano, (a red-wine … dare I say it? spritzer!). The beloved tinto de verano is red wine served over iced with either Fanta de Limón (Lemon Fanta) or Casera Blanca, often served with a slice of lemon. Casera blanca is a clear, slightly sweetened soda that would probably most akin to a mixture of Sprite with soda water. I’m loyal to the “tinto de verano con Casera Blanca” through and through, and while I try not to judge those who enjoy their wine with a little lemon soda, I think there’s something much more classic about the taste of wine with Casera. The tinto de verano con limón is fairly sweet; Casera Blanca seems to offer a more refreshing and balanced mixture. It’s all a matter of preference.

In southern Spain, a tinto de verano won’t cost you more than an 1.50 euro, in Madrid, you’ll commonly find it topped with vermouth and with a price tag closer to 2 euros, but who’s complaining. I love it. I drink it all year long, and in the summer, I drink it all day, every day, only occasionally breaking for a mojito or a vodka soda. Did I mention that at home it probably costs somewhere around thirty cents to make at home?

For those that want to give it a shot, but don’t have Casera, try the mix of Sprite and soda water. In a tall glass over ice and a slice of lemon, pour a third to a half full of cheap or half-decent wine (please do not use your fancy wine for this), then add your sodas. Try it with Lemon Fanta too (or lemon soda), who knows—you might prefer it that way.

Salud!

beating the heat in Madrid

2009-07-29T03:26:00.000-07:00

Mandi always goes for the picturesque balcony.

He vuelto. Ves qué bien?

2008-11-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Uh oh! What a shameful blogging career. I’m such a slacker.

Madrid is a whole new cup of vino tinto. The population of Cadiz is around 135,000, but there’s FIVE MILLION people here! (Ok, only three million in the city center, but still.) Madrid, and our hood in particular, is full of bars and restaurants. There’s a saying I wanted to share here that I couldn’t quite recall… Something like, Madrid has more bars than all of Denmark. I didn’t want to get it wrong, so I decided to check with the ultimate fact checker. (Google, of course!) Here’s what my “Madrid has more bars than” search found:

It is even rumored that Madrid has more bars than all of Sweden
Madrid has more bars than many entire countries
Madrid has more bars than London, Rome and Paris combined
Madrid has more bars than any city in the world and its nightlife rocks
It is said that Madrid has more bars than inhabitants
Madrid has more bars than any other city in Europe
Madrid has more bars than any city in the world

Ah, I love how Spaniards exaggerate! But yeah, there’s a lot going on. And, just like any other large city with so many restaurants, bars, and a nightlife that “rocks,” self-control is of extreme importance, and this can be somewhat problematic. I blame Saturn (for returning), my birth sign (Sags are crazy, it’s not our fault), and my fortunate work situation (working from home = a frequent desire to be out late).

However, none of these reasonable and valid excuses are really good enough to justify such complete and total abandonment. Sorry! But I’m back now. Churro, anyone?

xo

How to buy a sofa in Cádiz… in just 10 easy steps!

2008-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

1. Visit 4,252 furniture stores. Try to avoid yakking as you see one sofa riñonera after another. (The word riñonera refers to your kidneys. A sofa riñonera refers to a sofa with the back part split into two parts, so it better supports your kidneys.) Example of a sofa riñonera:

2. Find two stores with beautiful furniture that is way out of your budget. (Yes, that’s you, Kiona & Artefor!) Sigh and ponder the alternatives. Consider IKEA, but ultimately decide against it—your apartment will likely already be 80% Nordic.

3. Ignore common sense and decide to go for one of the pricier but beautiful sofas. (You are worth it!) Yeah, it costs more than you counted on spending, but it’s almost reasonable.

Go to the store, and feel your heart crash through the ground when the agro sales lady whips out a swatch of very itchy fabric.
Request to change the fabric, and find out that this request will add another €750 euros onto the almost reasonable price.

Cry. Curse the US dollar.

4. Drive around desperately with your significant other, looking for more stores. You won’t give up. You can’t! You and your family need a sofa.

5. Find a store called SOFASS. You stop at SOFASS, mostly because it's called SOFASS and this makes you chuckle. SOFASS feels right, despite the fact that the owner is wearing sunglasses indoors and looks like he just rolled out of an all-night rager. You have a good feeling about SOFASS, nevermind the fact that the place is so new that they don’t even have a computer.

6. Find a beautiful sofa at SOFASS that is more or less in your price range—even after customizing the fabric! You even get to choose designs for your pillows. YES—you take the plunge! You buy the sofa, paying just a little cash up front. (No computers = no credit card machines.)

7. Wait for a month for your sofa. Pray that it arrives before August, because if it doesn’t, you can forget about your sofa until September. All productivity ceases in August.

8. The call comes! You’re in luck. The sofa will come tomorrow. Get the funds ready. This is what you will hand over to the deliverymen. Such trust.

9. Watch as your sofa arrives in a medical laboratory testing van. It’s a little unsettling, but hey, you get it—times are tough—everyone’s a dabbler.

10. Unwrap your sofa and enjoy! (Lazy, furry kitty and fabric-protecting pillowcase not included.)

Buns in the Pópulo

2008-07-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I hope you all had a nice weekend. Think of this as my Monday post. Monday was too rough to do anything even partially creative.

We had a lovely weekend. A perfect gaditano weekend is much like a perfect weekend anywhere, except with some quality beach time and tasty $1.50 tapas thrown into the mix.

On Friday night, we met up with some friends in the Pópulo neighborhood. The Pópulo is the oldest barrio (neighborhood) in Cádiz. It’s seen over 3,000 years of history and is the former barrio of the Phoenicians, Punics, Romans, and Arabs. It’s a vision of Spain; narrow streets and archways, secret passage ways, ruins around every corner, and cobblestone that will make you curse your heels. It even has a Roman amphitheatre! In a word, it’s a beautiful, and adding to its charm, the Pópulo is also one of the few spots left in Cádiz where you can still enjoy your drink outside.

I was stupid and I forgot to take my camera, but I promise that I will take some photos of the Pópulo soon. I did, however, manage to get a shot of some Roman ass on J’s cell phone.

Feeling the dehydration of Cacique con cola, we took it easy on Saturday afternoon and dragged the mattress out to the living room. Javi discovered a little American movie by John Hughes called Sixteen Candles. It made me long for the America that I never really knew, but always miss so much the minute I step foot abroad.

I won't keep yabbering on—I don’t want to bore my readers. ;o) But I will say that the rest of the weekend was exactly what I needed—we spent some quality time with the sandy beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and most importantly, some people that we love.

Update: Suspicious activitivy on Salvador Viniegra y Valdes

2008-07-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

The poo is gone. This morning, yelling was heard outside of our door. Too sleepy to investigate. Unidentifiable yeller #1 was likely the cleaner. Unidentifiable yeller #2 was likely the neighbor. All speculation at this point.More updates soon.

Saying I love you is not the words I want to hear from you...

2008-07-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

From the minute we entered into Cádiz, it began: a never-ending stream of hits from the '90s. Although I’m sure this gusto is shared by many Spaniards, Cádiz, as with most things, takes it to a new level. Here, the hits of the '90s become your constant companion. Specifically, it’s the early nineties that get the most love. And it’s not just background music; oh no, al contrario—it’s loud and it’s proud. Eating your pan tostada for breakfast? Phil Collins. Having some tapas? Taylor Dane. Enjoying that cocktail? C&C Music Factory. Cruisin' in the car? Jon Secada. Pumping gas? Whitney Houston. Going pee at the mall? Michael Bolton. The good times never end. (Hold on for one more day.)

Why is there so much love for these hits from our recent past? I thought it’d be best for us to go straight to the gaditano source to get some answers. (Gaditano is a word used to describe a person, thing, habit, etc., from Cádiz. Learn it now—I’ll be using it frequently!)

Natalia: Javi, why do gaditanos love the hits from the '90s?
Javi: *Crosses legs and sighs.* I don’t know.

Natalia: Do you think this is shared by all Spainards alike, or is it more of a gaditano thing?
Javi: I don’t know. I know that the radio stations are in all of Spain.

Natalia: What’s your personal favorite hit from the '90s?
Javi: Jesus Christ, Natalia. *Crosses arms and then shakes head.* What’s all of this about? Can I know? *Makes Javi noise.*

Natalia:What did the gaditanos listen to before there were hits of the 90’s?
Javi: Hits of the '80s.

Natalia: Will we still be listening to these hits from the '90s in the year 2020?
Javi: Oh yes.

Natalia: How can we be lovers if we can’t be friends?
Javi: That’s what I was asking in the '90s.

(Really?!)

Who needs a couch?

2008-07-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's this way!

2008-07-17T08:04:00.001-07:00

TAKE THE EXIT! You'll be happy you did.

(If you are wearing socks + sandals, please keep driving. There are better stops awaiting ahead.)

(EDIT. If you are wearing socks + sandals, please come too! You make me feel like an insider.)

Suspicious activitivy on Salvador Viniegra y Valdes

2008-07-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

There’s noisy chatter outside my door—don’t they know I’m trying to listen to music? Javi just stepped out, on his way to go pilfer our lunch from his mom. (We still have no kitchen.) But clearly, he hasn’t really left because I can hear him outside the door, chatting it up with a lady. The mujer in question is probably the “vocal de la comunidad,” the appointed speaker for our apartment/condo building. She and Javi had a previous gabfest yesterday.

The issue at hand? The pedazo de mojon (the big ol’ poop) that some young delinquents left to rot on the staircase of our apartment building the other night. Yup. That’s right. A big, ripe one.

I don’t doubt that there’s a lot to say on the issue, but I thought yesterday’s 30-minute session pretty much covered the bases. Javi summed up the whole story to me in two minutes. What could they be saying today? And why does it take so long?

Oooh! The door is opening! Status update! It turns out he was chatting with the NEIGHBOR. The story evolves—the neighbor called the police that fateful night! The police came, found the kids and their path of destruction, and then let them go! The little brats didn’t even have to pick up the poo.

The best (worst?) part is that the poo is still there. Nobody wants to clean it—they’re saving it for the poor cleaning lady. Javi’s mom strongly advised us NOT to clean up the poo because it’s not our job and we once we label ourselves as the building’s little bitches, it’s over. But being the ever-so-helpful man that he is, Javi, on his own accord, got into the kitty supplies and covered the poo in a big pile of litter. Oh, my love.

Ole!

2008-07-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

OMG, I have a blog. What a dork.

This post is dedicated to my wife Brittany.

(Photo from www.sugarbushsquirrel.com. Yes, sugar bush.)