Mar 29
La Calçotada
The other day Ralph and I had our own "calçotada." This consists of barbecuing calçots, a type of long, tender onion, pulling off the first layer, dipping them in a special sauce, called salvitxada (similar to Romesco sauce, but thickened with toast that's been rubbed with garlic and moistened in vinegar), and then eating them in one gulp, as shown in the photographs. Unfortunately we don't have a barbecue, but the oven worked just fine, and we got an extra layer of onion since they weren't charred by the open flame (really, though, they're much better barbecued). Anyway, a calçotada is usually a big luncheon party where calçots are eaten and cava (catalan champagne) is drunk. We just had them for lunch one day.
Mar 29
Walks in Gurb
One of the nicest things about living outside of the "city" is the easy access to NA-ture! There are numerous country walks, and now that the snow has melted and it's gotten a bit warmer, it's the perfect time to explore. There are a lot of ballooners around here, but I've been a little disappointed in the balloons themselves... most of them are company balloons and, are therefore bright and ugly colors with the company names sprawled across them. I've kept hoping to see a Babar balloon, and then... finally, last weekend they had a fair in town and there were about 12 balloons up over the city. There were three really beautiful, propagandaless balloons, and also a balloon shaped like a liqueur bottle, which DID have the name of the type of liqueur written across it. Of course, I didn't have my camera with me that day! Ahh well!
Mar 15
Snow in Vic? Snow in March?
I woke up last Monday morning to see a winter wonderland in creation before my eyes. I thought about taking my umbrella to work, but then thought, nahh, the snow can't last that long. Well, it did. It snowed my entire twenty minute walk to school (lightly), and then got heavier as the day went on. In fact, it snowed the ENTIRE DAY and into the beginnings of the evening. Snow sticking in Vic/Gurb isn't very typical in general, but even less so in March. The week before, in fact, it felt like a nice Spring was well on its way. But I'm not complaining... it was a beautiful event, AND the following day was bright and sunny, adding to the magic. I didn't realize my camera was on the black and white setting until about five minutes ago, but after a brief moment of disappointment, I decided I like the way they turned out! Here are some pictures from our apartment (kitchen window, bedroom window), from my walk to school, through the Gurb City Hall, and from the school.
Feb 13
Last o' Skye
This is getting ridiculously behind schedule, so I'm just including the rest of the photos here. Highlights were the distinctive views each part of the island had, and the highland cattle (so cute!!). Oh, and the Talisker!
Jan 23
