So, it is Sunday and I leave for home on Tuesday. I am getting very excited to be actually CLEAN for a change. These showers have been nice, but not the same feeling. I managed to change my friends minds and they are staying in San Sebastian for 2 days before they leave, but I think it is going to be cold and rainy.... OOOOOPPPSSS!!! I feel kinda bad, but warned them that since it is on the coast the weather is weird. Plus, any day in San Sebastian is better then Madrid, well, so far.
I have learned alot from this trip, mainly patience and when not to talk.
Weither it is the person who argues to argue, bitches to bitch; or that person who just wants to save a dollar on a meal because that restaurant is just around the corner, for 50 minutes of walking, just around the corner. Or if someone doesn't eat exactlly where they want to eat and then gets sours and pissy becuase he/she doesn't eat right then and there. PATIENCE!
Traveling for me will have a new look. I wont go from city to city, country to coutnry, but stay in a spot for a week at a time in the same country.
I hate to say it, but Italy wont be on my list to return for a while. Too expensive, a bit dirty and too many fucking SCOOTERS!
Looking forward to seeing/talking with friends and family in a few days. I am having to take another overnight train to Madrid. 13 hours on a train. After all my experiences on a train, I will have to say that the little 6 hour flight home, meh. Just a few songs, a good nap and a couple pages in my book away. Plus, I get free drink and the bathroom is free too!!
love you all
stu
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Happy Birthday to me?
Ok, so the train ride to Prauge was only supposed to be 6 hours. We are chugging along and all of a sudden, stop! Tick, tick, tick...
There was an accident a few miles up the tracks from us, delayed us 2 hours on the hot train. Which made us miss our next train.
What is the solution.... a cargo train to Prauge! Which toock another 2 hours, did I mention that it was a cargo train. We had to stand!
6 hours, light travel, turned into 10 hours of fun in the hot train sun! But it could be worse, while people were bitching on the train, I was thinking oh how that would have sucked to be on the one with the accident!
But Prauge is nice, prices are resonable and I think we are celebrating my Birthday tonight, while people actaully have Croons (Cech)... wish me luck.
There was an accident a few miles up the tracks from us, delayed us 2 hours on the hot train. Which made us miss our next train.
What is the solution.... a cargo train to Prauge! Which toock another 2 hours, did I mention that it was a cargo train. We had to stand!
6 hours, light travel, turned into 10 hours of fun in the hot train sun! But it could be worse, while people were bitching on the train, I was thinking oh how that would have sucked to be on the one with the accident!
But Prauge is nice, prices are resonable and I think we are celebrating my Birthday tonight, while people actaully have Croons (Cech)... wish me luck.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
4 L of beer...
Ok, I know it is a few days late, but we didn't have internet access in Munich, so it is from Prauge.
Munich was a great town, could have spent another full day there, but oh well... live and learn. Pretty much, our Munich trip can be summed up in my title.
The first night there, we all decided to go to the Hophbra House(buchtered the spelling but oh well). The beers were only 6.30E for a full Liter. Between the 4 guys, before hand we bought one of those "mini" kegs, 5l of beer. So, there was 1.25L a piece, then at the house, we had 3 beers, while Brandon had 4. Mind you this was in about 1 1/2 hours. What a fun subway ride home.
The next day, after we all got up ( around 2) We saw the Glock-en-shpeel, what a let down. HA, but then again, we still couldn't see straight and probably we still a little drunk....
Munich was a great town, could have spent another full day there, but oh well... live and learn. Pretty much, our Munich trip can be summed up in my title.
The first night there, we all decided to go to the Hophbra House(buchtered the spelling but oh well). The beers were only 6.30E for a full Liter. Between the 4 guys, before hand we bought one of those "mini" kegs, 5l of beer. So, there was 1.25L a piece, then at the house, we had 3 beers, while Brandon had 4. Mind you this was in about 1 1/2 hours. What a fun subway ride home.
The next day, after we all got up ( around 2) We saw the Glock-en-shpeel, what a let down. HA, but then again, we still couldn't see straight and probably we still a little drunk....
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Venice
Arrived in Venice about 3 hours ago. Very nice city, so far. The hostel is the most expensive by far, but luckily there isn't a whole lot to do here but walk around and get lost! There is a little fishing village about an hour boat ride away that is supposed to have good seafood. Lets hope so ehh! Must get back to my friends, which is getting better, mainly because that chick doesn't talk much after the last out-bust. I think she got the picture that she needs to calm down, but there is always tonight. Lets see, first supermarket with good prices, cheap alcohol, could get scary later on tonight.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Florence...
Getting ready to take a train ride to Rome tomorrow. Should be an easy one, high speed. 2 hours i think. This place is nice. Beautiful scenery. There is a bridge that runs the city that is the only bridge in Florence to survive WW2. Ponto Vecchio is the name. It's pretty cool, but now it just has jewlery shops on it. Excited to get to Rome. I have used up about half of my memory cards and figure in Rome it might take up the rest of my gig memory and will have to start in on the 512mb.
The other chick is on everyones nerves. She argues just to argue and I may have to smack her. We will see.
The other chick is on everyones nerves. She argues just to argue and I may have to smack her. We will see.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Here finally
Ok, so I know its been a couple of days, but we have been on a train about 1 full day in the past 3. So cut me some slack. Mersalle was very nice, got to see the actaully Chataeu d'If, from the Count of Monte Cristo book. Very cool. Then we were on a train for about 15 hours to get to Florence. That sucked. No place to sleep, etc.etc.etc.
Now that we are here, it, of course, has been raining all day until just now. Just with our luck, we got lost for about an hour and this was after we had checked into our hostel. Yeah, we are all a bit tense right now. Actually missing the traveling alone part. I can see hour the Aussies can do it by them selves now. Traveling with a group is hard work. Paying is the worst, because everything is total, hard to separate the checks, room rates, etc.
On the bright side though, it is nice out now and my last currency exchange was for .60e to the dollar. Beats the hell out of the .52€ for the dollar that I was getting.
Had some very nice pastries the 1 day we were in France and so far we've just had lunch, but the rissotto I had was great.
Taking loads of pictures and will be excited to show them. We have 2 more full days here and then 4 days in Rome and a few days in Venice. Which is going to by nice because I think we will have to pull another marrathon train session to get from Italy to Prauge.
There isn't any internet at this hostel so will check again before I leave this city, but because of the group restrictions it might be every few days that I am able to check to internet. So just to let you know, we are all doing just fine and despite the occasional annoyance, we are doing just fine. But it is going to be interesting to see what happens, because some in the group are polar opposites. Should be funny to tell you what happens.
Now that we are here, it, of course, has been raining all day until just now. Just with our luck, we got lost for about an hour and this was after we had checked into our hostel. Yeah, we are all a bit tense right now. Actually missing the traveling alone part. I can see hour the Aussies can do it by them selves now. Traveling with a group is hard work. Paying is the worst, because everything is total, hard to separate the checks, room rates, etc.
On the bright side though, it is nice out now and my last currency exchange was for .60e to the dollar. Beats the hell out of the .52€ for the dollar that I was getting.
Had some very nice pastries the 1 day we were in France and so far we've just had lunch, but the rissotto I had was great.
Taking loads of pictures and will be excited to show them. We have 2 more full days here and then 4 days in Rome and a few days in Venice. Which is going to by nice because I think we will have to pull another marrathon train session to get from Italy to Prauge.
There isn't any internet at this hostel so will check again before I leave this city, but because of the group restrictions it might be every few days that I am able to check to internet. So just to let you know, we are all doing just fine and despite the occasional annoyance, we are doing just fine. But it is going to be interesting to see what happens, because some in the group are polar opposites. Should be funny to tell you what happens.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
1 more day
One more day in S. Sebastian and it is a gloomy one. Very happy to see a few familiar faces tomorrow though. Meeting with my friends in Madrid, will be glad to comunicate in actual Spanish with Spaniards. In San Sebastian they don´t really speak Spanish. It´s Basque, which I found out is one of 2 areas in the world that they really can´t track where they came from. Finland is the other, so the language is a mix of a few other languages. In Barcelona I could get by, but here it wasnçt difficult to say, but you could tell people just wondered what kind of idiot I was. Lucky for them I am used to that anywhere I go! Laundry is done, leaving tomorrow at 8 and getting to Madrid at 2'ish, had a good night last night, it was georgous. If there were a place for me to move, would have to say San Sebastian; I would move here in a heart beat.
The city just drags you in. There are the occasional problems, but honestly everyone I have come in contact with has been really nice. The city is a mix of rustic buildings and even older churches. A river divides San Sebastian in half with old and new sections in the city. The Atlantic to the north, mountains to the south, east and well, the west. On a day like today you can see mist around the tops of the mountains, but the water is still crystal clear. The ¨downtown¨, if you can call it that¨ is made of little clothing stores, pastry shops, bars bars and bars. It really reminds me of downtown Hawatha, Kansas. The old just sitting on a bench, enjoying paradise. While the youth sit outside of bars drinking beer or wine.
When I first got here, it was 7:30 in the morning and nothing was open. I was walking around the beach, with my backpack on and a little old man came up to me. Asked my why I didn´t just use my wheels, laughed, tapped me on my shoulder and said good´bye. Like I said, I would move here in a heart beat.
The city just drags you in. There are the occasional problems, but honestly everyone I have come in contact with has been really nice. The city is a mix of rustic buildings and even older churches. A river divides San Sebastian in half with old and new sections in the city. The Atlantic to the north, mountains to the south, east and well, the west. On a day like today you can see mist around the tops of the mountains, but the water is still crystal clear. The ¨downtown¨, if you can call it that¨ is made of little clothing stores, pastry shops, bars bars and bars. It really reminds me of downtown Hawatha, Kansas. The old just sitting on a bench, enjoying paradise. While the youth sit outside of bars drinking beer or wine.
When I first got here, it was 7:30 in the morning and nothing was open. I was walking around the beach, with my backpack on and a little old man came up to me. Asked my why I didn´t just use my wheels, laughed, tapped me on my shoulder and said good´bye. Like I said, I would move here in a heart beat.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
My pink ass
So these past two days it was been not rainy, but very nice. 80 degrees and blue skys for miles. Down side, water is still like 45 degrees, so the beach was fine for me and I fell asleep again. 2 hours from what I gather, all on my stomach. My back and the back of my legs are around raw meat. The owner of the hostel I am staying at just said, äh...fuck me. Hes from Scottland so imagine this in a scottish acsent. It about brought me to the ground I was laughing so hard. Got a really good picture of it. You can see the line which I put sun screen on from my tattoo. That´ll teach me.
Finish to MB
With the courses coming at a good pace now I received the first course that I actually ordered. A Farm´s Egg with beet, Liquid herb salad, Carpaccio of Basque Stew(pork) and Cheese. The dish came out with with a ravioli looking center and a waiter pouring the hot liquid herb salad. The pork fat(off of an Iberico Ham) was sliced paper thin and gently laid over an egg yolk. The beets were a side note, as they were just 8 very small cuts of beets scattered around the plate. In all, this was a home run. It tasted like the best bacon and eggs you would have ever had with a nice lite herb sauce.
I had asked the sommeiler which he would recommened, the roast Red Mullet or Pig trotters(feet). He said with a smile, we will have to send halve portions of eat now wont we. I said if it wouldn´t be a problem, sure. Not a problem at all said the man with a smirk at this point.
The mullet would come out first. Looked as though each scale had been carefully pointed up and appeared to be angry. With a black ¨chip¨ at the end of the fillet, making the piece look as if it were an actual fish swimming. The chip was a piece of skin that had been crisped and slightly blackened. At the top of the bowl there was a sour'sea foam and around the sides two stips of for what I could tell were a very nicely done tartar sauce with caviar. The center of the plate had a liquid dot that appeared as a bubble floating in a essence of the clam jus. The fish was excellent when eaten with the foam it was amazing. But I saved the bubble for last, curiousity might have killed the cat, but I figured it might be worth it. Took up the bubble and bit down. A pop of wonderful black olive flavor filled my mouth. Amazing
The trotters came second. Braised down nicely served with a almost too gelatinous veal sauce and a sweet pea puree. the Trotters were nice but it took the sweet puree to tie it all together. Balancing the rich sauce and the slightly over salted trotters. It was good when working together, but apart, meh.
For the big finish. Lime Sherbert with shaved ice, Basil liquid and vanilla sauce. In the center of the bowl the ëgg¨of sherbert laid up against the ice while a waiter again, poured the Basil liquid around the edge. Creating an island seem with the mountainous ice, isle of sherbert and brite white vanilla sauce.
Tell you what, it has been 2 days now since this meal and I can still taste this dish. Slightly peppery, north'pole cooling effect in my mouth and utter sweetness on the vanilla sauce. Very nice.
At the end, after paying my outragous bill. Yeah, so instead of charging my half the price of each entree, charged me 35 E per, were they were 45 by them selves. Ouch!
I actually got a chance to met Martin and take a tour of the kitchen. There were more cooks back there then some hotels have. It was rather obnoxious really, but I would have to say it has been one of the best meals of my life.
I walked out not hungry, but with a nice fresh outlook of food, oh and 149E lighter. It looks like bread and store bought Iberico ham for me. Yeah I eat the for breakfast, lunch and diner!
I had asked the sommeiler which he would recommened, the roast Red Mullet or Pig trotters(feet). He said with a smile, we will have to send halve portions of eat now wont we. I said if it wouldn´t be a problem, sure. Not a problem at all said the man with a smirk at this point.
The mullet would come out first. Looked as though each scale had been carefully pointed up and appeared to be angry. With a black ¨chip¨ at the end of the fillet, making the piece look as if it were an actual fish swimming. The chip was a piece of skin that had been crisped and slightly blackened. At the top of the bowl there was a sour'sea foam and around the sides two stips of for what I could tell were a very nicely done tartar sauce with caviar. The center of the plate had a liquid dot that appeared as a bubble floating in a essence of the clam jus. The fish was excellent when eaten with the foam it was amazing. But I saved the bubble for last, curiousity might have killed the cat, but I figured it might be worth it. Took up the bubble and bit down. A pop of wonderful black olive flavor filled my mouth. Amazing
The trotters came second. Braised down nicely served with a almost too gelatinous veal sauce and a sweet pea puree. the Trotters were nice but it took the sweet puree to tie it all together. Balancing the rich sauce and the slightly over salted trotters. It was good when working together, but apart, meh.
For the big finish. Lime Sherbert with shaved ice, Basil liquid and vanilla sauce. In the center of the bowl the ëgg¨of sherbert laid up against the ice while a waiter again, poured the Basil liquid around the edge. Creating an island seem with the mountainous ice, isle of sherbert and brite white vanilla sauce.
Tell you what, it has been 2 days now since this meal and I can still taste this dish. Slightly peppery, north'pole cooling effect in my mouth and utter sweetness on the vanilla sauce. Very nice.
At the end, after paying my outragous bill. Yeah, so instead of charging my half the price of each entree, charged me 35 E per, were they were 45 by them selves. Ouch!
I actually got a chance to met Martin and take a tour of the kitchen. There were more cooks back there then some hotels have. It was rather obnoxious really, but I would have to say it has been one of the best meals of my life.
I walked out not hungry, but with a nice fresh outlook of food, oh and 149E lighter. It looks like bread and store bought Iberico ham for me. Yeah I eat the for breakfast, lunch and diner!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Martin Berasategui
Three star dining, more hype than worth?
The trip to this joint was fun, had to take a bus ride 20 minutes out side the city. Which would not have been bad except I didn´t know how much it cost. My money in hand, I ask a girl how much then like a gospel choir, 5 people yell out, ¨Dose!¨. I said ok, then a few minutes later I asked a gentlemen the same, but this time money actually out so he could see it and pointed at a few Euros. Finally got 1.20E only to find out that it was 1.25E, not bad, but a reluctant start to my day.
Arrive in Lasarte and not having a map walk about three'quarters of a mile past the street. Good fun! Nice country side though. Just lucky that I got there an hour before my lunch. Walk back thinking I know I past it, I see it, like a sign from above. No, it was actually a sign pointing the way to the restaurant. Got a nice picture of it.
Sit down and it was much the same as Drolma, too many waiters and only myself, but as 15 minutes passed the room was filled and a quite ballet started. Waiters bringing utensils with white gloves and the sommelier inquiring about wine orders in not just 1 language, but from what I gathered at least 4. He really stole the show.
The amuse came and was very nice, a lightly smoked cod with a lighter then air parmesan puree.
A glass of wine with your meal sir, the sommelier asked. Why not right, might as well. A white, Val De Sil ' 06. Good stuff.
I realized that I have written about 20 pages on this so I will make this the shorter version.
Followed with a Foie Gras ¨terrine¨ and peach gazpachio. The Foie Gras terrine was layered with paper thin apples, smoked eel and a crunchy caramel top. Wow.
The peach gazpachio was not the bast thing I´ve ever had, actually quite revolting. Very sour.
I don´t want to take too much time on the computer so I will post the actual 1st course and the rest of the meal in a few hours. besides, it only 5 in the morning there I´m sure it will be fine.
The trip to this joint was fun, had to take a bus ride 20 minutes out side the city. Which would not have been bad except I didn´t know how much it cost. My money in hand, I ask a girl how much then like a gospel choir, 5 people yell out, ¨Dose!¨. I said ok, then a few minutes later I asked a gentlemen the same, but this time money actually out so he could see it and pointed at a few Euros. Finally got 1.20E only to find out that it was 1.25E, not bad, but a reluctant start to my day.
Arrive in Lasarte and not having a map walk about three'quarters of a mile past the street. Good fun! Nice country side though. Just lucky that I got there an hour before my lunch. Walk back thinking I know I past it, I see it, like a sign from above. No, it was actually a sign pointing the way to the restaurant. Got a nice picture of it.
Sit down and it was much the same as Drolma, too many waiters and only myself, but as 15 minutes passed the room was filled and a quite ballet started. Waiters bringing utensils with white gloves and the sommelier inquiring about wine orders in not just 1 language, but from what I gathered at least 4. He really stole the show.
The amuse came and was very nice, a lightly smoked cod with a lighter then air parmesan puree.
A glass of wine with your meal sir, the sommelier asked. Why not right, might as well. A white, Val De Sil ' 06. Good stuff.
I realized that I have written about 20 pages on this so I will make this the shorter version.
Followed with a Foie Gras ¨terrine¨ and peach gazpachio. The Foie Gras terrine was layered with paper thin apples, smoked eel and a crunchy caramel top. Wow.
The peach gazpachio was not the bast thing I´ve ever had, actually quite revolting. Very sour.
I don´t want to take too much time on the computer so I will post the actual 1st course and the rest of the meal in a few hours. besides, it only 5 in the morning there I´m sure it will be fine.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
not to bad
The day turned out pretty nice. It stopped raining but warmed up to like 70, still cloudy.
Hiked up a small mountain today that had an old barracks on top. Dates back to the 12th century. Honestly pretty cool. There was a museo on top that had videos and what not about the barracks. The coolest part would have to be the 50 foot statue of Jesus on top. I am not really religious, but this thing is wow. I was able to walk right up to it and the view of the city on top of the hill was very nice, would have been better with a sunny view, but never'the'less.
Tomorrow I eat at three star restaurant that I have to take a bus too. The name of the joint is Martin Berasategui, named after the chef-owner.
The main negative that I have noticed about Europe is the smoking. EVERYONE smokes, I actually stop (for the 10 time I know) just a few days before I left. I have slipped up once, but I was pretty drunk and I know no excuse. Other than that, the experience is making me really dislike it. Before I had just thought oh well. I was used to it, but when you wake up a week after not having a smoke and feel as though you´ve had a pack, it really makes you not want to smoke. I realize that was a huge run on sentence, but I am tired and the book will have someone proof read it.
Hiked up a small mountain today that had an old barracks on top. Dates back to the 12th century. Honestly pretty cool. There was a museo on top that had videos and what not about the barracks. The coolest part would have to be the 50 foot statue of Jesus on top. I am not really religious, but this thing is wow. I was able to walk right up to it and the view of the city on top of the hill was very nice, would have been better with a sunny view, but never'the'less.
Tomorrow I eat at three star restaurant that I have to take a bus too. The name of the joint is Martin Berasategui, named after the chef-owner.
The main negative that I have noticed about Europe is the smoking. EVERYONE smokes, I actually stop (for the 10 time I know) just a few days before I left. I have slipped up once, but I was pretty drunk and I know no excuse. Other than that, the experience is making me really dislike it. Before I had just thought oh well. I was used to it, but when you wake up a week after not having a smoke and feel as though you´ve had a pack, it really makes you not want to smoke. I realize that was a huge run on sentence, but I am tired and the book will have someone proof read it.
Rain rain rain go away
So I have a beautiful beach just on the other street and it is about 50 degrees here and raining. Looked on the weather a few days ago and rain till I leave. But someone in the hostel said he looked and it was the same thing, but he got here on Sunday and it was really nice out. Hoping for the best.
On a better note, I guess it is ¨holiday¨ here Sunday and Monday, so no shop is open... yeah! Better stock up today on food and what not.
We´ll keep you posted..
On a better note, I guess it is ¨holiday¨ here Sunday and Monday, so no shop is open... yeah! Better stock up today on food and what not.
We´ll keep you posted..
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
San Sebastian
Actually got homesick for the first time this morning. It was 8 and the town wasn´t up yet for some reason. Even the produce markets hadn´t got put up yet. Weird
This city is just what I had imagined and more. There is a river that cuts the city in half, new and old. I´m staying in the old quarter, where all the bars are located, naturally feel at home. But it´s more then that; with Barcelona and Madrid, I really felt as though I was a weird duck, but not here. There is something about this city that draws you in. I was walking today down the river towards the sea. There is a ledge that you can lay on that over looks the ocean and the river. Fell asleep there for probably an hour.
Staying roughly 5 minute walk from the beach, so went and changed, then fell asleep on the beach for like an hour. The overnight train right was kinda rough. Constant stops and what not.
Went and had my first actual tapas lunch today. For 4.4 euro I got 3 nice ¨dishes¨and a glass of wine.
So far if I could move to somewhere ive been, it would be here. The pictures won´t do it justice. Wish some of you all could make it with me.
This city is just what I had imagined and more. There is a river that cuts the city in half, new and old. I´m staying in the old quarter, where all the bars are located, naturally feel at home. But it´s more then that; with Barcelona and Madrid, I really felt as though I was a weird duck, but not here. There is something about this city that draws you in. I was walking today down the river towards the sea. There is a ledge that you can lay on that over looks the ocean and the river. Fell asleep there for probably an hour.
Staying roughly 5 minute walk from the beach, so went and changed, then fell asleep on the beach for like an hour. The overnight train right was kinda rough. Constant stops and what not.
Went and had my first actual tapas lunch today. For 4.4 euro I got 3 nice ¨dishes¨and a glass of wine.
So far if I could move to somewhere ive been, it would be here. The pictures won´t do it justice. Wish some of you all could make it with me.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Nothing
Probably wont be postin anything exciting today, because I have to take an overnight train to San Sebastian. Suprisingly worked out very well, there was a mix up with my hostels and got them to let me out of the last night. Gotta leave here in an hour and my train doesnt leave til 10 tonight, its 10 now. Wish me luck on trying not to spend over 8 E for today.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Drolma
I ate at a Three Star restaurant today, Drolma, in the hotel Majestic. I had just planned to sit at the bar and enjoy a nice glass of wine and maybe an appitizer or to, but I was wrong. After was seemed to be a small labrynth of turning hall ways I arrived at the spot. Was unaware of the experience that I was about to undertake. I had heard a few stories about starred restaurants, but not ever eating in one, it could have been just hear'say.
There was no bar, but a few tables in a very clean and crisp room, adorn with suddle colors. Every table in the place was at least capable of four seats, so I felt a little out of place sitting by my self, but oh well right.
I was given a choice of white wine, champaigne or cava(Catalonian champaigne), understanding that I would pay for it, I choose the Cava, which I have the name written down, but unable to recall now.
The menu read very nice, going from starters(which are just as expensive as entrees) to fish then other meats.
The amuse'bouse was a pumpkin 'creme' with a king crab salad. The pumpkin was warm and forever smooth while the crab salad was moist and season to perfection.
This lead to table side bread service and a selection of horś dourves.
My entree was a codfish with braised Iberico porc and ceps. The fish was poached in olive oil and was cooked very nicely, but the sauce (which was a veal demi of some kind) was seasoned to the point of almost needing a drink of water after each bite.
Looking around, I noticed that the womens purses werent sitting on the floor but upon little benches.
For after meal sweets there were more petie foirs served and a brioche with a vanilla foam and rum. Nice
In all, I would have to say this, the food can only get so good, then service takes over. Yet, for the money, I would much rather go back to La Boquiera and have 4 or 5 entrees and still walk aways happy. Then again, it is nice to say that I have eaten at a Michelin Starred Restaurant.
There was no bar, but a few tables in a very clean and crisp room, adorn with suddle colors. Every table in the place was at least capable of four seats, so I felt a little out of place sitting by my self, but oh well right.
I was given a choice of white wine, champaigne or cava(Catalonian champaigne), understanding that I would pay for it, I choose the Cava, which I have the name written down, but unable to recall now.
The menu read very nice, going from starters(which are just as expensive as entrees) to fish then other meats.
The amuse'bouse was a pumpkin 'creme' with a king crab salad. The pumpkin was warm and forever smooth while the crab salad was moist and season to perfection.
This lead to table side bread service and a selection of horś dourves.
My entree was a codfish with braised Iberico porc and ceps. The fish was poached in olive oil and was cooked very nicely, but the sauce (which was a veal demi of some kind) was seasoned to the point of almost needing a drink of water after each bite.
Looking around, I noticed that the womens purses werent sitting on the floor but upon little benches.
For after meal sweets there were more petie foirs served and a brioche with a vanilla foam and rum. Nice
In all, I would have to say this, the food can only get so good, then service takes over. Yet, for the money, I would much rather go back to La Boquiera and have 4 or 5 entrees and still walk aways happy. Then again, it is nice to say that I have eaten at a Michelin Starred Restaurant.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Goose'Bumbs
I had heard through people that I needed to go to a certain Monjistuc, or something, itś a park ontop of a hill that holds a monestary. Anywho, was taking a run today from my new hostal and noticed that I was right there. So I ran up the hill and the view from the top was just breath'taking. I am going to have to bring my camera next time because you can see over the whole city and the view of the ocean as the title says, gave me goose'bumps. Also went to the train station today to book my ride to San Sebastian and realized that the only train was a night train, so we will see how that goes. Hopefully the hostal in San Sebastian is open minded.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Fun in the sun
So, I've been in Barcelona for 2 full days now, well, its only 6 here, but no one goes out till 8ish and the weather is awsome. The people are actually a lot more understanding with my limited Spanish then I had heard. Also it is kinda hard for me to understand them because they don't speak Spanish, it's Catanlyn which is a version of French and Spanish. I've been going into jamon and chocolate stores though and getting better at telling them that I'm just looking. There is a chocolate store here almost on every store. Actually spent most of the day yesterday just trying to find one, found it but come it wasn't the main store, but a satalite store. DAMN. Never-the-less it was the best cookie i've ever had. Coffee and Basil. This morning went to La Boqueria, which is a very large market with fresh produce, ultra fresh fish and other meats. Ate lunch there, was a bit expensive, 14e for a piece of monkfish(about 4 - 6 oz) and razor-back clams that were both cooked on a flat top. Was worth every expensive euro I paid for it.
So far it's had it's ups and downs but would say this is still the trip I hoped I would have, now just gotta figure out how to not spend so much damn money.
So far it's had it's ups and downs but would say this is still the trip I hoped I would have, now just gotta figure out how to not spend so much damn money.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
First day done
So it´s only 6 here, but my feet hurt from walking all day and I´m tired. These computers wont allow you to post a picture or Edward Domiguez the first one is for you. It is gorgous here. 70 and sunny with a slight breeze. Beat the hell out of the hour delay that we had in Philly b-c of the rain, that kinda sucked. Anywhos, done.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
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