French indulgence and door curtains.

Leaving Spain was really difficult, after spending a good 5 weeks, covering not even a third of the country, we did not want to leave! Adding salt to our wounds, we had to go back to those French jerks. Basically, we had really low expectations and so we were pleasantly surprised by the power house town that is Bordeaux, France.

We spent a few nights there, and went on a rainy day trip to St. Emelion with a few fellow travellers we had met on the bus trip over. The journey out there was a beautiful winding road that took us through some small French towns, amazing to see the architecture incomparison to a bigger city. My favourite thing was spotting all the curtains that they put on the outside of their front doors, still can't figure out what purpose it served, but it kept me amused the full hour journey! Once in St Emelion, we indulged in some wine tastings, a few sneaky macaroons and crepes so delicious we were almost in tears. 

The next morning we prepared for Paris, oh the anticipation!

Xx Jaz

Dream cellar much!

 

Bilbao, Guggenheim, San Seb and other strange nouns

We left central Spain to travel north, we were lucky enough to be given a lift up to Bilbao with our friend Pedro, who we met at our second VaughanTown. He was incredibly generous and took the scenic route to his favourite place in Spain; Parque Natural de la Sierra de Cebollera. Serisously, it was like we had gone through a wormhole into Canada. I never thought Spain could be so incredibly Alpine. 

I will always remember it, just being so astounded by the raw beauty of that national park. Not something that is on the tourist radar either, it takes a local to bring you there! 

Pedro then drove us on to his home town of Bilbao, and took us to dinner at an amazing seafood restaurant. Slightly awkward that I (Jaz), don't have much of a palate for seafood. However tried and liked my first meal of crab, complete with the hammer and prying tool! We also had some squid and a beautiful super fresh fish, like swimming in a tank next to the table. After dinner Pedro escorted us to our hostel, where we indulged in some much needed sleep. The following day we met up with Jon, whom we also met at VaughanTown, and he took us on a guided tour of Bilbao including the incredible Guggenheim Museum and also for coffee, drinks, dinner, and more drinks. We can't get over the hospitality of the Spaniards, so accomodating, generous and genuine. The culture and people are addictive, we have fallen head over heels in love with all things Spain.

Bilbao through San Sebastian by train was a great scenic route, following the coast. San Sebastian was a much needed rest for us,after a few months travelling, we spent a lot of time catching up on emails, trying to get our resume's in order and sorting out 'real life' things again, such as jobs and housing for our arrival into Amsterdam in about 3 weeks time. Had the weather been better, and invested into a less scummy hostel and not have been so exhausted, I think San Seb would have been far more of a hit. We still had a great time, enjoying the San Sebastian film festival, and relishing the last days of summer and the last time our toes will touch the sand until next summer... when and whereever that may be!

Xx Jaz

The beginnings of Spain

From the peaceful Avignon, we headed to Barcelona. A city of grand energy, and zest. Once we found our hostel, we headed straight to the nearest Tapa’s bar, to get our hands on some Sangria! As for the sites, we headed to the Sagrada Familia, built by Gaudi with construction beginning in 1882. Basically this guy is insane, and the church definitely reflects that. It’s absolutely extraordinary, Rick and I just stared at the building, so long, our reactions sometimes a laugh, a snort, or a shake of our heads. So crazy.

From Barcelona we headed down the coast, through Valencia and made our way to Altea. We stayed in a remote little village, Altea la Vella. We had a 20 minute walk through the bush into the town to pick up groceries and to catch a bus into Altea itself. We had an amazing 10 days, in the most beautiful apartment, and made the most of the pool within the apartment complex... absolute luxury after spending 3 months in various hostels and dodgy hotels.

In Altea we bought some snorkelling gear, and went snorkelling at the beach. Not exactly a comparison to scuba diving in Koh Tao, but fun nevertheless. We also took a walk up to the top of the village, and I had tears running down my face, the streets were so incredibly beautiful. White buildings with electric blue doors and window shutters, black gates and pink flower baskets every where. The smells were divine, along with the flowers were all the bakeries, the tapa’s bars, oranges and the salty sea air. This is one of those ‘this is why I quit my job’ days. Photo’s to follow, and more on our facebook!

From Altea we made our way up to Madrid, to begin our courses with VaughanSystems, a volunteer program, teaching English to Spaniards. We managed to spend s few days in Madrid beforehand and explored what has become one of my favourite cities ever.  A few highlights include San Miguel Mercardo, the upmarket-market. Basically a market style building, but incredibly beautiful and gourmet food counters, along with wine and sangria. Did I mention that everyone is immaculately dressed? These Spaniards sure know style. After being in Europe and expecting more in regards to fashion, I finally found what I was looking for in Madrid, the women have an impeccable style which is truly personal.

We also checked out the sites, with my favourite ever church, the Almudena Cathedral which faces the Royal Palace and surrounded by immaculate gardens. 

VaughanSystems was a great program, we were taken out with the other Spaniards on a bus to Barco de Avila and for a 6 days we taught the Spaniards, through immersion and purely conversational.  The program is from 9am until 10.30pm, but most people stay up later and talk. You have all our meals with two English speaking participants, and two Spaniards, along with a bottle of wine at lunch and dinner, we had some interesting conversations. After a week, you see the Spaniards relax, and English flows much better, it’s great to know you’ve helped them. After the Gredos program we headed up for another week of VaughanTown with a fresh batch of Spaniards, to an abandoned Spanish town Valdelavilla which was the original ‘VaughanTown’. We met some incredible people, and made some great friendships and contacts. And absolutely fallen in love with Spain in the process, the food, the people and culture, the routine and the wine! How could I forget, Rick's obsession with the Jamon Serano!
Xx Jaz