I used to live on the Costa del Sol, Sanders. Also worked there in the late 1970's. I haven't been back since they introduced the Euro as currency. My spoken Spanish is quite good, maybe visit this summer!
Ohh, I must have missed that I'm back here in Dubai (spring break is over for me) Thanks for the suggestion aposhark, I'll keep that in mind next time I visit Spain
That was the other thing. When I first started visiting Spain it was considerably cheaper than it is now (before Euro) since then there has been a considerable levelling up of prices. You notice that?
Yep. When I first went to work there in 1977, we could buy a nice bottle of vino tinto for 30p, if we took our empty bottle to the local bodega. There were donkeys on the streets, and lots of ladies in black clothes (respectful widows) back then. It changed so much when they joined the E.C.
Las Ramblas, bustling busy streets. The human statues were entertaining I also enjoyed some of their gastronomic restaurants (even offers packages with hot&cold starters, main course, dessert and drinks) sipping on sangria was delightful I remembered travelling to London and Paris, left astonished by their architecture now being able to visit Barcelona and Madrid was also unparalleled. Their architecture encompasses romanesque, brightly coloured, some were minimalist and some were revolutionary. Certainly impressive
I guess travelling there during spring break was a good idea after all perfect weather you can relish, and it wasn't too cold either
The human statues. Yes, my 5 year old loved those. Did you or @aposhark have a peek at the market about halfway up the Ramblas? There is a Dunkin Doughnuts on the corner. The layout of the fruit was amazing.
Interesting posts @ ms quickwitted, you sound quite well travelled . All of this Spanish tourist discussion is making me feel like going back there for the first time in many years .
Hehe. We are going to Spain again in July. Just Salou - seems good for kids and there is a theme park there too (Port Aventura). We will try and get down to Tarragona. Funny. I avoided Spain for years, I think Monty Python had a lot to do with that. But after the early to mid nineties I have been to Spain, Canaries and Portugal more times than I can remember, probably in the high teens.
Yes , I don’t blame you , Spain is a lovely short flight if you have kids . I used to go there also when my kids were young . After they grew up , I started visiting the Greek islands , which I really like . For the past four years it’s been the longer haul destinations and mainly Philippines now . I understand from my son , Spain isn’t that cheap anymore .
I was lucky enough to have spent a long time in Spanish speaking countries and became able to converse in Spanish to do whatever was required. The last time I went to Spain, I still had moments of misunderstanding but I always prefer to get off the tourist spots to try to mesh-in with Spanish life. Even though it is not as easy at times, the benefits far outweigh the pitfalls and Spaniards love to help people who are doing their best to speak their language. I find the Spanish people to be far more friendly and accommodating away from the Costas (coasts), in fact it is like being in two separate countries. I worked in Chile, Argentina and Colombia and loved the banter there and it is similar in Spain away from the costas where there has been too many negative incidents which make the locals very wary of foreigners. I look forward to going back with the kids, to show them how family-oriented the Spanish are, similar to Filipinos. The Philippines is just so difficult to travel to with little kids and so expensive to get there too. I think after my kids are 8 or 9 it will be easier and consequently more fun to move around.
Wow , sounds like an interesting life @aposhark , would you mind if I asked what sort of work you did there ? No problem if you would rather not .
Just a little further up the coast from Barcelona is the town of Figueres, just close to the French border. Here is the weirdest building and former home of the late and “crazy” Salvador Dali. It is worth a look, not just at the contents and his art but also the building itself which comprises a pink castle with giant white eggs around the perimeter wall. If you are in the area.
Yeah, I saw it too, but didn’t get a chance to pop in as it was a busy day and there’s something else on the itinerary Subsequently, there’s another market in Madrid (near Plaza Mayor) called Mercado de San Miguel, it’s quite fancy they offer pretty much everything to eat and drink (ranging from fresh fruit drinks to cerveza or spirits). At the center they have tables and chairs for patrons to dine and drink, although using the loo isn’t for free