Thursday, September 4, 2008

Hrm, what to say, what to say....

I would like to begin by saying that I have had three apples so far, and each one has been incredible. I know that is no of value, but a useful tidbit none the less.


So, what do I have to say that I have not already said!? Hrmm....

Well, yesterday I went to a cafe with a few friends, had a drink and got a free tapa of a plate of fresh shrimp. If I ate seafood, I would be all excited. However, I do not. It was still impressive though. My goal now, is to find someone to try boquerones with me, which is fried ANCHOVIES. I have actually found that Spain surprisingly really likes to deep fry. I mean, more power to them, but its still a pretty bad for you life choice.

I finally pinpointed a way to describe this place, it is half way between Italy and Miami, there is gelato and cafes on every corner, people smoke and are really tan and wear skimpy clothing, and eat deep fried things. There is no McDonalds or Starbucks, but there is a Pizza Hut and a Burger King. I find it wierd that they imported such gross restaruants here, Pizza Hut, really!? Even Domino´s is better. Its extremely hot, but not steamy. The dry heat actually lets my hair dry significantly faster. I was impressed by that.

Walking to school today, I realized that naming my dog Pablo is cool, but naming it Ignacio is even better! I will call him Nacho, and it will be grand.

The weekend after this one, I will have four days off. I have heard some talk of driving to Portugal, so I may get into this whole idea. We´ll see. But, seriously, it would be incredible.

I will try to post pictures on Sunday, if possible. I have only taken a few, but I hope to catch up in the next few weeks.

Sorry. I am just rambling right now, but I hope all is well and I miss everyone so much and thats about it!

Love Love Love,

Me.

16 comments:

GenaK said...

Hi Lisa
Just a pure curiosity, how is you siniora accommodating you, with you not eating pork or ham. As I know Hammon and other pork products are the main sours of food in Spain, and I would be surprised if you have not been offered it yet.

Anonymous said...

Jorje, jose, felix , ignacio all sound good for a dog's name, as well as nacho. Also, don't feel pressured to write. Also, use every chance to travel, 4 mo in one spot could be boring.

Anonymous said...

Hey sosiska

Ignacio does sound pretty awesome, and Nacho sounds even better.
These Spanish people definitely have some magical powers: they consume great amounts of all these fried and highly caloric foods, and somehow manage to remain relatively skinny, and live forever.
I am not sure if its' because they move more, or their food is less processed or something else, but let's hope it'll rub off.

Replying to Genka

Liza included it on her application (way back) in her "dietary preferences/restrictions" or something like this section that she does not eat pork and sea food. So they knew it upfront. Besides when Liza started talking about it with her seniora, the seniora guessed it right away that Liza is Jewish which made it even easier. She also told Liza that she is not bothered by the fact that Liza is Jewish, and asked her about Jewish traditions and stuff (not sure how much Liza actually knows about it:)). It was a relief because we all know that Europe in general and Spain in particular are still high on all sorts of bigotry, including anti-Semitism. So not being anti-Semitic is not necessarily a default European world view, and it's nice that she pointed it out.

Liz

In relation to not eating sea food. I was wondering how it translated into Spanish. Does she ever give you fish? I mean, does she know that seafood does not include fish, and fish is perfectly acceptable for you. Just wondering. You don't want to miss out on fish, which you actually like. Praticularly in Spain.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to comment on what papa said about you not feeling pressured to write. I guess you don't have to completely force it, but I would recommend to keep writing every day. Just keep paying attention to minor things (even really tiny details are actually very interesting), make mental notices, and then report on them. But don't feel pressured, just enjoy it, and we'll enjoy it with you. And we also won't judge, we are just glad to get a word from you.

And take pictures and share them with us.

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO-O-O-O MUCH!!!!

GenaK said...

If you can go to Portugal, you should go. I liked this country a lot, and a difference with Spain is striking. I would think the only common thing for them both is Iberian peninsula. So what places you are going to see? Lisbo, Evora, Coimbra are very nice. However Porto did not leave the same fillings for me. The other travels which I would do if I was where, I would go to Cordoba, Seville and Gibraltar, all of them not far from Granada and could be counted as a day trips.

Anonymous said...

Jorje , jose and ignacio are the best.

Anonymous said...

hey it's funny apparently papa is already bored with granada and wants to hear about other places:) well, you'll get the chance and we'll get to do it vicariously soon. at this point i think everyone wishes they were there with you instead of the daily grind or whatever... that said you couldn't be doing more to make us feel like we ARE there! and fried anchovies, um, perhaps a dream food for one or two members of this familia. love you leez and miss you lots!!!

Anonymous said...

hey so ur host mom sounds awesome!! It so cute that she makes you food!... Any way, I didn't realize how much you had written since I last read ur blog, But i read it all, even though I hate reading haha! The food you were describing sounds amazing, and weird churros and stuff that so cool, hey liz "everyone loves to carbo load" haha and I think the 40 minute walk to and from your house everyday will burn off a lot of those carbs. Wells glad to here things are looking up ttyl! peace out e-breezy

<3 J-boogie

Anonymous said...

get recipe for fried anchovies, PLEASE.

Anonymous said...

See, liza, not only we read your stuff, we also write to each other on your blog, it's like a Lovers of everything granadian club, or spanish food cravers club or Let's name a dog club. Or what did Liza ate today club.

Anonymous said...

hey whats up? sounds AHmazing!! i am so jeaalous!! yea it is kinda miraculous how ppl in those places eat so much and dont get fat... we should look into that. anyways while you are in spain i will b in a creepy retreat in wisconsin! fun!
anyways ttyl hav fun live it up!
anuta

Anonymous said...

Hey

Just wanted to say "hi" for the day! I know you are in montanyas (or whatever it's called) now and hope you're enjoying the trip. I couldn't resist going to your site in hopes that by some miracle, you manage to post something new here. Oh well...No pressure though...
I think I'll just remind you that I love you and miss you A LOT, and leave you here some virtual hugs and kisses.
And I will be looking forward to your next installation.

Anonymous said...

not to brag or anything, but i'm enjoying a line coconut bar at this very moments... may not compete with liza's carb bananza but not too shabby. yay i have a day off? anut, tell us about your trip:) liza, i miss you!!!! oh, and i miss all the rest of you too by the way!

Anonymous said...

oops, i swear i haven't been drinking:) don't know why my last message is full or errors, must be cause i'm too engrossed in my liMe coconut bar

Anonymous said...

last thing leez, you mentioned reading something in the paper about how spaniards are apparently less politically correct than americans. well, that's not a big surprise but reading the paper is a great way to learn the language AND get some insights that you won't be able to get as a tourist, ever, without knowing the language. so what are they saying about us??

Anonymous said...

Liza, mama's wallet got stolen today, 9/5/8, we will not be liable for charges, but all our cards / and your one/ we cancelled, we'll mail you replacement, obviously your debit card is OK.