Spanish Sunday Afternoons #8
Riding the Metro in Madrid and you suddenly turn around. Is it a new horror movie that’s just been released?
Princesas de Primavera (Spring Princesses)
Writing in the local paper. Local issues with a global take. I never translate literally and the editor trims at will to make it fit. Here’s my version, then theirs. It’s the time of year for cherries, little sailor suits, Playstations and travel agents with deals on trips to Euro Disney. I happened to be…
Whose Legs?
Fat Frog’s Legs For Sale It seems that there has been a seachange in finger food here recently. While frog’s legs have always been on the menu in this region, it’s generally something that was either common knowledge among locals or something that was tucked away in a lost corner of the menu. I’ve even…
The Cubist Maze of Masouleh, Iran
Take a drive from the shores of the world’s biggest lake called a sea, through rice paddies that wouldn’t be out of place in Southeast Asia, and end up in a Central Asian village in mist covered mountains? It’s not teleportation, but the trip to Masouleh might be the closest thing. Up from the Caspian, a…
Fiestas for Who?
Writing in the local paper. Local issues with a global take. I never translate literally and the editor trims at will to make it fit. Here’s my version, then theirs. Thank goodness the powers that be have followed through with their promise to make us all more efficient and Nordic. No more of those useless…
Picnic in Persepolis
The book and ensuing film might have brought the name Persepolis back into vogue, but this place was already rocking when Alexander the Great came a knockin’ then burnt it down in the ensuing bacchanal. Superlatives don’t do what remains justice and if ancient ruins are your thing, then this is your Mecca. History lessons come to…
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (Spanish Radio Program)
Interviews can be difficult, add to that another language but José Carlos Macías made the experience easy. Thanks for the great time. Click over here for a listen.
Up in Trevejo, Spain
Walking through the small, lonely mountaintop village of Trevejo, you’ll often find yourself alone with the sheep and goats that roam among the ancient stone houses. Perched atop the mountain, the Templar castle of Trevejo surveys the Sierra de Gata along the Portuguese border. Built on the ruins of an Arabic fortress, this 15th-century castle…
A Crossroads in the Desert, Bosra, Syria
In Bosra at a crossroads in the desert just an hour and half south of Damascus, the Roman world intersects the Arabic in an ancient theater turned fortress. You can imagine watching a classical play while a battle rages beyond the massive walls that were built around the free-standing amphitheater. Every summer international concerts are…
Hidden Hookahs in Isfahan, Iran
Call it hookah, sheesha, round these parts qaylan, but this is the way to meet and greet in Isfahan (Esfahan). Just above the entrance to the bazaar, climb up the incredibly steep stairs to the Qeysaieh Tea Shop. From this open air teahouse enjoy some orange flavored tobacco and get a magnificent view of the…