Butter makes everything better...but eat your vegetables nonetheless!

First off, sorry for the numerous typos in the last post...there will probably be several in this post too...even if I attempt to edit it. The spanish keyboards are similar, but not the same and I don´t want to monopolize the computer because it´s not mine. Anyways, I went to the Bodega Belezos and Bodega Estraunza. Before the bodegas though we made a pit stop at small town up in the hills of the Logrono region. Very old, where everyone knew everyone. I suppose here, under ground there are some very old bodegas? The translations were sort of getting lost, my translator was tired and no one else knew english so...I am guessing that was the situation. After that we continued onto Bodega Belezos. Both of the bodegas that I visited today are in the Rioja Alavesa region in Logrono. At work we sell the crianza of Belezos, but I had the opportunity to day to try one of their 2010 award winning bottles. Not sure exactly what it was, but I´m thinking it was at least a Reserva from out it taste...

Day 14: June 28th, 2011 Well, I just got back from one of the best meals I´ve ever had. Yeah, I know, you all keep getting to read that as I slowly make my way through Spain, but for realz...wow. First I will let you all know that I am currently having the privilege of staying with with my mom´s foreign exchange student´s family who live in a lovely apartment in Bilbao. Oh, by the way they also own a small bodega in the Rioja region which I am visiting tomorrow!! Anyways, they took me out to dinner tonight, and I started seeing their wines everywhere. Bodega Estraunza. I had the crianza tonight, fruity as a crianza should be, oaky like a good Rioja, and very pleasant vanilla notes. I remember when I first started learning about wines my GM told me that a good wine is one that carries the characteristics it should. Meaning, a good Rioja shouldn´t drink like a good Priorat. Doesn´t mean you shouldn´t like that wine, and doesn´t mean it´s not a delicious wine, but it does mean that it isn...

Day 12: June 26th, 2011 Spent most of yesterday in bed zonked out from the 'benadryl'. Why was I taking 'benadryl' yesterday? Because, when I woke up my face was swollen. Not just a little...but considerably, everywhere, swollen. So, after a little trouble hunting down the Spanish Benadryl I took it and slept for most of Saturday. It was sad, and frustrating but I am on my way back to satisfactory condition, so it's all good. I made it out this morning before the 95 degree heat and picked up some Nurofen (Ibuprofen) and got some breakfast pintxos and made it to the beach for a little sun. As my boss said, it's not a true foreign experience with out having to deal with medical issues in a different country. So, take that allergic reaction I beat you (hopefully) and I did so with out speaking the damn language! I am going to venture out later tonight, so maybe more photos then. As for now, know that I'm still alive and getting better!

Day 10: June 24th, 2011 I know, I know. I'm sorry for not having any pictures for today, but I decided to leave the camera in the hostel and wander with out it. You'll just have to close your eyes and create paradise with your imagination today. Remember the last post? When I mentioned a spa? Well, it was delightful AND affordable, and we all know how much I enjoy deals! I paid 30E for 3 hours and a trendy little head cap (mandatory while in the pools). It was a Thalassotherapy spa, meaning most of the pools if not all utilized salt water. There were all sorts of different pools, with different temperatures. Some had jets targeting certain areas on the body like the shoulders, lower back etc. Others were warmer and just for relaxation. Another pool was at a lower temperature and had cardio equipment in it. Then there were dry saunas and wet rooms, AND a rather chilly pool of salt water that you dive into after being in the extreme hot rooms. All in all? It was worth the splurge...

Day 9: June 23, 2011 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." The morning started off cloudy again but the sun finally broke through. Laid on the beach for a few hours sans sunscreen (don't worry parents, I bought some on my way back to the hostel this afternoon so I'll have it for the rest of the trip). Even with the clouds the temperature was quite nice, and if I hadn't been so comfortable just laying on the golden sand reading then I probably would have jumped into the jade blue water. I arrived at the beach around 10:30, after stopping at another random pintxo bar for breakfast. There were a surprising number of people already out, and many surfers were sitting patiently on their boards waiting for that perfect swell. Do people here work? If so...how do I get a job where I can be on the beach at 10:30am on a Wednesday? It was difficult to concentrate on my book, so I soon gave up and just laid back and enjoyed the situation. After...

Day 8: June 22, 2011 "I am not a glutton, I am an explorer of food." This my dear friends, as some of you may know is a pintxo (pee-n-chyo) bar. What is a pintxo you might ask? Small bites of food, served before and between the larger meals, more or less...This is a pintxo bar I hopped into while waiting for my room to be ready at my hostel this morning. I had three items, the total was 8E including a glass of Txakoli (chya-co-lee) simply put, it's a very affordable way to eat. The three small bites I had were a bocadillo with jamon (fist sized sandwich), a little crostini with anchovy salad and then a little sandwich with...I wasn't sure what was in it. All three were good, the anchovy bite was the best. Seeming as my favorite white is Txakoli, I'll be in heaven for the next week. But Mara, what is this Txakoli you speak of? It's a slightly effervescent white wine that is quite refreshing and found abundantly in the basque region here in Spain. "The only...

Day 7: June 21st, 2011 "Meat isn't murder, it's delicious." I have never doubted my brother's girlfriend's opinion, even if she is a pescetarian (I say that lovingly Sandy, if you are reading this). But I have no words to properly thank her for sending me to my interpretation of heaven on earth according to 'grocery stores'. The gourmet food section of the Galeries Lafayette behind the Opera house in Paris is astounding. I didn't want to leave. In fact, I'm pretty sure I walked in circles for at least 30 minutes just looking at the random little counters of deliciousness. Including this wonderful jambon counter. I've enjoyed the salty, smooth scrumptiousness that is Jamon Serrano and Jamon Iberico, but these lovely meats I tasted gave those two a run for their money. I first enjoyed a lovely soft boiled egg with chorizo dish, then my trilogy of meats. It was a simple preparation. Sometimes though, often times, simplicity is the closest one ...

Day 6: June 20th, 2011 "Art is the proper task of life." Guess where we went today! That's right, the Louvre. This museum makes SAM look like an outhouse...no offense SAM...I love you and all but step it up a notch, ok? We had a map and still continued to get lost. Anyways, we walked what seemed like a mile and a half through out the museum, going through all sorts of art exhibits. It was pleasant, but WAY too many people in a warm confined area. You'd think our favorite part was seeing the famous Mona Lisa but it wasn't! In fact that was a little disappointing...don't get me wrong, I still took pictures of it so you all can believe I actually saw it in person. "Every artist was first an amateur." These were my favorite parts. The gorgeous ceilings were crazy beautiful. No picture could ever do them justice. It made me happy we continued to get lost, because every once in awhile we'd look up and see one of these lovely pieces of art. I guess sma...

Day 5: Sunday June 19th, 2011 "Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn." This morning started with some left over baguette, goat cheese and salami. After that we headed out towards the Marais Quarter where we were hoping to find some boutiques that were supposedly open on Sundays. On our way there we came across a public market taking up 3-4 blocks of space in the middle of Bastille. There were the usual trinkets, toys, and poorly made purses but there were also delightful aromas of fresh made breads, open creamery stands, and cured meat booths. The produce was exquisite. Tomatoes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Green beans galore, and everything was so fresh and colorful. It was a great way to start the morning adventure. From the market we found our way (eventually...may or may not have gotten a little lost) to the Jewish Quarter of Paris where most of the stores are open on Sunday unlike most everywhere else. We popped in and out of cute little stores, all of ...

Day 3: Friday June 17th, 2011 "I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage." Don't worry mom, this wasn't the first thing I ate this morning. Not that you can object to such a spectacular vision. Chocolate and vanilla gelato smeared into the shape of a rose? Gelato on the cone is just like cereal...the cone is the cereal and the gelato is the milk...so if this were the first thing I ate...anyways, moving on. This beautiful creamy goodness is found at Amorino, near the Notre Dame. There's another store in the Bastille Quarter, which we discovered tonight after wandering around trying to find some food. Best gelato I've had? Probably...though I have never been to Italy so that may or may not be saying much. "I'm happy to report that my inner child is still ageless." As you can see we came across a very adorable shop on our way to the Notre Dame. There was a whimsical utensil for every thing! Serrated alligator knives, lady cheese grat...

Alright, I've decided to attempt a blog...we'll see how well this goes. I've already been in Paris for three days and have fallen in love with this delicious city. Barbara and I have devoured almost half a pound of butter just at home, along with two containers of goat cheese and several packages of jambon. Look at me, throwing in random french words...it's probably a good thing none of you are witnessing me butcher this rather lovely language. Anyways...I guess I'll post photos/comment on what we're doing/say something sarcastic/witty and then move onto another picture...it'll be the easiest way to keep my attention and yours too I am guessing. Here we go! Day 1: Wednesday June 15th, 2011 "When one has tasted it he knows what the angels eat." This was the first thing Barbara and I ate in Paris. We went on a hunt for the nearby grocery store called 'Monoprix' and bought a six pack of white kinder bueno bars, wine, tomatoes, goat cheese, but...