May 30: Chasing Conquistadors

Over the last four months, we explored the history and landscapes of Central and South America. Centuries ago, these lands and populations were explored and conquered by the Spanish conquistadors. With this context in mind, we recently flew from Lima, Peru over the pond to Madrid, Spain.

Home of the conquered to home of the conquerers.

The term “culture shock” seems inadequate to describe the transition in quality of living.

1.
How To Train For Spain:
Remember the saying, early bird gets the worm? Well, you can throw that out the window when you go to visit Spain.

Why?

The Spaniards commonly eat dinner at around 10pm. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to even find restaurants open until 8pm for supper.

You night owls will feel right at home.

On the flip side, this may work out well if you enjoy cooking while traveling. If you stay in an Airbnb, you’ll likely have the kitchen to yourself during normal dining hours.

So, the question is, “Is it just the Spanish laid back culture, or why does everything seem to happen later in España”?

Here’s your fun fact of the week: Spain is actually in the wrong time zone.

Considering Spain’s longitude, the country should be on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), along with England and Portugal. It was in fact in the correct time zone until 1940 when Spain changed to the Central European Time (CET). Francisco Franco was a fascist leader at the time who decided to move the clocks forward one hour to align with the German time zone. Franco stayed in power until the 1970s, and Spain never changed the clocks back to the correct time zone.

For now, the fiestas and siestas are going strong.

Here’s an alternative adage to follow if you choose to visit Spain:

The second mouse gets the cheese.

2.
Tantalizing Tapas: Small Plates, Big Delights
Caution, your mouth may water while reading this section.

What’s the best part of Spanish Cuisine? Easy Answer: Tapas!

What are they? Traditionally, they are delicious, small, bite-sized portions of food served as appetizers or snacks.

Tapas are certainly tasty, but they are also practical.

The term “tapas” stems from “tapar,” meaning “to cover.” Back in the day, small plates of food were cleverly used to cover drinks in order to prevent flies from entering.

Today, tapas create vibes for a great social setting. Restaurants showcase diverse flavors, ingredients, and culinary traditions. Family and friends strengthen their bonds as they get together to sample a variety of dishes in a lively atmosphere.

Not surprisingly, the popularity of tapas has spread into a global culinary trend of sharing small plates. It’s likely you’ve noticed this trend in your hometown.

If you crave vibrant flavors and sociable dining experience, consider creating your own tapas experience. Here’s a short list of common tapas to help get your creative juices flowing:

1. Patatas Bravas: Crispy, golden potatoes topped with a zesty and slightly spicy tomato-based sauce, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
2. Gambas al Ajillo: Succulent, plump shrimp sautéed with garlic and chili flakes, creating a sizzling dish that tantalizes the taste buds with its aromatic and slightly fiery profile.
3. Tortilla Española: A classic Spanish omelet made with eggs, potatoes, and onions, resulting in a hearty and comforting dish that showcases the simplicity and richness of its ingredients.
4. Croquetas: Creamy and indulgent, these bite-sized croquettes are filled with a variety of ingredients such as jamón (ham), cheese, or spinach, enveloped in a crisp breadcrumb coating that adds a satisfying crunch.
5. Pan con Tomate: A humble yet delicious tapa, consisting of crusty bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with salt, delivering a burst of freshness and simplicity that perfectly complements other flavors on the table.