Tag: spain

Embalse de Llauset: Pyrenean reservoir, no hiking necessary!

August 27, 2017

In the Pyrenees there are a select number of (glacial) lakes in which you can swim. Obviously this depends on each explorer’s tolerance to freezing cold water. It’s easy science that at higher altitudes and no matter how strong the sun is shining, the creek/basin/spring/pond/river/lake/lakelet/lagoon/tarn/loch water is going to be cold AF. Like many mountaineers, … More Embalse de Llauset: Pyrenean reservoir, no hiking necessary!

peña flamenca la perla cadiz cheap flamenco

Cheap Flamenco in Cádiz: Peña Flamenca La Perla

August 11, 2017

Andalucía, flamenco.   One thing I’ve learned as an integrated outsider in a foreign community is that most people despise having their culture generalized and reduced down to three or four attributes that are printed on every souvenir, in every tourist shop, around every corner. America as explained to me by far too many foreigners … More Cheap Flamenco in Cádiz: Peña Flamenca La Perla

Ibón de Bernatuara: medieval bridge & glacial lake in Ordesa Valley

August 8, 2017

Ibón is a Spanish term specific to the Pyrenees; it’s a Pyrenean lake. After some trolling, turns out there might be a translation: “tarn” <— has anyone else heard of this word? It doesn’t matter, doesn’t “ibón” sound like pure magic? To me it sounds like endless sparkles. And speaking of, this hike starts from … More Ibón de Bernatuara: medieval bridge & glacial lake in Ordesa Valley

Lago de Alhama: Europe’s second largest thermal lake (Zaragoza province)

August 7, 2017

To me, Aragón is many things. To most people, Aragón = Mountains & snow sports. Let’s be real, I big heart the Pyrenees more than anything else on this great Peninsula, however, Aragón is full of magic that often goes unlooked or unrecognized. After living in Barcelona and Bilbao, I was resistant to move to … More Lago de Alhama: Europe’s second largest thermal lake (Zaragoza province)

San Roque: fiestas in our pueblo, Calatayud (the REAL Spanish fiesta)

August 3, 2017

August Ask any native or true Expat about the legitimate Spanish fiesta and you won’t hear the word “discoteca” once. In the fiesta’s host city, there won’t be a metro, or a double-decker tourist bus. The population will most likely be under 25k and the hype before the fiesta is almost as exhilarating  as the … More San Roque: fiestas in our pueblo, Calatayud (the REAL Spanish fiesta)

A Mystical “Black” Lagoon and a Hike to Pico Urbión, near Soria

July 28, 2017

When Jorge and I first started getting into hiking, we wanted to be instant mountaineers. We were trying to be alpinists with no experience. No experience in reading maps, planning treks, choosing appropriate gear. We didn’t know ourselves well enough at high altitudes after long, exhaustive hikes <– this is important for decision making. You … More A Mystical “Black” Lagoon and a Hike to Pico Urbión, near Soria