The Yummy Food

The food in Spain is not like in Texas; that has been both a good thing and a bad thing.

I suppose the ships were overloaded with gold from the Americas that spices were not a top priority. Salt and pepper are not at every table. Instead, you find oil and vinegar. When I ask a waiter for pepper (looking for a hint of spicy) it has been brought to me in its original container. There are McDonald´s and Burger Kings in every city. I have not made it in yet. Today I craved a taste from home but was recommended to try Bodega SantaCruz in Seville. The taste combined with the atmosphere was delightful.

The restaurant I suppose was a fast food place. It was a bar with many small tables and only a few benches in the corners to sit on. Most people were standing. I walked up to bar, stood and watched for a few minutes. I like figuring out the process. There were two chalk boards with a list of specials to choose from. I ordered a pringa, a tortilla española and a beer. The pringa tasted like a grilled chopped bar-b-que sandwich but was half the size. A tortilla espanola is scrambled egg with potatoes in it. I´m already making plans to make this at home. The bartender wrote my order on the bar with a chalk. He brought me my food and totaled my bill. After I paid he wiped it off.

This was a great recommendation. I have been willing to try anything new. Kim has a travel guide with suggestions of restaurants to try in each city. Our stop in Bilboa directed us to Ojo-Rio Bar. Kim ordered white asparagus served with a glob of mayonnaise and delightful lamb stew. Richard had a fresh garden salad and bacalao (cod in a bubbling lemon sauce.) I enjoyed a tasty garbanzo and pork rib soup and a very rich simmered ox tail with veggies.

Our breakfast and dinner meals are included as part of our tour. Spaniards like eat jamon. I do to just not at every meal. I am not going to want eat type of cured meat for a long long time. I am looking forward to a piece of fresh grilled tenderly seasoned meat.