People who have been in Spain probably were lost in translation with the way spanish people order coffee. They have their special types that are quite useful to know if someone is a coffee lover.
So here is an unprofessional list that I made during my visit to Spain:
Cafe solo: a single espresso. So simple.
Cafe doble: a double espresso
Cafe americano: cafe solo with more water in it.
Cafe cortado: an espresso with just a bit of steamed milk (usually 2:1 proportion). Very popular also in Portugal and in Latin America. In Cuba they call it cortadito.
Cafe con leche: an espresso with milk in a 1:1 proportion (half coffee half milk).
Cafe bonbon: a layer of sweetened condensed milk, a layer of espresso and foam milk on top. Very sweet for me but something difference, indeed.
Cafe bonbon: a layer of sweetened condensed milk, a layer of espresso and foam milk on top. Very sweet for me but something difference, indeed.
Carajillo: an espresso with alcohol usually brandy, rum or whiskey.
Cafe con hielo: my favourite type of coffee in summertime. If you ask for it they will bring you a hot espresso and a glass full of ice cubes. There is a ritual for this coffee: fist, you put the amount of sugar you want in the espresso and stir well for the sugar to dissolve. Then, you pour the espresso in the glass with the ice cubes. You wait just some seconds for the aroma to spread and the coffee to become cold and you enjoy!
Coffee in Spain is really strong, aromatic and delicious! You just have to know how to order it!
I am sure there are more types of Spanish coffee which I am not aware yet. Do you know any?
I am currently in Vitoria, in the north of Spain, in the Basque Country (I have to mention that because basque -and not spanish- people make it clear all the time that here is BASQUE COUNTRY).
Vitoria is the capital of Basque province although not as famous as Bilbao. Historically, Vitoria is known for the "Battle of Vitoria" during the Peninsular War which occurred on 21 June 1813. This battle is of great importance as the Spanish, Portuguese and British army under the command of General the Marquess of Wellington broke the French army and nearly captured Joseph Bonaparte. It was a pivotal point in the Peninsular War eventually leading to the defeat of Bonaparte. A memorial statue can be seen today in Virgen Blanca Square.
As a city, it is really beautiful with many little streets and cute boutique shops, really unique, good nightlife and fantastic food! Their tapas are called pintxos and they are so so so delicious. I love Spain. But here I should say that I love basque country! :)
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| Me at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia wearing the abaya, the traditional feminine muslim dress |
When you travel to a destination, it is important to respect the culture and the customs of the country you visit. For example, in Southern Europe when you meet somebody you kiss on the cheek, in Northern Europe you handshake. In Morocco, if you are invited to a house you should take off your shoes, in Japan when they meet, they bow.
And these are only some examples. There is a quite analytical guide by country here.
It doesn't matter if you consider that what they do is wrong or funny or awkward. You have to respect it. You chose to go there and you have to live by their society rules.
Θα έπαιρνα όρκο ότι με τόσο σκληρό καθεστώς στη Σαουδική Αραβία, δεν θα υπήρχε μέρος όπου θα μπορούσα να "απαλλαγώ" από το μαύρο φόρεμα που μου έδωσαν να φοράω παντού και πάντα (ονομάζεται abaya). Ωστόσο έκανα λάθος. Και αυτό ήταν μία ευχάριστη έκπληξη! Χάρη στον Έλληνα φίλο μας που μας έδειξε λίγο την πόλη (αλλιώς μόνοι μας ήμασταν χαμένοι), μπορέσαμε και περάσαμε τα σύνορα που χωρίζουν τη διπλωματική γειτονιά από την υπόλοιπη χώρα. Και λέω σύνορα γιατί δύσκολα μπαίνεις εδώ χωρίς διαβατήριο, χωρίς να έχεις κάποια δουλειά απλώς και μόνο για ξενάγηση.
Το διαφορετικό εδώ είναι ότι βλέπεις γυναίκες με ρούχα και όχι με αμπάγιες, υπάρχουν πεζοδρόμια, πάρκα που μοιάζουν με οάσεις στην έρημο, πιο διεθνοποιημένα μαγαζιά με τραπεζάκια έξω, οι Πρεσβείες έχουν αλκοόλ και ο κόσμος κυκλοφορεί πιο ελεύθερα και χαλαρά.
Κατά τα άλλα το σκηνικό δεν αλλάζει και πολύ: ζέστη, εμπορικά κέντρα και αραβική αρχιτεκτονική (ντάξει αυτό δεν είναι κακό).
Κατά τα άλλα το σκηνικό δεν αλλάζει και πολύ: ζέστη, εμπορικά κέντρα και αραβική αρχιτεκτονική (ντάξει αυτό δεν είναι κακό).
I would swear that there was no place in Riyadh that a woman could possibly step on saudi soil without the abaya. I was wrong and that was a great surprise! In Diplomatic Quarters, an area located close to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, there was a well guarder city inside the city of Riyadh.
It was thanks to a greek friend that lives inside there that we could explore this area with pavements, shopping malls, arabian architecture... and women with actual clothes!
Architecture is impressive and the parks built inside are a real oasis, saving you from the extreme heat! Water shortage does not seem to be a problem in that area.
It was thanks to a greek friend that lives inside there that we could explore this area with pavements, shopping malls, arabian architecture... and women with actual clothes!
Architecture is impressive and the parks built inside are a real oasis, saving you from the extreme heat! Water shortage does not seem to be a problem in that area.
Εδώ βρίσκονται οι περισσότερες πρεσβείες και μερικά διαμερίσματα που παραχωρούνται σε αλλοδαπούς οι οποίοι φυσικά δουλεύουν στις εταιρίες αυτές.
Ωστόσο το να μένεις εδώ σε κάνει αυτομάτως ξεχωριστό, και λίγο καλύτερο από τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο.
Ofcourse diplomats live here but also some foreigners who work in foreign businesses. Staying here makes you automatically slightly better than the rest of the normal people. And I say normal as saudis can easily live in their own palaces :)
On the plane to Riyadh, I got to read on a newspaper about Tuffix.
Tuffix is the nickname of Souffeina Named, a muslim girl currently living in Berlin who creates comic figures showing the everyday life of a muslim girl in Europe. She is so talented and savvy, you should have a look at her page in DeviantArt.
Here are some samples of her amazing work:
Apart from being Taco Tuesday this years' Cinco de Mayo, revealed Frida Kahlo's wardrobe 60 years after her death.
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| Kahlo’s fringed boots, the right one with a stacked heel |
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| One of the corsets worn by Kahlo |
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| After her bus accident, Kahlo was in a full body cast for three months, and she remained in pain for the rest of her life. She painted her casts and corsets, turning them from medical equipment into artworks |
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| Orchids to You and another nail polish |
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| Kahlo’s leg was amputated in 1953. She designed this prosthetic leg with embroidered red lace-up boots and a bell attached |
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| Classic cat-eye glasses worn by Kahlo |
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| A skirt of green silk and lace attached to a body corset |
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| Bathing suit in mint green |
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| The artist’s makeup compact |
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| Kahlo’s right leg was thinner than her left after childhood polio – and it was later fractured in 11 places when she had a horrific bus accident in her 20s. As a result, she wore long, traditional Tehuana dresses that concealed her lower body |
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| Kahlo’s friends noted that the more pain she felt, and the more incapacitated she became, the more elaborate her outfits were |
- "How could I possibly know?" I would reply some days ago.
Until I got to Riyadh.
I was accommodated in the best hotel in the city: the famous Ritz Carlton. So I experienced how it was like to live in a Palace. And be treated like a Princess.
It was the most amazing and luxurious hotel I have ever stayed.
From the marbled everything, the stunning indoor swimming pool with the real-like sky, our amazing suite-rooms, the food, the always friendly and helpful staff... everything was fabulously made.
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| That was actually my room view!! |
We enjoyed for a week the two acres of beautiful and exotic gardens as we pampered ourselves to Saudi hospitality.
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Thank you فندق ريتز كارلتون الرياض!
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| My farewell surprise!! |
Thank you فندق ريتز كارلتون الرياض!
