I am thoroughly enjoying the first couple of weeks here in Torre Del Mar. The days are sunny and pleasantly warm in the 18-20C range. I know back home you are getting snow and I appreciate Phil holding down the fort.
The town was busy last weekend as it was Mother’s Day and everyone and their mother was walking along the promenade. What a difference one day makes. The paseos and cafes were much quieter on the Monday, while normal life resumed.
I am getting into the swing of things as I attempt to live like a local. Waking in the morning, I make my coffee and breakfast, write for a couple of hours and then head to the frutería and panadería for my fruit, vegetables and warm bread. It is a simple life.
Anne-Grete introduced me to a couple of her friends, Eva, another Norwegian and Ute from Germany. Ute is married to a Spaniard and is a permanent resident, while Eva is a winter bird, like me. We have gone out for live music and coffee. It is nice having connections here.
The other evening as I was making my way home after a flamenco show, I heard someone yell out my name. It was Maria who manages the place where I’m staying. She recognized me from afar. We exchanged warm greetings in Spanish and wished each other a good evening. She could have ignored me, but she didn’t and that went a long way to make me feel welcome.
Some of the highlights have been:
- Thursday flea market
- Flamenco at Boraz
- The weather
- Jam session at Bitácora
- Carnaval outside my terrace
Yesterday, I went to the weekly flea market for my fruit and vegetables. I came across these strawberries from Huelva (pictured below) and they are the sweetest I have tasted next to ours in Ontario. They are like berries on steroids though…huge! The Cheese Boutique in Toronto had an Instagram post this past week about having imported some for the store.
The avocados are the creamiest, and nothing beats a Valencia orange. They are so fragrant and their juice is so sweet. Nuts and olives are in abundance, and the aroma as you pass the tea and spice stalls is heady. I enjoy wandering the rows and watching the people.
Eva suggested a fish store close to the market to acquire fresh tuna. I hit it up and made a delicious tuna steak lunch. Leftovers will go into an ensalada mixta.
Last evening, Anne-Grete texted me that Geir was jamming with some local musicians at Bitácora and asked if I wanted to join her. I’m so glad I did. This tiny locals bar is packed and I think 50% were singers and musicians. It has such a cool vibe. I sat up front next to the drummer and had a terrific view of everything. Geir’s face lights up when he plays the guitar. The guitarists switch so others can take turns. Geir unplugged, then an acoustic guitarist took over. The evening moved from rock, to blues to traditional music. The music ends at 11:00 pm to respect the people living above the bar.
Today is Valentine’s Day and the flower vendors are doing swift business. Red hearts decorate many store fronts and today was the kick off of Carnaval, a 3-day event. The people gathered in the town square wearing beaded and blinged-out costumes. There were jesters, acrobats and jugglers. Participants on stilts led a parade of adults and children up the streets with loudspeakers blasting music. All this was witnessed from my terrace. It was fun!
