Tapas and Traveling

Tapas. Those nice little free bites of food -whenever you order a café, beer, clara, you name it- are awesome! Chorizo, olives, bread, deep fried anchovies, calamari,Russian salad, croquetas, Spanish tortillas, patatas brava, there are so many different tastes to choose from and the bites vary with each tapas bar. While you do get a free tapa with each drink, the bars typically sell these pequeño portions as well! In Spanish, tapa means ¨lid¨or ¨cover.¨Supposedly, way "back in the day"(have to add that to my American idioms book!) Spanish bartenders would place a piece of bread or something flat on top of a drink to protect it from fruit flies. Eventually, it evolved and diversified and.... that is why we have tapas today!

While I love tapas as much as the lil' chubby kid selling churros at El Rastro every Sunday, I really, really, needed a break! My friend Tony and I decided to set out on an adventure for............CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA!!!! The week before someone handed me a flyer on this Indian restaurant called,Delhi, that was right off Calle de Princesa so we decided to check it out!

I have to say I was in pure heaven after having a feast of garlic naan, chiken tikka masala, chicken saag, and some basmati rice. I was sound as a pound! Tony was laughing and thought I was a little odd because I kept saying, "Oh my God! Oh my God! You don't even know!" I couldn't believe I found some TASTY authentic Indian food, but then again I AM in Spain and I AM closer to India so it does make a little sense! It was Tony's first time eating Indian food and I think he was very impressed with the delicious goods. I know it is horrible to say this, but I think it was my most favorite meal since I have been here! I better not get used to it though because tomorrow it is back to tapas.

My best friend in the whole wide world, Ryan, is coming to visit me from the U.S. tomorrow. I am so excited for him because it is his first time to Europe. I am anxious to see him and am proud to be his official tour guide! My Spanish host family headed to Northern Spain for a little getaway which granted me some extra time to explore.

Ryan and I are going to take a train down to Seville and stay there for the duration of Semana Santa (Holy Week). It is going to be muy loco, close to a million extra bodies! Semana Santa constitutes the most important religious, social, and cultural event in Seville each year. During the week, there are processions of floats of lifelike wooden sculptures that depict images of Virgin Mary, along with brass bands and religious brotherhoods. It is a very unique and emotional ceremony and I feel honored to have the chance to witness it.

After Good Friday, we are going to check out Cadiz and Ronda too. Should be a great time. Maybe we will even run into some great Indian food! ;)