We only had 24 hours in Vitoria-Gasteiz, so this is just a small sample of all there is on offer.
Pintxos at Bar Sagartoki in Vitoria-Gasteiz | Photo by Lauren Girardin For a couple of former New Yorkers like Todd and myself, the letter pair “TX” can conjure up some very foreign images – of ten gallon hats, big steaks…
Where we ate: La Trucha – After being in Spain for a while, a Californian will crave vegetables. This is the tapa bar to get them, along with delectable smoked fish and perhaps a free plate of calamari with your…
Chin jutting matador | Photo by Lauren Girardin It ends with an old man crouched over a short-handled hoe, scooping sand soaked with coagulated blood into a woven basket, the kind you might see eco-minded people using to carry fresh…
España street art | Photo by Lauren Girardin After living in San Francisco for ten years, whenever Todd and I spend a weekend afternoon walking around the Mission District – our beloved home ‘hood – we always run into someone…
Kung-fu filming at Castelo de São Jorge, Lisbon | Photo by Lauren Girardin There are times when the little details fall into place. Those times will never involve technology. If not for a recent, prolonged fight with security holes in…
Where we ate: None of these are recommended with much enthusiasm. In most Portuguese restaurants, soon after you sit down, a waiter will come by and offer you plates of things like cheese, bread and butter, and olives – refuse…
Postcard: Sintra, Portugal | Art by Todd Berman There’s an ugly side to Sintra, Portugal. It confronts you on many street corners and from most doorways. You can feel it stare at you as you walk by, cold, lifeless eyes…
Postcard: Beach near Lisbon, Portugal | Art by Todd Berman Just before Todd hangs up the cell phone he speaks into it, “Um, ok. Sure. See ya soon.” He then turns to me and explains, “So, um, Manuela‘s gonna pick…
Where we ate: In Adualucia, we ate most of our meals standing at a bar. After we were spoiled with free tapa in Granada, we proceeded to drink too much on empty stomachs in Cordoba nd Seville, waiting for free…