Month: July 2015

My First Spanish Wedding

Published by theporkgirl

My first trip to Spain was booked in time to take in the nuptials of The Spaniard’s two friends from university – Soledad and Javier. I had the pleasure of meeting the happy couple for drinks a few days in advance of the wedding. The bride sounded busy with details leading up to the event. The Spaniard tried to joke that he was planning on wearing shorts to the wedding, which got a smile from the groom, but a desperate ‘Please, just wear a suit,” response from Sole. The Spaniard delivered – even putting in hair product for Sole’s and Javi’s big day. I think he cleans up rather nice. On the day of the big event we walked down to the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Santander, a beautiful cathedral in the centre of the city. Immediately The Spaniard was greeted by friends and classmates from his university days; I was lost in a sea of introductory kisses, names, and quick-talking Castilian Spanish. Outside the church the women were dressed in an array …

A Taste of Cantabria

Published by theporkgirl

The capital of the Cantabria region on the north coast of Spain is Santander.  Famous for seafood and the bank, Santander is also home to my boyfriend –  a.k.a. The Spaniard. I first met him two years ago and just a week after he arrived in Edmonton. He was shy at first, but from the beginning he has always raved (and complained) about how much better the food was back home. So, when I booked my trip to Santander, my first ever trip to Spain, my palate and my belly had some high expectations. I was arriving a day early, but when I got off the plane my friend Adrienne was there to great me. Conveniently her and her boyfriend were planning on living in The Spaniard’s city for two months.  She immediately took me to the grocery store where I was amazed by the quantity of quality Spanish meats available, we didn’t even have to go to a speciality shop. I wanted to buy and taste everything! When The Spaniard finally arrived I had a …

London Calling

Published by theporkgirl

When I was booking an upcoming trip to Spain I couldn’t help but schedule in a four-day layover in London. When I pass through the security check point my answer is always the same. ‘I’m visiting friends in London.” April 2007 I met a crew from London who were spending a week at the beach in Goa India. I was backpacking at the time and was traveling solo – they adopted me and my week with them is one of the best memories I have from that seven month long adventure. Later that year I flew to London for the first time for a week of sightseeing by day and socialized to the max in the evening. On that trip I met their friend Laurie who has become my go-to friend to crash with when I’m in London. On previous trips I watched him blow up an air mattress for me to sleep on in his flat in Brixton, but he recently purchased a house in the neighbourhood with his boyfriend so this time I was …