La Vaca Azul

We found a delectable solution to our lunchtime hunger pains at La Vaca Azul, the most happening place in El Cotillo. Here is a view from their outside seating overlooking the sea.
And here is their mascot! My friend's dad claims that if a restaurant has an animal and a color in the title it is almost certain it will be delicious. As you can see below this was not an exception to the rule!
After looking around the restaurant and gazing at the gorgeous view and neon blue cow we sat down at our table and a few moments later the waitress approached and greeted us in halting English. She then said, "Six people? I bring fish for six, ok?" We all looked around at each other trying to make an on the spot decision, simultaneously shrugged deciding to go with the flow and do the Canarian thing, and all chimed si por favore! I was actually a little reluctant because we had been perusing the menu and I was dying to try the paella, but I rationalized that the waitress probably knows best. A couple minutes later she came back with a large platter and two very dead yet very fresh fish, she told us to choose one and she would make it muy delicioso for us. I think we stared in disbelief for a couple seconds before eeny meeny miny moing ourselves to a decision. We waited, all the while dying of curiosity. Luckily we had a few culinary distractions in the mean time.
The sangria they brought us was to die for. They added cinnamon to their brew which was an unusual, but extremely delicious addition. We munched on assorted starters such as calamari, salad, goat cheese, and baked peppers until the main course(the whole fish with skin and eyeballs still intact) arrived. We watched as the waitress cleaned each portion and set it on the plate. I could barely wait to dig in and as soon as we all had a plate in front of us we attacked the food before us with gusto. I must say this was a great meal, I enjoyed every moment of it, I bet Mr. Tom Colicchio himself would have peed his pants out of pure foodie joy.

an adventure in El Cotillo

We decided to take a day trip to a nearby town called El Cotillo hoping to find a little break from the mega touristy Corralejo. We also had heard tell that El Cotillo is especially known for their delectable goat cheese which made the trip even more enticing. Here are my adventure buddies sitting on a cliff in El Cotillo overlooking the Atlantic ocean.
We where shocked to find a ghost town. All shops were closed, no one was in the street, roads stretched for about four blocks until they just led off into the desert full of dunes and cacti. It was incredibly surreal and peaceful...and a smidgen creepy to be completely honest.
This is another view of the cliff we sat upon while watching huge waves crash onto the rocks.
We also had the pleasure of watching two daredevil ski jetters zip around. They weren't aware of it, but they had six avid spectators that squealed and shouted encouragement with every risky move they made. If you look closely you can see them in the picture.
This is just a cool door we saw on one of the many deserted buildings in the center of town.
At lunch time we started to search out something to devour, and luckily we found an AMAZING place to fill our bellies. More in the next post.

the very beginning of it all

After 17 days away from home it is really nice to be back in Pavia. I will never be able to appreciate volcanoes ever again after this incredible journey, but in the end everything turned out well, in spite of all the chaos.
I shall start where we last left off and proceed to describe my trip to the Canary islands.
Fuerteventura is truly stunning, proof provided in these photos. Sometimes I think it is almost unfair how easy it is to get an awesome shot when the surroundings are so gorgeous.
I was lucky enough to share this island experience with an old friend of mine that studies in Aix en Provence and her exchange study buddies. We spent our days lounging in the sun, drinking pear Kopparberg cider, and devouring trashy books. Clearly a highly productive quality vacation.
These photos were all taken in the tourist town Corralejo which is on the north eastern tip of the island. The actual town was kind of odd and twilight zone-ish. On our walk to the big beach we passed fancy apartments and hotels which lay directly next to dingy abandoned lots and unfinished buildings. At times the whole town seemed to be deserted, and at others it would be absolutely flooded with families of British and German tourists. During the whole week I don't think I heard more than two words of Spanish. The beaches, however, were spectacular as well as the variety of food offered(we managed to eat Thai, Indian, Chinese, Tex Mex, and Italian with out going bankrupt).

More juicy Canary details to come.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

To the most inspiring woman I know, I couldn't have picked a better role model even if I tried. Thank you for always pushing me to do my very best, allowing me to goof around, and for always being there to watch Survivor with me. I love you so much, happy 40th!!!!

Pasquetta

In Italy the day after Easter is called Pasquetta, or little Easter. I have asked quite a bit of people what exactly is being celebrated on Pasquetta, but no one seems to know. All that is certain is that the tradition is to round up a group of friends and take a day trip. Lots go to the countryside, some to the beach or in the mountains, you get the idea. This year I went with my roommate and her friends out into the countryside of Puglia about a ten minute drive from Castel del Monte(which just so happens to be depicted on the Italian-issued 1 euro cent coin). We had fun BBQing and exploring the farm and woods, and I had a flash fest trying to capture as many pictures of the countryside as I could. I hadn't realized how nature-starved I was! I haven't gone for a good long hike since I got to Italy, so Tilden, Muir woods, Sibley, Golden Gate Park and all you other green wonderlands of the bay area, prepare yourselves for my return. I am going to come back a hiking maniac.

A moscer a verv(the only thing I learned how to say in Pugliese)

Here is the beautiful Citta called Trani where my roommate Valeria comes from. I went down for Easter and had an amazing time enjoying the incredible views, eating ridiculous amounts of mouth-watering food and meeting the Pugliesi. I can't even begin to imagine what kind of paradise Trani is in the summer!
Here is the famous Catedrale which is on the point of it's own little peninsula.
Here is the Porto at sunset. The sidewalks are lined with different bars, pizzerias, gelaterias...all the good stuff! At night time it is jam packed of super fashionable people of all ages.
Some little boats at the Porto.
And some bigger boats!

Dead Beat Summer

I love this video! I have been watching it almost every day for the last two weeks. It makes me mega excited for the summertime.