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Hottest Men of 2011 – Mallorca, Spain

By Nancy Todd                 Comments by The Blog Dog

The Scoopettes bring you our favorite posts of 2011.  With over 390 posts and counting, The Spain Scoop selected these posts with a Scoopometer rating of  10.  The Nude Dudes challenge the laugh barometer of the Catholic Church.  Guess who didn’t think it was funny?

Nude Dudes were having a bare it all time in Mallorca.  In the small town of Sant Joan, on the beautiful  island of Mallorca  off the coast of Spain, the Catholic Darallament Youth Group decided to show their stuff.  Between the ages of 18 – 28, the men designed a 2011 calendar for the  Catholic Church with black and white photos.  They took it off for twelve photos of biblical tableaux as a fund raiser for the Church.   Now that is a calendar I would buy.   Regrettably, I have no photos, however The Guardian does. Read More »

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By admin | Published: January 3, 2012
Posted in RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged , , , , |

Toast Your Grapes: New Year’s Eve Madrid Style

Lauren Linzer parties with her friends.

The Spain Scoop welcomes back Lauren Linzer, our local expert in Madrid with her New Year’s Eve Scoop. Long live the celebration!

By Lauren Linzer

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, many of us will be kissing our sweetie, clinking champagne glasses, and wishing our loved ones a happy year to come. Spaniards will surely be doing the same, but not before devouring a cup full of grapes (twelve to be specific) and trying not to laugh as they attempt to eat one per chime of the clock and cheer, “Feliz año Nuevo!” (Happy New Year!). Read More »

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By admin | Published: January 2, 2012
Posted in GUEST POSTS, MADRID | Tagged , , , , |

I’m Waiting – Bar Life in Cadiz

 

Barlife in Cadiz

 

This is the first of The Spain Scoop’s Post by Robin Graham, our guest writer and local expert from Tarifa.  His description of bar life is typical all over Spain.  Throw away your watch when you visit.  Welcome Robin!

By Robin Graham

I’m waiting.

The people either side of me are grinning. The barman is laughing. I had already been waiting here for some time, hemmed in on all sides by the tell-tale, claustrophobic crush of any Spanish bar that has earned its stripes with a local clientele. Above me old posters for bull fighting fixtures, flamenco concerts and ferias – the walls covered to the ceiling with them and old photos of fading celebrity. I’m in the back room and the bar staff – who generate at least as much noise as their uproarious customers – are around the corner out front. It’s a good ten minutes before one of them gets round to me but I don’t mind; I’m glad to be here. Read More »

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By admin | Published: January 2, 2012
Posted in FOOD NEWS, GUEST POSTS, RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged , , |

New Year – New Scoop: What’s Coming Up This 2012!

The Sun Sets on 2011


By Regina Winkle-Bryan

So it’s the last day of 2011! What a year of travel and change for the Scoopettes and The Spain Scoop! Nancy and I believe that change is good.

In 2012 The Scoop will be changing, growing, and getting better (we hope). Here are some new things to look for on the site:

1. Posts every day. You may have already noticed that we’ve been posting a lot more. In fact, we post every day and have been for a couple months now. We have lots of juicy tips to share seven days a week. Look for Photo Friday on, uh, Fridays, as well as Photo Scoop Essays on destinations we love throughout the month.

Barcelona, Spain

2.Interviews. We have some fantastic interviews lined up for 2012. We have had a couple up already this December (HERE) and more to come! We sought to interview Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 31, 2011
Posted in RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged , , |

A Christmas Kiss? – Mistletoe Madness with People in Spain

christmas traditions in spain

The Blogdog and Adrian Under The Mistletoe

By Nancy Todd
 
Mistletoe madness lasts way into January with people in Spain.There are over four hundred species of mistletoe.   This parasitic plant is grown on a wide range of trees with soft bark:  apple, poplar, pine, etc.

 

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By admin | Published: December 30, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, GRANADA, MADRID, SEVILLE, SHOP SPAIN | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Photo Friday – Where In Spain Is This?

By Nancy Todd

A world class museum, you can spend weeks in this building getting inspired.  I was lucky to catch the first Renoir exhibition in Spain here.  Up close and personal with Renoir with his velvety layers and touches of pale colors to reflect sunlight I will remember forever.  Where in Spain is this museum?

where in spain is this?
Where In Spain Is This?

The first person to get the correct answer wins an over night stay in this museum so you can pretend you are a king or queen. Let The Spain Scoop know where you think this is located in Spain.

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By admin | Published: December 30, 2011
Posted in RANDOM SCOOP |

Budget Madrid Stays for New Year’s 2011

Spain Images

Spain Images

By Regina Winkle-Bryan

Your holidays in Spain just got a lot cheaper thanks to the handy Spanish Hostal. A tip in Spain and all of Europe: Hostal does not necessarily mean youth hostel. It’s more like a cross between a hotel and a B&B, and Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 29, 2011
Posted in BUDGET SPAIN, MADRID, SHOP SPAIN, STAY IN SPAIN | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Blogs from Spain We’ve Loved in 2011!

Barcelona blogs and more

The Scoop stays informed on all things Spain reading these fantastic, local blogs. We recommend checking out:

1.A Barcelona blogger, Moonraker Morsels’ blog gets our mouth watering!She has excellent local scoop on Barcelona restaurants. Check here first before making a dinner reservation. http://moonrakermorsels.wordpress.com/

Spanish Foods

2. Based in Valencia, Not Hemingway’s Spain is written by American expat Zach. Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 28, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, GRANADA, LINKS WE LOVE, MADRID, RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged , , , |

Free Internet in Barcelona -WiFi Points

Barcelona offers free Internet connection all over town. Just look for the blue ‘W’! Here’s a little video about the service, and a link to get you connected. You have to sign up, but then your free to surf.

More: (http://www.bcn.cat/barcelonawifi/en/)

RELATED ON THE SPAIN SCOOP: VIDEOS

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By admin | Published: December 27, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ | Tagged , |

The Scoop Interviews (no. 3): Fiona Watson, Scribbler In Seville

Interview by Nancy Todd

A few olive and almond trees cluster around the house Fiona Watson lives in ten minutes outside of Seville.  Two kids, a Spanish husband, one cat and dog, interrupt her work on her blog The Scoopettes love:  http://scribblerinseville.com/    In addition to her work with http://www.andalucia.com/ Fiona, a writer for 20 years, has published  in Spain, the UK, and the States.  She has a lot of sass on her blog, loves Spain and doesn’t miss the weather in London, her ex-home. 

Please describe your role with your blog.

On my blog, www.scribblerinseville.com I write about my experiences of living in Seville as an expat, a mother and a writer. It’s neither a travel blog, nor an expat blog, nor a mummy blog, but somewhere in between. Local customs, travel, politics, religion, family matters, and the challengers of living abroad in a foreign culture, are all topics that I’ve covered. Read More »

5 Comments
By admin | Published: December 26, 2011
Posted in INTERVIEWS, SEVILLE | Tagged , , , , , |

Sopa de Galets – Barcelona Food For Christmas

Barcelona Food For Christmas

By Nancy Todd       Comments by Negu, The Blogdog

Pig’s ears?  Pig’s tails?  I never thought those would touch my mouth, but when you move to a foreign country, you do things you never thought you would do Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 26, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, FOOD NEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Alleluia! For Friends, Family and Travel

"Alleluia!" to friends: Benedicte, Diana, Scoopette Nancy

Scoopette Regina and Arthur

Nancy and Joachim

By Nancy Todd

I am not a religious person.  On a good day, I surround  myself with my spiritual beliefs.  On a bad day, all goes down the crapper.   Whatever, the Alluluia Chorus gets to me everytime I hear it. I say “Alleluia!” to the wonder of travel, the way my perceptions are tossed, my palate piqued. Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 25, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, GRANADA, MADRID, RANDOM SCOOP, SEVILLE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Santa, No Sleigh – Christmas Traditions In Spain

christmas traditions in spain

Santa wasn't around on Plaza Mejor in Madrid for Christmas but Mickey was. I love Mickey Mouse.

By Nancy Todd

Santas are not in Spanish department stores making promises to little kids.   Nor scaring the wits out of babies.  Phony elves do not skip merrily vying for expensive photos.  Christmas traditions in Spain are a bit saner.

Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 24, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, GRANADA, MADRID, SEVILLE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Photo Fridays: Where In Spain Is This?

Spain Images

Spain Images

This week we’ll give you a big old hint. This was taken in Barcelona. In the Gothic Quarter… Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 23, 2011
Posted in RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged |

Photo Scoop Of The Month (no. 4) – Christmas Traditions In Spain

By Nancy Todd

In October, the work crews in cities all over Spain start hanging the swooping Christmas lights.  The Scoopettes love these lights, glittering, swaying in the wind, long trails of tiny lights swinging back and forth.  We give this production a whoopping Scoopometer 10.   Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Seville, and towns throughout the country celebrate Christmas and King’s Day with light.  Be a voyeur this December with The Scoopettes for Christmas lights.

christmas traditiions in spain

Chueca Neighborhood - Madrid

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By admin | Published: December 22, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, GRANADA, MADRID, SEVILLE | Tagged , , , , , , , |

To The Lottery Gods: My Promise To You

Is one a winner? El Gordo in Spain.

Is one a winner? El Gordo in Spain.


By Regina Winkle-Bryan, soon-to-be-lotto winner
So, today the lottery winners of the 2011 ‘El Gordo’ will be announced. Each year people all over Spain participate in ‘El Gordo’, or ‘The Big One’, a national lottery just in time for Christmas. People play because people really win this pot, and they win big. Everyone has a cousin or friend of a friend who won something in ‘El Gordo’.

Of course A and I are playing the lotto. I bought one ticket, and mind you, they are not cheap at 20.00 bucks a pop! While I laid down 20.00 only, A has been ‘sharing’ tickets with all sorts of people. This means he puts in 10.00 and his sister puts in the other 10.00, or whoever. We have about 7 Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 22, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ | Tagged , , , , |

10 Differences Between Spain and the USA – Revisited

There are many differences between Oregon and Spain...

There are many differences between Oregon and Spain...

By Regina Winkle-Bryan

Sometimes I wonder at how my life has changed. I grew up in Portland, Oregon, but after 9 years abroad (how the hell did that happen!!!!!!!!) it is clear that I am no longer that girl from the NW (well, maybe in my heart!). Here are some of my favorites differences between my birth country and my adopted country:

1. VACATIONS (let there be relaxation)

In Spain everyone one gets one month off in the summer, and many additional holidays throughout the year. We don’t do that in the USA. I like the Spanish system better. Let’s all pray that this doesn’t disappear as social service are cut left and right. Read More »

9 Comments
By admin | Published: December 21, 2011
Posted in BARCELONA BUZZ, BUDGET SPAIN, MADRID, SEVILLE | Tagged |

Photo Scoop: Winter Wonderland? Solsona for Skiing, History and R&R

Solsona and the Author


By Regina Winkle-Bryan

I’ve traveled a ton around Catalonia, but for some reason had never been to northern Lleida. One crosses northern Lleida on their way to Andorra, a tiny country between Spain and France big with skiers and those looking for duty free tobacco. I’ve still not been to Andorra, but should be there this winter, though honestly I’m not much of a skier (read: I do not ski). Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 20, 2011
Posted in BUDGET SPAIN, FOOD NEWS, RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged , , , , , |

Have You Been To These Spanish Islands?

Spanish Med Islands

Spanish Med Islands

Spain has 11 islands scattered around it in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. All of them are heavenly destinations for sunny vacations, but which is right for you? Depends on what you’re after. In the winter months the Canary Islands in the Atlantic are more attractive than the Balears in the Med, simply because they are farther south and warmer. Party-animals head for the Balears in late spring once the water warms up.

Below, The Scoop offers up some island inspiration with 10 images from Spanish Islands:

Formentera is only reached by boat

Formentera is only reached by boat

1. Regina loves Formentera, the smallest Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 20, 2011
Posted in RANDOM SCOOP |

How To Make My Mother-in-law’s Paella Valenciana – Part 3

Zach is back!  Our guest writer from Valencia gives final tips in making Valencians Paella like a pro.  Part 1 and Part 2 are on The Spain Scoop.

By Zach Frolich

You’ve gathered the ingredients, and you cooked them like a pro. Now finally the paella is ready to be eaten! Traditionally you would eat paella with a “cullera de fusta”  (a wooden spoon) directly from the paella pan, which would be placed in the middle of the table so that everyone can reach it. Each person might stake out their territory in the pan, such that all that would be left is a border of rice between where each person ate their portion. Nowadays, however, it’s common for people to just serve the paella on individual plates. Not quite as social or communal, but perhaps a bit more hygenic. Read More »

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By admin | Published: December 19, 2011
Posted in FOOD NEWS, RANDOM SCOOP | Tagged , , , , , , |
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