Tying up Loose Ends

Life is bittersweet in this summer heat and with all the goodbyes to left to say. In these last few days, before we all go our own way, we reflect on the good times and finish up the rest.

Beach Boppin'

Check!:
Lisbon (Fall)
Cadiz (Fall)
Valdelagrana- hop on the train, hop off...suddenly at the beach!
Cortadura- with the big waves
Conil- cozy up to the beautiful cliff-side...careful though, the rocks in the water hurt
Rota- sand, 100 montaditos, water, cien montaditos, who can say 1-euro jarra de cerveza??
Still to go:
Caños de Meca
Mediterranean?

Spring Tapas
Check!:
Pimientos fritos- Fried peppers take the number one spot. Feria food, but I've made them at home since then.
Caracoles- yes, snails. Fish 'em outta the shell with a toothpick and suck 'em down
Fideos con Langostinos- noodles with jumbo shrimp..not so much springtime, but it was on the Ruta (route) de los Caracoles
Whatever that delicious specialty was in Sevilla that my coworkers introduced me to...fried fish platter (but not pescaito frito) Wish I could remember how it's called


Still to go:
pescaito frito- fried fish





Helado Favorites

Double scoop winner- Plátano con caramelo (caramel banana) and chocolate

The go-to when the choices are overwhelming- Tiramisú

When I'm in a nutty mood- Carapinos- caramel-pine nut

Only found in Rota- Chocolate with Chocolate cookie bits

La Cepa de Rosa, Jerez fav- Vainilla con brownie- Vanilla with brownie bits


Lived in Jerez all year and still haven't done that?!
>Cathedral
>Alcázar
>Zoo
>Real Escuela de Arte Ecuestre

Don't forget about the work that inevitably comes with play
TO DO:
Go to Correos and send Flamenco dress home
Prepare last English tutoring classes
Shopping for regalos/recuerdos
Throw useless stuff away (eeeek, I'm a packrat so this will be painful)
Pack

What I will miss most:
Stinky cheese- manchego, viejo, payoyo
Jamón (literally translated, "ham", but it's so much more)
Spanish green olives and cheap olive oil
Fanta limón
Dressing up beer and wine with lemon fanta
Sherry
Surprise birthday parties
Andalusian flowers and wildlife
Spanlish, Franglish, and Españofrénglideutch
Accents
Sitting at a terraza for hours with one café con leche/cerveza/tinto
"Is this really true about your country?" conversations
Beer at the movie theater
Chuches in the chucherías (gummy candy)
Spaniards singing in the Streets (random or not)
El Mejor Piso













Re-adjustments upon return to the States:













(Picture: Arkansas River from Cajun's deck)

Practice political correctness
6:00 dinner time
Driving a car instead of walking
Remember not to call people and hang up before they answer
3:00pm? Yes, stores are open, and yes I can get things done
Keeping up with American efficiency (while retaining the virtue of patience I have acquired here in Spain)
-These are the ones I'm ready for at least-