Yup, well, Spain really IS wonderful. We first went to Barcelona, and wandered the narrow streets and alleys off La Rambla. La Rambla is a wide ‘market’ street full of touristy knick knacks and an infinite number of tourists to buy them. That sounds a bit harsh, but I’m just not a fan of crowded, noisy places, so take that with a grain of salt. But the small streets and open plazas around it were great fun.
What was also wonderful was the food market on La Rambla. Admittedly, it too was crowded, but hey, it had food, which was not just tasty, it was gorgeous. This is all marzipan (I think…), but the market was full of fruit, meat (especially pork) and other delectable edibles.
Even better was a day trip to the Costa Brava, where we hiked five or six miles along the coast. It was gorgeous, and we even got to take a swim in the Mediterrean halfway through. Below the cliffs you can see some kayakers enjoying the perfect weather.
To top it off we were reinforced for our efforts (and they were substantial, lots of up and down on that hike!) with a seaside lunch in a cafe in the Palafrugel area. Seafood paella, yum.
And yes, we really did eat our way around Spain. The food is great, very hard to pass up. I expected great seafood, but who knew the Spanish can make pastries that taste like food for the gods? Lettuce salads for me for the next week.
Later in the week we took another day trip to the foothills of the Pyrenees, where we hiked up and up and up from the village of Rupit. The view was more than worth it. (Jim and I are shown here with new friends, Sarah and David, who also signed up for this day trip with Spanish Trails Tour company. I highly recommend Spanish Trails, they created amazing days for us, not to mention ridiculously wonderful lunches!) Thank you Alex and Charles for fantastic days. And no, sigh, I didn’t see any Great Pyrenees. Next trip!
The next day we took the high speed train to Madrid. (300 kph at one point. Seriously.) There we met up with our hosts, Luis Souto Soubrier and Carlos Dangoor Florit with Dogalia publishing company. Luis 
translated, and Dogalia published Love Has No Age Limit in Spanish, and I had the pleasure of talking two different times to dog lovers and professional trainers in Madrid. It truly was a joy… everyone was wonderful, and graciously put up with my attempts to speak a few sentences of Spanish .
Here’s the cover of the Spanish version. I wish I could show you some of the photos inside, they are great. I’m thrilled to have a third book translated into Spanish, thank you again, Luis and Carlos.
Here’s the group from Sunday. MUCHAS GRACIAS! You were delightful!
We also got some time to wander around Madrid, including a short visit to del Prado and the Royal Botanical Garden beside it. We only had time to view the paintings of Goya and Rubens, but they were so astounding I’m glad we didn’t look at more. I think my senses were more than full by that point.
The botanical garden was lovely, and full of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), the parrot version of the “English Sparrow,” in that the small parakeets (also known as quaker parrots) are considered to be pesty invasives. They originated in South American, but have spread over Europe and parts of the U.S. too. I know they don’t belong in Spain, but still, it was fun to watch them work over some fruit in the garden.
Now we’re home. As wonderful as it was in Spain, I have to say, after greeting the dogs last night in a explosion of joyful exuberance, Dorothy was right. There’s no place like home.
Antonia says
Sounds like a great trip! What about the dogs??? Did you see any Spanish and Pyrenean Mastiffs? 🙂
Monika & Sam says
Spain is truly lovely but like you said, there’s no place like home. Glad you had a great trip, welcome back. 🙂
Lacey says
I’m so glad you had a great time.
LisaW says
There is a large colony of monk parakeets in Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side. They build these enormous nests and have learned how to survive the winter (mainly by huddling together in the condo-like nests). The first time I saw them, it was like finding a sapphire in my oatmeal.
There are many speculations on how they go there, but they have habituated and are thriving. They have become a cherished resident and tourist attraction.
Debby Gray says
Thanks for the pictures and commentary on the trip. It looks and sounds like a wonderful experience. I was wondering in your discussions with trainers and dog owners if you found their concerns to be the same as the concerns of people in the U S or if there were some unique concerns or perspective that they shared ?
Trisha says
Great question Debby: It seemed that the concerns were very similar. Still lots of force-based training. Concerns about the scales tipping too far the other way re 100% positive reinforcement. Discussions about the science of learning being only one perspective necessary to truly understand and relate to a dog. How to talk to clients, convince skeptical spouses, etc etc. I very much enjoyed both talks, but especially the more casual interchange with Spanish trainers and dog lovers.
LisaW: Who knew the parakeets could make it through a Midwestern winter! Impressive that they’ve figured out a way. “…Saphire in my oatmeal…”? Lovely phrase!! Although, I can hear my ecologistic friends, referring to an invasive species, saying something about choking on something sharp and hard in your food!
Antonia: I was hoping to see a Gr Pry or Mastiff, but no such luck. If we go back to Spain, I think this time we’ll go to the Pyrenees proper and the Basque country.
Anyone: Could someone figure out how to travel and yet not have to leave home? I love to travel, but hate leaving the farm and the dogs. I’m waiting for some new technology here…
Sue In FL says
In South Florida, we have flocks of Monk Parrots. Their large nests are in several places. One is less than half a mile from wher I live. The birds can clean out bird feeders very fast, but are beautiful to watch, especially if a dozen or more perch in a small tree.
Mireille says
Glad you had a great trip Trisha!
And oh how I symphatise with your comment about travelling. Right now I am in Dresden, Germany, for a conference. Beautifull city, interesting talks (well, most of them) and good food (Germans = pastry = lovely) but how I miss my boys! I am going home tomorrow and I Just Can’t Wait to see the dogs again – h yes, and my husband ??
Read a great quote on a postcard yesterday; ‘If your dog thinks your the best person in the world, don’t get a second opinion’
Brian A Galindo says
Curious if you saw or met any Service Dogs during your visit?
Callie says
@Trisha “Concerns about the scales tipping too far the other way re 100% positive reinforcement.”
Did you agree with these concerns? Might be difficult to answer in short (I will accept next week’s blog on the topic in full payment 😉 ).
Glad you had a good time!
Trisha says
Great question Callie, and you are right: A great topic for an article! I’ll put it on the list.
Callie says
Thanks, I’m looking forward to that!