Oviedo

Oviedo, is in the Asturias region of Spain, the northern most section. We flew into Madrid and then waited a couple of hours for our flight to Asturias. (we actually had coffee with our dear friend Stevie who also was on a layover in Madrid- he was heading to Mallorca for a guys bike trip) Our son was waiting at the airport flowers in hand! The drive to the town from the airport takes you through beautiful rural pastureland and then into this beautiful, charming town of 200,000. I thought we would crash out on our arrival but pushed through and sat down for lunch at 4:30 local time. The restaurant was  typical of this area. Tile floors so the pouring of the sidra hitting the floors only needs to be hosed down at the end of the night. Sidra is the specialty drink of this region,  cider laced with some kind of alcohol. It is poured by the waiter two feet or so above your glass almost backwards. A true show. You are then supposed to gulp it like a shot. The bottle is left on your table but the waiter does all the pouring. (personally didn't like it,  must be an acquired taste.) The food here is based on seafood and pork. The fish I had at lunch was a white fish prepared a la plancha. Delicious. My husband and son had the regional dish of fabada a stew of white beans with either sausage or clams. They had one of each. I ordered a side of vegetables which was just simply ignored. The atmosphere was crowded, loud and so festive. It was so perfect! We crashed out at 7:30 and ate dinner at 11 we are definitely adapting to the spanish customs quickly. We had sardines, pulpo, and more fabado, the simplest food here is so fresh and prepared simply.  When we left at 1am the place was still loud and vibrant with all age groups including families with kids in tow. 

This morning we are having some tea and ordered a fruit plate, a basket arrived with apples, oranges,  kiwis, and a knife. Definitely a different way of serving fruit but the diet here is not fruit and vegetable oriented. (though the fruit was so delicious) You must make it work for yourself.       

Loving it here.  xo ginny