In no particular order…

1) Pulpo. There are signs for it everywhere and even specialised restaurants called  ‘Pulperia’s’. So what is it? Octopus, boiled, cut into chunks and then drenched in oil and pimiento.

Have I had any? Not likely, but Jeff will love it…

 

2) The Spanish are a short race. We’ve seen very few tall men or women, but we have seen several ad’s for men’s shoes with ‘lifts’ in them, to increase their height, by up to 7cm’s.

3) The opening hours for the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago, where we were required to present our stamped pilgrim passport in order to obtain our certified credential, was advised on their website, on flyers, on the electronic screen in their office, in the Cathedral and also confirmed by the concierge at our hotel, as being 10am to 7pm.

In reality, it opens at 8am.

4) We’ve found the cost of living in Spain to be ridiculously cheap. A large ‘cafe con leche’ (latte) arrives with 2 pieces of cake included and cost €2.60 ($3.90AUD). In Australia, just the coffee alone would be more than that. I had my hair cut and coloured in Santiago and it only cost  €29.50 (approx $45AUD). Wine, including tapas, for both of us, was €6 ($9AUD). And a large bottle of water from the supermarket is €0.20 ($0.30AUD). Shoe and clothing prices are ridiculously low as well. I know, it’s just a reflection of the economy here in Spain, which isn’t great, so I’ll try and do my bit to help them out…

5) Spain is famous for leather goods. And what happens to be made from leather? Shoes and handbags, that’s what! I think I just might be in heaven… (refer to item 4)

6) Something that appears to have been lost in translation, is the meaning of the word ‘colon’. Now, for most of us, it’s not something we discuss a great deal, in fact generally we keep details about our own, pretty much to ourselves. Here in Spain, however, they clearly have a whole different attitude. There is a washing liquid with the brand name of ‘Colon’, which has it’s own very peppy ad on TV, there is Plaza de Colon here in Madrid and also an apartment block named Colon Centro. Not sure I’d like that as my address. We know we are being so immature, but it’s difficult not to snigger every time we see it!! And I’ve checked my English/Spanish dictionary and the Spanish word for colon is, you guessed it….colon. So I wonder, do they snigger too?

xxx