Dreaming of Barcelona + Eat Guides Giveaway

Lately, I've got Barcelona on my mind. 

I first visited this enchanting city four and a half years ago when I was traveling through Spain and France with my mom. While my desire to return has been persistent throughout the years, it has noticeably intensified these past few months.

If I make it back to Barcelona sometime this year - which hopefully I will - there are quite a few things that I'd do differently. Here's what I'd love to see and experience next time I'm in the Catalonian capital:

My Barcelona (Round II) Bucket List:

- Go when it's warm enough to lay out on the beach

- Feast upon fresh goodies at La Boqueria

- Finally experience the nightlife

- Seek out the best views in Barcelona

- Spend more time at Parc Güell

- Visit Montjuïc

- Re-do Barcelona as a foodie

What stands out to me the most is my desire to re-do my Barcelona culinary experience and actually get to know Catalan gastronomy. I missed out on so many mouthwatering traditional dishes because a) I didn't know what I was looking for, and b) I was lazy. I'm ashamed to admit that I went to the Hard Rock Café twice for dinner when I was there... foodie blasphemy, I know. 

That's why I wish I had read Eat Guides: Barcelona four and a half years ago. This handy guidebook created by The Spain Scoop gives you the low-down on all the best restaurants in the city, where to find them, and what to order. 

Of the eight million people that visit Barcelona each year, I highly doubt all of them are experiencing the sublime gastronomy that Catalonia has to offer. I know I sure didn't. That's why co-authors Regina Winkle-Bryan and Adrián Benítez Martos poured their hearts into creating this extensive guide. Their thorough and honest recommendations are meant to prevent visitors like me from having to suffer through less-than-mediocre meals in Barcelona.

This week I'm giving away two free copies of this comprehensive guidebook, which would normally cost $4.99 each. Save yourself from any sub-par eating experiences in Barcelona and enter below to win a free copy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

A Day in the Life of an Auxiliar de Conversación

While being an expat in Spain may sometimes seem glamorous from the outside, my day to day life is far from the extraordinary. So what am I actually  doing over here? Drinking sangria and watching bullfights all day? (Not quite.) Much like most of the people I know back home, I also have a job that involves waking up early, commuting, and subsequently battling a serious caffeine addiction. Here's a peek into my daily routine as an Auxiliar de Conversación in Madrid:

It may still be pitch black outside, but it's time to get up and start guzzling coffee!

It takes me an hour to get from my apartment in the city center to my school in Galapagar, which is located in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains. Although it's far, it gets me out of Madrid's pollution and into the fresh country air. I also get to watch the sun rise over the city skyline during my bus ride, so I really can't complain.

Time to brace myself for countless hugs and greetings such as, "Good morning, Teacher!", "Teeeacher, you look bery pretty today!", and "Hello, Corni!" (It's seemingly impossible for most Spaniards to pronounce my name. But at this point, it's endearing.) I spend the next five hours teaching English, Science, and Arts & Crafts to my darling third and fourth graders. I'm just a language assistant, so I'm always working alongside another teacher and I (almost) never run the classroom by myself.  

Sometimes it's exhausting, but that doesn't stop me from loving every single minute of it. I would have never thought that I'd want to pursue a career in teaching, but this job has convinced me otherwise. My name is Courtney and I want to be a teacher when I grow up.

And thus commences my lengthy return back to Madrid! At this point my stomach is audibly growling, and I'm more than likely complaining about it. 

By the time I get home, I'm absolutely famished. Quick and easy salads, pasta dishes and leftovers are usually my lunches of choice. The Spanish meal schedule is unique in which meals are eaten much later in the day than we're used to back in the States. Believe it or not, 3:30 is actually a normal time to be eating lunch around here.

Time to relax at home sweet home

Once or twice a week I use this time to actually nap, but most days I take advantage of this designated resting time to catch up on blogging and writing, work on the social media for Madrid Food Tour, organize occasional activities for school, catch up on emails and plan upcoming trips.

By this time, I'm ready to do fun things with my friends and explore the city. I'm always up for discovering new hangouts, but more often than not you can find me close to home in Conde Duque or Malasaña. Late afternoons can be spent enjoying glasses of wine or tinto de verano in sunny plazas, having picnics at Templo de Debod, Tinder practicing my Spanish, or bumming around Federal.

...or any other tasty Spanish treat that I'm craving! I also occasionally try my hand at cooking, which  thus far has been pretty successful considering I've only  started one almost-kitchen fire. I love going out to eat and discovering new restaurants, but my English teacher budget can only support so much of that.

There's nothing quite as satisfying as ending the day with a savory tortilla española

Time to finally catch some zzz's. See ya tomorrow, kiddos!

Have you ever taught English abroad? How did your schedule differ?

Celebrating Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares

Did you know that Don Quixote has been translated into more languages than any other book in the world, aside from the Bible? I suppose you could say that Miguel de Cervantes is kind of a big deal in Spain. So, it's no surprise that his hometown hosts a fiesta of epic proportions to celebrate his birthday every year.

This past weekend I ventured to Alcalá de Henares to celebrate Cervantes at their annual medieval festival. Just a 45 minute train ride away from the center of Madrid, this charming UNESCO World Heritage Site is where the acclaimed author was born and baptized. 

Nestled between the picturesque buildings and lively plazas, one can find many homages to the iconic creator of Don Quixote. Alcalá de Henares is also home to one of the oldest universities in the world, and it's where Christopher Columbus had his first meeting with the Catholic Monarchs to receive funding for his voyage to America.

Of the festival's many attractions, the most prominent was the medieval Quixote Market. An abundance of colorful stalls lined the cobblestone streets, each selling handcrafted goods, mojitos, flower crowns and delectable fall treats. 

The intoxicating smells of freshly grilled meats, sizzling crepes and roasted chestnuts wafted through the air, prompting us to follow our hungry bellies through the maze of mouthwatering temptations. As we hopped from stall to stall, vendors in period costumes sold us piping hot castañas, savory Manchego cheese, and pimientos de padrón fried and salted to perfection. I think it's fair to say that we were in foodie heaven.

Between the medieval costumes, music, processions and treats, the Cervantes festival in Alcalá de Henares completely captured my heart (and my stomach). I'd love to go back again when I have even more time to explore and admire the quaint town. While I still have much to discover, Alcalá de Henares has easily made my "favorite day trips from Madrid" list. Espero que nos veamos pronto, Alcalá!

Have you ever been to Alcalá de Henares?

What's your favorite day trip from Madrid?