Bar El Valle

My little town of Veguin may be tiny, but it has some of the most charming bars in Spain. El Valle for example is unique. I love the terrace in the back of this enormous bar. Smokers can enjoy a cigarette and I can savor my sidra and soak in the views of the Asturian mountains and Rio Nalon in the background. You will want to stop by El Valle and say hola to Monica (pictured above) and most definitely order 'una botella de sidra'

Con Goyo y Luis en Bueño.

Niños de Veguín

 In 2007 my son Tanner had a wonderful summer hanging out with his amigos from Veguin. Before he left for the United States the kids presented him with a Nike soccer ball signed by his new friends. He has it still in his bedroom reminding him of his Asturian amigos more then 5,000 miles away.

En el año 2007 mi hijo Tanner pasó un verano inolvidable con sus maravillosos amigos de Veguín. Antes de que se marchase de vuelta a los Estados Unidos, sus amigos le regalaron un balón de fútbol Nike firmado por todos sus nuevos amigos. Tanner tiene este balón en su habitación y siempre le recuerda de sus amigos asturianos a 8000 kilómetros de distancia.

Lobo

I want to tell you about my cousin Lobo. A rare individual whom I adore with all my heart. (in fact as far as I know everybody adores this happy and kind man.) Lobo sells beer for a living, but if you show up at his house I suggest you bring your own as he seems to only enjoy drinking coca-cola..... Always happy, always smiling! Whenever he talks I just want to throw my arms around him and hug him! Other attributes, Lobo is the best driver I know and thinks nothing of taking me up a mountain in his car to show me a pretty vista. Let alone parallel parking his 12 foot car in a 11 foot space with ease. If you would like to meet this one of a kind  he can usually be found on Friday evenings  in Bar Corea with many friends. I miss you so much Lobo.

Quiero hablar hoy de mi primo Lobo. Una persona no muy común a quien adoro con todo mi corazón. (De hecho, todo el mundo adora este hombre feliz y amable) Lobo trabaja para una compañia de cervesa pero si vas de visita a su casa trae tu propia cerveza ya que el sólo disfruta bebiendo Coca cola. Siempre feliz, siempre sonriente. Cuando le oigo hablar solo quiero arrojar mis brazos sobre el y darle un abrazo. Otras cualidades: Lobo es el mejor conductor que conozco y para él no es nada el llevarme con su coche a través de las montañas para enseñarme una vista impresionante. Él también puede aparcar su coche de cuatro metros y medio en un espacio de cuatro metros con toda facilidad. Si queires conocer a esta persona única lo puedes encontrar los viernes por la tarde son su esposa y amigos en el Bar Corea. Te echo mucho de menos Lobo!

La mejor empanada de Asturias

Meet Gelin and Chefi Ortea, proprietors of Bar Ortea in Tudella Veguin Asturias. Bar Ortea is a wonderful bar to drop by for so many things. Intelligent conversation, fantastic espresso , lottery tickets, cold mahou and menu del dia!  Gelin  makes some of the best coffee you will experience in any bar. But if you want some fabulous food, Chefi  is one of the most incredible cooks I have ever met. As a fat person I am very knowledgeable about good food and her pastry crusts melt in your mouth. I declare her empanada the best in Asturias! (I miss you both)

Conozcan Gelín y Chefi Ortea, propietarios del Bar Ortea en Tudela Veguín, Asturias. El Bar Ortea es un maravilloso bar por muchas razones. Buena conversación, fantástico café, billetes de lotería, cervezas Mahou frías y un menú del día buenísimo. Gelín prepara uno de los mejores cafés que probarán en cualquier bar o cafetería, pero si quieren comida delicioas, Chefi es una de las mejores cocineras que conozco. Una persona gorda como yo sabe mucho de buena comida y sus pasteles se derriten en tu boca.¡ Declaro sus empanadas las mejores de Asturias!. (Os echo de menos a los dos)

SCENES FROM WORLD CUP 2010

                                           

My friends of Veguin

Please meet some of my friends that I spend time with every summer. I can tell you that I am always so happy to see these people and it is always sad to have to say good-bye.

Starting from the left is Almodovar. He is an auto body painter, loves all foods and plays cards almost every evening in Bar Corea with the same partners.

Berto is in the middle. Berto and I have 2 things in common , food and drink. We have long conversations about Spanish and American wines. Berto loves seafood but does not care much for meat and hates cheese!

Yoli is a co owner of Bar Corea. Kids adore her and vie for her attention. Yolie is one of my most curious friends about life in the United States and endlessly asks questions about my life here. She is usually Almodovar's card partner and Berto and he wait patiently while she pours cider and draught beer for the bar patrons in between hands. Unlike me Yolie hates Sidra.

Somebody drink a sidra for me because I miss it sooo much!

Puxa Asturias, Puxa Veguin!

Veguin de Alla

This is my favorite view from the house. I love love love this mountain, too bad I don't know the name of it! You cant see from this photo but there is a rock wall up the side. Can you imagine the work that it took to construct? Occasionally some strong climber will plant a flag at the top. I know my father in law has climbed it many times. Veguin de Alla is the village at the base of the mountain. It translates "The Veguin Over There" Both Veguins are separated by the Nalon River. The difference being My Veguin has all the bars!

First Communion

The first year that I spent with my husbands famila I spent hours and hours pouring over the family photo albums. I made copies of so many wonderful stories. My father in law fulfilling his military service in Casablanca. My mother in law as a young girl in fascist Spain. First Communion of my Uncle Jose on the church steps of Veguin. Sadly I cant find my uncle, but my aunt Ludi is on the left with a red arrow pointing her out! Veguin has a website, Its in Spanish and its one of those boys only clubs! I once asked why no women belonged and was met with grimace's and eye rolls. I am appealing for help on information about the people and the year of this photo. I'd guess its circa 194o. Si alguien sabe los nombres de las otras personas en esta foto y el año en que fue sacada, por favor dejen la información en un comentario. Gracias. Puxa Asturias! Puxa Veguin! http://www.amigosdeveguin.com

Fiestas de Veguin

Veguin has two patron saints. San Julian de Box and San Sebastian de los puentes. I know nothing about these guys! I do know however that a pretty cool party is thrown in their honor. The party starts at the top of the mountain above Veguin, where those that gather play silly games , drink wine and cider and eat wonderful breads, cheeses and hams. When the sun starts to go behind the mountain the revelers walk down arm in arm singing behind the village band. Townspeople along the parade path throw water or wine on the party goers below. My favorite part is the end of the route where everyone is sprayed down with foam! Before the nighttime fiesta begins you will see hundreds of foam covered "mummies" heading home to take a shower and a nap so they can dance until dawn! (by the way if you look close at the woman on the balcony she is throwing water on a very happy crowd below) Puxa Veguin!

Veguin, Asturias, España

Next to my husbands house is this tiny park. My son and his friends spent a lot of time talking and spitting endless bags of sunflower seeds here. I have sat here in the evenings to watch the sun set on the mountain side. But mostly I have viewed countless dogs poop here from my bedroom window. The structure on the left is a memorial to 4 miners from Veguin that lost their lives in the coal mine during the early 80's. The structure on the right is a replica of a Asturian Horreo pronounced Oreo, like the cookie. A horreo is a barn, the top used to store grains free from rodents and the bottom used to store everything else. I will post pictures of real horreos next time.

Happy memories

This is one of my favorite places in Spain, its quiet, beautiful and free to visit. Many times it comes with my own private bartender! This is the backyard of mi suegros. (in laws) I have taken many afternoon siestas under the hazelnut trees here. One nice memory I have is finding my dad, my husband and my father in law all sleeping soundly after a typical feast prepared by Mari (my mother in law.) I love to pick lemon leaves and crush them under my nose..... When I tire of lemons I move on to the lavender and rosemary bushes. If I get hungry I have a choice of pears, apples, cherries, strawberries, figs, or hazelnuts. When I get thirsty my father in law will gladly pour me a vaso de sidra (glass of cider.) I am a pampered princess....