Ramon and I went to the Spanish Pyrenees for a bit of a summer respite. It was so hot in Madrid in August… going to the mountains was like a dip in a cool lake. Ramon has history with this place – he learned mountain rescue in the area, which you’ll see is apropos, given the mountains all around. It’s very near the border with France, and we stayed in Jaca while visiting Panticosa and other towns all around.
We ate well, enjoyed local musicians, walked around mountain towns, biked, and hiked. To tell the truth, it reminded me a lot of Vail – where I lived for seven years, during the Previous Century. High peaks, cutesy cottages, mountain streams, even ski resorts with kalanchoes adorning… everything.
And of course we biked.
If you know the area at all, you’ll know that the bike route etched in my cycling app represents us copping out of the big hills! But that was fine – I wanted to see the area, not Bag a Pyrenee!
I look a little panicked here, but I think it was just that the bike I was riding was too short!
Aragonesque music
It turns out there is a great band from the region, Olga y los Ministriles. Olga is an amazing lead singer, her husband plays every manner of instrument, and a pair of friends dance on stage (yes, with castanets!) It was late in the evening and this was not music I’d ever heard before… but I was riveted, like all the other folks there.
Here are a couple of clips to give you an idea. I wasn’t expecting bagpipes! Have a listen:
A good sign
You all know I love a good sign, and the Aragon region did not disappoint. Though I understand these might need translation:
The first one says “Bring your girlfriend, your wife, and your love to dine. But if you bring all three of them together, whatever you eat is FREE.”
Next we have: “Here! Beer as cold as your ex’s heart!”
And finally: “Star Bar: The worst beer and wines” – wouldn’t that convince you to go in???
Zaragoza
We spent the first night in Zaragoza, a regional capital about three hours from Madrid. It’s gorgeous and historic, with castles and cathedrals and La Virgen del Pilar – and we saw all this during just a short visit. I think a return is in order.
What is most compelling about Zaragoza is its antiquity and history, arguably. But I was enchanted, too, by this adorable modern “Zero Emissions” bus!
Last picture: Racing home
I took two trains to get back to Madrid (because Ramon had to leave early, for work reasons.) The first was as slow as paint drying but much louder, and with no food or coffee. It left at 5 something in the morning. As if I needed another reason to dislike that train.
But then I changed trains at Zaragoza and it was Hi-Velocity all the way back to Madrid – including this shot of the 277km per hour speed!
