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Cities

I was lucky enough to Visit Figueres, La Rosas Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid, and toledo. 

Figueres

Known as Dali's town, this city rests in the region called Catalonia. Figueres isn't all that well known, except for the Fact that Dali lived and died there, and the world's largest sausage was created there, actually in honor of Dali.

La Rosas

La Rosas is a very popular tourist destination, as it is dripping with touristy events. Nestled along the Mediterranean, La Rosas offers peace and quite from the normal buzz of typical Spanish life.

Barcelona

The Second largest city in Spain and perhaps my favorite. There is so much to do in Barcelona, and it's not all that touristy. The 1992 Olympics were held here, as well as the world expo back in 1929. This entire city is full of history, but also modern additions. My favorite part of Barcelona was the Illuminated Fountains of Barcelona. They are so beautiful and majestic. This area is home to the many beautiful works of Gaudi, including la Sagrada Familia.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is between Barcelona and Madrid. It's a rather quiet town, and often called the most spanish city in Spain. the beautiful Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar is located here, upon which it is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to St James. 

Madrid

Madrid, the Capital of Spain. Personally, I did not enjoy Madrid, mainly due to the fact that the entire city revolves around night life. However, the Royal Palace is quite beautiful. This is perhaps one of the most fashionable cities in western Europe.

Toledo

Toledo was one of my favorite cities in Spain. Everything here revolves around the Church, thus making this city the religious capital of Spain. This city is also known for the impenetrable Alcazar, as well as finely crafted swords and weapons.

Recipes

In Spain, there are lots of different foods. And although Spain isn't as well known for their food as France and Italy, it was all still pretty good. I was lucky enough to not only eat the cultural dish, Paella, but I also got to see it being made! I've included a recipe for Paella below.

Paella

Ingredients:

Directions:

Clean the mussels and cook them in a frying pan with a little water until they open. Drain, reserving the water and removing their valves. Clean the squid and cuttlefish and cut them into small pieces. Fry the pork meat, cut into pieces, the squid and cuttlefish in olive oil in a paella pan; add the prawns and Dublin Bay prawns. when everything is fried, remove the prawns and Dublin Bay prawns and add the pepper, onion and 2 garlic cloves (finely diced). When it begins to change color, add the skinned and diced tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, add the rice, stir a few times and add the boiling water, to which you have added the water used for the mussels. Cook over a high heat for five minutes and then turn down. Continue cooking for 13 - 15 minutes. Before the end of the cooking time, add the mixture of toasted saffron, 2 Garlic cloves and parsley, mixed in the white wine. When the cooking has finished, remove from heat and let it sit for 2 - 3 minutes.

*Note: I personally don't like Squid or Cuttlefish, so you don't have to include every single piece of meat. Add Chicken, different types of fish, or anything else.