Why Spain Almost Didn’t Happen: Sculptures & statues, bier, olives, helados

Here we are in Oviedo Spain, even though about six weeks ago I was convinced that would not happen. What changed? Six weeks ago I consistently read stories about the ill feelings toward tourists in Spain. Then a big oppressive heat wave hit (there is another now), and a 4 day blackout hit most of the Iberian peninsula, and the demonstrations reportedly got bigger. As the second heat wave gained a toehold in Europe we met a Spanish couple who gushed to us about an area of Spain, Asturia. Asturia is a unique temperate Mediterranean climate zone that usually prevents temperatures from exceeding 80 degrees. So, here we are in Oviedo Spain.

The first week has been wonderful, though affected by the heat wave until tomorrow afternoon. One of the ways we attempt to acclimate to where we are is by making eye contact and greeting people. Very few people here have responded. This prompted me to google whether I was being impolite making eye contact. The answer is apparently, NO! It’s not impolite, yet most people look straight through me. Oh well. The curious thing is that people on the street appear gruff, but in the extremely well attended cafes, shops and bars patrons talk and laugh and gesticulate. Either this mystery solves itself, or not. No matter.

A laundry list of other things: We do have stairs being on the 4th floor of a building, but with excellent elevators. While in France we became big fans of olives, but here they are rarely seen in bulk as they were in France. We have seen none of our favorite, the black oil cured olives without pits. We always make an attempt to find sugar and dairy free treats and last night we found a bar that serves frozen treats in peach and raspberry flavors that fulfill those requirements. Though we seldom drink beers, and we prefer to drink dry Porter or Stout types of beer (so far they have not been labeled as such), the search has been difficult and unyielding. Last night the bar with the helados, frozen treats, claimed to have a dry, smoky, coffee and chocolate tinged dark beer. We were not wanting to drink right then, but tonight we will return to try that beer. Last night the gentleman below happened to be playing My Way, Sinatra, as we walked past. It brought back fine memories of the mariachi band in San Miguel de Allende playing that song. The trumpeter was very good so we listened, we danced in the square (others followed our lead), and put money in his trumpet case. The giraffe was also dancing in the square, but left no tip.

Yesterday I wrote that I was concentrating on statues, it would be more accurate to say statues and sculptures. I presented  a taster yesterday, today is the main course. Last night we had a long walk through the main park in Oviedo, and beyond. I have accumulated more pictures. Here goes!

The horses stuck a chord with Sheila, memories of the days on the ranch in Jackson Hole Wyoming.

More! These appear to be guardians to the park entrance.

Pat and Sheila with their new friend.