I have a bit of a confession to make. I’ve lived in Barcelona for seven years. Almost eight. And I’ve never, in all that time, been to Sagrada
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Saint Ignatius of Loyola – the life of Spain’s Spiritual Warrior
“Up to his twenty-sixth year the heart of Ignatius was enthralled by the vanities of the world.” So begins the autobiography of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, dictated by
Pork Politics – Spanish Ham, the Inquisition, and the Culture Wars
Spanish ham is in the news. And it’s probably not what you think. The other day, the Guardian (up in the UK) published an article. The long title:
Franco and the Spanish Civil War – the making of Spain’s Caudillo
Everyone called him Paquito. He was the third child of five, born in 1892. His father was a bohemian – a drinker and a gambler. Growing up in
Swine Fever Panic! Barcelona’s boars catch “la peste porcina”
A few weeks ago, for my birthday, Morena and I walked across Collserola. That’s the big natural park outside Barcelona. We took the Way of Saint James – you
Christmas in Spain – 8 holiday traditions that might surprise you
Christmas is in the air! Are you ready? It’s time to get into the holiday spirit, but if you’re new to Spain, you might be a bit lost
Himmler, Picasso and Mazón – Spanish news roundup, Nov 2025
Hey hey! It’s time for another roundup of Spanish news stories I find interesting. Spanish politics is going through quite a difficult moment, with Pedro Sánchez losing support
Becoming a Spanish Citizen – the end of the immigrant hustle?
Last week I was in Phoenix. My home town, out in the Arizona desert. (Or, more accurately, on the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert.) It was my
Cultural Differences between Spain and the United States – 4 more things I’ve noticed
Living abroad is an eye-opening experience. A guy like myself — coming from a place in the US that’s not very cosmopolitan, not incredibly exciting, and not super
Police State! Know your rights with Spanish police and law enforcement
So there I was, standing by the side of the highway. Hands on my head, sweating through my t-shirt, and getting a pat-down from a burly officer of
