Vancouver to Madrid
After 36 hours of travel, I happily have arrived back home to Spain. The heat, the sunshine, my little family and of course, the food have welcomed me home. Not to mention the incredible ever-lasting World Cup celebrations!
The last few days in Vancouver were a whirlwind of trying to pack up things to bring across the pond. My cookbooks (sadly, not all, they are so heavy), a few treasured kitchen gadgets- like our adored Peugeot salt and pepper mills, and my Guan Yin to preside and protect our new home. Anyways, there was a lot of packing, re-packing and dragging the heavy suitcases over my parents bathroom scale…which, or course, is not so accurate.
The time was also filled with many a sushi feast, while getting my fill of wild salmon and family visits.
I spent a lovely overnight visit to see my Aunties on Vancouver Island, with their beautiful gardens, bright fiestaware dishes and mutual adoration of exquisite gelato. I even managed to find a little piece of Spain..a creamy, subtle and delicate saffron gelato.
The gardens at my parents house were also abound with west coast beauty. My final week was sunshine-filled and I sat out in their little pagoda, sharing yet another delicious slice of my lavender olive oil cake and deeply inhaling the pristine, salty ocean air.
My heart now lives on both sides of the ocean. The home where I was raised, and this new place I now call home. Both places have become so dear, though they could not be more different. I suppose I am destined to always be a little bit homesick…but I am somehow happy to be so, as this journey continues to transform me.
Now…the morning sun filters through our kitchen windows. It’s time for café and a wedge of pan de pueblo dressed in tomatoes and olive oil.
The story continues, hasta pronto amigo mio…
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Funny but I just wrote a blog post about two homes divided by an ocean so this brought it all back. Lovely. And your photos are still stunning. Personally, I am glad to have you on this continent and know we are neighbors.
Thank you Jamie. I’m so glad to be neighbors too!
I have been living abroad for a long time now but whenever I go back home – deep in my heart Brasilia is my home, safe port, I have this feeling of longing, the memories fill me in, and I feel terribly energised somehow.it’s a warm feeling that helps me move forward. Lovely piece of garden – your parents I imagine. Lavender and olive oil cake.would love to have your recipe as recently I visited a lavender farm in England and I have brought back some lavender with me.will searchnfor it amongst your posts.
Good to have you back on the same continent! I can imagine the crazy celebrations Spain must have had. We were rather sad at our loss ;o)
Lovely pictures and look forward to seeing you more on twitter again!
Thank you Meeta! It’s exciting to be back and planning my summer and fall culinary adventures. It’s a beautiful time of year!
Welcome Home!
Hi Katherine
Glad you are home safe and sound and had a lovely here on the island.
I imagined connecting with you but really glad I didn’t take any of your precious vacay time away from you.
Hope you are well-loved your vancouver posts and the island one too! Nice fiesta shot!
Thank you Julie. It’s nice to be back in the warmth.
As always your words are Truly Scrumptious
White Rock. Vancouver and Victoria already miss you, that is what I know for sure. You bring out the best of the West Coast of Canada and where ever you happen to be in Spain.