Fiesta!! ...and Tapas!!

Just by coincidence my stay in Valladolid, Spain, coincides with their annual Festival of the Virgin of San Lorenzo... and when I wandered out last night to get some supper, I found myself in the middle of a fiesta.

The "Plaza Mayor" (Main Plaza) was filled with people.  They were watching local groups perform traditional folk dances

.

  The city hall was decorated and illuminated for the festivities.

Branching out from the plaza, the bars and restaurants had set up stands on the streets.

I went into one of the tapas bars.  Because so many of the people were out on the street, the interior was not overly crowded.  I was even able to sit at the bar.  I think I was the only non-Spaniard in the place.  The waiter looked like a rather dour Spanish gentleman, until you spoke with him, and a smile spread across his face.

They didn't have sangríá, so I ordered a similar beverage called "tinto de verano" (red summer wine).  Actually, I think that is a better choice. since some places make their sangría too sweet.

I then decided to try out some tapas.  As I have said before, I don't care for shellfish, so that immediately eliminates quite a few choices.  Also, forget about tripe or other organs.  Still there were quite a few appetizing choices on the menu.

I began with "salmorejo"... a thicker version of "gazpacho".  Yummy!  So far, so good.

I then ordered "patatas bravas"... potatoes with a spicy sauce.  This place also added mayonnaise.   A bit heavy on the mayonnaise, but it was tasty.

  
I saved the best for last... a plate of thinly shaved Iberian ham.  This was the real thing... made from free-range pigs that have a diet of acorns.  Once you've tasted "jamón ibérico de bellota", that pale stuff we call ham at home will never compare.

So at long last I found a good, non-touristy tapas bar serving my favorite Spanish foods!

It turned out to be a great evening.