Tag Archives: Gijón

Gijón: Paradise, you’re already there!

Posted on June 6, 2024 by johnkwhi

It’s been a while since my last Caracola, so I thought I’d put together a few basics for living and loving in the largest city in Asturias (pop. ~ 270,000) now that we are back in Spain and friends are … Continue reading →

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Science and Innovation in Spain: A wonderful work in progress

Posted on March 3, 2015 by johnkwhi

According to the just published Innovations Cities Forum, 8 Spanish cities are among the 445 most innovative in the world. Three Spanish cities made it to the top 100, including Barcelona (49), Bilbao (65), and Madrid (87). Surprisingly, the Asturian … Continue reading →

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If You’re Coming to Gijón

Posted on July 24, 2014 by johnkwhi

In 2007, El País reported the best places to live in Spain (las ciudades españolas donde mejor se vive), naming Gijón the third-best behind Pamplona and Bilbao. On the flip side (donde peor se vive) was Las Palmas de Gran … Continue reading →

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Spring has most definitely sprung in sunny Spain

Posted on May 15, 2014 by johnkwhi

I can remember a snowfall as late as May 5 in Toronto. That was 20 years ago, and I made a snowman on the day although it melted the very next day. Back then, no one knew much about global … Continue reading →

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Another Spanish top ten list (Part I): Sun, salsa, sangria, …

Posted on April 7, 2014 by johnkwhi

Everyone’s doing a top ten list these days. They’re easy – no need to maintain a coherent theme, just add the next number and switch to another idea. They don’t require much attention – great for new Tube thinking, the … Continue reading →

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Happy Frixuelos Day

Posted on March 4, 2014 by johnkwhi

Frixuelo is the Asturian word for crêpe or thin pancake (tortita), and so today being 40 days before the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox, I made frixuelos for breakfast for Belén and me. Asturians … Continue reading →

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Top 10 things to know in Gijón (out and about so far)

Posted on January 19, 2014 by johnkwhi

I have been here for almost 6 months, so I hope I have a few ideas now to help visitors or those planning to live here. 1. Weather Think Ireland only warmer, typically 5-10 degrees warmer at any time throughout … Continue reading →

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Looking back and ahead: Resumen y más aventuras

Posted on January 12, 2014 by johnkwhi

Now that the uvas (grapes) have been eaten and the cotillón packed away for another year, we can begin enero in earnest. New Year’s resolutions for me: more of the same with a little less sidra and a little more … Continue reading →

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Christmas in Spain: Feliz Navidad

Posted on December 22, 2013 by johnkwhi

Christmas in Spain is celebrated first and foremost on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), when families gather to eat at home from late evening onwards. The food is more than the regular Sunday fare with plenty of fresh marisco, which in Asturias … Continue reading →

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Asturian Cider Stories and other Gijón Excursions

Posted on November 2, 2013 by johnkwhi

In Asturias, cider (or sidra) is a way of life. There are 22 officially designated apple varieties which can be pressed into almost 100 different brands made by small farmers and larger empresas alike. I can’t say I’ve had every … Continue reading →

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