Author Alexandra Retana blogs about her book, medicine, kids, life, and whatever else comes to mind
DISCLAIMER: I love America and it's the best country in the world. So, I just came back from a vacation in Spain. And by vacation I mean an incredibly intense, sight-seeing, experience-acquiring, sensory-overloading, physically challenging... experience (and not without some emotional taxation, but that's a whole different story). It made me wish I was a … Continue reading 7 Lifestyle features that make Spain different
Have you ever noticed how as we age, our emotions become dulled? A few years ago, we made a family trip to Spain. Among other places, we visited this little town called Ronda down near the Mediterranean. I remember standing at the edge of a mountain looking over a huge rocky valley, dissected by a … Continue reading I cry when I see the David
What exactly is a pueblo remains a difficult concept to explain to those who don't see it for themselves. A pueblo is a village, or a town, but rather than a strict geographical definition, it's more of a way to describe a community. Also, it's a people or the people. The word also carries with it a … Continue reading It takes a village: Christmas time in the Basque country
December 25, 2007 As an outsider looking onto what is completely routine and normal in the town of Portugalete, of Bizkaia, País Vasco, España, I note things to myself that people here take for absolute granted. For example, I am constantly aware of the ethnic pride-slash-mild superiority complex that perfumes the air. I get … Continue reading Why the Basques don’t need Santa Claus
I am back home from Vienna, and a little sad, a little relieved... happy to be home, but you know how it is when vacations end. I wanted so much to do a travel series when I was in Vienna, but clearly, I am a half-assed blogger, and never did, save a humorous post … Continue reading 7 places to eat in Vienna
My mom has been dreaming of taking me to the opera for ages. She gave my husband and me tickets 2 years ago as a gift for the holidays and sent us to New York to go to the Met. Unfortunately, my husband came down with a slight case of sepsis, socked in pneumonia, and … Continue reading 5 tips for going to the opera… at least in Vienna
And Why Not! 