Everyone in my program is required to be a grupo de interés (interest group) that allows them to get to learn about a specific cultural element of Spain on a more in-depth level. The groups meet once every week or two and take students on small excursions or bring in guest speakers, etc. At the end of the semester, every group goes on a three-day trip. Many people picked their groups based on where the trip was. I was torn between which groups to choose because most of them seemed very interesting. Originally, I decided to pick the group about gastronomía which was all about food and was going to do many hands-on activities, but last minute, I decided to pick a group about Sevilla in order to learn more about the city I’m living in and to travel to Morocco (mainly for the trip). After waiting in line to sign-up and having people be allowed to cut because they had to go to class, I missed the last spot in the Sevilla group by one person. So I went with gastronomía. We are going to Valencia, which should be awesome as well, but there is slightly less mystical appeal…Well, all I can say at this point is that I was destined to be in this interest group and I couldn’t be happier! My interest group is the best one, hands down! While the other groups meet at random times to sit in a classroom and watch a PowerPoint presentation, we are going to a cooking class or visiting an old alcohol distillery to learn about the new cooking school there. We have the best leaders, and we always get tapas or food at the end, because it allows us to try new things and actually converse with the Spanish students that are always invited to join us.
So let me tell you what my group did yesterday.
We traveled to the countryside to hike a mountain and pick mushrooms…and then cook them!!!
I cannot even explain how much I enjoyed this experience. But naturally, I will try.
We traveled to Aracena, a small pueblo north of Sevilla. The environment was wonderful, and reminded me that I truly am a country girl at heart…It was a small village of white-washed houses and cobble stone streets. It was tranquil. As we breathed in the fresh air (as opposed to the fumes of cigarette smoke everywhere in the city), the smell of wood-burning chimneys wafted our way. An older housewife was sweeping the soapy water she had mopped the floors with into the street.
When we arrived at the gates of the forest preserve area, we hiked the winding path, wicker baskets and pocket knives in hand, passing the small farm homes enclosed by stone fences. Our extremely knowledgeable guide pointed out everything he could to teach us.
Mint and peppermint plants. We stopped to smell the leaves.
A tree containing small alcoholic fruits that when consumed in large amounts can actually make someone drunk. We tried a few of the ripe ones.
Chestnut trees (they’re much better when roasted…the chestnuts, not the trees).
Setas (the wild mushrooms of different varieties). There were 92 different species in the forest preserve. He showed us how to identify them, where they normally grow, and how to cut them. If you cut them too low, they cannot grow back fully again in that place. If you take them when they are too old, they are dry and harder to identify, etc…Apparently, one of the mushrooms that someone picked is so toxic that when consumed, it begins to decompose your body from the inside and will kill you within 7 days!
We hiked back to the mason/pub where we prepared the mushrooms we had just picked. On our way, a man was selling fresh fish from the back of his van to the local women…The mushrooms were cooked differently depending on the flavors they naturally contained. Some were sautéed with garlic, cream, and herbs, while others were blended with onion, olive oil, and spices…The best was a creamy mixture with oregano from the local countryside. I have never tasted better mushrooms!
We thought that we were only going to be eating mushrooms. Until they brought out platters of chorizo (special slightly spicy sausage) with more bread slices. We thought that was nice. And then they brought out salad (the traditional salad with iceberg lettuce, shredded carrots, corn, onion, tomato, and tuna with an olive oil/vinegar dressing). We were now full. Then they brought out potaje de garbanzos (a stew-like dish containing garbanzo beans, chorizo, and other things…it’s a heavy comfort food dish that is special to the Andalusian mountain side region). I can honestly say that this is one of the best dishes I have ever had! Unfortunately, not much of this was eaten, because we were all full. Then, they brought out pan-sired pork with French fries. It was delicious. THEN they brought out flan with a little chocolate-coated straw-like cookie (you know what kind I’m talking about)! I think I ate an entire Thanksgiving feat in one setting!
On our way out, two men were conversing about what was in the trunk of one of their cars: a deer that one of them had hunted and buttered. The meat was sitting, cut up, in several boxes and the head was resting beside it, waiting to be taken to a local establishment to be hung on the wall….Only in the countryside!
Throughout this excursion, we were accompanied by our guides (María, who is one of the program directors, and Fran, who is one of the program and orientation guides. He’s a student at the university), and their friends. María brought her friend, who brought her 7 month old daughter, Candela (a very Andalús name). So cute. And Fran brought three of his good friends who all go to the university with him. They were all very social and were great to talk to. Wonderful Spanish practice.
After this, I can probably say that this was one of the best days ever!
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