The Beaches of Ferrol

Galicia is world-renowned for its beaches. When I studied abroad in London two years ago, I remember asking one of my professors where the best beaches were in Europe, and she told me that the North-Atlantic coast of Spain was the best kept secret of the continent. Go figure that I ended up here for a year! When Sheena and I stayed with Maria our first week in Ferrol, she drove us out to a beach near her house in Covas (the village she lives in just fifteen outside of the city itself), which was absolutely gorgeous. To be honest, it reminds me of the stretch of cliffs along Highway 1. So here are some of the photos I took three weeks ago, my apologies for the belated post.

This building is an old house. Apparently there is no one in it anymore, but according to Maria it isn't worth walking around. I beg to differ, and plan to return here some time to check it out. The coast here is peppered with old lighthouses (or faros), and abandoned military outposts built centuries ago. I hope to visit as many as I can. It isn't illegal to walk around most of them, as they are all on government-owned public land, and as they aren't serving any purpose anymore, spectators won't be bothered. (...Don't worry, ma!)

This is more or less looking northwest. It's difficult to get a perfect sense of direction here, as the coast is full of so many tiny inlets. The water is unbelievably translucent and gorgeous.



..Northern California, or Northern Spain!? Does this not look like Carmel?
















Ok, that was three weeks ago. Now for the more recent beach photos!

David and Laura drove us along the coast after we toured the Castillo de San Felipe last week, to the more popular beaches (also completely pristine). I'm curious to see how full these places will get during the summer months, because I fear the fall might be slightly deceiving. I was impressed by the fact that there was no one in sight at most of the beaches we passed, but I assume that when the weather is better, they'll be relatively full. Here we are, just around the bend from the castle.

We wound through breathtaking views of the mountains, sky, and ocean, through small towns and farms, and arrived after a short time at this beach. I believe it's called San Xorge, and according to David, this beach has the best sand in the world. As I am a Santa Cruz girl, my shoes were off before I was even out of the car. Naturally, I had to test his theory. Honestly though, I might believe him, this may be the best sand in the world. It is divinely, yes DIVINELY soft, fine, and clean. I felt like I was walking on clouds. I've truly found heaven. (Were the water ten degrees warmer...)




Naturally, I had to put my feet in the water also, and I ignored the fact that my companions regarded as a crazy person. It was sweet, David and Laura kept warning me that the water would be freezing, and I would regret it, but it wasn't THAT terrible. I'm used to the frigid Pacific seas of Northern California, so for me, this water was warmer than what I'm used to. Barely, I'll admit, but slightly warmer still.


... and I arrive! Welcome home!


That is all for now, photo-wise. This week has been busy, though. I met the director of the Language school in Ferrol, Maria José, she's a close friend of the woman I am assisting, and she is wonderful! I had hoped to enroll in Gallego classes, because I obviously won't learn the language at any other time in my life. (The basic level is also free!) Unfortunately, the scheduling conflicts with work. However, not all is lost, as I think I found my connection to the world of theater in Ferrol! Narón, a town that borders Ferrol much in the same way that Capitola borders Santa Cruz, has a relatively good-sized theater school and performance arts center. Maria took me to the center on Friday, and helped me figure out what my options are for becoming involved. Matriculation in the acting school is more or less full time, but there are a few classes offered that I'd like to get involved in. On Monday I'm going to a modern dance/ performance art class, to meet the professor, and see how I might do! I'm really hoping the instruction is in Spanish, and not Gallego, but we shall see. More updates soon!

After that, Maria took me to three grocery stores to find food coloring. It's not something they use here, but I want to make cupcakes for the kids in class to decorate in honor of Halloween. We finally tracked it down, and I was able to find some cupcake holders in a Chino. Cupcake pans are out of the question, but I'm going to try to MacGyver something out of tartlet tins. Should be interesting...

Ciao for now!