If you ask most people what was their first holiday to Spain like most would say they spent all the time sunbathing next to the hotel pool or frying themselves lobster red on the safe, sandy beaches in reach of seafront cafes selling beer, sangria, touristy paella and chicken and chips. In the 1960s and 70s northern Europeans flocked to sunny Spain to soak the Mediterranean sun up and consume vast amounts of cheap food and drink.
Madrid 1982
Somehow, when I first came to Spain in 1978 I missed the typical beach bit and spent a blisteringly hot 4 weeks hitching round the “real” unspoilt Spain, the interior, through mountains ranges and across vast rolling plains that shimmered in that mirage kind of way that only extreme heat can . I distinctly remember the feel of oven hot dry air blowing in my face, through my hair and over my bare sun burnt arms whilst sitting in the back of a 1970s Seat Mirafiori without airconditioning.The main pastime on the lorry packed road, besides observing how our kind driver overtook each truck with a certain bullfighting type of bravado and bluff in the face of oncoming traffic, was to stare out across the plains of golden stubble and sunflowers and try to spot as many medieval/Moorish castles or typical Spanish country houses as possible. They were dotted intermittedly along the melting tarmac route, normally in the most spectacular spots.
Valencia 1982
Needless to say our frequent stops for rest, petrol, change of lift and refreshment were very welcome and very interesting. Nearly everyone who picked us up insisted on inviting us to have a drink and a tapa and in several cases to full blown meals. Although embarrassing to begin with it soon became apparent that to refuse was borderline rude so we proceeded to become experts on the best tapas and drinks. Tortilla patata,(Potato Omelette or Spanish omelette),Habas con jamon(broad beans with ham), Patatas Bravas, Ensaladilla Rusa(Russian Salad),Ternera en Salsa(beef in sauce), mini fried fish, what looked like fried sparrows and many more delights. We basically ate and drank our way round Spain meeting all kinds of people and visiting some amazing places which in 1978 seemed almost to have been more like the 1950s with the car models in the streets all curiously unfamiliar Seats , old Renaults, secondhand ex Cold War Mercedes and others giving the impression of going back in time.
Madrid in 1982 elections (checkout the posters!)
And to add to this 50s black and white film atmosphere, people dressed relatively simply and with none of the trendy 70s flares and wide ties.
Many ladies over 40 years old dressed in black as a sign of mourning for a dead family member and loads of gentleman wore dark hats, berets, sombreros. This was especially so in the rural areas where the feeling was of the 1930s.There were not many tractors or agricultural machines and there was a baffling array of mules, donkeys and horses and carts being used for transport or work in the fields. I saw in various villages people working the earth manually (harvesting/ploughing) which I had only ever seen in books and in the paddy fields in Asia. Of course, the donkeys and carts on the roads made for some pretty hairaising driving experiences. I always got the impression that drivers of the cars we were in, actually seemed to accelerate as we approached four legged traffic. Close shave wasn’t something I could say in Spanish but expletives and hiding behind our hands seemed a good way to express our concern. Well, no….this just made most of the drivers laugh out loud and shout out things like Jaja! Burros!!(Ha-ha Donkeys!).
Besides close shaving hundreds of donkeys and mules we did actually visit the truly unique cities of Toledo, Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla amongst many other enchanting places (and some not so enchanting!). We met non English speaking Spaniards who were enchanting as well and really wanted to show us that Spain and Spaniards were open minded, international and friendly.
Andalucia in 1983
And it was people and food that most impressed upon me on this trip and subsequently when I went to live in Murcia,Spain in 1982. Spanish people were always outgoing, happy and everywhere we went wanting to express their hospitality by sharing food with you, whether it was a shepherd in the mountains with his bit of cheese , hard bread and goatskin of wine or the chic businessman driving from Vitoria to Madrid who picked us up in his red Seat sports car(but no aircon either!) and invited to a most delicious tapa dinner in Burgos. He took us to this fascinating stone cellar type restaurant and we dined on Spanish ham, cured meats,”Morcilla” (black pudding made with rice filling) all kinds of montaditos (small slices of bread with various s meat and vegetable toppings), thick country bread, juicy beef steaks and lots of red wine drunk from a “porron” (a jug with a thin spout for pouring the wine directly into your mouth(no special red wine glasses needed!). The meal seemed to go on forever and just when you thought it was over something else arrived on the table. I will never forget my first Spanish gastronomic experience in that cellar in Burgos
Madrid 1982
Food and kindness to the weary traveller is part of the culture of Spain. It was in the 70s and continues to be now although be it in a more modern environment. Back then even though black and white was one of the impressions I had of Spain , I was still bowled over by the colours, the sunsets and the big cultural and geographical differences between the regions. The only thing they had in common was that bright, brilliant sunshine…………..and of course the close shaven donkeys.
Patrick Waller
Absolutely loved this post – my first visit to Spain was in ’78. I was only 7. We came here to live but didn’t stay. However the country never lost its grip on me and I have returned to live. The photos remind me of a very special time. It’s amazing to think that the Franco era was only just over when some of these photos were taken!
Robin,
Glad you you liked the post.Spain also never lost its grip on me!You’re right some of these photos were just after Franco died. I will be writing more a bit further ahead in the future about other experiences I had in those years, living and travelling in Spain
Hi Paddy!
What a fantastic post! You never cease to inspire me with your posts. It’s a real insight into late 70’s Spain (what an amazing time to visit!). Thank you so much.
Caroline x
Glad you liked it Caroline.It was indeed a lovely time to visit Spain….
What a wonderful post – so interesting to read what it was all like 35 years ago, especially details like clothes and the friendly attitude of your kind lift-givers. Thanks Paddy!
Thanks Fiona..glad you enjoyed it. Different times but fun ones too.