Dave, Felix, and Andrea having drinks in the plaza in front of La Botica in Pontevedra.
Photo by Dave

Dave’s Visit to Spain & Portugal

In April, I had the pleasure of hanging out with my good friend Dave during his visit to Spain. Dave had just completed the Boston Marathon before flying over to the Iberian peninsula. He was also in between jobs, so this was his last chance to enjoy extended freedom for a little while. Although he had been to Spain once before, he had only visited Barcelona, so he was excited to explore Madrid and other parts of the country.

We met up in Madrid, where we indulged in cañas and tapas at the Plaza Mayor and near the Palacio Real. We also went on a bus sightseeing tour and enjoyed a run in the Parque de El Retiro. From Madrid, we took an express train to my home city of Pontevedra, in Galicia.

At the train station in Madrid, we met Sonia, a Spaniard wearing a Boston Marathon shirt who had run the race the same day as Dave! We were surprised and delighted to meet someone who had shared in Dave’s marathon experience. Dave and Sonia chatted for a few minutes and exchanged stories about the race.

In Pontevedra, we went for multiple walks as I showed Dave some of the places I frequent. He even got a haircut at Barbería JC, my favorite barbershop. It was his first trim that he ever had outside of the United States.

Once Andrea returned from an intense 24-hour shift at her hospital, we all went out for cañas at La Botica. Afterward, we had dinner at a restaurant called Nonna Clara and ate Sicilian pizza, which is a favorite of mine and Andrea. It features thin slices of potato and red onions in a tomato sauce on a thin crust that is baked just right. Happily, Andrea’s former coworker Gloria was able to join us. Like Andrea and Gloria, Dave is a medical doctor.

Dave and I had planned to participate in La Road Pontevedra, a hilly road bike event that used to be called 4 Picos. But it was going to rain all day and Dave’s legs were not completely recovered from the grueling marathon. Dave knew he was not going to enjoy the ride, so we decided not to do it.

Instead, after having breakfast with Andrea, Dave and I took a bus to Porto, Portugal, where we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, great food, and views of the Rio Douro. One morning, we did a long run, with me running just over 13.1 miles and Dave running 10. I have a new goal of running a half-marathon in every country in the European Union, and Portugal is now the second one checked off the list. (The other one is Spain, of course.)

Strava

From Porto, we traveled to San Sebastian, where we had a nice lunch across the road from the beach and went for a walk and an afternoon run before meeting up with our friends Antxon and Vicky. In their town of Astigarraga south of San Sebastian, we dined at a sidreria. Here we enjoyed cider being poured out of barrels and bottles, and a feast of delicious food. Antxon had taken me to the same place two years ago, but Vicky couldn’t come that day due to suffering from the strong side effects of the COVID booster. We all thoroughly enjoyed this traditional Basque experience.

My visit with Dave was a blast, and we both enjoyed exploring different parts of Spain and Portugal. Afterward, Dave flew to Finland to meet some relatives while I returned home to Galicia. It was a memorable visit with a good friend, and I’m grateful for the time we spent together.

Hopefully, we’ll be able to do another adventure elsewhere in the world. For example, we both want to complete the Marathon Majors (Antxon too). That would be so cool if we could meet up for that.

Eating brunch with Dave at the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
Photo by Dave
Eating brunch with Dave at the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
A late tapas lunch in Madrid with Dave.
A late tapas lunch in Madrid with Dave.
Dave in front of the Palacio Real de Madrid.
Dave in front of the Palacio Real de Madrid.
Inside the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.
Inside the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.
Delicious-looking desserts inside the Mercado de San Miguel.
Delicious-looking desserts inside the Mercado de San Miguel.
Felix and Dave in front of the Palacio de Cristal at the Parque de El Retiro.
Felix and Dave in front of the Palacio de Cristal at the Parque de El Retiro.
A bridge in Ourense, Galicia.
A bridge in Ourense, Galicia.
Dave with Oreo in Pontevedra.
Dave with Oreo in Pontevedra.
Pulpo (octopus) at Casa Fidel O'Pulpeiro.
Pulpo (octopus) at Casa Fidel O'Pulpeiro.
Dave, Felix, and Andrea having drinks in the plaza in front of La Botica in Pontevedra.
Photo by Dave
Dave, Felix, and Andrea having drinks in the plaza in front of La Botica in Pontevedra.
A pair of Vespas in front of the Puente Don Luis I bridge in Porto, Portugal.
A pair of Vespas in front of the Puente Don Luis I bridge in Porto, Portugal.
View of the esplanade next to the Rio Douro in Porto.
Photo by Dave
View of the esplanade next to the Rio Douro in Porto.
Dave with some starters in front of the Puente Don Luis I bridge in Porto.
Dave with some starters in front of the Puente Don Luis I bridge in Porto.
Dave getting ready for a long run in Porto. The yellow arrows are for the Camino Portugués, a week-long hike to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Dave getting ready for a long run in Porto. The yellow arrows are for the Camino Portugués, a week-long hike to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
A Dodge Challenger in Porto.
A Dodge Challenger in Porto.
A blue Audi R8 and white MINI Cooper  in Porto.
A blue Audi R8 and white MINI Cooper in Porto.
Felix with a glass of non-alcoholic beer, deviled eggs, and croquettes in Porto by the Rio Douro.
Photo by Dave
Felix with a glass of non-alcoholic beer, deviled eggs, and croquettes in Porto by the Rio Douro.
Having lunch by the beach in San Sebastián with Dave.
Having lunch by the beach in San Sebastián with Dave.
Going for an afternoon run in San Sebastián with Dave.
Photo by Dave
Going for an afternoon run in San Sebastián with Dave.
Antxon, Felix, Dave, and Vicky.
Photo by Antxon
Antxon, Felix, Dave, and Vicky.
Antxon had a Boston Marathon iPhone case.
Antxon had a Boston Marathon iPhone case.
Dave catching cider spraying out of a barrel at the Petritegi Ciderhouse in Astigarraga, a town south of San Sebastián.
Dave catching cider spraying out of a barrel at the Petritegi Ciderhouse in Astigarraga, a town south of San Sebastián.
Felix pouring cider for Antxon.
Photo by Vicky
Felix pouring cider for Antxon.
Going for a final run with Dave in San Sebastian in the morning.
Going for a final run with Dave in San Sebastian in the morning.