Tag Archives: tradition

Churros Time

Churros Time -- table with churros, a cup of chocolate, and coffee cups.
“Churros Time” — Churros, chocolate, and coffee, Madrid Spain.

Yes, this is at Madrid’s Chocolatería San Ginés, one of the better-known (and more touristy) churros shops. Even though it is located down a less-than-obvious side street, the place is often packed. They have come up to the challenge, with a unique (to me, anyway) method of taking orders and allocating tables. The churros and chocolate are the classic combo, with the coffee a nice accompaniment.

I am glad we visited this place, since it is an icon. But it isn’t my most favorite churros experience in Spain. That was in Zaragoza, where we heard that a particular place on an obscure back street is loved by locals. While Americans like us might expect this to be a morning thing, this place only opened at 4:00PM, and the locals were already lined up inside and at the outside walk-up window. And, even better, it seemed that no one spoke English, aside from a helpful customer who was willing to put her limited English to work helping a couple of confused Americans.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

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Munich Christmas Market

“Munich Christmas Market” — The evening crowd at the Munich Christmas Market.

Among other things, we timed our late-2024 trip to Europe to coincide with the Christmas market season. We had heard about these events for years, and this was finally our opportunity to see some of them as we visited various cities. Our main targets were in Germany, but before we were done we also saw some in France and Spain. They are everywhere, and the basic theme is similar despite regional variations. (Gluhwein in Germany becomes vin chaud in France.)

Munich was the final Germany city we visited this time. We were not there primarily for the Christmas market — we planned to attend a concert, go out to dinner, and generally experience the place. But on the first afternoon our walking route took us right through this main market. It was crowded, to the point that it was hard to walk. Vendor stalls lined the street, selling all kinds of holiday items, from food and drink to Christmas ornaments and warm gloves and socks.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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