Asturian-American Migration Forum

Hola a todos, antes de nada os pido disculpas por no poder expresarme en inglés, mi nivel es bajo y prefiero escribir bien en el idioma que conozco.
He conocido esta web por medio de un reportaje en la revista dominical de "el Periódico" escrito por el periodista Luis Argeo que narraba la historia de un millar y medio de asturianos que emigraron a Virginia Occidental, en EEUU.
Soy asturiano, de Taramundi, y vivo actualmente en Barcelona, donde llevo casi cuatro años trabajando y desde el año pasado también estudiando y en parte me siento un poco identificado con estas gentes y con cualquier otra persona que emigra o se desplaza de su tierra natal buscando mejores oportunidades que le brinde el lugar de acogida.
Me conmovió el relato porque eran tiempos difíciles, no como ahora, que no hay tanta pobreza y las distancias parecen más pequeñas en avión.
Yo también siento morriña, y por supuesto que me gustaría regresar, pero es difícil la situación laboral, causada por nuestros políticos, que no miran el interés de Asturias sino que se pliegan a lo que se dice desde la dirección del partido en Madrid. Esto es aplicable a los dos partidos políticos que han gobernado desde la muerte de Franco, PSOE y PP.
Pero es difícil que cambie la situación a no ser que cambie la mentalidad del pueblo astur, que a pesar de ser patriota como la que más permite que la gobiernen desde fuera.
Un abrazo a todos los asturianos, especialmente a los que se encuentran en el extranjero ( y a sus descendientes ).

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trad. Elí

Hi everybody, first, please excuse me for my inability to express myself in English, my command of the language is poor and I prefer to write in a language I master.

I learned about this site from an article in the weekly edition of 'El Periodico" written by Luis Argeo who told the story of one and a half thousand Asturians that emigrated to West Virginia, US.

I am Asturian, from Taramundi, currently living in Barcelona, where I've been working almost four years and studying since last year. In part I can identify with these people and anybody else that emigrates or leaves his homeland looking for better opportunities this new land may provide. I was moved by the story because they were tough times, unlike today with better living standards and shortened distances because of airplane transportation.

I too feel 'morriña' [longing], no doubt I would like to go back, but the difficult labor conditions caused by our politicians, who aren't looking after the Asturian interests, rather they 'pliegan' [Elí: I believe this word as used is intended to mean 'adhere to'] to what headquarters in Madrid may say. This applies to all governing political parties since Franco's death, PSOE and PP. But it is difficult for this to change unless the mentality of the Astur people changes as well, who despite being as patriotic as can be allow themselves to be governed by outsiders.

A firm embrace to all Asturians, especially those that are in foreign lands (and their descendants).

Bonas, Ivo, ya espero que t'afayes na comunida web d'asturianus.org. Dexuro que hai outros d'Asturias oucidental preiqui. La mia familia ia del conceyu Allande que nun ta l.lonxe de Taramunde.

Tengo una entruga pa ti. Anueite, eiqui en Washington, fixeramos una fiesta ya you trouxe una tabla de queixos asturianos que mercara en xunu, pente el.los un de Taramunde feitu de l.leite de vaca pero con graninos roxos ya nuez.

A la xente gustou-ys muitu esti queixu, xunto col Ovin', que cuido ia del oriente d'Asturias. Sabrias tu como se fai esti queixu ya'l por que de los graninos coloraos?

Hola Is! A min encántame ese queixo do que falas, trouxen varios a Barcelona a que o probaran unhos conocidos e tuvo muito éxito. Eu teño duas tías trabayando na cooperativa que fabrica este queixo, que se chama "El Carballo", e sempre que vou a Taramundi regalanme algo.
Esta é unha pouca información que puiden atopar na página: Enlace

Método de elaboración: Las leches enteras de vaca y cabra ordeñadas del día se calientan a 30 ºC durante 30-40 minutos y con cuajo industrial. Una vez lograda la cuajada, se corta a tamaño de grano de arroz. El desuero se trabaja en la cuba, removiendo continuamente durante 20 minutos, para subir la temperatura hasta los 45 ºC, momento en que la cuajada se traslada a moldes de plástico para su prensado, durante dos horas y volteándose constantemente. Pasadas 24 horas, se introduce en salmuera entre 5 y 10 horas para su salazón, oreándose posteriormente unos 5 o 6 días a 10 ºC. Finalmente, debe pasar aún un tiempo de maduración de dos meses, como mínimo, en cámara a una temperatura de 10-12 ºC y con una humedad que alcanza el 90%.
MATERIAS PRIMAS: Leche entera de vaca y de cabra. Leche de vaca solamente para la variedad con frutos secos. Cuajo industrial, sal, frutos secos (avellanas y nuez).

Espero que esta información sea de teu agrado, saludos!

Bienvenidos Ivo,
Espero que disfrutes del foro. Mi abuelo, José Benito Martinez, era de Taramundi. El imigró de ahí a Cuba en 1914 y yo de Cuba a Miami. Yo, afortunadamente, llegé a conocer el pueblo de mi abuelo por medio de este foro maravilloso. Algún dia ojala que lo conozco en persona como Ud.

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Welcome Ivo,
I hope that you'll enjoy the forum. My grandfather, Jose Benito Martinez was from Taramundi. He imigrated from there to Cuba, and I from Cuba to Miami. I, fortunately, learned about the town of my grandfather's birth through this wonderful forum. Someday, God willing, I'll able to know it in person like you.

Daysi--What are you waiting for to spend a holiday at an inn or farm-stay in Taramunde? There are plenty of places to stay and so many things to see: hydraulic mills, blacksmith workshops, wild Celtic back country. Ivo is right, Taramunde is very much one of Asturias' variations on Tolkien's Middle Earth.

Before you go, with your kids, make sure you double-check the status of your e-ticket. This from someone who 'forgot' some details and was turned back at Dulles airport in Washington on his way to Middle Earth (Asturias). Nunca mais!

Actually Is, I've wondered that myself. You see, I have family in Barakaldo (my abuelo's second wife and step-daughter and a plethora of cousins thru them). Also, my husband who is German/Greek, has his family in Athens, Hannover and Zurich. I think I'm due for a European roadtrip right about now. But the kids are still rather young (ages 5 and 7) and my mom, whose father is the abuelo of which I speak, is 82 and a bit too old for international travel. Demasiado complicado. That's why it feels like a pipe dream. Since I'm a teacher, though, I do have the luxury of summer travel... and spring break... hmmmm, on second thought .....
OKAY! Now, try to convince me that I should make this magical trip. And if so, what would be the best way to swing it? Any suggestions folks?

It might make more sense to ask what reason there is NOT to make the visit to Asturias. If you can't think of a good one, go, dollar to euro ratio be damned.

By the way, 82 is the age my father was when my brother and I took him to Asturias with us. He got tired, of course, but he had a wonderful time and he managed to keep up with us "kids" (I'm 63) I wouldn't rule out age as a reason not to travel. Last year, at almost 89 he traveled with me to the Asturian conference at Rollins College and Tampa. Dad died in August at age 90, but he always regarded those two trips as the highlight of his life, and I am convinced that they added years to his time. What could be better than being immersed in Asturian culture and finding that your first languages (asturianu and castellano) were the dominant ones even if only for a week or two.

About how much time should be spent on the trip? Given that I have to stop in Barakaldo to see the family for at least four days or so. One week? two? more? Also, what would be the best way to fly? to which airport? Once there, rent a car? or ride train?

I would spend as much time in Asturias as I possibly could, just enjoyng being there, talking to people, etc. Like you, I teach, so I have the luxury of time. I think I would be happy to stay in Gijón, Avilés and/or Oviedo and make day trips from there. From the EEUU, you won't find any direct flights to Ranón, the Asturian airport a few miles from Avilés, but its not hard to get a connection from Madrid, London, and other European airports. I rented a car at the airport as a simple matter of convenience since I wanted to explore a bit.

You can find hoteles, pensiones, etc., at a wide variety of prices, and you will find that the food is wonderful and quite affordable. I would start by contacting one of the government-run tourist offices (in any one of the three major cities - some of the smaller ones are not open all year)and asking for maps, brochures and information.

Don't miss Covadonga, Ribadesella and Cangas de Onís, by the way. They are well worth the drive.

Since you're a teacher, it might be worth exploring a Fullbright or some other such grant,

Daysi, just GO!! My husband and I visited 2 weeks October-November 2006. We wanted another week at least, and we filled each and every hour. Every day was another marvelous adventure. Do Not miss the Picos. There is nothing anywhere to compare with their beauty. Because we are not fluent in either language, we hired hosts who where magnificent. We stayed in a centuries old house in Ceceda which was perfect for "branching out" to the fishing villages, Picos, Covadonga, Nava, siderias, etc. etc. I shall never forget the feeling of standing in Piedras Blancas knowing my grandparents had walked the same earth. And, realizing what they so bravely left behind to begin their new lives. Gosh, I cannot wait to return to Asturias. Next time we will spend time in Oviedo. We were so enamored with the countryside, and the weather was so perfect, that we kept putting Oviedo off for the rainy day that didn't happen. One day in Oviedo just didn't skim the surface. What a beautiful, pristine city. Anyway, Just Go!!! (Just close your eyes and forget the euro to dollar exchange. It will be the best dollars you ever spend.)
Betty

"...and Welcome to an extremely foggy Asturias!" That is how the British crew on my EasyJet flight from London-Stansted greeted the passengers upon landing in Asturias yesterday. The plane descended for what seemed like a long time through 0 visibility clouds. Only when we were about 150m above ground could you make out 'caseries' (farmsteads) on the ground. I asked the crew if they often have problems landing here and they went over to the captain, who said it gets worse in the fall-winter when the fog sets in. For outbound international connections, I never fly out of Asturias because of the risk of fog. But for inbound, the EasyJet flights land no matter what, so it's a safe bet.

Weather here is indeed very rainy, my windows have been pattering all night. Such a change from Washington DC where we've had endless summer since May!

Daysi: I second Bob and Betty's encouraging words. Bite the bullet on the euro and come to Middle Earth...

I find it impossible to think of anyone saying on their deathbed "I wish I had spent fewer days and less money traveling in Asturias."

Hey, it's 09.35 h, it has been raining all night, but now the SUN IS SHINING in Gijón... which obviously doesn't mean a thing, the weather can change ten times or more this morning. It's part of the fun of being in Asturias.

enlace

Flights cancellations in Asturias airport are the norm!, The only way to avoid them is as Is said flying with Easy Jet. It seems that their pilots are the only ones that land in the normal adverse situations of Ranon. Spanish pilots (specially Iberia) follow different regulations than Easy Jet.

One fantastic way of entering into Asturias is by road coming from Madrid/Leon and driving thru Puerto Pajares. The contrast between the Castillian plains and the Asturian mountains, between the sun and the orbayu is just breath taking.

As Melendi says.

Y si el comparar no es justo, diré que no hay comparación
Pues no hay mejor sensación, que respirar bien profundo
Cuando pasas el Negron.

Aquí os va una vista del Playón de Bayas desde el avión, poco antes de aterrizar en Ranón. No sé si sigue siendo nudista.

Here's a pic of the Playón de Bayas taken from the airplane just before landing at Asturias airport. Not sure if it's still a nudist beach anymore.