It's Not About the Tapas: A Spanish Adventure on Two Wheels

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE TAPA’S is the first travel book written by Polly Evans from her series of adventures across the world. Set in Spain IT’S NOT ABOUT THE TAPA’S was quickly joined by other travelogues set in South America, New Zealand, China and Canada. For some unknown reason this was the last of her books that I have read, and I am glad I saved it for last as I don’t think it is her best work. She starts off really well and had me in stitches as she brings Hong Kong alive and her reasons for leaving. However, once she has purchased her bike and arrived in Spain she seems to change gear [pun intended] as she sets off on two wheels across the country.

I do like how she brings the history alive of each place she visits, and real show more interesting stuff too – not just facts and figures. Spain has a long, fascinating and often blood thirsty history. Unfortunately Evans is only able to skim the surface but the trip is her focus after all. I loved reading about the Queen who dragged her husband’s dead and decaying body around Spain, another king who kept pickled heads (I kid you not!), as well as the history behind the Basque separatist movement, why pork is so popular, the origins of flamenco dancing and just how influential the Moorish civilisation was on Spain.

Trouble is, she spends quite a lot of time complaining about her experience. In her other books she meets some really extraordinary people and seems to like the people she meets despite the cultural differences. Evans seemed to not find much to interact with Spanish over, she seemed unhappy with the lodgings she picked, the towns she went to and the people she met. When she did see something that fascinated, such as the elderly pensioner ladies all dressed in black but with brightly tinted hair, her she related it with clarity and wit and brought the people alive. show less

Acquired via BookCrossing 27 Jun 2009 - picked up at Mozfest

I think I've read a later book by this author about travelling in New Zealand. Anyway, in this one she sets out to cycle 1000 km in Spain, in two chunks, north and south/middle. This arrangement seemed a bit odd to me but there you go - the actual narrative was good, with a lot about her learning to actually ride the bike without falling off and interesting encounters with wildlife, dogs and residents. A jolly read and a likeable author.

To get away from a hectic life and job in Hong Kong, Polly Evans decides to bicycle 1000 miles in Spain. As she speaks Spanish rather well after a student sojourn some years previous, she manages better than many might on the back roads and in the small villages. Still, there are encounters with dogs and protective mother pigs, surly innkeepers and overly helpful townsfolk. She touches upon landscape and scenery, historical events and tourist attractions. Interesting but not compelling.