The Ham Shop That Stops You in Your Tracks

One of the things I enjoy about wandering through Spanish cities is that you don't have to go looking for a food experience. Sometimes it simply appears in front of you.

In this case, it was an unassuming little shop selling ibéricos — those wonderfully Spanish cured meats — somewhere in the streets of Segovia.

The first thing that caught my eye was the enormous cured ham hanging above the entrance. Then I noticed the rows of hams suspended inside the shop, almost like a rather unusual chandelier. Through the window, there were shelves and counters piled with beautifully arranged slices of jamón, chorizo and other cured meats.

And clearly I wasn't the only person who had been tempted inside. There was already a small crowd gathered at the doorway, with people studying the displays and waiting to see what deliciousness was on offer.

I particularly like the way the shop looked against its surroundings. The old Segovian building had its ornate iron balcony, weathered walls and a wonderful tangle of overhead cables, while the smart dark-green storefront looked almost theatrical by comparison.

And then there was that €5.90 sign advertising a ham-filled baguette.

Suddenly, sightseeing seemed to have a very practical purpose. 😄

Segovia is, of course, well known for its food traditions, and Iberian ham and other cured meats are very much part of the gastronomic landscape of the province.

For me, this photograph is a little reminder of one of the pleasures of travelling: sometimes the most memorable discoveries aren't monuments or famous sights. They're the ordinary shops that make you stop, look through the window and wonder what everyone else has discovered.

And judging by the queue, this particular discovery involved jamón.