Fall on the Island

Mallorca is immune to the crisp chill of late October. This week I tried trail running for the first time, got a taste of a local holiday and settled into my routine of teaching primary school kids.

A month into my time here, and I feel miles and miles away from the traditional Fall I know.

Here October doesn't mean pumpkin spice lattes and knit sweaters, but rather mushroom hunting and olive harvests and of course the Festa de les Verges.

As an island tradition, Festa de les Verges or Festival of the Virgins, is celebrated on October 21st as a day where boyfriends would serenade their girlfriends.

Sweet, right? But far sweeter is the hallmark pastry of the fest that are known as 'Bunyols.'

A potato based dough is fried in sunflower oil to create something like a donut. A generous dip in sugar is also expected.

It made for the perfect teaching activity in school, I think my excitement exceeded that of the first graders. Which is saying something.

The school of Voramar is packed full with primary school kids from the Can Picafort area. You can't have a bad day when a 3 year old races up to embrace you.

The school shifts between Catalan, Spanish and English all day long.

As the days get shorter, that can only mean one thing- the Esclatasang mushrooms are ripe for the picking in the Tramuntana mountains.

Their name means blood splatter because when the stems of the mushrooms are snapped they produce a red, gooey liquid with a macabre quality.

A variety of mushrooms are ready to be eaten this month. Each one with a singsongy name like Picornell and Blavas (meaning blue).

A basket called a 'Paner' is used to hold the mushrooms, woven together with reeds of cane plants. This creates a sturdy but airy environment for the treasures of the mountain.

Not of the magic variety- these shrooms are delicious served on their own sauteed with garlic and butter. Or over Sobrasada and a drizzle of honey.

Everyday I run on a trail through the Fincas, and I get to be a firsthand witness to the seasonal olive harvest.

And also pick fresh Mediterranean bouquets for my bedroom.

I've ventured off the road and into a more intimate way to see the island- trail running.

Pavement is traded for loose rocks and a vertical challenge. But oh the views, they are worth it all.

A new friend showed me the ropes took me to the Puig de Maria.

Atop stands a monastery built in the fourteenth century, created to plead the Virgin Mary for protection against the black death.

The city of Pollenca sat below, all within view like a board game. Making me, and my worries, feel delightfully small.

Stage 2 of trail running led us 10km up a rocky path to the top of a lookout in Cala San Vincenç.

The morning sun broke over the mountains like an egg yolk. Coating the sea in golden rays.

We stumbled upon a prehistoric cave that dates back to around 1600 BC, the Middle Bronze Age. I file that under the 'things that blow my mind' tab.

Fresh rosemary blossomed on the mountainside.

After getting a taste for the Palma nightlife on Friday, Saturday begged to be enjoyed beachside.

Port de Sóller proved the most picturesque place to recharge our batteries in its quaint horseshoe bay.

The village is an isolated seaside retreat where the sun is warm and the frozen yogurt cold.

What more could a girl ask for.

A vintage trolly chugs its way through the streets and out past the lemon groves.

The harvest season is here, and life surely does feel abundant.

Hasta pronto.