My post will undoubtedly echo the sentiments of some earlier posters but I thought I'd throw this out there anyway. I am a cook, pastry cook, traveller and writer. I will be in Spain for a month and a half early next year and would like to spend some of that time (two weeks or so) staging in a great restaurant there. The names I see over and over again are those mentioned here on egullet. Given that I have no connections with any Spanish chefs but a real desire to dig my heels in somewhere and work would anyone have any advice about how to make this happen? Would it be most appropriate to write letters to the restaurants? Would it be better to call them directly? Are there certain restaurants that are more open to stagiaires than others? Should I just show up and roll up my sleeves? Also, I think to myself, wow, Arzak, wow, El Bulli, but I'm just as keen on restaurants that are doing what they do well, regardless of fame and Michelin stars. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot in advance, and thanks also for the great posts that occur here every day. I learn so much each time I log on.