• about azahar (that’s me!)
  • my cancer story
  • azahar’s kitchen
  • azahar’s sevilla
  • sevilla tapas
  • personal trip planning

casa azahar

~ my life in sevilla

casa azahar

Author Archives: azahar

it’s my 30th Sevilla anniversary!

16 Saturday Sep 2023

Posted by azahar in 30th anniversary, sevilla

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

sevilla, sevilla anniversary

30th

Yep today was the day and, as it turned out, I spent most of my actual Sevilla anniversary in Jerez. Starting with a visit to the smallest sherry bodega in the world (more on that later). Back in Jerez we enjoyed a tapas lunch at a “new” place I’ve been wanting to visit since it opened, but covid got in the way. Happy to report that Bina Bar did not disappoint and, as always, we had a great time with friends Anne & Paul. Later we stopped at another tapas bar for a penúltima before heading to the super posh 5-star Casa Palacio María Luísa for pre-train cocktails out in the garden. Paul insisted on instructing the barman on how to make the perfect vodka dry martini and, I have to say, he was not wrong! It was probably the best martini of my life.

30th (4)

Then it was time to head home and, although Peter seemed like he was done for the day, when I realised we’d be getting back to Sevilla at 8 pm I suggested we get off at San Bernardo station and get the tram to the city centre… and then stop in at Bodeguita Romero. Which we did, suitcase in tow. We both knew if we went home first there was no way we’d go out again.

30th (2)

And it was perfect. The place was packed even though we got there shortly after opening time but María magicked a couple of bar stools for us next to the open front doors. And it just felt right to be there on my anniversary, a bar that feels so much like home. We just had a couple of snacks and Alejandro invited us to a small bottle of Corpinat sparkling rosé (gorgeous!).

30th (3)

After that we wandered home. I didn’t even unpack. Just dropped the suitcase, cuddled the girls (who were waiting by the front door), had a nice hot shower and flopped into bed, feeling so happy about all these years here, and all the wonderful people I’ve come to know, in Sevilla and elsewhere.

he signed it!

15 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by azahar in books, sherry

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

sherry, sherry educator, the book of sherry wines

signed

Last night I was invited to a posh presentation at the Hotel Alfonso XIII and, when I found out César Saldaña was going to be there, I decided to take the opportunity of getting my copy of The Book of Sherry Wine signed. César is not only an author, he’s the president of the Sherry Council and was one of my teachers when I took the Sherry Educator course back in 2015. I think I caught him by surprise with the book, but he was a good sport about it. Though he didn’t write “to the BEST sherry student I’ve ever had” like I asked him to… 😉

doppelgänger

14 Thursday Sep 2023

Posted by azahar in sevilla, spain, tapas tours

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

rick steves, tapas tours

dennis rick

The other day I took out a lovely couple, Jacquie and Dennis, on an evening tapas tour. Like many people they found me in Rick Steves guide book, so I mentioned that Rick had been here in May and that I had taken him out, then I showed them this photo (don’t peek yet) and Dennis said “He looks just like me with that beard!” (apparently Rick is usually clean shaven). And when Dennis found out he was sitting in the very same chair Rick had sat in at Salmedina he said “let’s recreate this photo!”. So we did. Can you tell which is the real Rick Steves?

sinusitis vs covid

13 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by azahar in covid, health

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

covid, health, sevilla

sinus vs covid

Well dammit. It’s back! Or is it? A month ago I had a serious bout of what I assumed was rhinosinusitis as it mostly stayed in my head. And while I had symptoms I kept testing for Covid, just in case, since who knows what the symptoms are the new variants (not us, because we’re not being told). So I wasn’t too concerned when this started up again on Sunday as it was pretty much the same-old with runny nose, facial pain, dripping down my throat (ick), plus I have had sinus issues all my life. But then yesterday things took a turn.

A small “tickle” that had developed in my throat turned into full-on coughing my lungs out during the night, so bad that I could barely sleep. And yet I still tested negative for Covid this morning (I’ve been testing daily since Sunday). WTF? Using this venn as a guide, the only overlapping symptoms I have are cough and slight congestion, the rest is all sinusitis stuff. And sinusitis could be the result of either a bacterial infection or “just a cold”, both of which can spread to the lungs. Obviously a bacterial infection isn’t contagious, but “just a cold” is.

I mean, I don’t feel terrible or anything (other than my face still hurts, lots of pressure) and today the cough seems to have disappeared as quickly as it showed up.

MEANWHILE… a couple of weeks ago I booked tickets for one of the fabulous Catas Magistrales that are taking place during the Jerez Vendimia (grape harvest), this one being hosted on Friday evening by Bodegas Lustau in the splendid Alcázar gardens. I also booked train tickets and a hotel for overnight. And now I don’t know what to do.

So what to do? If I’m going to cancel then I have to do it first thing tomorrow morning so I don’t end up having to pay for the hotel (train and event tickets are non-refundable). Back in the day I would have thought nothing about travelling – or even going out somewhere – with “just a cold”. Those days are gone. But if I am no longer sneezing and coughing… oh I don’t know, maybe it’s just sinuses. Of course I’ll have my FFP2 mask on while travelling on public transport. And most of the things I’ll be doing in Jerez will take place outdoors. It’s quite a dilemma. What would you do? And yes, am looking at you Kate.

twilight blue

12 Tuesday Sep 2023

Posted by azahar in sevilla, spain

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

sevilla, spain

twilight

💙🌙

← Older posts
Newer posts →

patreon (1)

OR

comments

Unknown's avatararacena getaway day… on reyes & javi
Unknown's avatararacena getaway day… on aracena getaway day 1
Unknown's avatarthe terminator tooth… on broken tooth sequel
Unknown's avatarthe terminator tooth… on eep! broken tooth!
Unknown's avatararacena getaway day… on postcard from aracena
Unknown's avatararacena getaway day… on birthday trip
Unknown's avatararacena getaway day… on finca buenvino
Unknown's avatarsunday song –… on aracena getaway!
Unknown's avatararacena getaway! | c… on birthday trip
Unknown's avatarcaturday april 11th… on morcilla is 13!

meta

  • Create account
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

visitations

  • 981,852 peeks

categories

archives

Enter your email address to subscribe to casa az and get email notices of new posts.

Join 2,279 other subscribers

azahar on Instagram

No Instagram images were found.

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • casa azahar
    • Join 2,012 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • casa azahar
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments...