Author Archives: azahar

l’armanaque de sevilla 2026

02 Friday Jan 2026

Posted by in art, markets, sevilla, tapas bars

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A new year and another great L’Armanaque de Sevilla by local artist (and my neighbour!) Alfredo Rodríguez. He started making and selling his colourful prints of bar façades during lockdown in 2020 and produced his first L’Armanaque in 2023. Each year has been a bit different and for 2026 we get not only a new façade each month but also Alfredo’s suggestions for what to eat and drink there.

Not quite as artistic😉 but also special to me is getting the little magnetic fridge calendar every December from my butcher in the Encarnación Market. I can’t remember when I started picking these up but it’s been years. I stopped in there just before Christmas and THERE WERE NO CALENDARS. Found out they were late being delivered so I went by again today to pick up some carrillada and before I could even ask he slapped a calendar down on the counter for me. My kitchen wouldn’t feel the same without one.

new year 2025!

01 Thursday Jan 2026

Posted by in casa azahar, seasons, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours

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Happy New Year! In keeping with tradition (or one of them anyhow) I hobbled over to Barrio Santa Cruz at lunchtime with Peter to visit my two favourite bars there. First up was Las Teresas where we arrived just in time to grab a couple of bar stools in front of the jamón cutting station (my happy place). Ordered some cava and raised a glass (and some jamón) to Dan Jamón as that was his happy place too. Then we went around the corner to Casa Román for some sherry and tapas. 

I don’t get over to the ol’ hood much these days – I used to be around there at least 2-3 times a week on my tapas tours – because what should be just over a 20 minute walk now takes almost an hour of slow painful hobbling. So while it was lovely to see everyone, and they were all so happy to see me too, it made me realise how much I miss my “old life”, and the people in it, and being able to, you know, walk. 

While at Casa Román I was chatting with Manolo (he’s just behind the sherry glasses in the pic below) and later remembered that he’s had surgery for either his knee or hip, can’t remember. And I thought, well he’s a big guy, must weigh at least as much as me… so then I wondered why I am being fat shamed by doctors and denied proper treatment when a large (not fat) man weighing the same or more than me isn’t. It would seem that weight isn’t the issue after all. Anyhow, I will start that fight up again after my birthday. Because I really really really want my life back. 

luna update

30 Tuesday Dec 2025

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, home

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Hopefully the last vet visit for a good while. Today we went to get Luna’s stitches taken out and she really was good as gold. Both incisions had 10-12 stitches each, so it was a slow and delicate procedure, but I held her while the vets worked and, although she winced a couple of times, she was very calm and patient. Now back at home and, unfortunately, she still has to wear the Dread Cone until Friday, while everything heals over completely. But that should be it. What a long, stressful (and expensive) two weeks it’s been.

it’s not tradition, it’s racism in disguise

29 Monday Dec 2025

Posted by in christmas, culture, sevilla, spain

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And a thinly veiled disguise at that. Spotted this posted on the storefront window of Lush Cosmetics in Calle Tetuan whilst out for a hobble…

Pintarse la cara de negro no es tradición. Es racismo maquillado.
La ONU reconoce el blackface como una práctica racista que perpetúa estereotipos coloniales.
#StopBlackfaceInSpain

Painting your face black is not a tradition. It’s racism in disguise.
The UN recognises blackface as a racist practice that perpetuates colonial stereotypes.

Well done Lush! And WTF is wrong with you Spain, that you still think this sort of “casual racism” is just a “harmless custom” meant to bring joy to children? Yes, the practice has come under debate and received much criticism over the past few years, but I mean what is there to debate? Spain, I love you but just stop fucking doing this already. I could say a LOT more about racism in Spain but I’m just too overwhelmed by THE WORLD right now. Some other time perhaps. I was just glad to see this today, though sorry it still needs to be said.