19 Tuesday Sep 2017
Posted in casa azahar, cats, home, sevilla
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There is something very satisfying about chillaxing with Loki. And even though it’s far from winter, he still demands some lap and snuggle time, especially when I put my feet up to watch some TV. Anyhow, here’s a nice profile shot showing his big green eyes (well, eye) just for Deb.
16 Saturday Sep 2017
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… I moved into that studio apartment up there. It was a memorable day for many reasons, arriving in town at precisely 8 pm on September 16th after a long drive from Salamanca with two howling cats. And THEN having to wait in the car for three hours because the landlord was late. But that was how I first met the gang at Bar Campanario, who brought food and drink out to the car so we didn’t have to leave the cats alone, who became (and still are) very dear friends.
This year’s anniversary (as so often happens now) was spent celebrating while on a Sevilla Tapas Tour. I was supposed to be throwing a big party to celebrate 25 years in Spain (May 1992), but somehow this hasn’t happened yet. Maybe I’ll wait for 25 years in Sevilla? Anyhow, it was the best move I’ve ever made. 🙂
15 Friday Sep 2017
The “power walks” are feeling a bit fresher these days, though I realize that 32º is probably not most people’s idea of cooler temperatures. Soon I’ll be able to resume the river walks, which have very few shady spots like the park walk does (look how pretty and green!) and can be brutal in full sun. September is a lovely time of year in Sevilla.
14 Thursday Sep 2017
About a million years ago (okay, it was 1998) Alex was my flatmate for six months when I was living in Mateos Gago and had to take in lodgers to help pay the rent. Anyhoodle… imagine my surprise when Alex got in touch a few weeks ago and said he was coming back to Sevilla for a conference and that he’d love to meet up.
Since I am still battling that pesky cold thang – and also working – we planned to meet up later in the week. But he ended up surprising me while I was “on tour” last night. He had gone for tapas with some colleagues at Vineria San Telmo, and while they were enjoying their dinner on the terrace he asked one of the waiters, “So, do you know Shawn?” and he said “Yeah, she’s sitting inside”. Ha!
And so at one moment when I got up from the table to get something for my clients I turned and literally bumped into Alex. Wow. BIG HUGS all around. What a lovely surprise. And after the tour we went out for a couple of penúlitimas, talking well into the wee hours. It was so great catching up and sharing our memories that we’re planning to do it again tomorrow night.
12 Tuesday Sep 2017
Posted in food & drink, friends, sevilla, spain
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The other day I got an email from Steph, an Australian woman who is travelling around Spain this month. She had just spent some time with my friend Gabriella @tenedor in San Sebastián and asked if I had any tours available for her to join while she was in Sevilla. Well, the only possibility was for her to join another couple on a Flamenco & Tapas tour on her last night in town (yesterday), which she happily did, but we also got together for lunch on Sunday – that’s Steph up there happily chowing down on some fried blood and onions – and I also gave her my handy tapas bar “short list” for her to use before the tour.
It was so much fun meeting her, and then last night going out with Diana & Peter, who were also lovely. I honestly feel so blessed that my work (including social media stuff) puts me in touch with so many amazing people.
08 Friday Sep 2017
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This is Carlos González. We’ve known each other by sight for well over 20 years. I remember many times returning exhausted after evening English classes and being soothed by his lovely guitar playing as I passed him on my way home. These days I pass him on my tapas tours and clients are always charmed.
Then one day a couple of months ago we saw each other in the street, in a different part of town and we both stopped – suddenly both out of context – and then I said… “hey, I know you!”. And we started to chat. You can find Carlos almost every evening in the Plaza del Triunfo next to the Cathedral in Sevilla. Stop by and listen (and buy one of his CDs!). He’s a lovely man and a brilliant guitarist.
07 Thursday Sep 2017
Posted in casa azahar, home, sevilla
Yes, I KNOW I just moved, but I have always considered that place up there on the top floor as one of my dream apartments. There is another one too, not far from where I live now, and just a couple of weeks ago I pointed it out to Peter saying… oooooohhh, I’d love to live there! And fucked if it didn’t show up for rent (email notices) while I was away in Málaga. THAT VERY ONE. Gone now of course, and anyhow, I am where I am for at least one year. I think it’s time to unsubscribe from the daily updates of available apartments…
04 Monday Sep 2017
Posted in sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, wine
One of the most delightful & delicious “discoveries” in a very long time. When I was out having lunch with Francisco & Friends the other day, talk turned to “typical” bars that we all love, and Miguel mentioned Bar Casa Eme. Which I had never heard of. WELL… it was made very clear by everyone that I absolutely HAD to go there.
So after a long and very hot 10,000 step walk yesterday, Peter and I finally stumbled upon it, and then stumbled inside. It was love at first sight.
This bar has been run for over 25 years by Emeterio (Eme) Serrano, who does absolutely everything. He runs the bar and cooks (the kitchen consists of two small gas burners) and also sings. He is a wonder. I was actually thinking this would be one of those places where it was more about character and ambiance than the food, but in fact the food (albeit a limited menu) was fabulous. Mostly montaditos (toasted sandwiches), but he also does a mean gambas al ajillo and apparently his garlicky coquinas and langoustines (in season) are also a hit. I swear his whisky sauce, which we tried both on the tortilla and solomillo, is the best I’ve ever had.
I just loved everything about this place, from the cosy bar (there are also some tall tables outside) to the wonderfully tiled walls, to Eme himself. We started chatting after the lunch crowd had dispersed and he told me about starting the bar and also how he hoped to retire next year. At first I thought – Nooooo… I just found you, you can’t leave now!!!… but then realized that after all this time single-handedly managing quite a busy and popular bar, Eme was due a rest. But I hope to get back as much as possible before he hangs up his apron. Review coming soon on Sevilla Tapas!
03 Sunday Sep 2017
Posted in music, sevilla, sunday song, video
It’s suddenly September and the mornings are just beautiful, lovely and fresh.
Perfect for a park walk…
02 Saturday Sep 2017
Posted in sevilla
What look like decorative planters are actually anti-terrorist barriers that have been put up around the Cathedral since the horrific Barcelona attack. There is also a lot more police presence in the streets, and police cars are being used to block off the main pedestrian shopping streets during busy times. I’m not sure if all this actually makes me feel safer, but all of a sudden it no longer feels like the same world.
