Category Archives: sevilla

antonio cid

27 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in death & dying, friends, sevilla

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antonio cid
I just found out today that my friend Antonio Cid died on January 3rd. Well, we weren’t close friends, but I’ve known him for years and we just kind of “clicked” somehow. We used to see each other more often before I moved away from barrio Santa Cruz, where he worked part time at a bar near my old place. I hadn’t seen him in a couple of months and I think our last “encounter” was a jokey thing said on Twitter. And now I’ll never see him again. How can this be? Antonio was a kind and gentle soul, and also a gifted photographer. Have a look…

Antonio Cid Photography

papeles

23 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in sevilla, spain, work

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paperwork-002This is my life at the moment! Lots of paperwork to take care of this month. First of all there were year-end taxes to sort out, with a visit to my accountant earlier in the week. That’s almost done, other than still trying to work out how to access notifications on my “digital signature” thingy issued by the government. Not responding to notifications – actually not knowing I had to – cost me 380 euros in fines last summer. So gotta figure that one out.

Next I have to go down to the Social Security office with the appropriate papers to opt out of payments for the next two months. As a self-employed person (autónima) I have to pay a flat-rate of 275 euros a month whether I make a bean or not, unless I sign off during times when I’m not making any money. Last winter I didn’t realise it would be so slow and ended up paying out this money, plus paying my accountant, which I avoided during the next slow season (July-August) by simply doing the “baja” and not working. Not really worth doing two tours and paying out three times more than I’ve earned! Crazy system they have here.

Then I have to organise whatever papers I’ll need to renew my residency permit. I have an appointment set up for early February but in the meantime I have to get copies of this and that, plus maybe re-take the hideous ID photos I had done earlier. Well, at least it’s nice and sunny.

So how’s your week going?

last tapas tour for 2013

30 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in food & drink, sevilla, tapas, tapas tours

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tapas tours 2013
I’m heading out soon for my last Sevilla Tapas Tour of 2013. It’s really been a great year and I continue to love this work. I think because I am sticking to what I like best about it and not trying to make it into something it’s not. I mean, I don’t even think of myself as a “tour guide”, more of a “culinary host” taking people to all my favourite places. And it keep evolving, which I also like.

It’ll be interesting to see how 2014 goes. There are a lot more people doing tapas tours in Sevilla now and some seem to be taking the whole “competition” thing quite seriously. One person who recently started using “Sevilla Tapas Tours” on Twitter (the name I’m been known by for years) went so far as to register that name for their website. Which is why I’m glad that I am doing this in my own way. People may copy my name, they might swipe my ideas and – as has already happened – totally rip off my price list… but they can’t copy me, my experience, or my passion for what I do.

Also, there is so much more to Sevilla Tapas than just food tours. I’ve spent almost seven years building up my website that now has close to 200 bar and restaurant listings in Sevilla, as well as my website for tapas in Andalucía (haven’t counted how many bars are listed there). I’ve worked with the Sevilla Tourist Board on a couple of projects and am suddenly being asked to attend food and wine events as an expert in my field. Which is thrilling, really. And I have more things planned for the new year. So stay tuned!

But now I really must dash! Picking up my guests in half an hour…