Category Archives: sevilla

brave little soldier

02 Monday Jul 2007

Posted by in culture, language, sevilla, work

≈ 9 Comments

summer-camp-small.jpg

Today is Nog’s first day at the English day camp.

I swear, it’s not something I could ever do but clearly Nog is a much braver soul than I am. Also, his regular classes are now over until September (I’ll still be working part time in July and August) so needs must and all that.

Apparently he’s in charge of two groups of 9-13 year olds (yikes!). He gives a two-hour class (eep!) to each group and in between they have a snack and go for a swim. Well, the kids swim while the teachers race between the two private ‘nautical’ clubs (about ten minutes apart) to teach their second group, after they’ve handed out the morning snack.

I just got a text message from Nog saying things are going well so far, just the second class to get through now.

And I have been busily doing ‘housewifey’ stuff all morning, specifically preparing all kinds of Nog’s favourite foods so he can have whatever his brave heart desires for lunch when he gets back (around 3pm).

f_goodluck.gif Wish him luck everybody! f_goodluck.gif

I think it’s gonna be a l-o-n-g month. . .

adiós bar giralda!

23 Wednesday May 2007

Posted by in culture, food & drink, home, photos, sevilla

≈ 8 Comments

giralda-bar.jpg           cerveceria-giralda.jpg           giralda-dining-room.jpg

I’m devastated! The best tapa bar in my street – Cervecería Giralda – has closed. It’s such a landmark that it’s going to be hard to imagine Sevilla without it. I saw the owner this evening at his other bar, La Estrella, and asked him why he closed down the best tapa bar in the street and he said he wanted to start slowing down taking things easier. I reckon he was made an offer he couldn’t refuse as it’s in a very prime location. It better not turn out to be another bloody Starbucks!

Meanwhile, we can still go to La Estrella as the tapa menu is pretty much the same there and it’s only about a five-minute walk from home. But it doesn’t have the same charm and ‘ambientation’ and you can’t sit outside under the orange trees and enjoy people watching as well as a lovely view of the cathedral. f_wah.gif

[update: bar giralda reopened in July! ] 🙂

sevilla sevilla sevilla!

18 Friday May 2007

Posted by in culture, sevilla

≈ 8 Comments

uefa_cup_logo.jpg

Well hey, they won again!

And normally I wouldn’t give a flying except, just like last year when Sevilla won the UEFA Cup, it seems I will be kept awake all night, and possibly for several nights running, by revellers out revelling and constantly singing the *Team Song* that grates like a grating thing . . .

To be fair, the Sevilla fans are pretty much a decent bunch, but when I woke up this morning (the match was last night in Glasgow) I thought – oh thank gawd they didn’t win. Since the entire night had passed without incident – like no stupid songs being sung off-key. But apparently the fans were waiting for the team to come home today to show their appreciation properly. Gaaaaa!

Anyhow, just gone midnight and they’re all still out there …

love the life I live …

13 Sunday May 2007

Posted by in culture, home, life stuff, music, sevilla

≈ 8 Comments

cuban-band.jpg

. . . and especially where I live it.

All afternoon this small acoustic musical group – about six guys – has been playing Cuban style music under my balcony (in fact they are at the bar across the street). A lot of the songs I recall from Buena Vista Social Club albums, along with other traditional tunes. So far it’s been about a three-hour free concert.

Fabulous background music for my lovely and lazy Sunday afternoon at home (this would never happen in Trawnna or Bristow) . . .

fnac is open!

12 Saturday May 2007

Posted by in books & writing, films, media, music, retail therapy, sevilla

≈ 7 Comments

fnac-store1

Avenida de la Constitución 8
41001 Sevilla

And it seems to fit in just fine with the ‘new look’ Avenida de la Constitución, so the worries I expressed over here last month turned out to be unfounded.

It also has a very good selection of DVDs and CDs. Lots of cool electronic and computer stuff. And they even sell vinyl records! The English book section is a bit small but I did manage to find a Terry Pratchett book I haven’t yet read. Anyhow, I think it’s a rather nice addition to Sevilla.

How do you like the new trams? This one is just for show as they aren’t operating yet. Apparently they will be removing the overhead cables within the year and we’ll be getting battery operated trams – not quite sure what happened there.

new-tram

Now if they’d just blow-up all the Starbucks that have sprouted like vile mushrooms all down the Avenida . . .