24 Thursday Jun 2021
The heat is back, creeping back up to 40º, and so we are now always looking for shady streets when out and about. In fact, there’s a new app out there called Shadowmap that tells you when and where streets in Sevilla (or anywhere else in the world) are more likely to be shady. I usually tend to just look up the street, but I suppose it could be handy if you don’t know a place and you are planning a walking route. Honestly, there’s an app for everything these days.
21 Monday Jun 2021
12 Wednesday Aug 2020
Posted in casa azahar, home, sevilla, summer, weather
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It was expected, but this month’s electricity bill (which actually covers a two month period) still came as a bit of a shock. Much more than any other year. About 100€ more. Not surprising as I have been mostly at home, well, since March 12th. But it made me realise how much I take advantage of other people’s AC! I mean, I am trying to be prudent, and don’t put the AC on until it hits 30º inside the apartment, then set it so that it ends up a comfy 27º (with fans on). And I never sleep with it on. But you know, before I would be out and about during the day, and often working in the evenings. Which also meant I had an income to pay the damn bill, but I digress. Continue reading
31 Friday Jul 2020
Posted in coronavirus, sevilla, spain, summer, tapas, tapas bars
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Every year I write up a list of bars and restaurants in Sevilla that will be open in August. Used to be that almost every place closed, shops too, and Sevilla was quite a ghost town. In some ways I kind of liked that. Broke things up a bit, with a change of rhythm. Everything slowed down appropriately, in terms of The Heat. But the past few years there have been throngs of hapless HOT tourists wandering all over town, tour guides risking heat stroke taking out group after group, all defying the weather. It was getting crazy. It WAS crazy.
And now it’s crazy in a different way.
Anyhow CLICK HERE to see the August 2020 list. These are all independently run places and they can all use our support. So if you’re hungry in Sevilla these are some great bars and restaurants to go to that are also doing well with Covid health and safety protocols. Also some good take-away and home delivery options. 🙂
24 Saturday Aug 2019
Posted in casa azahar, cats, friends, home, sevilla, sevilla staycation, summer
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As I mentioned the other day, I’ve been on a staycation this month, since I don’t have any money coming in and can’t really afford a holiday. But I’ve been keeping busy and it’s actually been quite nice having some time off, taking walks, seeing friends, reading, netflixing with the cats (watch One Strange Rock!), cooking (still trying to perfect tortilla con “socarrat”). It’s also nice because the crazy neighbour is away all summer, so I can enjoy time at home without having to deal with her nonsense. Plus it hasn’t been super hot. And hey, I did have trips to London and Galicia earlier this year, so I’m not complaining.
Meanwhile, I’ve also been looking at what direction my business will take as the rapid growth of tourism over the past few years has totally changed what began (for me) as a “hobby that turned into a job” thing. Which has been fabulous. And since 2009 it’s also provided a decent living. Then I started We Love Tapas in 2015, but it was around that same time that Sevilla was suddenly inundated by new tour companies. And so, while I know I offer a superior experience, I realise I have to “up my game” if I am going to actually STAY in the game. So that is also what has been on my mind during this short hiatus, and I’m happy to say that some fresh possiblilites have presented themselves (both in my mind and in person). More on that as things progress.
How’s your summer been going?
casa azahar 