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Tag Archives: friends

chef chat

28 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by azahar in friends, gastronomy, sevilla

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events, friends, gastronomia, gurme sevilla

So this was much more fun and interesting than I thought it would be! I was invited to an event held by Gurmé Sevilla – a chat with Michelin starred chef Ricard Camarena from Valencia (now with 2 stars!) and food critic Carlos Maribone, to be followed by a “cocktail party” afterwards, catered by La Azotea. I thought of it more of an opportunity to meet up with friends at the party. Also, I didn’t really know much about this chef, other than he had just received his second star a couple of weeks ago. And so we sat down and I took out my phone, expecting to Instagram while listening with one ear, but then Ricard starting talking…

He comes across as quite a serious and humble guy, answering the questions put to him in a thoughtful and unhurried manner. But although low-key, he was far from boring, talking about how he got started, his family, his wife (and business partner) and his thoughts about running a successful restaurant, or really a successful anything, since a lot of his opinions would apply to all kinds of endevours. Which I guess is what made it so interesting because everything he said was so relatable on different levels. He was actually quite inspiring.

Then it was time to party! I had already seen and greeted several friends on the way in, and had been especially happy to see Enrique Becerra, who was still recovering from recent surgery but now getting out and about. I also met a few new and interesting people, and talked to others I hadn’t seen in awhile. Good times.

floweries in sevilla!

24 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by azahar in friends, instagram, sevilla, social media, tapas, tapas bars, twitter

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friends, instagram, sevilla, tapas

I first met Caroline & Steve when I was in San Sebastian. We had been Twitter friends for ages, so it was great to finally meet up in person. Then I found out they were coming to Sevilla with their friends Chris & Louisa, so we met up this weekend for a quick tapeo. Because OF COURSE they had to try the pringá at Bodeguita Romero. Hoping they will be back soon.

donna & dave

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by azahar in friends, instagram, sevilla, social media, tapas, tapas tours

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friends, instagram, sevilla, tapas tours

I’ve said it before but, man, my life would be so much poorer without Twitter and (more recently) Instagram. Last night I finally got to meet Donna & Dave, who I met via Victor @welovemalaga, another friend I also met on Twitter many years ago. D & D have been to Málaga several times but this was their first visit to Sevilla and they came out on a tapas tour with me. Hopefully we will meet up in Málaga next time!

the monitor

17 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by azahar in friends, health & happiness

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friends, health

Health, eh? We tend to take it for granted until something goes wrong. Which of course I learned big time back in 2008. These days I am much more cautious about thinking I am HEALTHY. Especially this year, having had 1 PET scan and 3 CT scans so far because they can’t figure out what that mysterious “cloud of inflammation” is and – so far – don’t want to cut me open to get a proper look.

Meanwhile, I have also developed a FLOATER in my right eye, similar to one I had about ten years ago. Same flashing lights, etc. My GP has requested an appointment with the eye specialist, but I am still waiting to have that confirmed. Likewise I am still waiting to hear when my next oncology appointment will be to get the results of the latest CT scan (taken 10 days ago). But one thing I do know! My blood pressure is perfect.

This surprises me, given that I am overweight and have had problems with tachycardia since I was in my mid-twenties. And so it also surprised me when skinny pal Peter’s @SVQconcierge recent medical check showed that his blood pressure was high enough to warrant daily medication and regular BP monitoring. This regular monitoring was getting to be a pain, so when Kate @sledpress recommended a wrist monitor that she uses I placed an order for it on Amazon. And well… immediately the readings were higher than those at the doctor’s (mine included!) but they will have to be taken over time, and in different situations, and then also at the doctor’s again.

My point is…. had I not been going in for various this and that anyhow, and if I hadn’t suggested that Peter get a check-up while I was there, then he wouldn’t have known about the blood pressure issue. And so boys and girls, if you haven’t had a full general check-up in the past couple of years… do it!

aperitif has arrived

16 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by azahar in books, books & writing, friends

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aperitif, books, friends

Back in June I mentioned my friend Kate Hawking’s @katehawkings new book Aperitif, which I put in my Amazon shopping basket, and then forgot it was there! Then the other day I was looking to order a blood pressure monitor for Peter (more on that later) and saw I had an item in my basket. Well heck!

And so here it is, and it’s a very nice book indeed. I love how Kate writes. It’s also the first time I’ve ever been mentioned in the acknowledgements, which is quite thrilling. Now I just need Kate to come back to Sevilla and sign this for me.

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