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Tag Archives: sevilla

overwhelmed by laundry

13 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, life stuff

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

coronavirus, covid, sevilla, work

laundry

It’s not always easy, coordinating loads of laundry when you live alone. I usually have 2-3 loads a week. Two of sheets and towels, pyjamas and light coloured clothing, then one of darks. The darks don’t happen every week because those are mostly my outdoor clothes and I only go out maybe twice a week. But today I got overwhelmed by laundry.

It turned out I had to do an extra load thanks to Loki making a mess on my duvet cover (and I only have one of those, so it had to get washed and dried in the sun same day) and suddenly I had to time all this washing and drying, and sheet changing, which now included wrangling with the duvet cover, with… well, nothing at all really. Because I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO. But it still felt like my whole day was consumed by this to the point that I had to ask myself how I ever ran my own business and worked full time. Answer? No fucking idea. Though I am a firm believer in the more you do, the more you do. If you know what I mean.

A couple of weeks ago I was in Casa Román having some tapas and it was only me and Peter inside, plus maybe 2-3 other tables outside. Predictably the usually attentive waiters were not paying any attention at all. And because I know them so well I said something to that effect, complaining about how the service had really gone downhill, blah blah, joking with them. But it’s true, and Inma said the same to me, that when it’s busy they all switch into high gear and everything runs super efficiently. But when there is next to nothing to do, motivation dwindles. I remember that very well from when I worked in restaurants.

But it’s the same in just day to day life. When you have a full schedule you get all that done and then some. It’s because you have so much to do that you are already geared up to do a bit more. The energy is already there. I’m not talking about being so busy there’s no time for anything else, just a healthy amount of work to keep you feeling challenged and interested. And guess what? Somehow the laundry gets done too!

Since last March I’ve had one writing assignment and a short stint as community manager for a small group of restaurants here. Other than that, I just get up in the morning and wonder what the fuck I am going to do that day other than make lunch. Thing is, although I miss the money from those two jobs I had, what I miss more is the sense of purpose I had when I got up, that I had STUFF TO DO. I don’t know why I find it so hard to self-motivate, because I’m sure there are plenty of things I could be working on (other than lunch). Okay, maybe not true that I don’t know why. The thing is that I’m scared. Sometimes scared out of my wits. When someone gives me a job to do I HAVE to snap out of it and get it done. And what a relief that is. Or was.

So I don’t know. I realise many people are suffering much more than me. On the other hand, others are complaining about the contents of their gourmet organic vegetable delivery… my online friends are all over the map.  😉  Which is fair enough because we all have different lives. I know I have to make some very big decisions about mine. And yet I can’t seem to… oh, guess I wasn’t overwhelmed by laundry after all.

so many oranges

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in sevilla

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Tags

oranges, sevilla

oranges

I read there’s a record number of oranges on the trees this year.
Sure looks like it.

oranges (1)

accidental lunch

09 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spain, tapas, tapas bars

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Tags

covid, sevilla, tapas

accidental lunch (1)

I was supposed to have a perfectly on purpose lunch with my friend Lucy, since our birthdays are a day apart and we haven’t seen each other in ages. But when we arrived at the bar I’d chosen (a new place being run by my friend chef Javi Abascal) it was fully booked. Should have known as it was the first Saturday since the January sales started, and also the first non-rainy day all week. After checking out a couple of other places (all fully booked) Lucy and I decided to postpone our birthday lunch for another day, preferably mid-week. To be honest, I have only been going out to eat during the week and at an early hour so I get to places before they get busy.

Anyhow, since I was already dressed and outside I decided to take a river walk, something I haven’t done in far too long. And it was lovely. Meanwhile, my friend Peter had been in touch so I told him I’d be in the Alameda in about half an hour if he wanted to meet for a beer. Then, while I was waiting for Peter (by chance I’d stopped to check my phone in front of Al Aljibe) I saw a couple of women at a table in the terrace paying up (it was 3 pm by this time) and so I took possession of the table and told Peter where I was.

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adapting?

08 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in art, covid, culture, sevilla

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Tags

art, fiestas de primavera, sevilla

primavera

All of the Fiestas de Primavera have been cancelled for this year, well in advance (unlike last year when it was all quite unexpected and last minute). This means Semana Santa, the Feria de Abril and the accompanying month of bullfights will not be happening. Once again.

I came across these small sculptures in a shop window and thought they were interesting. Couldn’t tell if they were a playful mash-up of the various fiesta images or if there was a more serious (sinister?) meaning to them. But it also looks like a way of adapting? Since it’s unlikely we will return to how things used to be.

lovely lovely birthday!

07 Thursday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in birthdays

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

birthday, sevilla

birthday 2021 (1)

Well I think this might be the “bubbliest” birthday I’ve ever had, having enjoyed three different sparkling wines throughout the day. And, like all the best birthdays, this one started off with just the notion of a plan and ended up being one of the best days ever.

Lately I’ve been sharing wines I come across here and there with my lovely friend Reyes Morales @remogar (owner of the iconic Casa Morales) and so today I wanted to bring this gorgeous sparkling wine from Málaga – Tartratos 2015 from Bodegas Dimobe, a Brut 100% moscatel that I first tasted last March during what turned out to be my last trip before lockdown. Well, they had given me a bottle to take home and it has been in my little pantry ever since, so this seemed like a good time to crack it open. We were joined by Peter @svqconcierge and Reyes’ husband Juan Carlos, and some tasty snacks were also provided. Plus a “one for the road” glass of cava before heading to La Moneda for lunch.

birthday 2021 (2)Caña de lomo, salchichón and jamón at Casa Morales…
all Ibérico de Bellota of course!

birthday 2021 (3)Reyes Morales

Our lunch spot was pretty much decided while sitting at Morales, since I wanted to treat Reyes to lunch, and Peter was also joining us. We had a couple of places in mind but not only did La Moneda win out because of location (being a very rainy day and it’s just around the corner) I also hadn’t been there for ages, since they opened their more casual tapas bar across from the restaurant (I’m so much more about tapas). So anyhow! We got a last minute reservation and it was perfect.

birthday 2021 (5)the BEST tortillitas de camarones in town
coquinas (tiny wedge clams) in garlicky sherry sauce
fritura mixta – so much fishy goodness
(ortiguillas, gambas cristal, puntillitas, calamares, raya)

birthday 2021

Team Inchausti at La Moneda. Isidro (front of house, in blue shirt) and chefs Jorge and Conchi (far right) are siblings who have taken over the reins of their family run restaurant, and they are doing a spectacular job. Knowing it was my birthday, and since I don’t do desserts, they gave us a lovely cava as a penúltima. And in the end Reyes didn’t let me treat her – that scamp! – scooting off to talk to the Inchaustis after the bill arrived. And although I am the Queen of Tapas I am no match for Sevilla Tapas Bar Royalty. But that’s okay, I’ll get her back! We still have lots of Mallorca wine to try together.  🙂

birthday 2021 (4)

Back home I had a short snooze in my comfy chair with this pretty girl on my lap, then we did a bit of netflixing while I chatted with friends online. Later on I discovered an unopened bottle of amontillado in my pantry, so that along with some toasted marcona almonds was dinner. Damn it was a good day. Thanks to all of you who sent lovely birthday wishes via twitter, facebook, instagram, whatsapp. You made me feel special. xx

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