11 Wednesday Nov 2020
Posted in sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours
So yay! The latest National Geographic Traveller is out and I’M IN IT. It came as a bit of a surprise because I was happy to take the journo out in February while she was here, and also give her tips on where else to go in Sevilla. The idea was that she’d give my tapas tours a mention, not that I’d end up being talked about for almost a whole page. So that was nice. Still trying to get a copy. It never feels real for me until I hold the printed version in my hot little hands.
05 Thursday Nov 2020
Posted in coronavirus, covid, health & happiness
It’s done! Got my flu jab because it seemed like the prudent thing to do. In fact, the regional government here is recommending that as many people as possible get this done to eliminate any confusion in case they get Covid. I have only had flu once in my life, when I was about 40, and I swear to god I thought I was dying. EVERYTHING hurt, I was nauseous, couldn’t think straight, had a fever… for the better part of a week all I could do was drag my sorry body (and duvet) from my bed to the sofa and back again all the while hoping I would just die already.
I vaguely remember having one flu jab after that. I mean, you’d think I’d have asked for them every year so as to avoid ever experiencing THAT again, but no, because duh. So when I showed up at my health centre the nurse looked at my history on the computer and said, “been awhile”. I said that maybe my last flu jab was maayybeeeee five years ago … and she said “you were 52!” So okay. I think from now on I will be doing this on a yearly basis. Also hope to be getting a Covid jab soon?
02 Monday Nov 2020
Posted in sherry, sherry week, spain
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Yay, #SherryWeek is here at last! And since this is 2020 it will be a largely virtual affair, so this week I am going to take you through one of my Sherry & Tapas tastings, one wine per day (7 in total) with some of my favourite pairings. Hope this gives you a little inspiration for trying sherry as it was meant to be enjoyed, with good food and good friends.
Follow me on Instagram to see the pairings this week. And feel free to ask any questions about the wines and the food. ¡Salud!
27 Tuesday Oct 2020
Posted in art, sevilla, tapas bars
Yay! I was so happy to pick up my framed print by local artist Alfredo Rodríguez @alfredorfz today. During lockdown Alfredo started creating colourful paintings of Sevilla bar façades and l fell in love with this one of my beloved Bar Casa Eme, which closed for good in March. I first saw the print on his Instagram page and left a comment saying I WANT ONE!. Then Alfredo got in touch and said he was selling limited prints and I placed my order.
We talked about where I would pick it up and it turned out that Alfredo lives in the same street as me! In fact I could wave at him right now if he was out on his balcony. How random is that??
But despite our close proximity, because of my weird availability times for going out and his work schedule (he is front of house at Barra Baja) it worked out easier to pick up the print at the restaurant while I was out running other errands. Then I asked where I could get it framed and he recommended a place he likes, so that’s where I took it.
And today I hung it up in living room / office where I can see it all the time.
It’s a happy reminder of happier times. Go check out Alfredo’s work and get in touch with him if you’d like one of the limited prints. They’re all gorgeous. He’s done nine so far and I hear he’s making even more!
26 Monday Oct 2020
Posted in casa azahar, coronavirus, covid, home, hope, sevilla, spain
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I remember when I used to like Mondays because l loved my job, enjoyed my life. I always loved that “fresh new week” feeling, so full of possibilities. But now Monday is just a reminder that another week has passed without work or friends or plans. I mean I need a plan at least, in order to have some hope again.
And okay, l do have some plans, but not any l can move forward with at the moment (so l need new plans). And l have friends, but l can’t see them, or when l do, l can’t hug them. And the financial stress situation doesn’t allow me the luxury of boredom. Anyhow, I’ve never been good at being bored. So I am in a constant state of WHAT TO DO NEXT?? without being able to do much. Other than try to come up with a plan.
Thing about making plans is that, when you’re out and about in the world meeting people and doing things, other stuff often happens as a result, and inspiration or luck can be around the next corner. Trust me, I now know every corner of this apartment better than I ever wanted to and… nada. There’s nothing waiting around any of them.
Anyhow, I’m sure if it was Tuesday l wouldn’t be feeling like this. 😉
I just miss my old Mondays, which then reminds me how much I’m missing everything else. And learning yesterday that we’ll be in lockdown now until May… ufff.
Today was also a turning point when I learned that a friend of mine in Sevilla has Covid. Symptoms and all. It’s the first time someone I actually know has come down with the virus. Until now it’s been someone’s friend, family member or co-worker. But this is my friend. Someone I love very much. And so now it’s personal, Covid. Fuck you. And also fuck every anti-masker and idiotic herd immunity whack job, because you are why things have gone this far, and for so long. I despise you all.
How’s your Monday going?
casa azahar 