05 Thursday Oct 2017
Posted in food & drink, friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars
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Yes, it’s true. The fabulous Julie & Steven (AKA Julia & Esteban) ARE BACK IN TOWN. This time to spend almost a week here in our gloriously HOT & SUNNY October weather. And of course, to go out with meeeeee! We got off to a good start last night with a bottle of Juvé & Camps cava at the Corte Inglés Gourmet Experience before I whisked them off to one of my new favourite bars Bodega Palo Santo. Looking forward to us being vecinos again for awhile. xx
04 Wednesday Oct 2017
Posted in casa azahar, home, sevilla
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When I moved into the new Casa Azahar in August it was all freshly painted and lovely and clean, but the previous owners had taken their light fixtures with them, which is fairly typical. And so, except for in the kitchen and bathroom, there were just dangling light bulbs waiting to be replaced with something prettier. This was actually the first time in about 20 years that I’ve had to buy ceiling lights, and back then it was strictly white paper globes, which was all I could afford. But although I’m more of a lamp person and prefer soft indirect lighting in the evening, my new place isn’t as bright & shiny as the last two were, and so it was clear that I would have to turn the ceiling lights on during the day *gasp*.
Thus began an almost two-month search for attractive and affordable ceiling and wall lights. You wouldn’t think this would be difficult but it turned out that the ones I liked cost a fortune, and others were too fussy (or, to be honest, just plain ugly). Finally I decided to just settle for the simplest designs in white, so that you wouldn’t actually notice they were there. Except for my bedroom light, which looks like fairies are visiting. 😉
Then of course they had to be installed. Back in the day I wouldn’t have thought twice about dangling atop a rickety ladder and connecting new ceiling lights. But let’s just say those days are gone. I’d received one very high estimate (80€!!) from one person, then I heard of someone else who would do it for half the price. And then my fabulous landlord came to the rescue. There were a couple of repairs that he was going to take care of, as well as swapping out the old oven here for my new one, and he said he’d have his guy come over and install my lights too. Yay!
There are still a few more things I’d like to do with this place, but those will be on me. I have to say I am very happy here and it really feels like home. Cats like it too.
03 Tuesday Oct 2017
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A photo of the “office” this morning, with an important difference. Normally Peter’s laptop would be set up on the white table on the right but, at least for this month, he has moved to his own place. We’re still not sure if this will be a temporary situation or a permanent one, but we both agree that it was a necessary one.
Don’t get me wrong. We are still very good friends, and I hope will remain so. But after over 13 years of being flatmates and workmates it was time for a break. I have to admit this was mostly my decision, but I do think it will be a good thing for both of us. I guess I just got to the point where I had forgotten what it was like to just be me at home, and not have another person there, always around, and always reacting to this other presence in my house.
During my last visit to Málaga in August I went through all kinds of emotions when I first got there. I don’t know why, but I was feeling a bit fragile and a couple of times I was even downright panicky. Also sad. But I was also comfortable staying at my friend’s place and visiting my other Málaga friends. The only thing missing were the cats! Then Peter came down for the last two days, staying at a nearby hotel, and suddenly I was “reacting” again to this dynamic we’ve developed over the years, rather than just feeling like myself. And it made me realize that it’s only when I’ve been away that I’ve caught glimpses of another Shawn, either someone I used to be, or someone I could be, and I really wanted a chance to pursue that fleeting feeling. At home. With my cats.
So yesterday I helped Peter move stuff over to his new temporary home. Finding short-term rentals here is almost impossible now due to AirBnB, etc, so whatever happens this place will be temporary as it’s quite expensive. But just for one month it will be fine. And depending on how things go, Peter may come back here in November, or he’ll look for a permanent place of his own.
Right now I don’t really know how I’m feeling. Waking up on my own and feeding the cats, making coffee, turning on the computer… there is both sadness and relief. I can plan my day without having to think about someone else, which maybe sounds selfish, but this is just what I need right now. Maybe a month will be enough of a break for me to feel grounded in myself again, maybe I’ll need a few months, I really don’t know. I do know that if this wasn’t an initial one-month arrangement I don’t think I could bear the sadness. I couldn’t have watched Peter leave with his last batch of clothes last night thinking I’d never see him again. But he’s still around, just over in Santa Cruz, and that’s a comfort.
I’ve actually got a busy day lined up for today, so I’d better get moving. I won’t be posting this on Facebook, which I usually do with my blog posts. I actually seldom use my personal FB, and it was only a year or so ago (maybe?) that I started auto-posting these posts over there. Things have become a bit muddled, as I now have a bunch of “friends” over there, and I’m not sure I want to share this with them all. But this blog has always been where I talk to you guys. So once again, thanks for listening, and for being here. Will let you know how things go – wish me luck! xx
02 Monday Oct 2017
Posted in food & drink, gastronomy, sevilla, sherry, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours
… or at least one of them. This is Rafael’s jamón cutting station at Bar Las Teresas. I’ve been coming to this bar for over 24 years now and, while I have seen some changes over the years (not all of them good), it remains one of the places where I feel relaxed and at home. Like I’m with family.
In fact, this is something I hear a lot from women from other countries – how they feel so comfortable going out to bars on their own here, unlike back home. And it’s true. You don’t feel weird or worry about being hit on. More than likely you’ll end up chatting with the people sitting next to you at the bar, though if you want to just enjoy your tapas and wine on your own, that’s also quite acceptable.
Anyhow, I’ve spent many a happy hour sitting at this very spot, watching Ramón deftly wielding his cutting knife, chatting with the barmen, enjoying lovely tapas. I’m often asked which is my favourite tapas bar in Sevilla, which is an impossible question for me to answer, but this is definitely one of them.
30 Saturday Sep 2017
Posted in food & drink, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours
Good times on a recent Gourmet Tapas Tour. There is a certain amount of unpredictability and a bit of an extra challenge with the gourmet tours. Actually “gourmet” isn’t really the right term, but I haven’t found a better one. Because it’s not about going to posh places with wanky gastrobar food – it’s about tasting the best of what Sevilla has to offer, from tiny hole-in-the-wall bars to more sophisticated spots (and all family run). Basically people pay as they go, so I don’t have to stay within a budget, and we can go to as many bars as they want. The record (so far) is 7 tapas bars in 5 hours. This one was 5 bars in 5 hours, including a penúltima, with a super fun group of 4 friends – a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. I love my job. 🙂
casa azahar 