07 Sunday Jul 2024
Today I did my last tapas tour until September… really hoping that by then I will have slowly moved on to my next whatever (though it will still always include a few tours here and there). But I feel I do need some time off to figure that out. Wish me luck!
05 Friday Jul 2024
Posted in seasons, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars
03 Wednesday Jul 2024
I never plan haircuts. I just wake up one day and realise that I REALLY need a haircut!!! Today was such a day. Then I had a look at my feet and saw the pedicure I had done in May (first professional one since 2018!) was also getting a bit shabby so what the heck. I decided to book both appointments for today since I am ON STAYCATION and both the hairdresser and the nail place are just a few doors down from my house. Easy!
I remember thinking back in 2018 that the pedis were going to become a regular thing, but then this and that happened, then Covid… but then in May I couldn’t deny that my feet were in pretty bad shape. So I tried the place in my street because I saw the girls were wearing masks (surgical, but better than nothing). That poor woman! The workout she had trying to get my feet even half-way back to OK. It was easier on her this time – better results too – and I also brought my own Essie polish (appropriately named TOO TOO HOT) because last time I ended up with a too-dark red. Isn’t this interesting?
Then I popped two doors down to the hairdresser. They know me by now. Just spritz my hair, cut off “dos dedos” with a “longer at the front” incline, and then I’m outta there, wet hair and all. I get charged for a full “cut & styling” but that’s fine. All I want is my hair cut.
So now I’m all set for summer. Shorter hair, perfect red happy toes, and really just a good feeling about having done this. Making time for a bit of self care is important, even if you think you can’t afford it. Oh, and I also did a full-on (chair) cardio & strength workout before I went out. Yay me!
27 Thursday Jun 2024
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Am considering not doing any tapas tours in July (August is already booked off – way too hot!). I can’t actually afford to do this but as I’m also not going on holiday my (somewhat warped) logic is that the money I’m not spending on a holiday I also can’t afford might help pay for a two-month staycation.
Well almost two months. I have a couple of tours booked early July, but I’ve been thinking… what if I had (almost) two months to just focus on other things? I’ve been dithering about The Next Step(s) ever since I realised I needed to diversify and not just rely on the tapas tours for income, but it feels like I’ve been pivoting so long I’m really just going around in circles. So maybe a reboot would help?
I’ve never been a “go on holidays” type of person anyhow, short getaways are more my style. Mostly due to finances but also because I don’t really enjoy being away from home for a long time. I love where I live and enjoy my day to day life. But I’ve also never had an extended period of time to just… BE (well other than when sick with cancer and during covid lockdown, which don’t really count).
I mean, I’d still keep up with my websites, visit tapas bars, and visit all you guys here. I just think it would be nice to feel like I didn’t have to do something, or be somewhere, on a schedule. Feeling more relaxed just thinking about it. What are you doing this summer?
25 Tuesday Jun 2024
Posted in gastronomy, restaurants, sevilla, twitter, twitter friends
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Got to meet another Twitter pal in person over the weekend. Michele @mneylon is a world-travelling food-loving guy from Ireland and we’ve known each other virtually for YEARS. And then all of a sudden he was in Sevilla! So we met up for lunch. When Michele mentioned he’d like some seafood I knew we had to go to Salmedina. I mean, I go there a lot both on my own and on my tapas tours, but it’s always fun to go with someone who really knows and appreciates good food.
Our waiter recommended the “pez tambor” in tempura and… he was so right! I’d never heard of this fish before, which is found on the Cádiz coast. Toothy little guy, also very toothsome, with firm sweet flesh in light crispy batter. Michele also made sure to get all the goodness out of the head (cheeks etc) but before taking it away our waiter pointed out that there was still some good eating from behind the eyes, and Michele happily followed instructions.
That evening I suggested that Michele go to another of my favourite spots, Augurio, and so he went with two friends and, well, raved about it. There are other excellent new restaurants in town but to me Augurio is THE opening of 2024 (even though we’re still in June I feel safe saying this). Anyhow, great to meet Michele and I hope he’ll be back again before too long.
casa azahar 