After a very hectic week with nine Sevilla Tapas Tours in eight days (Nog did three of them) it was nice to just relax and spend yesterday evening out walking around. The weather was perfect – still warm enough for sandals but with a lovely breeze – and the streets were pleasantly busy. Lots of people out for tapas.

Actually, my first stop was a “business meeting” with Juan to discuss some new ideas for his Vineria San Telmo blog, though it was really more of a social visit and chat over a glass of Botani. Nog came too as he is becoming more involved with my tapas stuff and it’s good for him to see what I do and to know the people I work with. After a pleasant hour with Juan we were on our way out and I spotted the group of six people I’d taken out the night before having dinner on the Vineria terraza. I went over to say hello and then sneakily got Juan to surprise them with a bottle of rosado from me – the looks on their faces made my day!

After checking to see if an ex-client of mine was at her restaurant (she wasn’t, as usual, which is kind of why she’s an ex-client) we wandered through barrio Santa Cruz on our way to stop number three, Albarama and Puracepa, to speak to the manager who’d asked me to translate their new menus. Then we decided to have a small snack at Puracepa, the amazing ensaladilla and pretty glass of rosado you can see above.

The ensaladilla is always served with these really cool forks that I’ve been coveting for years, so last night I asked the manager if I could buy two of them. He said they were actually running short of them because that design had been discontinued and they can’t get any more. So I said no problem, I’d just swipe a couple the next time I came. And then when I paid the bill Juanma brought my change on a tray with two forks wrapped in a napkin. Ha.

On the way out we ran into Juan Carlos, the owner of Albarama, Puracepa and the fabulous new cocktail bar Lab4, who was sitting outside on the terraza with a group of friends. He called me over to introduce me to the fellow who owns the building that Puracepa and Lab4 are in, saying that he wanted English classes(!!), and he also confirmed that he wanted to get two groups together for Nog’s Restaurant English classes (!!!). Then we chatted a bit with José Manolo (“call me Joseph”), the doorman at Lab4, who is lovely. And I thought – wow, I’m really in like Flynn with this whole gang now! – and all just because I’m chatty and show a real interest in what they’re doing.

It also ocurred to me walking home that I’d just spend my “day off” evening out working! And well, what better work to have than exactly what you’d want to be doing anyhow? This has been a dream of mine ever since I first left home at age 15 and started working – whew! Have finally made it! Now just have to get it to pay a bit better…