There are several letters in English that are
difficult in Spanish and vice-versa. The letter X is one. Lexi’s name is difficult
for people here to pronounce. Her real name is Alexandra but seemed a bit large
a name for a small cat so we shortened it. Alexandra in Spanish is Alejandra so
her new Spanish name is Lajandra – h is replaced by the j so it sounds like
Lahandra. Pepe Senior calls here the “No Meow Gata” because he was impressed
she was so quite in the car and when we showed her to his wife and friend.
Not so many photos this blog so will intersperse with views from the flat.
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| Our view from the living room window, one with more detail coming up. |
As per above, it was a Convent, maybe still is, this is the back of it and I haven't photographed the front yet.
Landlord Pepe came to the flat and we got the few questions
we had answered. He took us to breakfast at his favorite establishment and it
was good, eclectic in decoration which was fun to see, all authentic older
Spanish utility items on the walls, sepia photographs of times gone past. He
wanted to take us to a different market to shop than we usually go to but had a
business appointment nearing time so we sent him along to it, not to make him
late. He brought the bundle buggy with some oranges and lemons from Pepe
Senior’s finca (farm) yum! We took advantage of the wheels again and stocked up
some more, seems like we are always doing that.
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| These "pots" adorn most rooftops, ceramic as are the tiles. I could do a whole post on them, lovely! |
Saturday and it’s raining we’re to meet Ali and
Andy (US Expats who live in Freiburg but are in Sevilla now) for lunch in front of El Cortes Ingles, the department store in Plaza del
Duque de la Victoria, just as a spot most buses go through. Passing Amarillo
Albero we make a reservation. Waiting for them, thunder and the skies open up
and pour, I mean seriously pour! Once meeting them, they are already soaked
having stood near a puddle when a car went by and drenched them. Water is
building up on the streets into rivers you cannot get around and have to walk
through. Shoes soaked, bottom of pants soaked, head streaming with water down
my neck. Thank goodness for my purchase of waterproof mascara a day or so ago,
racoon eyes are not so attractive on anything but a racoon, Ugh.
Last time in memory we have encountered this
complete downpour was Monpelier, France. We ducked into a doorway which happened to be a
dance school. Young men came out in their skivies and danced in the rain. It
seemed to let up so we headed back to our hotel but before reaching it through
the streets which were now rivers I walked completely through my sandal making
it difficult to walk the rest of the way, did of course.
I usually say, a little rain never hurts, after
all, we’re from the “wet” Coast aka West Coast but in both situations this was
like someone turned a faucet on.
Nice lunch though with good, sometimes a bit
bizzare conversation between Bruce and Andy, both highly imaginative types.
Wind whipped umbrellas across the street and the awning in front of the bodega
just about off. Still pouring buckets when we’ve finished and had delayed some
hoping for it to clear a bit but didn’t so we hailed a cab to go the four
blocks to the apartment. Hung up all wet clothing and are NOT going out again
tonight. I expect many floods because it has been dry, leaves are down
constricting the drains and glad we’re on the first (Canadian second) floor of
the building. Aside from the weather a very nice visit with the two and was
very good to see them!
Bruce accidentily brought the garage door
clicker/opener from Freiburg to Sevilla and there is only one which our
partners will need while there. Partners have threatened to dump him upside
down to empty his pockets before leaving next time. Sevilla has only one main
post office which used to be down the street from the flat but moved close to
the Cathedral last year. It’s a fair hike from the flat now so we cabbed to it,
bought postage for the padded envelope we are sending it in and posted. Didn’t
take long, they have a “take a number” system depending on four areas of
services they provide that works well, no line ups, especially at this time of
year.
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| Same view as "one pot" but two and showing a roof garden, of which there are many in Sevilla |
Walked along the Cathedral and into the pedestrian
area of many shops and eventually back to the flat. Day was warm and very
pleasant. It was nice to be back in the touristy area for a little bit but
wouldn’t want to stay there for an extended period of time. It’s expensive,
cerveza, beer costs 1.50 Euro per glass in our neighbourhood and it was double
that at the café we stopped at. Found a specialty shop for food off the main
shopping street that has every type of Andalusian ham imaginable along with many
other great finds from the region. They were busy putting together gift packs to
mail for Christmas.
Christmas decorations abound, lights across the top
of the streets, stores, trees of pointsettias, pretty. Oh, sorry to be a
Scrooge but I don’t enjoy canned or taped Christmas carols much and they’re everywhere
here too and in English mostly, same as what we hear in Department stores in
Canada.
Children with helium balloons festooned the streets
this day. Really not sure what that was about. Last day of school until January
7th and the teachers take the kids to a park, balloons are supplied
by banks.
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| Real detail above the door across the street, I think it's beautifully done and a pleasure to look at. |
Found a couple of new, to me, Spanish blogs and
apparently many expats living in Spain use Facebook to connect so while I don’t
use it much perhaps that’s a way to get better connected with what goes on. I
suppose it’s that way for most groups and it’s primary use I haven’t taken
advantage of to date. Doh, me the reluctant social media person.
Here's another www.scribblerinseville.com . Ivan wonders why I read expat blogs, perhaps because they point out the differences for a non-Spanish speaking person living here. Perhaps, also, they are not the most accurate rendition of real Sevilla life, shaded by their English background. However, all information is good and I can usually filter what isn't quite correct or real.
Our day out with Ivan was supposed to include the
following: go to a wheels rental place and look for wheels for Bruce, see the
Triana Market and the Ceramic Museum, then lunch with viewings of the nativity
scenes. Didn’t quite turn out that way.
Bruce woke with a throbbing toothache so we changed
plans, as you know we sometimes do. Went to the wheels store and found what we
think will work very well for him but rented for a week to make sure with
option for rental or purchase the rest of the time we are here. It’s gently
used so to buy would be half price, a good deal if Bruce likes it.
Then on to lunch at Sol y Sombra meaning two
things: “sun and shade” or the drink, equal parts of anise and brandy.
Andelusia delight with authentic pub and saloon decorated completely on the
walls with programs from bull fights going back years. Christmas lunches are in
full swing so there were large groups in to enjoy the food. We had a salad of
prawn, cooked peppers, onion, olive oil and lemon, just wonderful. Then
Solomillo (pork) la Whiskey with roasted garlic cloves also wonderful! They
apparently do a great oxtail stew there but we were full, Bruce couldn’t eat
due to the tooth so Ivan and I enjoyed.
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| Most excellent lunch, most excellent company! |
Ivan said Sevilla is known for aircraft engineering
and a company is currently building one here for the US Military. They employ
many people, which is good business for Sevilla.
In Triana, the District we were in where ceramic
tile was manufactured and fishermen plied their trade, Tempura was used to fry
the fish. Japanese fishermen came to Triana and took the receipe home with
them, along with previously mentioned, the painted fans used by the geisha, items I had thought started in Japan.
Bruce needs antibiotics sooner than later, can feel
infection settling in, so after calling around Ivan made us an appointment, not
happily, at an emergency clinic to get Bruce some antibiotics, but then he
called his Dentist and got an appointment for even sooner and with a
professional he trusts. He drove us about fifteen minutes out of town with a very competent staff of Dentist and associates. We
were both happy to go directly to the Dentist so we can book further
appointments to get Bruce fixed up fully. An accomplished day, not an
especially fun one, but lunch was a welcome oasis of pleasing tastes.
When we viewed this suite last year there was a
wonderful aroma of food in the hallway, came back yesterday to smell the same,
wish I could can it and send it along with this blog, mouthwatering! And we
want to get some! But knocking on doors to find out where it’s coming from and
begging for a taste would be just rude, too bad really.
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| Detail of eaves over the door across the street, like the lichen on the tile. |
Here, again, lucky on many levels, we travel slow
so with the time we can get these things taken care of without too much grief
or stress. We have Ivan who is not only our guide for fun trips but helps us
with interpretation, phone calls and local research for unusual items i.e.
Bruce’s wheels and the right Dentist. Thankful!
By now you are probably wondering how many sets of
wheels Bruce has? Why didn't we do our research, well we did but until road, rail, cobblestone tested it's difficult, I'll leave it at that.
Bruce took his wheels and tested them going to the
Alameda Plaza. We turtled in the lovely sunshine for a while a bodega called Badulaque
which has good food and, as with most places, good orange juice. Anyone that
serves canned orange juice here should have their license revoked! It’s just
not right!
Never before have we seen so many Whippet breed of
dogs! There was an organization set up in the plaza dedicated to them and it
seemed every time we turned around there was another. Honestly not my favourite
breed but they are used for racing in North America and if you’ve ever seen one
run they are amazingly fast.
We could hear drums, when investigated it was a
large group, probably twenty or so drums beating in time to a leader. Had me
and many others dancing to the beat! Then on to Amarillo, busy as usual for a
Sunday but the difference was a puppy held by her human parents who defined
cuteness! So lovely we could hardly keep our eyes off her. Think she was a
bulldog but so young it was hard to tell. Everyone in the bodega was oohing and
aahing and petting her.
Here is a video a friend sent me, turn on the sound, it's a marvel of technique and fun! Forwarded from Canada but made in Germany, Edeka is a large grocers all over Germany, we shop at a couple but not like this!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas or Feliz Navidad!
Cheers, Bx2 and Lexi Cat who won't be wearing a Santa hat, she'd eat it or chase it!
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