more walking the hood

 Just a lot of photos of life here in Sevilla, especially around our neighborhood.

I am sure there are plenty more where these came from. so stay tuned.

wanted: good home for two older Americans residing in Spain

 so on we go- we have begun looking at long term rentals for a more permanent arrangement for living here- 

the first place we saw was a building I admired on February 23 of last year on my way to school one morning -  stopped to take a photo of it- 

We liked the apartment very much but it is unfurnished and we had one other to see that was furnished before we wanted to commit. Here is the floor plan of this one.  And an exterior shot with the apartment outlined.

on the other hand the one we saw next was fully furnished and had outdoor space - 

so we had decided on the second one despite it being more expensive, as it came fully kitted out for folks like us- 

sadly though after two plus days of messing around with them - their demands became too unreasonable to contemplate. We were looking for 14 months rental and they asked for first month plus a month security deposit and then two additional months security deposit on the furnishings and housewares.  We were fine with that but then they threw up another road block of - get this - you have to pay the full amount of the lease in advance,  Seriously? We balked and said we can provide evidence of excellent credit and assets to assure we are on the up and up and they said no. Pay up front....

so we went to our fall back, an apartment we loved as well, and asked if they could furnish the place.We will see how this one plays out.  we don't really need much but beds and living room furniture and dining room table and chairs - but we would prefer not to buy them and three or five years from now be stuck giving away more furniture like we did when we closed our Florida place.

so we will see... 

since Larry left...

We have plenty of things go on- despite not having company.... We have eaten a few meals at home and gotten caught up on various paperwork.  Had some maintenance done on the apartment by Enrique who is a really nice young man who had come to fix the chairs a couple of weeks ago. 

We go out for coffee most days- tough life- I know...

We have been trying new places for dinner.  Like this one, La Escalona, near Plaza Alfalfa-  really excellent!

and - we tried the Michelin starred Eneko Basque- and will return

this platter held three of my favorite courses!

We returned to Redsteak and found it much more enjoyable when it wasn't so cold!

We have spent time in the park near the Museum- and noticed at the one near Plaza Magdalena they have already begun their spring flower planting by mid January- 

and we tried a new Chinese place that turned out to have excellent food!

I'm still finding doorways I love- 

last night we went to a Chamber Music concert in an historic church- the Hospitales Los Venerables.... a venue nearly impossible to find through the maze of the small passages of the Juderia in Santa Cruz... we barely arrived on time and were the last ones seated... but the concert as wonderful. Very atmospheric, played by candlelight. It did not photograph well but was magical. 

So, we got lost on the way in and on the way out but had a lovely evening of: Vivaldi's Four Seasons, along with Cavalleria Rusticana and Pachelbel's Canon in D. A cab came by and we were home in 20 minutes after finding a street big enough for car traffic. LOL. An adventure.  

Tonight we are trying a new place for pizza... more to follow.