the farewell tour

 MAY! and the jacarandas are in bloom all over the city. I took these photos as I crossed the Isabel II bridge on the way to the Mercado  de Triana this morning. There were paddle boarders  on the Guadalqivir and we had bright sun. When I  went into the market I had to stop for a half minute or so to let my eyes adjust to the shaded interior. I bought some local paprikas and olive oils to take back for our neighbor. Then, I made a stop near the ceramic factories before heading back across the bridge to home. The weather was cool in the shade but just a tad too warm in the sun for me. So I stayed on the shady side and dodged numerous tourists taking photos of themselves on the bridge. The market was packed with people wandering around aimlessly. Luckily I knew what I wanted and which stalls to go to. I was in and out in about fifteen minutes having made two stops. We are heading into full on tourist months, so our own "farewell" tour for the end of the "season" of our Sevillano favorites has already begun.

Above: This is a classic example of why tourists are not beloved in Spain. Who leaves their glass on the wall along the bridge rather than returning it to the bar or even discarding it in the many trash recpetacles in the city?  Phil always says "If you can't find a trsh can in Seviila, you just haven't looked." They are EVERYWHERE but they are unobtrusively painted to not interfere with the beauty of the city.

Our week includes Tradevo, Acento, Islamorada, and Hiyoki so stay tuned. 

Wednesday night - Our last visit to Tradevo Centro this season. We said our farewells after a very delicious dinner and went off to MITO for a gelato. White asparagus, tacos gambones, briche with calamarcitas, pargo (snapper) and red shrimp from Huelva, along with the veggie cazuelita.

Thursday night - Hiyoki - The farewell tour continues with Hiyoki tonight. Over ordered. But we can recover tomorrow when friends are visiting from Ireland, a very nice surprise as all our schedules created time to see them. Phil met Hugh on his first Ireland trip and traveled again with him when I first went on a music trip along the Wild Atlantic Way. Then we both returned for another Hugh led year. Phil has been on five or more trips than I, so it's possible Hugh was on some of them. I'm sure I'll find out just how many times tomorrow, when we get together with Hugh and his spouse Agnes. 

An early dinner on Friday night as Hugh & Agnes had a bus to catch back to Dos Hermanas where they have parked their camper. Tapas at Islamorada, but a drink before dinner with Hugh and Agnes Carthy at Meson Serranito. Great to catch up with folks we know from past travels (in Ireland) when they visit Sevilla.  Tapas choices included the tuna, tortilla trufada,  pork cheeks, presa etc. All good.

On Saturday afternnon we met up again at Senora Pan for lunch with Hugh & Agnes and Janet & Mike for lunch. About a year ago, Phil's teachers introduced us to another expat couple who live here in Sevilla. Mike & Janet Thompson. We both headed off for our summer destinations. When we returned in the fall we got together for dinner. During the meal we learned we had a common friend in Ireland, Hugh Carthy. We sent a photo of the four of us to him that night and told him that he and his wife, Agnes should visit us in Sevilla when doing a planned trip traveling through Spain. And  on Wednesday we got a message from Hugh that they would be in Sevilla area starting Thursday afternoon. Various configurations of the six of us have been hanging out together for the last two days and possibly into the early part of next week. Today, we all had lunch and Janet & Mike brought their friend June, who lives in Italy. And Hugh, Agnes, Phil and I went for gelato at MITO. Turns out Agnes feels the same way about ice cream as I do. #kindredspirits

Phil, Mike, Agnes, Tor, Janet, June (friend of Janet's from Italy) Hugh

Saturday dinner, was supposed to be for four and was planned to be with Lope and Helena but when Lope's schedule changed we changed the reservation to two so we wouldn't miss our farewell tour stop at Afuego by El Pinton. We had  costilla de ternera and the presa. Phil had another round of Jamon before he goes into withdrawal over the summer.

 

We had a milestone tonight when the diners behind us disrupted a nice dinner in an upscale restaurant with a face time call she HAD to have during the meal. I felt sorry for her date who just sat there staring at her. So Phil turned to them in his best Spanish said what all old Spanish men say in the face of boorish behavior, in a rather imploring tone, "POR FAVOR!" 

So the woman did at least turned down the volume, but took her time finishing her Face Time call (she did not speak Spanish but was also not a native English speaker.) I will say her date did not defend her behavior. And also they were not young. People in their 50s really should have better manners, especially  when not in their own country. 

Why should everyone in the dining area be subjected to their telephone conversation? Is it impossible to step outside or at least into the vestibule for your personal calls? I guess if there was something positive about the new experience it was that at least they weren't American. 

So now we are in our last full week here for this season. Stay tuned for the final round of the farewell tour and our last dinner before the fall, with Helena. And maybe some more stuff along the way.... who knows?