Teré and Miguel returned finally from their summer vacation travels. They bounced around to a few places, visiting friends and lounging on various beaches, leaving us behind in the city. We forgive them though, because they deserved the break. Besides, as soon as they arrived home, Teré texted me to see if we wanted to come to her place for dinner that night. The answer, of course, was “Of course!” When asked, she told us we needed to bring nothing but ourselves, which is what we very ungraciously did.
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| HEADING OFF INTO THE SUNSET, WALKING ACROSS THE BRIDGE TO TRIANA. (THE BRIDGE OF THE HOLY CHRIST OF THE EXPIRATION — AKA, “THE ONE WITH THE CANOPIES.”) |
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| AT THE SAME TIME, LOOKING SOUTH TO ISABEL II BRIDGE (AKA, TRIANA BRIDGE). (THE MATCHING TOWERS VISIBLE AT CENTER BEHIND THE TREES ARE AT EITHER END OF PLAZA DE ESPAÑA. WE’LL BE BACK THERE NEXT WEEK.) |
Teré and Miguel had invited another two friends, one we had met before with his partner when they welcomed us to their own house just before Christmas last year. She was traveling on business this time. As usual, their friends were warm, charming, interesting, and funny. We had a great evening, even though it was still 33C (91F) when we walked across the bridge to Triana at 9 p.m. San Geraldo was not a happy (or cool) camper by the time we arrived. But Miguel and Teré were ready for him. Although dinner was going to be enjoyed in the courtyard/patio outside Teré’s apartment, an electric fan was plugged in just for his highness, the 22-greats grandson of San Fernando El Rey.
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| IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM. MIGUEL SETTING UP SAN GERALDO’S PERSONAL FAN. |
We forgot that Teré’s birthday had occurred while she was away. There was a cake (chocolate) and candles. And there we were empty-handed. What this means is that Teré and Miguel are obligated to go out to dinner with us next week for a belated birthday celebration.
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| A VIEW FROM THE PATIO. |
The highlight of the evening for San Geraldo was when Teré brought out a plate of patatas bravas (cubed potatoes fried in olive oil and served in a spicy tomato sauce). San Geraldo loves potatoes and, since our arrival in Sevilla, he has grown to especially love patatas bravas. He orders them in just about every tapas bar we visit, which means he gets a plate of patatas bravas mostly to himself every time, since I’m not a huge fan of potatoes. Teré foolishly handed the plate to San Geraldo to pass around and he chose to assume it was his own personal plate. Although he did share, the plate was finally passed back to him to finish things off. San Geraldo then sang contentedly while forking patatas into his mouth.
| SAN GERALDO SINGING FOR HIS SUPPER. |
Hello:
What a wonderfully relaxed late summer evening spent with friends and enjoying delicious food. As we both love potatoes we should, had we been there, most improbable, we know, have been in direct competition with San Geraldo.
And by the way, is there any chance that San Geraldo could be obtained for our next musical soirée?!!
Jane and Lance:
San Geraldo (and I, too) would love the opportunity some day to join one of your musical soirées! Although, San Geraldo is very happy to break into song, I'm the one who usually knows the [real] lyrics!
When we do get together, we'll be sure there are three times as many potatoes.
Sounds like a fun evening…but didn't the Dower Duchess teach you to bring something? at the very least a bottle of wine?…lol
saludos,
raulito
Raulito:
Yes, the Dowager Duchess did TRY and teach me. I just never listen.
Ha! San Geraldo is so cute in that clip! He also has the same relationship with potatoes as I do, apparently.
Michelle:
Don't you have some Norwegian blood too? That's what Jerry blames it on. The Dowager Duchess brought us up to eat very healthy with limited amounts of starch. I think it was simply because she wanted to leave room for the ice cream.
I'm with San Geraldo where potatoes are concerned. When I come to Spain for a visit you'd better not seat me next to him or we'll fight over those potatoes and someone will get a fork in his hand.
Stephen:
We've got another friend here who shares your love for potatoes. She and Jerry shared a huge plate one night and didn't even pass it to the other three people at the table. We'll just order more if you visit!
Ohhhh that was fun! :))
Judy
Judeet:
San Geraldo is such a good sport (and very entertaining).
Maybe potatoes are a mid-western thing because I grew up eating potatoes nearly every meal. I still love them in every way you can prepare them. I haven't ever had them Bravas style, however. I'm gonna hafta give that a try!
Ms. Sparrow:
Jerry could eat them right out of the ground.
Patatas Bravas are good. But take it from me, someone who can take or leave potatoes, the best I've ever had were at the Restaurant Catalina (Casa de Comidas) owned by our neighbors Gonzalo and Elena (http://mitchellismoving.blogspot.com.es/2012/07/gin-and-sardines.html). I will not pass those up.
That clip is precious! He really WAS in heaven!
Good to reunite with friends……this post was a nice tribute to them.
The name of that bridge with the canopies made me chuckle! You mean it has an expiration date and then it 'falls'!! I know, it just hit me funny.
Jim:
it was truly funny. He just spontaneously broke into song.
As for the bridge name, there are so many names like that here. One of my favorites so far is a street called Calle Cristo del Buen Viajes (literally, Christ of the Happy Travels Street).
When I sing in public, Bing kicks me under the table. Probably because I can't carry a tune quite so well as your man.
Maria:
When Jerry sings, I usually groan. He always gets the words wrong.
Encore! Or, as they say in France: Une autre ! Une autre !
Walt the Fourth:
Oh, don't encourage him!
I too think patatas gravas sounds groovy
Spo:
We should probably stick to patatas Bravas and not Gravas. What you named would be Gravel Potatoes. I think even San Geraldo would pass up those.
Those potatoes sound Devine and your friends sound delightful. How wonderful that you get to have dinner with them again next week.
Kisatrtle:
We are very lucky on both counts!
I was wondering what happened to Teré and Miguel, but being away on holiday explains it. I only missed San Geraldo tapdancing through the room while he sang "I'm in heaven…" whatever next… "Food, glorious food!" while he begs for more [Oliver, the musical]. 😉
Peter:
I don't think he even knows the tune to "Food Glorious Food." (Thank god!!!) He most definitely will not know the lyrics.
Mmmm, potatoes. Spuds! Love 'em. Must be the Irish in me. If I come to visit you'll have to order twice as many!
Judith:
It appears San Geraldo would have a lot of company!
San Geraldo Patron Saint of Potatoes. Will be forwarding my request to the Pope.