La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I TOOK THE TRAIN INTO Málaga yesterday afternoon. The sky was mostly cloudy, but the weather was pleasant and I had a great wander around town. I had a speficic purpose. I liked the shop, Celyan (click here), so much and San Geraldo couldn’t be happier (will wonders never cease) with the new bag I bought him that I decided I deserved a new one myself. I’ve been using San Geraldo’s two rejected ridiculously expensive bags (one slightly too small for my iPad, and the other poorly designed). I’ll keep the Tumi bag (the slightly too small) and will probably take the other to the charity shop.
Cristina (the owner, I think, of Celyan) was there to warmly welcome me and was delighted when I told her Gruñon [Grumpy] (aka San Geraldo) said his new bag was perfect. I saw two bags in the window I especially liked but they were both a tight squeeze for my iPad (which I brought with me to test the fit). Another, although I loved the look, was even bigger than SG’s and too big for my needs. So I settled on a plenty big, more casual style made by Jaguar. If you’re in Málaga and need a bag, wallet, purse, Spanish fan, or mantilla (I probably should get myself a new mantilla), be sure to visit Cristina at Celyan at Calle Nueva 29, and tell her Mitch sent you. It won’t get you a discount or me a finder’s fee, but she’ll be happy to know it. And her prices are excellent.
Since this Papa got a brand new bag, I couldn’t return home empty handed. So the other Papa got a brand new bag of chocolate-covered raisins and another of toasted almonds. I bought 1/4 kilo of each, which is a lot more than I thought it would be (more than a 1/2 pound). I also stopped at Sabor a España and bought myself some sugar-free treats. Marzapan figures (delicious) and almond turrón.
San Geraldo and I started our day with coffee at Hotel Ilunion. There were seven women in Saint Patrick’s Day gear partying it up, loudly, in the lobby. I thought it was bit early for that, but then discovered they were all drinking water.
In Málaga, as I walked up Calle Nueva, I heard someones make the “PSST” sound (in Spanish, it sounds more like PSSHH). I ignored it, but heard the sound made more forcefully. I turned to see our friends Jen and Lars, with two friends, at an outdoor cafe a few doors away from Celyan. Small world. We shared warm hugs and had a brief visit before we all went on our way — I to shop and roam, they to take in some culture at an event in Nerja about 45 minutes away.
Later in the day, I saw (heard) groups of revelers at the Irish bars scattered around Málaga. They were very obviously not drinking water.
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AYER POR LA TARDE TOMÉ el tren a Málaga. El cielo estaba mayormente nublado, pero el clima era agradable y tuve un gran paseo por la ciudad. Tenía un propósito específico. Me gustó tanto la tienda, Celyan (haz clic aquí), y San Geraldo no podría estar más feliz (las maravillas nunca cesarán) con el nuevo bolso que le compré que decidí que yo también me merecía un nuevo. He estado usando los dos bolsos ridículamente caros de San Geraldo (uno un poco demasiado pequeño para mi iPad y el otro mal diseñada). Me quedaré con el bolso de Tumi (demasiado pequeño) y probablemente llevaré el otro a la tienda benéfica.
Cristina (la dueña, creo, de Celyan) estaba allí para darme una cálida bienvenida y estaba encantada cuando le dije que Gruñon (también conocido como San Geraldo) dijo que su nuevo bolso era perfecto. Vi dos bolsos en la ventana que me gustaron especialmente, pero ambas eran muy apretadas para mi iPad (que traje conmigo para probar el ajuste). Otro, aunque me encantó el aspecto, era incluso más grande que el de SG y demasiado grande para mis necesidades. Así que me decidí por un estilo mucho más grande e informal fabricado por Jaguar. Si estás en Málaga y necesitas un bolso, cartera, abanico, o mantilla (probablemente debería comprarme una mantilla nueva), o simplemente para curiosear, no dejes de visitar a Cristina en Celyan en Calle Nueva 29, y dile que te envió Mitch. No te dará un descuento ni a mí una tarifa de búsqueda, pero ella estará feliz de saberlo. Y sus precios son excelentes.
Como este papá recibió un bolso nueva, no podía volver a casa con las manos vacías. Desde entonces compré al otro papá una nueva bolsa de pasas cubiertas de chocolate y otra de almendras tostadas. Compré 1/4 kilo de cada uno, que es mucho más de lo que pensé que sería (más de 1/2 libra). También me detuve en Sabor a España y me compré unas golosinas sin azúcar — figuras de mazapán (deliciosas) y turrón de almendras.
San Geraldo y yo comenzamos nuestra día con café en el Hotel Ilunion. Había siete mujeres con ropa del Día de San Patricio festejando, ruidosamente, en el vestíbulo. Pensé que era un poco temprano para eso, pero luego descubrí que todos estaban bebiendo agua.
Mientras caminaba por Calle Nueva, escuché que alguien hacía el sonido “PSSH”. Lo ignoré, pero escuché el sonido hecho con más fuerza. Me giré para ver a nuestros amigos Jen y Lars, con dos amigos, en un café al aire libre a unas pocas puertas de Celyan. Mundo pequeño. Compartimos cálidos abrazos y tuvimos una breve visita antes de que todos siguiéramos nuestro camino: yo para comprar y pasear, ellos para conocer algo de cultura en un evento en Nerja a unos 45 minutos de distancia.
Más tarde, vi (escuché) grupos de juerguistas en los bares irlandeses repartidos por Málaga. Era muy obvio que no bebían agua.
• Cogí el tren que iba en sentido contrario hasta el final de la línea en el centro de Fuengirola, donde el tren se vacía. Se necesitan 5 minutos adicionales de ida y vuelta y tengo garantizado un asiento junto a una ventana.
• Compartida ayer por la prima de San Geraldo.
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Gearing up for adventure? Sounds like a delightful day out.
David:
It was. More photos to come. I DID buy a few things for the trip, too. We’re getting close!
After all these years I can see what the words are to this James Brown classic! Thanks.
I like your brand new bag. sir!
Jim:
I was surprised by how few of the lyrics I actually knew. I couldn’t find a version with Spanish subtitles, however. I’m really happy with the new bag.
Sound like you had a great day! I LOVED your photos, especially the one of the train as I love trains. I wish I could simply hop on a train here and be somewhere in a few minutes.
mcpersonalspace54:
I truly was a great day. So great to feel comfortable going into town again. I hope my comfort isn’t misplaced. A big reason we chose to live in Fuengirola and in this neighborhood was because of the easy commute to anywhere. We can hop on the train and, in less than a half hour, we’re inside the airport.
Good grief!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drinking water? Imagine them then on liquor!!!!!!
I love the bag, very handsome. Will that come to New York with you? And I heard fan. I could always use a fan. One can never have to many fans.
Mistress Borgrhese:
Maybe they were hydrating in preparation for the green beer. Yes, the bag will come to New York. I thought of you when I saw those fans. I can imagine (well, not quite) the displays you could make… of yourself and the windows.
Nice bag.
Nicer bag of nuts!
How does one celebrate with water unless they’re fasting?
Bob:
Nut bags are quite often nice. I have a feeling those women were simply hydrating in preparation for the binge.
My boss tried yesterday afternoon to make a pub reservation for the evening — but of course nothing was avialable. We told her, “You have to plan WAY farther ahead than that!”
Are you sure they were drinking water? I’m skeptical and I wasn’t even there!
Steve:
For all I know, those women could have been drunk from the night before.
Nice bag, you and your laptop are all set now! Had a good laugh at that Norwegian meme!
Debra:
The bag is such an improvement. I love what the Norwegian family shares. I bought SG’s mother a bumper sticker (that she put on the car, to his father’s shock). It read: You can always tell a Norwegian. But you can’t tell her much.
Next time we’re in Malaga, I’m heading to Celyan for a fan. A big one, just to make Maddie jealous! Jx
Jon:
Some of the fans were stunning and much cheaper than I would have expected (some were several hundred euros, but even those were cheaper than I expected. A really wonderful shop. And you can really make Maddie jealous and pick up a mantilla while you’re there. I would have bought one, but I have no hair to attach it to.
The brand new bag and the bags of goodies look great. Cool sky.
Wilma:
So much goodness in one day. I haven’t even unwrapped the tourrón.
Glad you found a cross-body bag that you like! I love chocolate covered raisins — “Glossettes” are a ubiquitous movie theatre staple in Canada!
Tundra Bunny:
Chocolate-covered raisins (the popular brand was Raisinettes in the States) were SG’s go-to treat when we went to the movies. And a mouthful of chocolate-covered raisins combined with popcorn… SO good. Milk Duds (my go-to) were great with popcorn, too.
One can never have too many mantillas.
Walt the Fourth:
One would be too many for me, really. I think hair is required.
Nothin’ like munchin’ on a bag of nuts!
Deedles:
Especially a BIG nut bag. (However, San Geraldo is hoarding the nuts.)
my favorite bit was the notion there are Irish bars in Spain.
I keep thinking things like Chinese restaurants and Irish pubs and such are only found in North america.
Urspo:
It’s funny how many Americans react that way. I suppose it’s no different from finding Irish bars in the US, but we just don’t at first expect it.
I am a bag junkie and I approve of Papa’s brand new bag.
Mary Moon:
Thanks. I’m liking it. And really well made.
I love your bag…and your nuts! The only day I dread being Irish (I’m near 100%) is on St. Patrick’s Day.
Sassybear:
I haven’t been complimented on my nuts or bag in such a long time. My best friend from college is 100% Irish and born three days before St. Patrick’s Day. It was her annual birthday celebration (and lasted 4 days… or more).