La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Nick was drinking a dark, heady beer. Alyson looked across the table, rolled her eyes and said, “You might want to wipe your face.” Nick regularly complains that his nose doesn’t clear certain drinking glasses. I now believe him.
They’ve been going to Retrobar Titans for 15 years. They know the owner, Roberto, well. Roberto came to Spain from Argentina a long time ago. At the end of the evening, he and I had a chat and he said, “You know how sometimes you meet people and feel an immediate connection? You just know they’re good people?” I certainly do know.
Here are some more photos of what we shared Saturday night. During half-time, the Spanish TV station runs the commercials. It’s much more civilized than breaking away every 4 minutes. There was an ad for the English gin, Tanqueray, which used to be my favorite. But I rarely have a gin and tonic now because half a glass can knock me for a loop. Besides, alcohol and diabetics should seldom if ever mix. But this Tanqueray was alcohol free. I had never heard of alcohol-free gin. Since Titans is the most well-stocked bar I’ve seen around town, I asked the bartender, Eloise, if there was any chance they had alcohol-free Tanqueray. “Of course,” she replied. I ordered one. Gin and tonic in Spain, I’ve mentioned, is usually served in a goldfish bowl. Mine arrived filled with gin and a bottle of tonic alongside. It tasted to me just like the real thing. San Geraldo loved it, too. Later, we agreed we’d pick up a bottle for the house. Well, Nick and Alyson beat us to it. At Primavera the next night, they arrived with a bottle packaged with a free Tanqueray gift glass. We are elated. Nick said the supermarket even had alcohol-free Bombay Saphire gin. Drinking again!
Yesterday, I took the train into Málaga, and David, J, and I went cruising. I haven’t done that in years. Today was a shopping day at Plaza Mayor and McArthur Glen Outlet Mall with Alyson and Nick. So much to share and so little time.
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Nick estaba bebiendo una cerveza oscura y embriagadora. Alyson miró al otro lado de la mesa, puso los ojos en blanco y dijo: “Tal vez quieras limpiarte la cara”. Nick se queja regularmente de que su nariz no limpia ciertos vasos. Ahora le creo.
Han estado yendo a Retrobar Titans durante 15 años. Conocen bien al dueño, Roberto. Roberto llegó a España desde Argentina hace mucho tiempo. Al final de la noche, él y yo tuvimos una charla y dijo: “¿Sabes cómo a veces conoces gente y sientes una conexión inmediata? ¿Solo conoces que son buena gente?” Ciertamente lo sé.
Aquí hay algunas fotos más de lo que compartimos el sábado por la noche. Durante el medio tiempo, la estación de televisión española transmite los comerciales. Es mucho más civilizado que separarse cada 4 minutos. Había un anuncio de la ginebra inglesa Tanqueray, que solía ser mi favorita. Pero rara vez tomo un gin-tonic ahora porque medio vaso me puede dejar sin aliento. Además, el alcohol y los diabéticos rara vez deben mezclarse. Pero este Tanqueray fue sin alcohol. Nunca había oído hablar de gin sin alcohol. Dado que Titans es el bar mejor surtido que he visto en la ciudad, le pregunté a la camarera, Eloise, si había alguna posibilidad de que tuvieran Tanqueray sin alcohol. “Por supuesto”, respondió ella. Pedí uno. El gin tonic en España, como he mencionado, se suele servir en una pecera. El mío llegó lleno de ginebra y una botella de tónica al lado. Me sabía igual que la cosa real. A San Geraldo también le encantó. Más tarde, acordamos que recogeríamos una botella para la casa. Bueno, Nick y Alyson se nos adelantaron. Al Primavera de la noche siguiente, llegaron con una botella de Tanqueray sin alcohol, envasada con un vaso de regalo. Estamos eufóricos. Nick dijo que el supermercado incluso tenía ginebra Bombay Saphire sin alcohol. ¡Bebiendo de nuevo!
Ayer tomé el tren a Málaga, y David, J y yo fuimos de crucero. No he hecho eso en años. Hoy fue día de compras en Plaza Mayor y McArthur Glen Outlet Mall con Alyson y Nick. Tanto para compartir y tan poco tiempo.
• Destrozado (con permiso) en 2019 por Nick y Alyson.
• Chupitos de vodka caramelo.
• El cielo, estoy en el cielo.
Photo 5: That looks like a very civilized way to travel!
Mary:
It is. When I sat down, I said, oh how cool, comfy airline seats in a bar. When I got up 2 hours later, I said, damned uncomfortable airline seats.
Good idea! Leon loves a martini but has been warned to keep alcohol to a minimum due to having afib. If I can find that here in the US it will be a gift for him.
Frank:
It feels like a major treat.
And a great time was had by all, thanks for the memories,
David:
Ditto!
Cruising? Dirty dawg!
That bar looks like great fun – as Maddie said, most unusual to see such decor outside of a major metropolis with all its trendy neighbourhoods, but I guess with all the competition between the hundreds of bars on the Costa, they need to do something different to get noticed/remembered. One place we usually visit when we’re in Benalmadena Costa is called the Buddha Bar, for very good reason, as figurines of Buddha (including a full-size temple statue) are everywhere! It’s not even Oriental; it’s Dutch.
Love quirkiness! Jx
Jon:
I’ve heard of Buddha Bar. Will have to check it out one of these days.
Busy busy busy…..enjoy (as you are!)
Jim:
And today SG took Moose back to the vet for a teeth cleaning. I got to hide in bed.
Dear Goddess, what will Maddie do when she hears about non-alcoholic gin?????
Bob:
I’ve been wondering the same thing. Well, not really wondering. I figured it would meet with disapproval. And I see by Maddie’s comment several hours after yours that we weren’t wrong.
I don’t want to drink without getting a buzz. I might as well stick with my Diet Pepsi. Looks like you’ve been having some fun, and I’m glad for that.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
I don’t like buzzes anymore. I had way too many of them in past years. So, enjoying a grown-up drink with no risk is fine by me.
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!!! Alcohol-free gin?!?!?!?!?! That is just ridiculous!!! It has as much point as those Crocs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Ms Moorecock!!!! Get me a gin…with bromide.* I need a lie down.
Mistress Borghese:
Yeah, I kind of knew what you’d say.
That’s our Maddie.
Bob:
Maddie can’t claim he’s misunderstood.
I’ve heard of non-alcoholic beer (called “Mormon beer” here in Alberta) and non-alcoholic wine, but I’ve never heard of non-alcoholic hard liquor! Great idea for those who can’t drink but still want the taste!
Debra:
This is brand new to me. And it was excellent. I started the evening with a non-alcoholic beer.
Back in the day I enjoyed a Bombay Saphire martini. Or three. At Martuni’s in SF, of course.
Walt the Fourth:
I was never a martini fan until I had a chocolate martini in Vegas. Next was espresso, passion fruit… and I was in love (not all in the same night).
OK, gin enthusiast that I am, this is entirely new to me. Alcohol free gin?! I had no idea such a thing existed.
Steve:
It was the first I’d heard of it. And I’m so excited.