La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I’ve done more than I expected in my first two days at home. We went to Mesón Salvador Thursday for dinner with Nick and Alyson. I didn’t want the evening to end. And the greetings I received were heartwarming — especially the hug Adrian gave when he saw me. After dinner he poured chupitos (shots) of Pionono (click here) and he and Manu attached a message to mine: Welcome home. It warmed my heart but not my tummy. Pionono is not on my list right now.
Yesterday, the plan was to take it easy. I got up for breakfast and then went back to bed. San Geraldo and I went to Primavera for lunch. Also a warm welcome back. As soon as we got home, I received a text from Jessica. Less than an hour later, I was at the lobby cafe of a nearby hotel. The hug was love-filled and we spent 2 hours catching up on our lives. Jessica is a wedding and events planner and just returned from a 5-day wedding in Madrid. She’s with Dyana Dessar Luxury Weddings & Celebrations, and she’s a phenomenon.
Less than an hour later San Geraldo and I were back in front of the same hotel meeting Alyson and Nick for a walk to Tapa y Tai for dinner. I’m grateful I got to spend so much time with them this week despite my stay in Benalmádena.
San Geraldo and I haven’t settled back into our usual routine yet. It will take me a while to return to my wanderings and explorations. Today, we went to Mesón Salvador for lunch and both had their tropical salad. Delicious. Next time I’ll get the dressing on the side. San Geraldo checked out the dessert case and insisted I try the lotus cake (made with Lotus-brand wafers). It was exquisite and a major treat. I only had a little. And we got to see owners José and Evie who were very thoughtful while I was “away.”
The cats are ecstatic to have everyone under the same roof again, even though I’m not the same level of pushover as San Geraldo. Yesterday morning as I lay in bed, the cats were yowling for their next treat (due an hour later). SG came to the door and said, “Don’t look.” ‘At what?’ I wondered. “I find it easier to just give it to them whenever they ask for it.” They must have been getting seven treats a day. I have a 2 hour and 10 minute respite before their next round. My eyes are closing. I think I’ll have a siesta.
He hecho más de lo que esperaba en mis primeros dos días en casa. Fuimos al Mesón Salvador el jueves a cenar con Nick y Alyson. No quería que terminara la velada. Y los saludos que recibí fueron conmovedores, especialmente el abrazo que me dio Adrián cuando me vio. Sirvió chupitos de Pionono (haz clic aquí) y él y Manu adjuntaron un mensaje al mío: Bienvenido a casa. Me calentó el corazón pero no mi barriga. Pionono no está en mi lista ahora mismo.
Ayer el plan era tomárselo con calma. Me levanté para desayunar y luego volví a la cama. San Geraldo y yo fuimos a almorzar a Primavera. También una cálida bienvenida. Tan pronto como llegamos a casa, recibí un mensaje de Jessica que quería verme. Menos de una hora después, estaba en la cafetería del vestíbulo de un hotel cercano. Ese abrazo estuvo lleno de amor y pasamos 2 horas poniéndonos al día con nuestras vidas. Jessica es organizadora de bodas y eventos y acaba de regresar de una boda de 5 días en Madrid. Ella trabaja en Dyana Dessar Luxury Weddings & Celebrations y ella es un fenómeno.
Menos de una hora después, San Geraldo y yo estábamos de regreso frente al mismo hotel, reuniéndonos con Alyson y Nick para dar un paseo hasta Tapa y Tai para cenar. Estoy agradecido de haber podido pasar tanto tiempo con ellos esta semana a pesar de mi estancia en Benalmádena.
San Geraldo y yo aún no hemos vuelto a nuestra rutina habitual. Me llevará un tiempo volver a mis andanzas y exploraciones. Hoy fuimos a almorzar al Mesón Salvador y ambos comieron su ensalada tropical. Delicioso. La próxima vez pondré el vendaje a un lado. San Geraldo revisó la vitrina de postres e insistió en que probara el pastel de loto (hecho con obleas de la marca Lotus). Fue exquisito y un gran placer. Sólo tuve un poco. Y pudimos ver a los propietarios José y Evie, quienes fueron muy atentos mientras yo estaba “fuera”.
Los gatos están encantados de tener a todos bajo el mismo techo nuevamente, aunque yo no soy tan fácil de convencer como San Geraldo. Ayer por la mañana, mientras estaba acostado en la cama, los gatos aullaban pidiendo su próxima golosina (que debía entregarse una hora más tarde). SG se acercó a la puerta y dijo: “No mires”. “¿En qué?”, me pregunté. “Me resulta más fácil dárselo cuando lo piden”. Debían haber recibido siete golosinas al día. Tengo un respiro de 2 horas y 10 minutos antes de la siguiente ronda. Mis ojos se están cerrando. Creo que haré una siesta.
• Dudo: “¡Sé que sólo ha pasado media hora! ¿Cual es tu punto?”
Dudo is so lean and tall!
No surprise that everyone is giving you warm welcome-home greetings. Such a relief to know you’re back home. (Whoa… that’s so much creamy dressing!)
Judy
Judy C:
Yeah, that was too much creamy dressing but the salad was delicious. Dudo and Moose are built entirely differently.
Boud here, amazed at your packed social schedule so soon. You must be feeling well. Good.
Boud:
My first couple of days may have been a bit too much, but it sure felt good.
EVERYONE is glad you’re home again and feeling better!
Debra:
I did get a bit of attitude when I walked in the door.
I agree with Debra, everyone is glad you’re home, though Dudo looking down his nose in that last photo …..
Bob:
Dudo and Moose both gave me a bit of attitude but I then gave them their treats and all was forgiven. Dudo does have a way of looking down his nose.
Doesn’t look like it’s hurting Dudo to get extra treats. Humor him and keep ’em coming. Life’s short.
Kelly:
We started with the extra treats because Dudo is always so slender. The problem is Moose is not!
That last picture of Dudo is spectacular!
I don’t know Mitchell. You sound as bad as me. I don’t know how much rest you’re getting.
Mistress Borghese:
I want to go into the city. I want to visit museums. I want to go for a hike. It’s hard to hold back.
Oh, hurray! You are loving your life again. At least it sure looks and sounds that way. I am so glad. And it would also appear that life is loving you back.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I had my doubts last week. So grateful!
Do you feel almost reborn?
MsMoon:
I wish I could say that, but I at least feel a bit more free.
What a fabulous welcome home! I can feel the love. 🙂
Steve:
It makes me appreciate where and how we live.
Some delicious-looking dishes. Can I assume they didn’t serve you anything like THAT in the hospital?
Kirk:
Nope, this is not like hospital food. However, the hospital had exceptionally good, fresh food. I cleaned my plate every time.
Meson Salvador obviously loves you!
Dudo looks positively Egyptian – all he needs is an earring… Jx
Jon:
Photoshop earring here we come!
Those cats rule the household! Who’s in charge? Sorry I missed you: currently in Malaga.
M.
Margaret:
I am so sorry my timing wasn’t right for your visit! But it was great to talk with you. I didn’t ask how you liked Mesón Salvador. I hope it met with your approval. And I hope you’re enjoying your travels.
It was good. I even went back for breakfast. All the other clients appeared to be Spanish; so not yet discovered by tourists?
Margaret Butterworth:
Oh! I could have met you for coffee! It does get a lot of tourists but it’s much more Spanish than many of the places along the Paseo. We especially love it because it’s a truly local place. José’s father opened it in 1969.
What a great way to be welcomed home! I’m glad Moose & Dudo are enjoying your return to the fold and not sulking as I’ve heard some cats do HRH…. Dudo looks lean enough to enjoy more treats too, as long as Moose doesn’t see them, eh? LOL!
Tundra Bunny:
Dudo and Moose were both a bit standoffish, but it didn’t last long. And now they can’t seem to get enough of me. Dudo woke me three times during the night to cuddle with him. Yes, Dudo could eat as much as he wants (we’d go broke) but Moose is built differently.
The cats would weigh 30 pounds each if was there. It is great to hear you doing so well. See you soon David
David:
Dudo would never get fat it seems, but with you and SG in charge, Moose would weigh 30 pounds. Surprisingly, Moose only weighs 12.5 pounds.
SO good to hear the warm welcomes were abundant.
Will take time to decompress.
Jim:
Yep. Decompression is ongoing.
I’m always amazed at your stamina ~ No way could I keep up to you and SG! Do take care!
Ron:
We run out of emotional steam more quickly than physical steam.
Well, I’ve just experienced your weeks long ordeal in less than a half hour and I’m exhausted and shaken from it all but so relieved it ended well. Do NOT overdo it, Buster!!! We have plans to reconnect in NYC next year (if not sooner?) and I expect you to be hale and hearty…and wearing that pec revealing outfit!
Sassybear:
Hale and hearty and seeing you guys again sounds wonderful.