La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I’m quite late today with my post. It’s been a very (not) busy day. We rearranged furniture in the foyer and central hall. Then we hung and rehung art and mirrors. That probably took an hour all told. But there was breakfast and lunch and a siesta and a FaceTime visit with our old, old friends from Boston, Tom and Jim.
Last night we met Mauricio and Diego for dinner at Buga Ramen, a Japanese chain restaurant a 12-minute walk from home. We tend to meet for dinner earlier with them. They haven’t really adjusted to Spanish mealtimes. So, we were already walking home around 9:30 and it was, surprisingly, still around 38C/100.4F. Today hit 42C/108F again but will be dropping more quickly tonight.
Anyway, Buga Ramen was excellent. Great to have found good Japanese food here. Our first Japanese food in Spain was in Sevilla at the local casino. Terrible and bizarre. Click here.
Since it’s already after 7:30 p.m., I’ll cut this short and will share some random photos. Oh, Buga Ramen had very pleasant servers who were assisted by a robot waiter that spoke perfect Spanish in a high-pitched childlike voice, had the face of a cat, and regularly said Meow.
Hoy llego bastante tarde con mi publicación. Ha sido un día muy (no) ajetreado. Reorganizamos los muebles del recibidor y del pasillo central. Luego colgamos y volvimos a colgar cuadros y espejos. Probablemente nos llevó una hora en total. Pero desayunamos, comimos, hicimos una siesta y hablamos por FaceTime con nuestros viejos amigos de Boston, Tom y Jim.
Anoche quedamos con Mauricio y Diego para cenar en Buga Ramen, una cadena de restaurantes japoneses a 12 minutos andando de casa. Solemos quedar para cenar más temprano con ellos. Todavía no se han adaptado a los horarios de comida españoles. Así que ya estábamos caminando de vuelta a casa sobre las 21:30 y, sorprendentemente, la temperatura seguía rondando los 38°C/100,4°F a esa hora. Hoy volvimos a los 42°C/108°F, pero bajará más rápido esta noche.
En fin, el Buga Ramen estaba excelente. ¡Qué bueno haber encontrado buena comida japonesa aquí! Nuestra primera comida japonesa en España fue en Sevilla, en el casino local. Terrible y extraño. Haz clic aquí.
Como ya son más de las 19:30, lo acorto y les comparto algunas fotos al azar. En Buga Ramen, los camareros eran muy amables, atendidos por un camarero robot que hablaba un español perfecto con una voz aguda y aniñada, tenía cara de gato y decía “Miau” a veces.
• El martes, un incendio en la distancia hacia el sur mientras me dirigía al tejado con la ropa lavada.
• La vista desde la azotea. Nunca recibí información. El fuego se extinguió rápidamente.
• “Tu salud empieza en tu boca. Tu salud empieza aquí”. Este es un anuncio de servicios dentales. Son algunos de los profesionales de verdad, con excelente reputación. No parecen accesibles. Yo no diría “Ah”
• Parecía una sala de juegos.
• La comida de SG. No recuerdo qué era.
• Mi ramen de pato.
Oh, man. Those dentists look like they’d be extremely judgy about your oral hygiene. No thank you. Although on the other hand, they do look as if they’d show no mercy to tooth decay or gum disease. So there is that.
I’m going to confess to something. I recently had a ramen dish which contained that same sort of egg and swirly thing. I did not like them. Not at all. Oh yeah, the swirly thing is a fish cake. I am not very sophisticated, obviously. But the duck looks good.
I believe Tallahassee has some robot waiters. I have not personally been served by one. I don’t think the ones here meow. That seems sad.
Maria L.
Maria Luna:
We laugh every time we see that Vitadent promotion. They have it in their window which is next door to Goiko Grill. Why would anyone think that’s a good image to share? They look arrogant and unfriendly, and the guy at left with his arms crosses looks so judgmental and aggressive.
I liked the egg although I didn’t like the look. The swirly thing was delicious. The squeaky voice and meows of the waitron were off-putting, but it was cute and entertaining.
Perhaps they have a sort of S and M dentistry practice going on. That would explain their expressions.
Maria Luna:
They need better outfits! Like maybe chaps and leather shirts. I’ll bet their business would pick up.
I would be suspicious of any dentist who didn’t smile to show off their well-cared for, beautifully straightened smiles. WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?
I’ve seen those cat robotic food servers on TV and hope to be served by one in real life some day! But doesn’t it defeat the purpose if a human waiter is still needed to hand off the food items to the customer?
Debra:
I agree about promoting dentists without showing their teeth. The guy with his arms crossed may have lost his front one in his last street fight. The robot server is quite a gimmick. It does mean service can be quicker (one trip to the table with everything) and safer. The robot doesn’t drop things along the way. It was entertaining but hearing the voice around the restaurant was annoying.
I use to rearrange our furniture frequently, driving my family (and our dogs) crazy.
I really like the shot of the fire in the distance through the door!
Kelly:
I could rearrange weekly! SG gets inspired every so often. And then for days after I marvel at our new arrangement. Right now I have a whole bunch of framed things to hang on walls. Mostly in my office.
Love, love, LOVE! Ramen.
And finding a GOOD ramen place? Priceless.
That ad is hilarious.
XOXO
Sixpence Notthewiser:
This ramen was excellent. I usually don’t enjoy it because of all the salt. Not an excess I’m big on. I ended up leaving a lot of the broth but the rest was not salty tasting at all. I’ll try something different (not ramen) next time.
I think I’d be tempted to push the bot into a fountain!
Bob:
The voice was so obnoxious.
Interesting eating experience for sure!
Food looks good.
Jim:
It was surprisingly good and not at all expensive.
I love the idea of a meowing robot! Your helpings are so huge to this little old diner. About twice my typical plate. But I remember you’re probably twice my size, so there’s that. Boud
Boud:
I left over much of the broth. We were all too full for dessert. And, yes, we do have more mass to fill.
Ah! Was that you saying, “Aquí, gracias.” ?? So cool to hear your voice! (unless it wasn’t you, and in that case, it’s just not that exciting 😁)
Lol! Olivia
Olivia:
I’m so glad I was able to add to Judy C’s excitement.
Judy C:
Yes, you can be very excited! That was my voice saying “Aquí, gracias.”
I want the robot waiter. Meow and all.
David,
I want the waiter, too. Not the voice but the meow doesn’t bother me.
I missed the cat face! These robot waiters have become such a thing, all over the world, it seems. Yeah, Buga Ramen’s exterior approach leaves something to be desired.
Steve:
It’s a very strange looking place but the service and food were great. And it was immaculately clean.
Why a duck? Why a no chicken?
Urspo:
Well, I don’t know why a no chicken; I’m a stranger here myself. All I know is that it’s a viaduct. You try to cross over there a chicken and you’ll find out why a duck.