La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I’m astounded. I have my plane reservations. The Iberia agent who told me Friday he saved my reservation for 24 hours and would immediately email the confirmation number to me, did neither. After San Geraldo told me he had been reading some awful reviews of Iberia’s website, I did some reading of my own. One commenter said he finally downloaded their app and all went perfectly. So, that’s what I did Sunday. All went perfectly for me, too. The team at Iberia managing the website, and also customer service, should be ashamed of themselves as should Iberia management for allowing it. I wrote a review, if anyone will read it. But the deed is done. And I have complete change and cancellation coverage. I must admit I’m nervous about traveling to the States. But, so far at least, we have no travel advisories from here.
This morning I went to the medical center first thing to do another round of lab work. I have an appointment with my nephrologist Thursday and hoped they could process the results that quickly. They always have in the past when it wasn’t necessary. I didn’t know about the appointment and didn’t have the lab approval until Wednesday of last week and was unable to get to the lab Friday morning (because I forgot to pee in the 2-liter bottle all of Thursday). This morning I taxied over with 3 liters only to discover the medical center was closed. It’s a holiday. Today celebrates the Virgin of Fuensanta here. She is considered the co-patron saint of Córdoba. San Rafael is the patron saint. I knew it was a holiday. I meant to confirm the medical center was open, but I then forgot all about it. There are so many virgins and saints to keep track of.
I have a WhatsApp chat to look forward to this afternoon with a dear friend who becomes dearer every time we chat.
Sunday was overcast and hot (although less hot than before). San Geraldo and I went for a brief walk and enjoyed cold drinks and pastries. As I mentioned before, we never run out of things to talk about. It was so relaxing. When we walked the 13 minutes to Plaza de Las Tendillas (pictured above on a recent sunny day) there wasn’t even a wisp of a breeze. The air was still and oppressive. The walk home was better because the breeze picked up when we reached our neighborhood. The breeze off the mountains is precious and we’re so grateful for it.
Now if I could just get those appointments to pick up our new identity cards at the National Police, all will be well. Although I’m sure I’ll still find something petty to complain about. You can count on me.
Estoy asombrado. Tengo mis reservas de avión. El agente de Iberia que me dijo el viernes que había guardado mi reserva durante 24 horas y que me enviaría inmediatamente el número de confirmación por correo electrónico no hizo ninguna de las dos cosas. Después de que San Geraldo me dijera que había leído críticas horribles sobre la página web de Iberia, investigué un poco por mi cuenta. Un comentarista dijo que finalmente descargó la aplicación y que todo salió a la perfección. Así que eso hice el domingo. A mí también me fue de maravilla. El equipo de Iberia que gestiona la página web, y también el servicio de atención al cliente, deberían estar avergonzados, al igual que la dirección de Iberia por permitirlo. Escribí una reseña, por si alguien la lee. Pero el asunto está hecho. Y tengo cobertura completa de cambios y cancelaciones. Debo admitir que estoy nervioso por viajar a Estados Unidos. Pero, al menos hasta ahora, no hemos recibido ninguna alerta de viaje desde aquí.
Esta mañana fui al centro médico a primera hora para hacerme otra serie de análisis. Tengo cita con mi nefrólogo el jueves y esperaba que pudieran procesar los resultados tan rápido. Siempre lo han hecho antes, cuando no era necesario. No sabía de la cita ni tenía la aprobación del laboratorio hasta el miércoles de la semana pasada, así que no pude ir el viernes por la mañana (porque olvidé orinar en la botella de 2 litros todo el jueves). Esta mañana fui con 3 litros y descubrí que el centro médico estaba cerrado. Es festivo. Hoy se celebra la Virgen de la Fuensanta aquí. Es considerada copatrona de Córdoba. San Rafael es el patrón. Sabía que era festivo. Quería confirmar que el centro médico estaba abierto, pero luego se me olvidó por completo. Hay tantas vírgenes y santos a los que seguirles la pista.
Tengo una charla de WhatsApp que espero con ilusión esta tarde con una querida amiga, a la que cada vez que hablamos se hace más querida.
El domingo estuvo nublado y caluroso (aunque menos que antes). San Geraldo y yo dimos un paseo rápido y disfrutamos de bebidas frías y pastas. Como ya he dicho, nunca nos faltan temas de conversación. Fue muy relajante. Cuando caminamos los 13 minutos hasta la Plaza de Las Tendillas (en la foto de arriba, un día soleado reciente), no había ni una brisa. El aire estaba quieto y opresivo. El camino a casa fue mejor porque la brisa arreció al llegar a nuestro barrio. La brisa de la montaña es preciosa y la agradecemos muchísimo.
Si tan solo pudiera conseguir esas citas para recoger nuestros nuevos documentos de identidad en la Policía Nacional, todo iría bien. Aunque seguro que seguiré encontrando alguna nimiedad de la que quejarme. Pueden contar conmigo.
• El vestíbulo de un edificio de apartamentos cercano.
• ¿Recuerdas los pantalones Sansabelt de los 70 hasta los 90? ¿Son estos la última versión? Al menos no son de punto doble.
• Solo otra porción de muralla antigua en el vecindario.
• Me pareció encantador.
• Proteger las plantas y las personas del sol del verano.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
What a beautiful place you live in, Mitchell. Everything looks like exotic paintings to my eyes. Just gorgeous.
Chuck is going to be so happy to see you! Glad you got the ticket sorted.
Jennifer
Jennifer:
It is beautiful at that. So nice to be able to explore a bit again. I’ll talk to Chuck tonight. Will be sure to share what he has to say.
I am glad that you got the ticket issue sorted out. I guess from now on, you’ll use the app on your phone to book tickets to the states. Spain sure does have a lot of saints!
Michael:
Yes, I’ll never book on the website again. Oddly, I remember this happening with other sites that had apps available. I wonder if they focus all energy on the app. Spain does have a lot of saints… and virgins.
That’s a relief to get the tickets set up. Your brother is no doubt unaware of all the issues and he’ll be thrilled to see you.
I like the shades over the plants. I’ve seen pictures of crocheted shades hung over narrow streets as sunshades, but I don’t think in Cordoba. Boud
Boud:
Canvas and fabric shades are commonly spanned across streets. I’ve been surprised at how few there are in Córdoba. In Sevilla, several entire pedestrianized streets were covered.
There’s always a virgin or a saint getting in the way! 😉
Love all the photos – the little calle in particular… Jx
Jon,
I had no idea there were so many virgins until we moved to Spain. And saints? Please!
Something as simple as downloading an app and yet no one at Iberia told you. This, again, goes into my ‘I Hate People’ file.
And who knew one town could celebrate so many virgins!!!
As usual, I love the tour and the narrow little streets and the rustic sun shades; very cool.
Bob:
I tend to avoid downloading too many apps. But I’ve been learning that companies are paying better attention to them than their websites. Sevilla seemed to celebrate even more virgins. It’s confusing. It turns out they’re really all the same virgin.
I can imagine roaming those streets on a bike, maybe an e-bike to flatten the hills. Glad to hear the travel plans are coming together. Stay well.
David:
Not a lot of big hills around town. I see plenty of bikes on the streets but the cobblestones can be painful.
I’ve had Mexican calendars before and there’s some sort of Saint Day almost every week.
You must be somewhat relieved to have tickets in hand.
Yes. I remember Sansabelt pants. If you think about it, that was a pretty cool name but a most unattractive garment. I am shocked to see the amount of polyester clothing being offered up at thrift stores these days. I can’t believe they still use that nasty fake fabric.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
When we arrived in Spain and lived in Seville, we were surprised by all the saints. And so many virgins. It seemed every day was someone’s feast day. You can even find vintage Sansabelt polyester pants online. I’ll never run out of things to photograph here.
I’d love to think I’d never run out of things to photograph in Lloyd but obviously, that is far from the truth. Nowadays I attempt to only photograph and post the same thing once a year. I often fail, I am sure.
Ms. Moononymous:
I’m beginning to post things I know I’ve posted before. Most of us don’t remember anyway!
When you’ve been blogging as long as you and I have, Mitchell, “recycling” is a readily-available option! I can see full well that my readers, say, ten years ago are quite different to who’s reading (or at least responding to) my stuff now… Jx
Jon:
So true. So many readers never even saw my early posts (nor have I seen all yours). My friend Susan went back to the beginning when she found me, read every single post in order, AND remembered everything. She would even remind of things I had forgotten about. SG hardly remembers any of it. Besides, it’s fun for me to retell and relive some of my favorite stories and experiences.
With eighteen years’ worth of aimless ramblings, it would take a medal-winning effort to go back and read everything I have posted! 😍 Jx
Jon:
Susan found me after perhaps 8 or 9 years. In the early years I didn’t write nearly ever day, but still there was a lot of catching up to do. And she did it. She amazed me. She became my memory. “Did I ever tell this story on my blog?” “Yes, you did.” Unbelievable. SG points things out to me on the street and I tell him, yeah, I wrote about that on my blog a few times… with photos. Really?
Never is any of this petty 🙂
So glad for the plane tickets finally happening! Can’t believe you had to ride in a taxi with your pee and it turned out that The place was closed… That’s hilarious in all of its frustrating reality. Lots of Saints days.
I love the photos, as always… They never get old….That apartment building lobby!
Judy C:
Two big jugs of pee! I place them in a large shopping bag, but everyone knows what they are. This would have mortified me some years ago. And THEN, after the blood draw, I have to go pee in a cup. Can’t they just ladle some out?
I think those people are growing the wrong kind of plants if they need to give them “sunblock.”
You needed THREE LITERS of urine for your kidney tests?! Doesn’t that seem like a lot?
Steve:
The rest of the year, the plants thrive. They don’t require three liters; I’m just generous. Actually, it’s 24 hours of urine, however much that may be. I drink a lot. The container holds 2 liters, so I always keep two on hand (containers not liters).
The charming photo is indeed most charming.
wickedhamster:
Isn’t it though?
RE: Sansabelt slacks
If you were old enough to wear something the first time around, you are not permitted to wear it during the revival phase. The revival phase is for the generations who did not have the misfortune to participate in it the first time around. You are expected to know better. 🙂
Will Jay
Am I to believe that elasticated waist trousers were ever trendy? Over here they – along with suedette booties with sheepskin lining and a zip up the middle, comfy cardigans, Aertex underpants and/or ribbed hosiery – are and always were the preserve of the elderly… Jx
Jon:
I don’t think I’d have ever called Sansabelt trendy. Just a trend for people who were less chic, in my humble opinion. I just looked up aertex underpants. Oh god no!
Will Jay:
My father had some pairs. I was so ashamed. There are modern variations now being worn on the runway. Baggy. Huge wraparound. Kind of interesting.
I didn’t care for them the first time around.
Urspo:
Nor I. But at least these new ones aren’t double-knit polyester.
I’m glad one of your issues is resolved! Don’t be nervous about traveling to the States. At least you’re not living here. Then again, my part of the country gets looked over and sometimes that can be a good thing. Three of the deadliest cities per capita in the country are within a 150 mile radius of where I live, but they’re not democratic sanctuary cities so they’ll never send the military. I’m off to get my booster shots today while I still can.
Kelly:
Sorry for what you’re witnessing all the time now. I must admit it’s nice to be at least physically removed from it all.
I find those street shots so peaceful and the colour refreshing. Nothing to aggress you. Have a good trip make sure not to get off at the stop in El Salvador. I would like to know what questions you may get at the border about not living in the USA.
Larrymuffin
Thanks for the always kind coments. I’ve never been to El Salvador.
Yes, what a charming neighbourhood and nearby lobby!
Jim,
I’m always coming across something new to me. That lobby is unusual.
“Taking your pee for a spin”. Always an adventure! I am embarking on my second trip to the US in less than a month. This time I will fly into Miami. Last time it was Dallas and was a piece of cake. Hope both of our trips are as easy as mine into Dallas.
Wilma:
I hope so, too. It helps that we’re white. What a world. My pee circled the city.
Yay!
I loathe making reservations of any kind. Ugh. They give me anxiety. Glad that went well.
And those pants are not too bad? Sansabelt? cause the belt is … missing???
Love the pics.
XOXO
Sixpence Notthewiser,
I would normally enjoy making reservations. This time was a test of my patience… and stability. Yes sansa belt. Weren’t they clever.
You’re not going to Chicago, and you-know-who is not threatening New York, so you may not have to get TOO nervous.
Kirk:
I’m guessing Trump will keep his hands off NYC. At least until he’s king.
There’s always a virgin screwing up the works. Yes, I remember Sansabelt. Ugly!
Love,
Janie
Janie,
I always thought there was only one virgin. Sansabelt was always a joke. A well-sold joke.
I still marvel at how different European cities are from American ones. The narrow alley (?) between buildings, front doors two steps off the streets. The thing that most strikes me though is no green space, no trees, nothing to ease the eye from all the starkness of pavement and building and provide shade. Yes, plants in pot on balconies but not the same.
Glad you finally got your reservations but I would think twice about coming here. They don’t need any reason to pull you aside and incarcerate you these days. Careful not to look at them in a way they take offense to.
Ellen:
I’ve mentioned that there are a lot of green spaces. I’ve just been sharing mostly old city streets lately because I find them so fascinating. Head 5 minutes outside the city in any direction and it gets rural. North of us are the incredible Sierra Morena Mountains. I haven’t taken a lot of photos simply of the parks. Will be sure to share more of the green spaces so you can see what it’s like. And, yes, cities here are extremely different from cities in the United States. But not all cities in the United States have a lot of green spaces. Check these out for some examples of green spaces right here in the city center (and within 3 minutes of us):
https://movingwithmitchell.com/2025/07/28/geyser-gardens-sanitary-geiser-jardines-sanitario/
https://movingwithmitchell.com/2025/07/25/toad-skin-cruising-at-sunset-crucero-de-piel-de-sapo-al-atardecer/
https://movingwithmitchell.com/2025/08/05/south-of-north-and-more-south-sur-del-norte-y-mas-sur/
https://movingwithmitchell.com/2025/06/07/goat-mimosa-yellow-stripes-cabra-mimosa-rayas-amarillas/
I know you’ve posted pictures of the many parks and they are beautiful. I didn’t mean to imply that I thought there weren’t any green spaces in the city. And I agree, the old city spaces are fascinating. Different aesthetics back then I guess or maybe safety considerations?