La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
We were a bit busy what with getting out of the house this morning so Merchi can clean and the excitement surrounding the arrival from Boston of our dear old friends Tom and Jim. I’m now on the train to Málaga, will meet them at the airport, and we’ll take the train back up to Córdoba together this evening. We had a message from them at 4:35 this morning. They were on their plane in Boston and all was well. With the government shutdown in the States, we’ve all been worried about their flight . We haven’t seen each other, except recently on a video chat, in 19 years when we spent our 25th anniversary with them in Boston. We used to see each other every year, usually for a New Year’s celebration. We don’t know why we haven’t at least video-chatted in all these years, but life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.
I spoke with The Kid Brother last night. We couldn’t get a video chat to work. I have no idea why. He had bowling scores for me. He’s bowled two weeks so far this season and his average is 135 with a high game of 158. I create a spreadsheet to track his scores and average.
This was the conversation: “First game, one-thirty-five.” “One-thirty-five? Wow! That’s great!” “I’m doing better.” “What was the second game?” “One-one-two,” he said. “One-one-two?” I asked by way of confirmation. “That’s what I said.” “Two great games! So, one-thirty-five and one-one-two. That’s one-twelve, right?” “I just said that!” “So what did you get for your total?” “257.” “I get 247.” “What?!? You are WRONG!” “135 and 112 make 247.” “That’s not right!” “One-three-five?” “Yeah!” “One-one-two?” “No!!! It’s one-one-TWO-two.” [Now that’s a game I’d like to see.] “One-TWO-two?” “I already told you!” “No, you told me one-one-two, but I’ve got it now.” “Jeesh!!!” he snapped in disgust.
Sometimes he sounds like our parents. But, unlike our parents, he cracks me up. Well, they kind of cracked me up, too.
Now, enjoy a few photos of the front of the Palace of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, also known as the House of the Jew. The back of the palace shares the plaza with the Archaeology Museum and is built atop part of the Roman amphitheatre. The palace was first built in the 13th century and has an incredible multi-cultural history, Roman, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish. I’ll go back and get loads of pictures and will share the fascinating history with you. Built by Moors, the palace “passed” to Christian conquerers in the 14th century. I was appalled to learn it only became known as the House of the Jew because a Sephardic Jewish couple bought it in 1964. What a world. Anyway, the back door is spectacular.
Estabamos un poco liados, con salir de casa esta mañana para que Merchi limpie y la emoción por la llegada de Boston de nuestros queridos amigos Tom y Jim. Estoy en el tren a Málaga, los recogeré en el aeropuerto, y cogeremos juntos el tren de vuelta a Córdoba esta tarde. Espero que todo haya ido bien con su salida del confinamiento en Estados Unidos y su escala en Barcelona. No nos hemos visto, salvo recientemente por videollamada, en 19 años, cuando celebramos nuestro 25.º aniversario con ellos en Boston. Solíamos vernos todos los años, normalmente para celebrar Año Nuevo. No sabemos por qué no hemos hablado por videollamada en todos estos años, pero la vida es lo que pasa cuando estás ocupado haciendo planes.
Anoche hablé con el Hermanito. No pudimos hacer que funcionara la videollamada. No tengo ni idea de por qué. Tenía las puntuaciones de los bolos para mí. Ha lanzado dos semanas hasta ahora esta temporada y su promedio es de 135 con un juego alto de 158. Creo una hoja de cálculo para rastrear sus puntuaciones y promedio.
Esta fue la conversación: “Primer juego, uno treinta y cinco”. “¿Uno treinta y cinco? ¡Guau! ¡Eso es genial!” “Estoy mejor”. “¿Cuál fue el segundo juego?” “Uno, uno, dos”, dijo. “¿Uno, uno, dos?” pregunté a modo de confirmación. “Eso es lo que dije”. “¡Dos grandes juegos! Entonces, uno treinta y cinco y uno, uno, dos. Eso es uno doce, ¿verdad?” “¡Acabo de decir eso!” “¿Entonces cuánto obtuviste para tu total?” “257”. “Obtuve 247”. “¿¡Qué!? ¡Te equivocas!” “135 y 112 hacen 247”. “¡Eso no es correcto!” “¿Uno, tres, cinco?” “¡Sí!” “¿Uno, uno, dos?” “¡¡¡No!!! Es uno, uno, dos, dos”. [Ese sí que es un juego que me gustaría ver.] “¿Uno, dos, dos?” “¡Ya te lo dije!” “No, me dijiste uno, uno, dos, pero ya lo tengo”. “¡Dios mío!” espetó con disgusto.
A veces se parece a nuestros padres. Pero, a diferencia de ellos, me hace reír mucho.
Ahora, disfruten de unas fotos de la fachada del Palacio del Duque de Medina Sidonia, también conocido como la Casa del Judío. Comparte la plaza con el Museo Arqueológico y está construido sobre parte del anfiteatro romano. El palacio se construyó en el siglo XIII y tiene una increíble historia multicultural: romana, musulmana, judía y cristiana. Volveré a sacar un montón de fotos y compartiré su fascinante historia con ustedes. Construido por los moros, el palacio pasó a manos de los conquistadores cristianos en el siglo XIV. Me horrorizó saber que solo se la conoció como la Casa del Judío porque una pareja de judíos sefardíes la compró en 1964. ¡Menudo mundo! En fin, la puerta trasera es espectacular.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
It is too easy to lose touch with old friends when we’ve all moved in different directions: physically and life-wise.
Frank D:
It sure is. And with moving so often, we really hard to work at staying in touch. Since we saw them last, we had moved 6 timer.
Hey, thanks for the ‘play-by-play’ with KB! Loved it!
Look at that detail!! Just imagine…….
Have a wonderful time with your friends.
Jim:
I enjoy the convos even more with Chuck since I can share them with you.
I love a Kid brother chat; always makes me smile.
And Big Door Little Door! Very cool.
Bob:
I love sharing our chats.
Great Knockers! Enjoy the visit.
David:
The travel day was wonderful.
Reading your conversation with KB reminded me of the mantra “Serenity NOW!” That would come in handy when discussing things with him, don’t you think? Try not to scream it out loud.
That may well be the best door you’ve posted. Or at least in my opinion.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I have on occasion yelled Serenity Now after a conversation with Chuck. Aren’t these doors amazing?!?
Glad you’re going to get to spend some time with your friends. Your phone call with your brother sounds funny but fatiguing. You are so patient!
The name “the house of the jew” comes from 1964?! Yeah, not what I expected.
Steve:
The chronology had the house being Jewish-owned last and I couldn’t figure out how that was possible. And then to read THAT shocked me. Yes, conversations with Chuck are both funny and fatiguing. I often tell Jerry after, My brain hurts!
1964, eh? Pretty unsubtle renaming. But do things ever really change?
Have a fab time with your visiting friends!
Have a wonderful time with your friends. That is so sweet of you to go to meet them in Malaga and bring them safely to Cordoba! That will really ease the travel stress for them so much.
Wilma:
I enjoyed the day and it was a wonderful trip back.
The Duque de Medina Sidonia, wasn’t he the one who had a spot of trouble with his Armada the first time he took it out?
wickedhamster:
Yes, the very one! That brought shame to the family.
I wonder how long it took to carve those doors.
ellen abbott:
It’s interesting to imagine. So much love put into the work.
Those doors are incredible! Enjoy being with your friends!
Kelly:
Yes, the doors are amazing.
Your conversation with your brother kind of sounds like “Who’s on First?” I am glad that you get to see your friends from Boston!
Michael:
Most conversations with Chuck sound like that. And, often, they evolve into the Who’s On First routine.
Fabulously ornate door! Hope your visit brings loads of fun and happy memories… Jx
Jon:
Just seeing them and traveling back here together was a joy.
You need all your energy to chat with Chuck. You’re such a friend to him, it’s lovely to see. I doubt I’d have your patience. Boud
Boud:
Sometimes I tell SG my brain hurts after a conversation but he does make me laugh, even unintentionally.
Well, that IS a long time.
And things in the States are a mess. The Cankles government has got this country in shambles. Ugh.
And I love that door! The Palace of the Jew, huh?
XOXO
Sixpence
Sixpence:
Trying not to obsess every moment about the US government and the hideous they’re doing.
Better late than never when it comes to catching up to old friends.
Kirk:
And as if no time has passed.
OHHHHHHH! That first picture is absolutely stunning!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not sure I like the flowing tree or the intricately carved door more?!?! Just prettiness abounds.
My reader is going odd again…your blog was not showing up again. Nothing comes between me and my Mitchell posts.
Coming a bit late to this, but those door-knockers (is that the word?) are most impressive.
Raybeard:
Yes, that’s the word. Impressive knockers.
I just love Chuck! Although I imagine I’d want to strangle him every once in a while, if we talked regularly. I’m glad you can see the humor in your conversations with him. He’s so lucky to have a big brother like you.
Jennifer:
Yeah, strangling does cross my mind sometimes. But, I’m more the type who wants to do myself bodily harm.
It’s wonderful that you have friends who you keep in touch with!
Rade:
We lost touch for no reason, so it’s incredible to be together again.
I hope you and your friends have a fantastic visit!
So glad you had a chat with Chuck–too bad about the video issue, darn it.
THAT DOOR! Lordy me.
Judy C:
I’ve been out of touch for three days because I’ve been so busy with the guys. More to come on the wonderful time.