La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I suppose I can begin by telling you what I did not do yesterday. I did not hang pictures. I did not do laundry. I did not leave the house in the afternoon. I did not draw, sketch, or do anything to maintain the long-forgotten descriptor of fine artist.
However, I did go to urgent care at our private health center with San Geraldo about a recent digestive problem he’s been having. The general practitioner didn’t seem to listen well to the symptoms, put a stethoscope to SG’s abdomen, and announced it was gastroenteritis. He prescribed a medication for a symptom SG does not have and when I questioned that, he said then just do a liquid diet for 24 hours. It felt like a complete waste of time and left SG (and me) frustrated. So, he’ll simply make an appointment with a specialist.
I go with him in case the professionals don’t speak English, which is a common issue. He can often manage in basic Spanish but not a medical appointment at this level. He did just walk over to public health on his own for an appointment with the diabetes nurse. They like to stay on top of things. He didn’t want to go. It’s only a 3-minute walk. Elena is here cleaning. SG told her he had the appointment today and didn’t want to go. She asked why when it’s so important and convenient. I said, “Because he’s a child.’
We did make a first visit to Restaurante El Tecolote Antojitos Mexicanos last night. It was still quite hot (even the wind was hot and coming from the west instead of from north and the mountains) when we walked the 10 minutes there. It was quite a bit better when we walked home at 10:30, although still hot. It’s already 36˚C/97˚F and climbing to above 42˚C/108˚F within a few hours. But the humidity is currently 26% and dropping to 15% as the heat rises.
The waiter at El Tecolote (did you know tecolote is a small owl in Spanish, like a screech owl? I did not know that.) But back to the waiter, Carlos, who was an absolute pleasure. He commented twice on how exceptional (and that’s the word he used both times) my Spanish was, so he became my immediate friend.
When we arrived, the interior and the terrace were empty. By the time we left, it was almost full inside and four people braved the heat outside with their dog. Another six had tried earlier and ended up coming inside. We both had quesadillas, but different recipes. Entirely different one from the other and out of this world. We’ll be back often.
This morning, we crossed the boulevard to La Bandera for coffee. Neither of us needed second breakfast. Álvaro and Manuel were working. Charming, kind, friendly, and handsome. And they smile a lot and seem sincerely happy to see us. I told them about my blog and that I want to share a photo of the handsome team; Manuel didn’t hesitate and suggested tomorrow morning when they’ll all be there. So, I’ll be back. And you have something to look forward to.
NOTE: The phrase on the business card at top can easily be lost in translation. Literally, “que barbaridad” translates to “what a barbarity” (how awful). Colloquially, it means just the opposite, “That’s incredible” or “That’s amazing”. My guess is they mean it colloquially. Also, they’re playing with it here by splitting up the word into “bar” on one line and “baridad” on the next. Bar is the same in Spanish and English, and baridad means variety. So clever.
Supongo que puedo empezar contándoles lo que no hice ayer. No colgué cuadros. No lavé la ropa. No salí de casa por la tarde. No dibujé, ni hice bocetos, ni nada que me hiciera mantener la etiqueta de artista, ya casi olvidada.
Sin embargo, fui a urgencias en nuestro centro de salud privado con San Geraldo por un problema digestivo que ha estado teniendo últimamente. El médico general no pareció escuchar bien los síntomas, le puso un estetoscopio en el abdomen y anunció que era gastroenteritis. Le recetó un medicamento para un síntoma que no tiene y, cuando le pregunté al respecto, me dijo que simplemente hiciera una dieta líquida durante 24 horas. Me pareció una completa pérdida de tiempo y nos dejó a San Geraldo (y a mí) frustrados. Así que simplemente pedirá cita con un especialista.
Lo acompaño por si los profesionales no hablan inglés, lo cual es un problema común. A menudo puede comunicarse en español básico, pero no en una consulta médica de este nivel. Acaba de ir solo al centro de salud público para una cita con la enfermera de diabetes. Les gusta tener todo bajo control. Él no quería ir. Está a solo 3 minutos a pie. Elena está aquí limpiando. SG le dijo que tenía la cita hoy y que no quería ir. Ella preguntó por qué, si es tan importante y conveniente. Dije: “Porque es un niño”.
Anoche hicimos nuestra primera visita al Restaurante El Tecolote Antojitos Mexicanos. Todavía hacía bastante calor (incluso el viento era cálido y venía del oeste en lugar de del norte y de las montañas) cuando caminamos los 10 minutos hasta allí. Hacía bastante menos calor cuando volvimos a casa a las 10:30, aunque seguía haciendo calor. Ya estamos a 36°C/97°F y subirá a más de 42°C/108°F en unas horas. Pero la humedad está actualmente en el 26% y bajará al 15% a medida que suba la temperatura.
El camarero de El Tecolote (¿sabías que tecolote es un búho pequeño en español, como un búho chillón? Yo no lo sabía). Pero volviendo al camarero, Carlos, que fue un verdadero encanto. Comentó dos veces lo excepcional (y usó esa palabra en ambas ocasiones) que era mi español, así que enseguida se hizo amigo mío.
Cuando llegamos, el interior y la terraza estaban vacíos. Para cuando nos fuimos, estaba casi lleno por dentro y cuatro personas desafiaron el calor. afuera con su perro. Otros seis lo habían intentado antes y terminaron entrando. Ambos pedimos quesadillas, pero con recetas diferentes. Completamente distintas entre sí y fuera de este mundo. Volveremos a menudo.
Esta mañana, cruzamos el bulevar a La Bandera para tomar un café. Ninguno de los dos necesitó un segundo desayuno. Álvaro y Manuel estaban trabajando. Encantadores, amables, simpáticos y guapos. Y sonríen mucho y parecen sinceramente felices de vernos. Les conté sobre mi blog y que quiero compartir una foto del guapo equipo; Manuel no dudó y sugirió mañana por la mañana cuando estarán todos allí. Así que, volveré. Y tienen algo que esperar con ansias.
• Gringas al Pastor de San Geraldo. Carnita de cerdo adobada al pastor. Hecha con tortillas de maíz, con piña asada, queso, cilantro, y cebolla + lima y salsa taquera.
• Mi Quesabirrias: Con ternera, hecha con tortillas de trigo, cocinada a fuego lento en su propio caldo, una combinación de suave y picante.
• Volví a apreciar que este, el Palacio de la Merced, es lo que vemos cuando estamos casi en casa.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
I LOVE the decor of the Mexican restaurant, especially those colourful Day of the Dead pennants hanging from the ceiling! And OMG that food looks good! I hope SG’s tummy troubles will soon pass.
Debra:
I should have widened the angle. There are more tables and decorations to the right. Their margarita pitchers lined up on the bar made me smile. I wouldn’t mind having one of those at home, without the margaritas.
I love the look of the restaurant and, of course, the food!
We are hoping to have a Day of the Dead party this year to show off the hew kitchen and floors and paint jobs and such … before we sell it and downsize. Who said that?
Perhaps, we could move to Spain and take rooms at the Merced Palace?
Bob:
Yeah, new kitchen, floors, and paint and then you sell. We lived in our house in Guilford around 7 years. It was a fixer-upper that we finally finished fixing up so we could sell it. Yes, move to Córdoba! I know great places to live in town.
I hope SG soon feels better. Yes, see a specialisto pronto. I’m glad you can go with him. Even in your native language, medical appointments often need a second person to listen.
About your art: remember here goes nothing! Boud
Boud:
I especially need SG with me for medical appointments because I don’t listen well nor do I ask questions. But that only works here with a doctor that speaks English and I don’t have one now.
I am sure SG appreciates that you go with him to the doctor because medical language can be so technical. That restaurant looks great and the food looks delectable. Mexican cuisine is one of my favorites.
Michael:
We love Mexican cuisine but it’s not easy to find good stuff here. Check out our first experience: https://movingwithmitchell.com/2012/11/22/when-is-enchilada-not-enchilada/
I went to your blog post from 2012. Wow…that’s a long time ago, but yet it doesn’t seem like it was that long ago too. I guess the best places to find really good Mexican cuisine would be in the states that border Mexico.
Michael:
We did finally find a chain of three restaurants around Seville that were exactly what we remembered from California and Baja California. They were owned by a Mexican-born Californian. That was wonderful. Argh! Never mind all that. I see I wrote about Iguanas Ranas in that same old post. Fuengirola did not have much. And, yeah, I can’t believe how long ago that was.
You’ve lived in Spain for a long time, long enough to learn a language says the person who has never lived anywhere but here and who have neighbors that have lived here for years and do not speak English. SG is fortunate one of you speaks Spanish. The quesadillas, both versions, look good.
ellen abbott:
Some people don’t try but many others just have a really hard time transitioning to a new language as adults. I wish I had grown up multi-lingual. I heard music in languages and love to learn. I’m nowhere near as good as a should be at this point. The quesadillas were unusual and exceptional.
So what your telling us is San Geraldo just need to past a good spell of heavy long wind?!?!?
That food meanwhile looks delicious!!!
Mistress Borghese:
If only!
The food was so good. Can’t wait to go back and work my way through the menu.
Wow wow wow… what a place to get to pass when you’re almost home!
I’m so very pleased for you to have your excellent Spanish skills recognized–woo hoo!
How is SG feeling now? (And, oooooohhhhh how yummy that food looks, at that cute restaurant!)
Judy C:
SG has good days and bad days. So far so good today. Thanks.
It’s wonderful to find good Mexican food here. A rarity. The guys we know who now have their own restaurant include fun Mexican treats but it’s not a Mexican restaurant, and it’s too long a walk, 30 minutes, for a quick bite.
I could live in the Merced Palace, definitely!
Not sure, if I had stomach problems, whether I’d choose to go for Mexican food… Jx
Jon:
It’s odd what affects the digestion and what doesn’t. And SG hasn’t figured his out. So he’s been testing. BBQ pizza doesn’t sit well for me and Hawaiian pizza is fine. (I can’t wait to hear what you think of Hawaiian pizza!)
I consider barbecue sauce, chicken, or pineapple chunks on pizza to be crimes against humanity. Jx
Jon:
I knew you would. I’ve had Pizza Africana here which I know you would hate. Hawaiian pizza with the addition of bananas. Dee-licious!
I felt a little bit of sick come into my mouth. Jx
I like the look of the restaurant. Did the menu include anything that could easily be “veganized”?
Kelly:
Definitely lots of vegetarian options, but I don’t really think there was much that could be vegan. Then again, I don’t know much.
LUV the vibrant decor of El Tecolote and the food looks delicious. Can’t wait to see Manuel too, LOL!
Tundra Bunny:
We’ve been meeting some really wonderful, friendly staff.
I’d be too busy looking at all the decor in that resteraunt to eat my food!
Kirk:
There’s a much older Mexican restaurant less than 10 minutes from there that is so over the top, it would put you off your food. Very entertaining but I’ve heard the food is disappointing if you’re familiar with real Mexican food.
I was wondering if there are immigrants to Spain from Mexico? Immigration going the other direction was long enough ago for family connections to be thin if at all.
David:
Yes, there are plenty of immigrants from Mexico. Many have traceable Spanish roots.
As for SG and his gastrointestinal issues – the older I am getting the more I realize there are foods that I just cannot digest and sensitivity to the content of the meals. Things like chorizo (forgot about that until last week when I ate a clam stuffed with chorizo stuffing) will give me a weeks worth of intestinal agony. In some cases, it’s things that were perfectly fine to me through my 40’s, but have been gradually giving me distress in recent years. A diverticulosis (not -itis) diagnosis in my mid-50’s is another thing that seems to be exasperated by bad food and especially those with a lot of chemical preservatives. It’s why I avoid local restaurants and chains that use industrial supply houses like Sysco here in the Northeast. A lot of it is what I call “bladder food”; over-processed food that comes out of a bladder, is reheated and served.
You two tend to dine out a lot; not every restaurant makes the same dish the same way as the next, and some may be using those industrial supply houses that rely on the “bladder foods” to cut corners. SG may be having an issue with the preservatives used in the foods. Easiest way to determine those restaurants – look at the menu. If there is a consistency in things like a dessert menu; the same five or so items from restaurant to restaurant, chances are that they are using some supply house for other things like soups and sauces, par-cooked meats, etc. Might let you weed out those from the truly “home-cooked” fares that you enjoy.
We live on YouTube (Premium) and I watch a lot of travel shows. One travelog is a couple of Ex-pats who moved to Paris 20+ years ago. They go into detail about the “tourist” restaurants and the “local” restaurants; things like – if there are more than 2 pages on the menu of a small restaurant, you know it’s (bladder food); to think logically about how can one, small kitchen make that many dishes? That the “local” restaurants will usually have the daily menu on one sheet of paper; one or two items that are the chefs specialty. Good… food for thought.
I hope this GI issue with SG passes soon.
R
Yes. I would happily eat any and all (eventually, perhaps not at one sitting) of those quesadillas.
Also, as to that palace, you are far closer to home when you’ve passed it than when you first approach it.
Mary Moon:
Yes far closer. Two minutes instead of 3!