La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
San Geraldo and I went yesterday to La Bandera for lunch. Manuel and Álvaro were working and, of course, made us feel immediately welcome. They always seem like they’re sincerely happy to see us. They took a couple of selfies for me. They thought San Geraldo and I would join them for the photos; maybe another day (for before and after). The photos are good but don’t do them justice. There’ll be plenty of opportunities for me to catch them candidly.
Lunch was good. We both had molletes, a soft round white bread very different from the crusty bread used for tostadas. We learned the term at La Bandera. It’s common in Andalusia and often served lightly toasted with olive oil, raw garlic, and even lard in an Andalusian breakfast. At La Bandera they use it for different kinds of sandwiches for lunch. I don’t remember what SG had, but I had salmon and cream cheese. It was delicious, as was the service.
Not long after that, I went to my appointment with the nephrologist at QuironSalud. I bought a pack of sugar-free mints before I called for a taxi. Salmon is always much better going down, as I explained to the doctor while I popped a mint during my appointment.
I snapped a couple of photos at the medical center. I love the architecture. You can compare the color with the black & white below. There were amazing shadows outside, but I noticed them when I was driving off in the taxi. I was tempted to tell him to stop.
Things at the medical center went fine. My kidney function has improved slightly again and it had already improved significantly so that’s good news. The doctor even looked me over and told me I looked great. The diabetes, although slightly better, as well, is still not good enough. We’re working on it. And I don’t have to go back for another four months! But the great news is I can have a cocktail or a beer every so often if the mood strikes. I have missed that. However, he said, “Never any smoking.” That’s fine with me. I haven’t had a cigarette since Christmas Eve 1986. Would you believe I was only 5 at the time?
Idiot that I am, I am now heading out in the extreme heat for a little walk. I won’t go far, but I seriously need to get out.
San Geraldo y yo fuimos ayer a comer a La Bandera. Manuel y Álvaro estaban trabajando y, por supuesto, nos hicieron sentir inmediatamente bienvenidos. Siempre parecen sinceramente felices de vernos. Me tomaron un par de selfies. Pensaron que San Geraldo y yo nos uniríamos a ellos para las fotos; tal vez otro día (para el antes y el después). Las fotos están bien, pero no les hacen justicia. Tendré muchas oportunidades para captarlos espontáneamente.
El almuerzo estuvo rico. Ambos comimos molletes, un pan blanco redondo y suave muy diferente del pan crujiente que se usa para las tostadas. Aprendimos el término en La Bandera. Es común en Andalucía y a menudo se sirve ligeramente tostado con aceite de oliva, ajo crudo e incluso manteca de cerdo en un desayuno andaluz. En La Bandera lo usan para diferentes tipos de bocadillos para el almuerzo. No recuerdo qué pidió SG, pero yo pedí salmón con queso crema. Estaba delicioso, al igual que el servicio.
Poco después, fui a mi cita con el nefrólogo. Compré un paquete de mentas sin azúcar antes de llamar a un taxi. El salmón siempre se siente mucho mejor al tragarlo, como le expliqué al médico mientras me comía menta para el aliento durante mi cita.
Hice unas fotos en el centro médico. Me encanta la arquitectura. Puedes comparar el color con el blanco y negro de abajo. Había unas sombras increíbles afuera, pero las noté cuando me iba en el taxi. Estuve tentado de decirle que parara.
Todo salió bien en el centro médico. Mi función renal ha mejorado un poco más, y ya había mejorado significativamente, así que son buenas noticias. El médico incluso me examinó y me dijo que me veía muy bien. La diabetes, aunque también ha mejorado un poco, todavía no está del todo bien. Estamos trabajando en ello. ¡Y no tengo que volver hasta dentro de cuatro meses! Pero la buena noticia es que puedo tomarme un cóctel o una cerveza de vez en cuando si me apetece. Lo he echado de menos. Sin embargo, me dijo: «Nada de fumar». Me parece bien. No he fumado un cigarrillo desde la Nochebuena de 1986. ¿Puedes creer que solo tenía 5 años entonces?
¡Qué idiota soy! Ahora mismo voy a salir a dar un pequeño paseo bajo este calor sofocante. No iré muy lejos, pero necesito salir de vez en cuando.
• Manuel (izquierda) y Álvaro.
One look at Manuel and Álvaro could cause a sugar spike. Good to hear things are moving in the right direction. Enjoy the walk.
David,
Dreamy in person. And you can’t tell but Manuel is a muscle hunk.
What a couple of charming young fellas. I simply ADORE the building photos. I think I have a slight preference for the color over the B/W; the colors are unusual and bring out the architecture more. But hey, what the heck do I know… 😊
Wickedhamster,
I think I prefer the color, too, but I like how simply geometric they become in b&w.
Two very handsome fellas. No wonder you like the view there so much.
Ellen Abbott,
Since I don’t get sugar in my coffee, it’s important to get it elsewhere.
The food could be awful and I’d still go just have Manuel and Álvaro wander by!!
But then the food also looks dee-lish so win-win!
I love the color photos of the medical buildings but when I slid into black-and-white they looked liek Manuel (left) and Álvaro. drawings of a sort. Very cool.
Bob,
I’m sitting and watching them wander right now. It’s calmed down. They were hustling for the first 45 minutes.
Good to hear the kidney function is continuing to improve.
The cool architectural photos you took remind me of ones I did of the Institut de Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute) in Paris. Located on the Seine just downriver from Notre Dame. It has an incredible viewing platform on the top floor where you can get amazing photos overlooking the Seine down to Notre Dame and the layout of the city in that area. Would never have known about it except for my Parisian friend who took me there (nothing like visiting a city with a local to see amazing places off the beaten path). The building architecture itself is really interesting both looking at it the outside and from the inside. You would have a field day taking photos of it. I do like your black and white photos. Really helps to focus on the details. Mary
Mary,
I replied and it disappeared. It was wordy. I’ll be more concise. I love experiences like yours. You’ve been some wonderful places.
Swoon
Finlaygray,
And as I said the photos don’t do them justice.
Never mind smoked salmon, I’ll have a Manuel and Álvaro sandwich, please!
The colour versions of those architecture photos work better for me, tbh.
Jx
Jon,
Will you be the filling?
Those are seriously cute guys. I can see why you enjoy lunch there! I’m very glad to hear encouraging medical reports, high time. I expect you’ll tell us when you have that first celebratory drink. Boud
Boud,
Would love to be told the diabetes is under control… and another thing is off again. But a major success with the protein numbers.
I’m just the filling a Manuel and Alvaro sandwich needs!!!!!!!!
And aren’t you slick with the slider photos!!!! Beautiful pictures and they take on such a different feel and mood once in vlack and white. You have a good eye Mitchell.
Mistress Maddie,
A new guy joined today. Same look. I wonder if it’s a requirement. I’m not complaining.
My last cigarette was June 25, 1990, but who’s counting! I too was five.
Debra,
Congratulations. And yes I knew you were younger than me.
Wow, Manuel and Alvaro are two VERY handsome men! They must have to beat admirers off with a stick, LOL.
I’ve never smoked, but my last glass of dry, white wine was Xmas 2002. I miss it.
Tundra Bunny,
I had a lot of bad habits. Smoking was the last one to go. That’s a long time being an angel! I like that you mention dry white wine. I guess you stuck with the hard liquor and the sweet white wine.
I’m always afraid of being a regular at a restaurant and knowing they have some horrid nickname for me 👻
Adam
Nekorandom.com
Adam,
That’s terrible and never dawned on me. If it did, I wouldn’t go back either.
Got the hots for both, but if I really HAD to choose Alvaro just has the edge – only just.
Raybeard,
Alvaro is tall and fit. Manuel is solid muscle. No bad choice.
What a pair of cuties!
Rade,
And such nice guys, too.
Those young gentlemen are pure swoony in every sense of the word. And such great smiles!
I am so glad to hear about your continuing nephrology improvements. That’s terrific!
I know I should probably like the black and white versions of those shots of that amazing architecture but I have to say I think I like the ones with color. The little spots of blue delight me.