Friday, April 20, 2012

Churros, Chocolate, Cats, and Cardio

I'm in big trouble.

First, I should tell you that we're both very excited because we are soon to get two cats. I've been in touch with a shelter not far from us. I completed and emailed our application. And we are now being evaluated — to see if we are suitable. I am assuming we are.

Late this afternoon, Jerry had a great idea. "Let's go for a walk to Valor for some churros and chocolate," he suggested. It would be a pleasant walk, about 800 meters (or 1/2 mile). And I have been craving Valor's churros and chocolate ever since our failed attempt to get there during Semana Santa.  So, we took off in the slightly cool, slightly humid afternoon air. A half mile there and a half mile back — a very comfortable distance in this kind of weather. We wouldn't even work up a sweat.

Less than fifteen minutes later, we arrived at Valor and sat outside to enjoy our churros and chocolate, which were even better than we remembered them. We ordered two "grandes" (which apparently means "ginormous" at Valor) and two sides of water. We both felt slightly queasy by the time we finished. I told Jerry I would have been fine had it not been for that bottle of water.

From what I could find on the web, the cat rescue center is "very close" to Valor — perhaps five minutes further (about half again the distance from our house to Valor). I thought it would be a great way to burn off some of those churros-and-chocolate calories, but I didn't suggest it to Jerry thinking he'd never go for it. However, the subject of the cats came up as we started for home. I mentioned that the center was "very close" and Jerry said he wouldn't mind the little extra walk just to see what it was like. So, I turned us around and headed toward the shelter, which as I do believe I mentioned before was "very close."


I made a few wrong turns. But I kept telling Jerry we were "very close. It's just a typical roundabout Sevillano walk." I pointed out some beautiful buildings we had never seen before.

"Oh, and look, it's the start of bull-fighting season. Check out all the people."

"Oh, look at the TV camera up on the crane."


"Hey, there's that portion of the old city wall I told you about."

"You see, that's the street called Calle Dos de Mayo, which has nothing to do with our restaurant."

"And there's the place that has the 'best chocolate cake in the world.' Look at all the street performers setting up for the evening. There's that violinist again. God, he plays beautifully."


Wiping the sweat from the back of his neck for the umpteenth time, San Geraldo muttered, "Stop trying to distract me. I know what you're doing. And, by the way, I think your definition of 'very close' is genetic."

Approximately 40 minutes later, we arrived at the address to find no sign of an animal shelter, no inviting door, no kittens in a window. The place doesn't have regular hours; you have to schedule to see the cats. So I guess to discourage people from just dropping in, they don't publicize their location.

HOW TO GET THERE.
HOW WE GOT THERE.

I finished by saying how great it was that we had burned off all those calories. San Geraldo was not amused.

But the minute we got home, he offered to serve me a plate of fruit, cheese, and crackers. The man really IS a saint.

17 comments:

  1. When I first read the heading I thought you'd gone off the deep end and were eating cats. But then I read further and understood. I mean, churros con chocolate and tapas made out of cats that are supposed to be good for cardio? lol.
    saludos,
    raulito

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raulito:
      I went off the deep end a long time ago, but I'd never eat cat... (well maybe if it were dipped in chocolate).

      Delete
  2. Hello Mitch:
    It is so easy to take a 'scenic' route when one is unsure of one's surroundings. Your 'short walk' to the cat rescue shelter is very reminiscent of every outing which we make in Venice. It just seems to always be the order of the day that we get lost. But, there as in Sevilla, the views are glorious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J&L:
      I've heard that about Venice. Except for the lack of canals, Sevilla is as confusing. But what great discoveries are made when we get lost.

      Delete
  3. This has happened to me many times, when abroad, and the time I was still walking long distances.

    You see that way more of a town and it doesn't matter if you're in big cities like London*, Barcelona, Stockholm* or New York*, but also smaller places like Kentland in Indiana, Berea in Kentucky or Sylva in North-Carolina.

    *the times I still could walk those distances.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter:
      It really is a wonderful way to uncover a city. (You sure have covered a lot of miles; I have never been to Kentucky or Indiana.)

      Delete
  4. Ah yes, the old "it's just around the corner" ploy. Very sneaky. Very sneaky, indeed. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      It does appear to be a genetic disorder in my family. Everything is always "very close." Poor Jerry.

      Delete
  5. Full marks to you for getting your cats from a shelter! I always get other people's reject animals and they have all turned out to be wonderful. I am looking forward to seeing who who choose.

    I do hope you took the shorter route home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elaine:
      We found our three past cats at shelters. It's a wonderful feeling.

      It appears we've been approved (via a quick email this morning) to adopt two little brothers that were shown online. Can't wait to introduce them to you!

      Delete
    2. Elaine:
      And we took A shorter route home, but unfortunately not the shortest one. (But don't tell San Geraldo... although he reads every post and comment... Oh well!)

      Delete
  6. Mitch, notwithstanding the fact that you've posted so many outstanding, interesting and beautiful blogs since I started following you, this one has got me more excited than any other you've posted yet. Won't be hard for you to guess why. If things work as they surely ought to, I'll be eagerly looking out for the visual 'evidence' in your forthcoming blogs. (I'm so happy for you!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raybeard:
      We had to leave our two cats behind in California. They are together, loved, still spoiled, and very happy, but we sure miss them. I can't wait to introduce you to our two new family members as soon as they arrive!

      Delete
  7. Hilarious :))
    I can't wait to be introduced to the little gatitos!

    ReplyDelete
  8. How do you cope with cats in an apartment? I know people do, but it seems like a lot of work (kitty litter, anyone?) At least you'll be spared the numerous baby rabbit or field mice offerings my boy brings me.

    ReplyDelete

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