Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Short and Sweet

A SWEET RIDE
When my cousin Al was here last week, he told me about his favorite car, the Renault Twizy. He doesn't own one. Living in Boston among Boston drivers, one wouldn't be living very much longer in one of these tiny electric cars. Although I had seen them on the web I had never seen one on the road. Two days after Cousin Al left, while Friend Albert and I were enjoying a beer at La Perlita, a convoy of Twizys drove by. There's room for the driver and one passenger, but not side-by-side.

RENAULT TWIZY OUTSIDE LA PERLITA.

DRIVER WITH PASSENGER IN BACK (IN T-SHIRT).


SWEET, SWEET MUSIC
The local knife sharpener was back today and stopped right below my window. His call is not as shrill as the sample I provided some months back — actually, kind of sweet. 

HIS NEW RIDE WITH THE BUILT-IN SHARPENER AND TOOL BOX, AND HIS SKY-BLUE PAN FLUTE.

SERENADING BELOW MY WINDOW.


SWEET VICTORY
Jerry and I actually watched European football (aka, soccer) and loved it. We watched Spain win over Portugal during the week to make it into the finals and then Sunday we watched the final game between Spain and Italy. People were gathered downstairs to watch at El Sanedrín. Jerry and I enjoyed the first half upstairs. I then went down at the half to join the crowd. It was hot outside and the air-conditioned bar inside was mobbed and noisy (with the requisite nut-job blowing a horn every few minutes). I had a quick beer, came back upstairs, and enjoyed the remainder of the game with Jerry. Every time Spain scored, Jerry and I jumped up and roared and the cats ran from the room. They didn't return for the fourth goal and kept their distance for a couple of hours.

WHILE ENJOYING A LOCAL BEER (CRUZ CAMPO) AT EL SANEDRÍN.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

MORE CHURROS AND CHOCOLATE
I had to make a tremendous sacrifice for Cousin Al. He had heard all about churros and chocolate and forced me to take him to Valor to try some. The only reason I agreed was because I was being a gracious host and was worried about my cousin. We were passing by after walking for hours in the heat. And the interior is comfortably air-conditioned. And we needed water. And, as long as we were there...

WE WERE SAINTS. WE DID NOT LEAVE WITH A BAG FILLED WITH GOODIES.
(BECAUSE CHOCOLATE WOULDN'T HAVE SURVIVED THE HOT WALK HOME.) 

AL ENJOYING A PERFECT CHURRO DIPPED IN RICH, SWEET, DENSE, DARK CHOCOLATE.
(THE SACRIFICES I MAKE FOR MY FAMILY.)

AW, RATS!
Would you shop in a clothing store that uses the below window display (two years running) to promote their Summer Sale? I won't. The poor, sweet rats.


29 comments:

  1. Those Twizys are cute. I think they're cooler than the Smart cars. You are a saint having to endure chocolate and churros for your family. You poor soul! I feel your pain.

    I have no words to describe the last picture - except that I wouldn't shop there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo:
      I am selfless! As for that store with the rats, it doesn't seem to be working in their favor. Most people move away from the window as they walk by.

      Delete
  2. I want a Twizy! But where do I put the kids and their bikes, and their skateboards, and their sleds, and their soccer bags, and their friends and their...?
    m.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark:
      When the kids are old enough, they each get their own personal Twizy. In the meantime, maybe you could stack the Twizy on top of one of their bikes.

      Delete
  3. Can you say: "casket with wheels?" I taught you well about the churros and chocolate...lol.

    saludos,
    raulito

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raulito:
      No wheels (well, I guess the depends on who has to move it). I've lost 10 pounds in the past year. I NEED the churros and chocolate for basic survival.

      Delete
  4. I'd love having a Twizy! I'm always in a twizzy mood anyway, so I'd have a car to match.
    And rats don't say 'window dressing' to me they say exterminator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob:
      I think it should be called a Tizzy. The "rats" thing is just bizarre.

      Delete
  5. Really? You're surprised your boisterous, maniacal behavior upsets your kitties? I think you owe them an apology or maybe a treat--like one of those dead rats from the traps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms.Sparrow:
      But we apologized after every explosion. They don't understand. We'll just open the balcony doors and let them have any bug that flies in.

      Delete
  6. I was out the other day, and saw a car much like that, bright yellow zooming down the highway, a semi boomed by, I was affraid it would tip over....kinda scary,lol

    the chocolate looks amazing, the store with the rats, not so much :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monkey Man:
      Being so used to the big cars of the American (USA) roads, I can't imagine driving on the highway in a little Twizy.

      We have some family visiting Sevilla, arriving at the end of the week... I may HAVE TO take them to Valor for churos and chocolate, as well. The torture just never ends!

      Delete
  7. I thought of buying a Twizy to have more travel space. I decided against it because of the extra monthly rent you have to pay for the batteries, and the need of a garage to stall it in when not in use. Next to that I haven't driven a car since I got my drivers licence 35 years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter:
      I like the idea of not driving a car after spending so much time in one over the years. We don't have one here, but do need to get our Spanish licenses soon! THAT should be fun.

      Delete
  8. Each and every blog of yours I read makes me seriously consider spending a few months in Spain this coming winter... chocolate! churros! KNIFE sharpener! (okay.. not the Twizys... but 3 out of 4 isn't bad)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Odd Essay:
      The churros and chocolate alone make a trip worthwhile. (And don't forget the artesan ice creams.)

      Delete
  9. I like that car! Have you ever sat in one? Would you fit? I need to test out one of those churros!
    This victory for Spain couldn't have come at a better time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      I've never been in a Twizy. The front seat looked pretty spacious, but I'm sure the backseat disappears when the front is adjusted to fit our legs and heads!

      I had churros in San Diego, once, and it was to me simply a stick-like donut. These are very different. But the chocolate is definitely the clincher.

      And, yes, I was thrilled to see Spain win three in a row (last year's World Cup and the two Euros flanking it). It was also good to see Portugal and Italy in the final four (along with Germany).

      Delete
  10. Is that the car you want me to get you Mitch? What colour would you like it in? Its on is way to you :-). If I win the Euro lottery I will buy you a car, there, I've said it on a public forum, I have to o it now.
    Di
    X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, YONKS, I'm not at all picky. I'll take whatever color you like and will be SO grateful. Now go out and buy that winning ticket!

      Delete
  11. All great stuff! ¡Chocolate y churros yummmmmmmmmmmmmm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seine Judeet:
      More visitors in town next week. I might be forced to go back. Oh woe...

      Delete
  12. I looked, but there was not one word about me in your post. I thought for sure, with that title...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      It was subliminal... (It's always about you.)

      Delete
  13. I am NOT showing Excy the Twezy, as he will want it. It's the size of our six-wheel. Re the rat display?? WHAT is that all about?? Ewwwhh...happy 4th to the expats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I Wonder Wye:
      Oh, I think everyone should have at least one Twizy. I have no idea what they're thinking with the rats display and it clearly isn't working for them!

      Happy 4th to you, too!

      Delete
  14. Love the Twizy! The bar you pictured looks like a lot of fun to visit. And to the mice...um NO : )
    I like your stuff on Zazzle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, LadyCat:
      Thanks so much for stopping by (and for the kind comment about my stuff on Zazzle)!

      The bar, La Perlita, is a really friendly place on a great corner for people-watching. And it's right next door to the historic church of La Magdalena. So, easy to go right to confession afterward (not that that's something I would ever do).

      Delete
  15. kisatrtle:
    I wonder if anyone does...

    ReplyDelete

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