In recent years, before we moved to Spain, a drink with a meal was a rarity for me. Now, when we dine out, since a glass of beer is so cheap, I tend to have a small one with lunch or dinner. A common practice here — in the friendly places (which there seem to be an abundance of) — is for the "house" to buy us an after-dinner drink. Un chupito
(click here for an important lesson on chupitos). That means that I quite often have not one but two drinks with dinner — and if San Geraldo doesn't like the chupito, I get to have
three drinks!
Our friends Jorunn and Jesper have been visiting this week from Norway and Denmark. Jesper is a terrible influence. He now has me enjoying a carajillo after lunch. It's coffee with either brandy, whiskey, anís, or rum
(ours have been with brandy). You may know it as Spanish coffee. Jesper, Jorunn, and I had just enjoyed a delicious lunch at a friendly place called Casa Kiki. With lunch we had gone through more than a pitcher of tinto de verano ("red wine of summer" — red wine with lemon-lime soda), which was delicious. Jesper then ordered three carajillos. DEE-licious. The owner of Casa Kiki then brought over three chupitos. Caramel vodka. DEE-LUSH-ISS. Somehow, I still got us home (the Mediterranean Sea is a good ... landmark.)
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| CARAJILLO, COMPLEMENTS OF JESPER. |
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| CARAMEL VODKA, COMPLEMENTS OF THE OWNER OF CASA KIKI. |
The night before our friends arrived, San Geraldo and I were at Meson Salvador for dinner. The owner, Jóse, not only bought us after-dinner drinks
(vino dulce this time instead of the usual pionono), he also gave us a gift before we left — a bottle of new wine. The new wine is delicious, too. But I think I'm beginning to spend too much time at Sand Bar.
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VINO DULCE (I GOT TO DRINK BOTH).
ON THE HOUSE AT MESON SALVADOR. |
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VINO NUEVO COMPLEMENTS OF JÓSE.
EVEN THE CATS WANTED IN (WELL, THEY WANT EVERYTHING). |
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| BACK TO SAND BAR. |
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| WHEN YOU START SEEING CHIMPS, IT'S TIME TO GO HOME. |
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ONE OF THE ARTISTS DURING A PRODUCTIVE PERIOD.
CLICK TO MAKE THE DRINKS BIGGER AT SAND BAR. |
Hi Mitch:
ReplyDeleteFor us Cubans we took the "carajillo" and nationalized with a baptism of Cuban coffee but we retained the "Anis del Mono". No other substitutes, please.
Cafecito with any other liquor is then called "premiao" as in prized or gifted. I crave one right now.
saludos,
raulito
Raulito:
DeleteI can understand the craving.
I drink so much less than I did when I was younger, but I don't socialize as much either. I need to increase both.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI'm thankful to be drinking much less than I did when I was younger (the word "fish" comes to mind). Like you, socializing is down, as well. But I realize I don't mind either too much.
Yes Mitch, it is a wonder you got home!! What with the warm breezes from the sea and the 'vino' in your veins! 'Chupitos' sounds like a good custom to me. Have a good weekend you two.
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeletePerfect beach days this weekend. I'm taking a break from chupitos (until tomorrow, I think).
Life is good! The people there do seem really friendly.
ReplyDeleteKristi:
DeleteSo many warm and welcoming people. It's a wonderful place to call home.
Those sand sculptures are absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteIt will be interesting to see if there's more of the sand art once season begins. I love it.