Feliz Cumpleaños A Mí, And All That Jazz

Sunday was my birthday (mi cumpleaños). And a fine birthday it turned out to be.

BIRTHDAY DESSERT #1.

The day started off sunny but the fog rolled in with a vengeance while we were enjoying our morning coffee at Cafe Manila. Very unusual. By mid-afternoon, the sun had returned.

11 A.M.

4 P.M.

I received lots of attention throughout the day — because wherever I went, San Geraldo said, "It's his birthday!" I heard lots of singing — some of it good. I received emails and text messages. And birthday kisses (more, please). We had sandwiches at home for lunch with a special birthday dessert of pastries filled with chocolate cream (and garnished with fresh cherries).

ATTACHED TO A BIRTHDAY "MWAH" TEXT MESSAGE FROM TERÉ AND MIGUEL IN SEVILLA.

We went to dinner at "The Sandpiper," a wonderful restaurant along the beach with a very eclectic and international menu (and staff). Slushie's husband is a chef there (click for a refresher course on Slushie). When San Geraldo told the hostess/server it was my birthday, she gave me four kisses — two on each cheek. She said it was the French way. After dinner, they surprised me with a piece of chocolate cake with a candle. And just about everyone at the restaurant sang "happy birthday." To make things even better, musicians were setting up on the street just as we got seated. We recognized one as Javi Rosso, the great guitar player we had met at Cafe Manila some months ago (click here for that post). His sax-playing partner was with him this time. I'm sure they (the Rosso - Tomaselli Duo) were back in town because they knew it was my birthday. What a gift! Then, when we got home, San Geraldo served up two helpings of his delicious freshly baked apricot cobbler. Now it's time for a tapas lunch at Bar Pepe, after which we'll come home for more apricot cobbler. (Then maybe I should go for a loooooong walk.)

AT THE SANDPIPER. SAN GERALDO (WITH A LARGE GIN & TONIC!!!) BEFORE WE MOVED OUTSIDE.

¡SALUD Y GRACIAS!

BIRTHDAY DESSERT #2.

BIRTHDAY DESSERT #3. AND THERE'S LOTS MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!

Is Bigger Really Better?

I've heard size is important, but after a certain point I think things can get a bit ridiculous. Take for example this guy I saw on the beach the other day. A very somber and serious sort even while playing with his big pink noodle. He had one small child that he dragged around on the thing, but he seemed to be completely unaware of how it looked. (I noticed some snickering by my fellow adolescents on the beach.) I would have selected a different color. Then again, would it have looked any less peculiar in blue?

A BIG PINK NOODLE AND NO APPARENT IRONY. 

HERE IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S TRYING TO TUCK IT BACK INTO HIS SHORTS.

Tame Tigers and Flying Foxes

Truly Great Nephew Jack and his parents are on their way home to England. We can't wait for their next visit. In their brilliant company, I got to visit the castle, ride on the river, and explore the city. Jack loved the zoo (well, he loved everything he did except getting sand between his toes). He didn't seem to have a favorite animal. We assumed it would be the crocodiles. And it was... until he saw the tigers. Then he saw the fish, which had him mesmerized. And the chimps were in the middle of a major squabble, which he found very entertaining. We spent 3-1/2 hours at the zoo and then another hour walking, playing in a park, and having a meal. Jack was happy and exceptional company the entire time. He had his first face-painting, too. (Sara was tempted to have her eyes done and I considered getting a temporary tattoo... building up to getting a real one... before my 90th birthday).

"JACK, WHAT DOES A TIGER SAY?"

IN ENGLISH, CROCODILES.  IN SPANISH, COCODRILOS.  IN "JACK," COCODOS.

FRUIT BATS OR FLYING FOXES.
WE WERE INSIDE THE AVIARY WITH THEM, WHICH I FOUND REALLY CREEPY.

GREETING OUR ARRIVAL.
SARA AND JACK ON FUENGIROLA'S DOUBLE-DECKER CAROUSEL.

FLAMINGO PEDAL BOAT ON THE FUENGIROLA RIVER
WITH JOHN AT THE HELM AND SARA PROVIDING PRIMARY PEDAL POWER.

JACK'S FAVORITE DRAGON BOAT WAS ALREADY TAKEN,
BUT THAT MEANT WE HAD A BETTER VIEW OF THE DRAGON.

ONBOARD THE FLAMINGO. AN ACCIDENTAL SHOT OF
TRULY GREAT-FUL UNCLE MITCHELL WITH TRULY GREAT NEPHEW JACK.

Things That Make You Go...

... Awwwwwwww.

DUDO AND FRIEND SHARING A MOMENT IN THE SUN.

The Castle Walk

Our city of Fuengirola was known in ancient times as Suel and then Suhayl dating back its origins in Phoenician, Roman, and Arab civilizations. The Sohail Castle (from Suel and then Suhayl) was built in 956 AD as a coastal defense. The castle ruins were renovated in 2000 and at that time Phoenician ruins were discovered dating back to before 300 BC. The castle is near the southwest end of the beach and we live near the southeast end. I walk there regularly — about 4 km/2.5 miles — but have never gone inside the castle or the grounds that sprawl below it. So, I was happy to join niece Sara, John, and Jack for a visit. The views are incredible and we could easily appreciate its strategic importance.

FROM THE FUENGIROLA RIVER.

ENTERING THE CASTLE.
JACK COMING BACK TO SEE WHAT'S TAKING US SO LONG.

Truly Great Nephew Jack was again truly great all day. He posed in the remains of the guard house. I told him to salute and he was immediately cooperative. However, he gave a "two-fingered salute" (aka "the longbowman salute," "the two," "the tongs," and "the forks"). It's long been an insulting gesture in England (and other places) — their version of the American "finger." At a glance it looks like the "peace sign," but the palm is facing inwards. Do you suppose Truly Great Nephew Jack knew what he was doing?

JACK AND MUM SARA STANDING GUARD.
(JACK AND HIS TWO-FINGER SALUTE).

A COMFY WINDOW-SEAT?

LOOKING EAST-ISH. MÁLAGA BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS.

STRATEGIC LOCATION.

NOW A POPULAR SPOT FOR CONCERTS AND SHOWS.

SARA ADMIRING THE VIEW AS JOHN AND JACK HEAD BACK DOWN FOR MORE EXPLORATION.

LOOKING BACK AT THE ENTRY. JACK'S GUARDHOUSE TO LEFT OF ARCHWAY.

BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO WALK.

THE PARK AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS.

HEADING BACK DOWN.

THE BRIDGE OVER THE FUENGIROLA RIVER.
AT LOW-TIDE, YOU CAN CROSS ALONG THE BEACH IF YOU LIKE.

Jack, Beans, and Boobies

Our niece and nephew-in-law, Sara and John, are here in Fuengirola for a holiday from their home in the English Midlands. They're "brilliant" (as in more than simply great), and with them is their therefore doubly brilliant son, Jack. We're having the best visit with them, two exceptionally kind, interesting, loving, gracious, and fun individuals. Jack is sweet, loving, easy going, adorable, and charming. We adore each other, even though we seem to have very different tastes. For one thing, Jack loves beans on toast. He certainly didn't get that from me. He and Great Uncle San Geraldo share that particular taste.

BEANS ON TOAST AND A PINT.
(DON'T WORRY. NOT REALLY HIS PINT.)

One thing Jack does not have in common with either of us is his current fascination with "boobies." The families first day in town, we were in the car heading over to their apartment with their luggage. We passed the statue (the proudly bare-breasted statue) of Mediterranea and while we talked Jack very casually pointed out the window and said, "Boobies." A while later, as we walked along the beach, Jack pointed to one of many topless women and once-again said casually, "Boobies." Sara says he's kind of fixated. Maybe he wasn't weaned soon enough. Maybe it will pass. Maybe not.

MEDITERRANEA. ALL JACK NOTICED WERE THE "BOOBIES."
SCULPTOR LUIS REYES, 2003.

Jack also loves ketchup on just about everything. Another taste he shares with Great Uncle San Geraldo. As far as they're both concerned, the only reason to have French fries (in Jack's case, "chips") is to have something to dip in your ketchup.

KETCHUP WITH A SIDE OF FRIES.

Jack also has a truly inspired head of blond hair. I would love to have his style. He's a cool dresser (mostly thanks to his father, who is a cool dresser himself), and when he's "dressed" for a night on the town, his hair may be gelled into crisp spikes. My hair is not blond (although some might call it black and platinum). Besides, I don't have enough hair to spike or even gel.

STYLISHLY CRISPY HAIR.

Great Uncle San Geraldo appeared to be fixating on boobies this morning, but it was just another "Jerryism." He got a little confused during our coffees at Cafeteria Manila and told Slushee and Sam that he didn't want them to think he was "knockers."

I looked across the table at San Geraldo and said, "I think you mean 'bonkers'."

TRULY GREAT NEPHEW JACK WITH TRULY GREAT UNCLE SAN GERALDO.

Seafood Hash?

Fuengirola's port is primarily a fishing port, keeping a close connection with the history of the city which was, before the advent of tourism in the late 1960s, a simple fishing village. Depending on the season, professional and recreational fisherman catch Bream, Snapper, Bonito, Mackeral, Rockling, Weever, and Conger, among other things. We see fishing boats from our windows every day. Apparently, the boats haven't changed much in structure and appearance over the years.

ONE COOL MORNING A FEW WEEKS AGO.

One fishing boat in particular caught my attention, although I didn't get to see it myself. We read in the paper this morning that Spanish customs agents seized a boat just off the coast (well, 110 miles off the coast) carrying 17 tons of hash. Since I'm no cook (by any stretch of the imagination), I can't tell you which of the local fish make the best hash. But, what could anyone possibly do with 17 tons of fish hash?

Oh, wait... It says "hashish."

Never mind.

Not To Leave You Dangling

The "fishing boat" had no flag, wasn't registered, and had no documents, which is what attracted customs agents. The boat was "escorted" to Málaga where it was searched. That's when agents found 654 packets of hash hashish in the boat's hull. The Egyptian crew of 14, including two minors, were taken into custody. No fish hash recipe will be forthcoming.

IKEA, Cercanías, and Cows

On a solo train trip down from Sevilla a short while back, San Geraldo noticed IKEA was on the outskirts of the city of Málaga on the way to Fuengirola. He said, "It's directly next to one of the train stations." Given our taxi (taxing?) experiences with IKEA in Sevilla (15€ cab fare each way, delivery charges, 3 trips just to get all required parts of the beds — click here for a bit of our IKEA history), we thought it would be nice to pop over on Cercanías, the commuter train, and shop. We needed two large pots, one for the terrace and one for the living room. We figured we could manage to carry two plastic pots the short distances we'd have to walk. We love Cercanías. Reliable, immaculate, safe, scenic. So, we took the train to Plaza Mayor named (and created) for the modern, outdoor shopping mall it abuts.

OUR TRAIN STATION. LOS BOLICHES IN FUENGIROLA.

A VIEW ALONG THE WAY. ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE VIEW WAS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.

Items from Train Are Further Than They Appear
Plaza Mayor is a beautifully designed modern shopping mall. But, with its collection of chain stores and a food court filled with the likes of McDonald's and Taco Bell, we could have been just about anywhere in the world. Well, anywhere with a Southern Mediterranean climate and a collection of fiberglass cows. When we arrived at the Plaza Mayor train stop, we saw that the shopping mall was on one side of the tracks and IKEA was on the other but quite some distance away. We took a quick peak at the mall (which is large, although not on the scale of Minnesota's Mall of America) before heading, indirectly, across the train tracks to IKEA. We had our choice of two overpasses at opposite ends of the mall, neither a direct route. Going, we chose incorrectly the one that took us even further out of the way. It was about a 25-minute walk. We had a successful shop. The only thing we didn't find were the pots, the original reason for the trip. But, given the walk from IKEA to Cercanías, that was a very good thing.

PLAZA MAYOR'S BACK ENTRANCE, FROM THE TRAIN STATION. THE FIRST COW SIGHTING.

INSIDE PLAZA MAYOR. I LOVED THIS TREE/PLANTER/FOUNTAIN.

ANOTHER FIBERGLASS COW.

MÁLAGA AIRPORT, THE NEXT TRAIN STOP, FROM THE OVERPASS.
WE WERE EVEN CLOSER BY THE TIME WE REACHED IKEA.

WATCHING FOR THE TRAIN THAT WOULD TAKE US HOME.

Good Things
In addition to the successful shopping, two other very good things happened during our little outing. San Geraldo walked more than a mile in the heat of the day and shopped for two hours without a complaint — well, with hardly a complaint. He did require a [Swedish] chocolate bar for the ride home. The other good thing? I found the solution to my ongoing mosquito problem.

THE SOLUTION TO MY MOSQUITO PROBLEM.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Patron Saint of New Jersey

There's a tiny chapel about 10 minutes west of us on the Paseo Marítimo here in Los Boliches dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. (Among her claims to fame, apparently, is the fact that she's the patron saint of New Jersey.) This morning around 8:30, we walked by the chapel and saw a leopard-print apparition.

EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
I WONDER WHAT SHE DID TUESDAY NIGHT.

To The Queen!

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. This follows last year's diamond jubilee celebrating her 1952 succession to the throne. The coronation took place 18 months later, on this day in 1953. Here in Fuengirola, there are a lot of transplants and tourists from Great Britain. So, Cafeteria Manila, our breakfast spot, hosted a "Coronation Lunch" to support a local British organization called "Age Care." The cafe is home to Age Care's drop-in "centre" (British spelling) and a host of clubs for locals and visitors — including a bridge club that sounds a bit too serious for San Geraldo's tastes and an American club that sounds a bit too, well, American, which is not what we moved to Spain for. Besides, there are so few Americans here in Fuengirola that I think most weeks no one even shows up.

ELIZABETH II AND SAN GERALDO EL REY. DISTANT COUSINS.
SO DISTANT THAT THERE'LL BE NO LUNCH FOR US AT THE PALACE... EVER.

Oh, yeah, the coronation lunch. San Geraldo and I didn't attend — "The Colonies" having escaped British lunches nearly 237 years ago. Anyway, we weren't even invited. But I did manage to snap a couple of photos with my phone while we waited for our breakfast to be served. You can spot our eggs, bacon, and toast getting cold in the kitchen while two members of Cafeteria Manila's team, Slushie and Richard, pose for a photo in their formal anniversary hats.

DOWNSTAIRS DECORATED FOR LUNCH WITH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE FESTIVITIES BACK IN ENGLAND.
MY APOLOGIES FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SUN GLARING OFF THE REAR MIRROR...

"SLUSHEE" AND RICHARD (HE'S THE MATURE ONE ON THE RIGHT)
IT'S GOOD THEY MOVED TO SPAIN. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE.