The Street Where We Live

ELEGANTLY LAYERED.

We ate lunch at home today.  Leftover pasta with chicken and pesto.  We had breakfast at home but then had a second one downstairs at El Sanedrín. (So, we didn't earn any points for that meal!)

And... we went back to La Alameda to have pizza for dinner, which included another order of caprese salad.  This one, however, did not look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa (nor did it look like The Cat in the Hat's hat).  But it was equally delicious.

Jerry assembled the new piece of furniture for my bedroom today.  He then assembled a tall bookcase for the hall.  They both look great and I was able to get more organized.  I'll be able to take more photos tomorrow, once Jerry gets the last two boxes out of the living room (after he assembles his two new file cabinets).

HEADING HOME DOWN OUR STREET TONIGHT.

While Jerry assembled furniture mid-day, I had the pleasure of enjoying a beer with Albert and a few of his friends at a little bar near the Church of the Magdalena.  I've had great plans to do a post about the beautiful and historic baroque Church of the Magdalena, but it's always closed when I get there.  I always go there during their posted hours.  I think they must see me coming and quickly close and lock the doors.  One of these days I'll catch them off guard.

LOOKING BACK UP OUR STREET AT THE STEEPLE OF THE CHURCH OF SAN LORENZO.

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS
Albert has a big heart and has been unbelievably generous with his time and insights... and now his friends.  He made sure I spoke mostly Spanish today, which is a lot more fun to do in a social setting.  Lola is a joy. We had the pleasure of meeting her when we were here in January/February.  And I got to meet a few other very warm and welcoming Sevillanos.  Javier speaks English about how I speak Spanish.  Albert — who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, and I can't remember what else — suggested Javier and I get some practice time by speaking only English together one day and only Spanish together the next. Great idea.

OUR BUILDING COMING UP ON THE LEFT (WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE).

Albert represents a number of very nice vacation rentals in the city.  He is kind, honest, generous, helpful, and so knowledgeable.  If you're ever looking for a nice place to stay, he is the man to help you.  The city should hire him as their official representative, the head of the "welcome wagon."  He is a fount of information on local history and can tell you all the best places to dine, walk, visit, shop, see, tour, and live in Sevilla, as well as much of Spain and Portugal.  He's got big plans for get-togethers at our apartment, which apparently is right at the heart of much of the Semana Santa festivities in April. My understanding is that processions start down the street at the Plaza de San Lorenzo before heading over to our plaza. The first thing Albert mentioned was hot chocolate at our place at 7 in the morning and then watching it all from our balconies.  We can't wait.

COMING AROUND THE CORNER OF DOS DE MAYO.  AND THEN HOME.