Crowd Control and a New Level of OCD

Yesterday morning during our breakfast, there were a lot of school groups out on the streets. I don't know where they were going, but clearly some place historic had an open house. Keeping the kids under control is I'm sure no easy task. The solution with the small fry (since leashes aren't permitted) is to have them create their own version of a chain gang. The kids all wear matching smocks and they were instructed to grab the tail of the smock in front of them. Group after group crossed the plaza. It was adorable. (And, as some people say, "They're all really smart. They're so young and they already speak Spanish." Yes, really, some people do say.)

FIELD TRIP. GRAB THE SMOCK IN FRONT OF YOU AND KEEP MOVING.

Sevilla has another version of crowd control. Around 1:30 or 2:00, everyone converges on their favorite plaza bar for their siesta drink before heading off for lunch and then back to work around 5. No smocks, which would be a really nice touch. But most people grab a small beer (known as a "caña" or "cervezita") and stay put for a half hour, an hour, sometimes more. I met Albert for a quick drink. Lola had been in Córdoba overnight and joined us on her way home. She and Albert (a walking and talking guide book) shared so much about the beauty, charm, and history of the city (which is only 20 minutes away on the high-speed AVE train), that I told San Geraldo we really have to get up one morning and go (we've been talking about doing so for weeks).

SIESTA AT PLAZA DEL SALVADOR. GRAB THE BEER IN FRONT OF YOU AND STAY A WHILE.

Many bars close at the end of siesta (and re-open at night) and most people are long gone before then. A few die-hards stick around until closing. I haven't closed a bar in a long time. Lola, Albert, and I did so yesterday. It's so much easier when closing time is 5 p.m. Some people move on to cocktail bars to continue their own personal parties with more grown-up drinks, like "gin tonic." I went home. Three and a half hours and two cañas were more than I could handle.

THE PLAZA AND BAR AFTER SIESTA. STORES RE-OPENED, BARS CLOSED.
ALBERT DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE. (HE'S AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES... ALWAYS.)

IS THAT THE MOON?!?  TIME FOR ME TO GO HOME.
I'M JUST NOT AS MUCH FUN AS ALBERT AND LOLA.

Happily Obsessive-Compulsive
I can't believe I'm sharing the following. I especially can't believe I'm including a photo. Or that I even took the photo in the first place. Well, for that matter, I can't believe I noticed there might even be something to take a photo of. But, when I went inside the bar to use the men's room, I was pleased (OK, oddly pleased) to notice that my clothing colors perfectly coordinated with the bathroom's decor. Now I'm going to want to check in advance so I can always plan the outfit accordingly.

GLEEFUL TO COLOR-COORDINATE... WITH A BATHROOM.