Tag: Crema de Orujo

Total eclipse of the heart day #7.  “Our Last Day in Madrid”

by reissmd, posted in Madrid

This morning started on a sad note when Erica and I drove David and Julian to the airport.  David received a message from the airline saying he should be there 4 hours before departure.  We were in disbelief and left Erica’s place 3 hours before the flight was due to leave. The drive to the airport was easy and check in went quickly. Before Erica and I got home I got a text from David saying they were through security and ready to board an hour and 45 minutes prior to departure.  So much for needing to arrive 4 hours early. 

With things being so hot we were hesitant to do anything but “chill” at home.  I was getting hungry so we headed out to get some food.  After filling my tummy we decided to take the metro to a get together that Erica had heard about.  It was a musical event hoping to raise money for people affected by the recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia.   As soon as we arrived I knew this wasn’t for me.  There were loud drums and I value my hearing so I stayed outside. Even outside the venue it was too loud for me.  My travel partners were in agreement so we made a donation to the cause and left. As soon as we departed we were greeted with rain.  It was like being back at the fountain park and it was WONDERFUL!  

Back at Erica’s apartment we regained our energy by watching a movie and doing some reading. Then it was time to celebrate my birthday with a special dinner.  It’s not my birthday for 2 more weeks but it’s unlikely that Erica will be in town then, so we celebrated tonight.  We had an excellent meal at Los Castaños 2 [C. José Antonio Zapata, 4, Arganzuela, 28045 Madrid].  The meal was superb. 

We started with alcachofas (in English, artichokes). Actually, they started us with a crab paté that was so delicious that I didn’t get a picture until there were only remnants on the plate.
Rodaballo (in English, Turbot) with potatoes. Also very tasty.
We shared flan (in English, flan) for dessert.

And to celebrate my birthday the waiter brought a special surprise.

My new favorite drink, Crema de Orujo

Now it’s time to pack because we are leaving tomorrow.  I just received a message from the airline. They want us to arrive 4 hours prior to the flight’s scheduled departure. Hmmmm

That’s all for this trip.  You won’t have wait long for my next post. Friday we leave for ……….

Ciao 

Total Eclipse of the Heart Day #2. What Would a Tourist Do?

by reissmd, posted in Madrid

I awoke early this morning and found my travel party was all still asleep except for our hostess. Erica was awake and she invited me to go on an early morning walk, which I did.   The weather was delightful at 7:30 AM and we encountered some walkers and joggers.  Finally we stopped for my Spanish favorite: cafe con leche and tortilla de patatas.  Unfortunately the bar (aka cafe) was not very good at making either.  We weren’t crazy about the food but the local birds were.  Check out this video of the birds feasting on our leftovers in spite of us still sitting at the table. 

When the rest of the troop awoke we discussed our plans for the day. Should we attend one of the many museums in Madrid?  Should go to a park?  I voted to go to the pool and chill.  The water was wonderful but unfortunately there were some tiny ants that didn’t like us invading their space.

Then we headed to a local mall and bought some essentials (hair dryer, new shoes, t-shirt, I think you get the idea). Next we went for an essential in my mind………… some ice cream.

Julian got a chance to meet Erica’s dog, Wynona. See below.

Patrice, Me, David, Julian, and Erica with Wynona.

Then we had a subpar dinner that I won’t bother to discuss followed by another of my Spanish favorites… Crema de Orujo.

Yes, I do drink. But admitedly it is rare and is almost always when I am in Spain.

Chow, oh my the alcohol must be getting to me. Ciao.

Off To Visit the Baby, Madrid 2025 Day #6. “Let’s Go Look For an Apartment”

by reissmd, posted in Madrid

We spent the morning looking for an apartment for Erica.  In Spain they don’t have an MLS system where everyone lists their properties for sale.  To the contrary, each realtor has their own listings and the real estate agent represents both the buyer and seller.  So if you are looking to buy a property you need to register with multiple agencies.  This seems like a system in the need of a computer genius and a salesperson.  We did find one apartment to look at this morning.  It seemed old and expensive. From what we were told it’s a seller’s market.  Always seems like it’s a seller’s market until you want to sell. 

After leaving the apartment we went to lunch at Arrocería Imperial.  They specialize in rice dishes. We were accompanied by Erica’s friend Sofi (pronounced like Sophie not like So Fi Stadium).  The four of us shared two dishes. They were both very good but if you aren’t into rice meals this might not be the place for you.  You could tell this was a high class place because the toilet in the bathroom had a toilet seat.  I needed to find the toilet because the urinal was too high for use by a mortal male.  The bottom of the urinal came to my mid thigh.  Granted I’m not the tallest man in the world but I wouldn’t describe myself as short.  I opted for the toilet because the urinal would have required me to aim up at about 45º in order to clear the edge.  That would have been fine but it would have made for an interesting finale. 

I would tell you what this is but I don’t remember.
This was called, “It tastes good but it is a lot of work to eat”.

And or course we couldn’t leave without……………. see below.

Some more Crema de Orujo. “Patrice, look for a 12 step program! Not now, let’s wait until we return home.”

After lunch we visited another apartment.  This place was very interesting  in that after entering, the first room you encounter is a bathroom on the right.  The second room is another bathroom on the right.  That means that if you need to get up at night to use the bathroom you need to bypass much of the apartment in order to get to one of the two bathrooms.  We will continue the search tomorrow. 

After a rest back at the hotel (at which point my step count was 15,514) we headed to dinner.  We went to La Oveja Negra (The Black Sheep), a vegan  restaurant for dinner.  The chef (head honcho) is Sofi, Erica’s friend from this morning.  We had a wonderful meal and then headed back to the hotel. 

Leek Soup. Very yummy.
Vegan Milanesa, also very good.
Sofi, Erica, Famous Blogger, Patrice.

Final step count 18,743.

Adios

Off To Visit the Baby, Madrid 2025 Day #5. “A Day of Rest”

by reissmd, posted in Madrid

Today is a holiday in Spain. December 8th is the Day of the Immaculate Conception.  In a Catholic country this is obviously a big deal and pretty much everything thing in town was closed so we spent the day chilling out.  Erica perused the web for a possible apartment to buy (tear, tear, she’s not coming back to be with mommy and daddy).  Patrice went to the fitness room to work out.  I sat here thinking what it would take to be a full time blogger. 

The thought of blogging full time seemed quite attractive to me since it would give me a reason to wake up and get out of bed each day and I could get paid to travel.  So we did some research to see what it takes to earn a living as a blogger.  I read that quality over quantity can make for a profitable blog.  A blogger can do quite well with as little as 1,000 followers.  That being said, in view of the quality of my posts I will be needing at least a million followers.  

Another key concept is to know your niche.  I clearly know my niche but unfortunately it’s only things that I find interesting (Patrice here, took him this long to figure that out?). 

Apparently to make real money on a blog you have use product placement in your photos.  That’s like selling yourself to the devil.  Clearly something I’d never do.  That reminds me Patrice took this candid shot of me the other day.  Don’t you think it’s very flattering?

I just happen to have those things on the table when she shot the picture. I would never resort to product placement to earn a buck. Hey General Mills, please notice the box of Cheerios!

After a lot of chill time we decided to go out for a walk and meet up with an old friend.  In 2008, I visited Spain and took a Spanish class when I was here.  One of my teachers was Angelica.  During class I mentioned that I was from California and she said she would be going to California soon.  I told her to come stay with me.  She warned “Don’t say that because I will.”  Well she came to LA and stayed at our house and we have been friends ever since.  Every time I would travel to Spain she would help me make plans.  I have affectionally referred to her as my Spanish mother.  She is significantly younger than me so for her to be my mama that is a real case of Immaculate Conception. 

Patrice, Erica and I met Angelica at a local cafe to have some coffee and talk.  The coffee was delicious and the conversation even better.  I always feel so wonderful seeing her.  She is a wonderful mama but even more importantly she is a regular follower of the blog making me an International sensation.  I consider 1 follower in Spain a sensation.

Patrice had tea.  They brought it with a timer instructing her not to pour it until the 5 minute timer completed.  See below.

Notice the 1, 3, and 5, minute timers.

Erica and Angelica had specialty coffees. See below. 

Barraquito (Left): sweetened condensed milk, milk, espresso, foam, and a slice of lemon soaked in liquor.
Mocca (Right): chocolate syrup, milk, espresso, foam.
Chocolate chip cookie in the center

I had a café con leche as usual. Boring but pretty. See below.

A quick selfie with Patrice, Erica, Angelica, and me prior to parting.

After leaving Angelica we headed to an Indian restaurant close to our hotel for dinner.  The food was superb and I strongly recommend you try Atocha Tandoori located at Paseo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza, 27.  Sorry, no pictures of the food but I did get a picture of the aperitifs they served after the meal.  See below.

Patrice had the mango puree with yogurt. Erica and I had the Crema de Orujo.

Those who know me are aware that I am a non-drinker.  Tonight was the 4th time I have had a Crema de Orujo on this trip.  I might need a 12 step program when I get back. 

Adios