tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22364026001779047552024-03-19T14:57:36.372-07:00I Know a Little Place in SevilleSeville is a city of narrow streets and shady plazas hiding a whole host of delights that are easy to miss and almost impossible to find. But my pledge is to delve into those deepest cobbled corners to find the choice spots containing the quirky and quaint, the cool and 'cutre', from tapas bar to flamenco peñas, all can be found here.I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-91752779033238154422016-03-16T05:29:00.000-07:002016-03-16T05:29:33.672-07:00Why Semana Santa is nothing like Easter
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seville is a city that doesn´t do things by halves. For
someone hailing from a country that´s constantly self-apologetic (that’s
Britain, in case you’re wondering), the Andalusian capital´s overarching,
certainty and self-belief is both intoxicating and bewildering at the same
time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take Semana Santa, with its literal translation of holy week
rather than Easter. So there-in lies the first major difference. In other
countries, Easter unceremoniously squeezes itself onto the end of an ordinary,
working week and passes as an excuse for some much needed DIY, eating too much
chocolate and that’s about it. But in Seville, Semana Santa takes things to a
whole gargantuan level. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The term Holy ‘Week’ is in fact underselling its immensity.
Year after year the painstaking preparations begin immediately after the
previous year’s Easter Sunday has only just finished. Where Semana Santa is concerned, there’s no
rest for the proverbial wicked; from the marching bands honing their haunting,
medieval renditions, to the costaleros (the meaty guys who carry the religious
statues on their sizeable shoulders) rehearsing their micro-moves so that the
irreplaceable images of the virgin and Christ remain intact manoeuvring around
the city’s tight medieval, corners. Only in August they might take some time
off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then there’s the week itself. Over 7 days 55 hermandades or
brotherhoods make the journey from their usual place of worship to the
cathedral and back again. No mean feat when there are approximately 115 pasos
(the floats carrying the often life-size images of the Jesus Christ and the
Virgin Mary), some accompanied by over 2000 Nazarenos (the pointy-hooded
members of the brotherhoods that these days include women and children), so
that seeing just one Hermandad file past can take over an hour. And that’s not
even mentioning ‘la bulla’, the unfeasible large number of crowds shoehorning
themselves into tight spaces to get the processional view they’ve been dreaming
of all year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see Semana Santa is a serious business. Sure there’s
beer to be drunk and ‘guapa’ to be shouted at the occasional passing of a
statue of the virgin. But if you’re to get the full experience then it’s
watertight, military planning that’s needed. It’s a bit like when you’re at a
large music festival and several of your favourite bands are playing at the
same time at different ends of the festival site. And to compound matters, a
journey that would ordinarily take 10 minutes suddenly takes two hours. Steely
determination, planning and patience are the name of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But somehow it seems to work and tradition wins the day.
Indeed, every echelon of Seville society makes an appearance; from rather tough
looking, working class adolescents, proudly playing their instrument of choice
in the Semana Santa band, to the Ralph Lauren clad, ´pijos´ eyeing up the
pretty girls between passing statues of the virgin, to the elegantly dressed
‘señoras´ who death defyingly combine skyscraper heels and cobbles without taking
a tumble once. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, as a self-proclaimed ‘crowd fleer’ I doubt whether
I’ll ever have the nerves to immerse myself in Semana Santa, Seville stylie. In
the meantime, I’ll just live vicariously through the experiences of people like
Curro, aged 11, who can’t wait to go out as a Nazarene, like his father and
grandfather did before him. And when recently I asked him if one day his
children would also be Nazarenes, without a flicker of doubt in his eyes he
asserted, ‘Claro que si’ (of course). And you know what, I think they probably
will.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curro somewhere on the left with his cousins </td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-16773669564594966832016-01-25T04:05:00.002-08:002016-01-25T04:25:35.814-08:00Uniquely Seville - El Rincón del Buho There's something terribly romantic about elegant decay, when a once imposing grandeur has been stripped bare by peeling paintwork and crumbling plaster. I'm not advocating that Seville's historic buildings be left to wreck and ruin, but on wandering around the Casco Antiguo in almost every street there's an ivy-strewn, façade that hints at a decadent past.<br />
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'El Rincon del Buho' is a prime example. Once a Corrala de Vecinos and then an hermandad Rociero, for the last six years it's been a cultural association and general meeting place for creative souls of the barrio. An obvious draw being its regular schedule of concerts of every genre, exhibitions, yoga classes etc, but also the extraordinarily good value 'Menu del dia', perfect for any bohemio in need of a substantial meal. <br />
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For 4 Euros you get to choose two dishes from a wide selection, including several for vegetarians. In the past I've had vegetable rice, choco with potatoes, vegan bolognese, there's usually some sort of vegetable, creamy soup, all tasty and extremely filling. Then there's dessert, plus wine/beer and bread. <br />
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It's important to point out that El Rincón del Buho isn´t a restaurant or bar and that all money made from serving food and other activities is ploughed back into keeping the association going. Indeed technically if you´re there you should be a member or socio, just a matter of filling in a piece of paper and doesn´t cost a céntimo. <br />
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Lunch is more than just filling a hole at el Rincón. It´s an experience of feeling like you´ve opened a portal into a Sevillano, parallel universe that few people have entered. Frequented by characters in the true sense of the word (not sure what that makes me in that case), you can expect to eves drop on conversations about existensialism, politics, lucid dreaming and if you´re lucky, you might even get to chip in. <br />
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It´s most definitely not a fancy, sanitised joint for cool kids to hang out in and that´s probably why I love it.<br />
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El Rincón del Buho, Calle Parras 31<br />
Menu del dia - every lunchtime <br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-2955738604775582082016-01-22T07:18:00.000-08:002016-01-22T07:18:18.222-08:00When you need a bit of countyside in the citySometimes my very DNA screams ´Get thee out of the city´. Now I´m with dog, it´s not so easy to hop on a bus and heh presto I´m surrounded by trees and black-footed pigs. So sometimes it's a case of 'any rural port in a storm will do' and when the urge comes upon me, I have two urban/rural escapes that scratch that campo itch.<br />
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If it's a quick fix I'm after, I head to El Huerto Rey Moro, on Calle Enladrillada in between Plaza Pelicano and Plaza San Marco. The largest public space in the old part of town that hasn't been built upon or used for commercial purposes, it was once the vegetable patch of a 15th century house, then lay abandoned for centuries and was finally brought into its current use as a community allotment in 2008.<br />
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Depending what time of the day you find yourself there, there could be people toiling over their organic vegetables, a bread making workshop, a kids party or nothing at all. Either way it gives me a chance to sit on a bench, listen to the birds and watch Sunday my dog sniff around the edges. <br />
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But sometimes it's striding around the green spaces I'm after, in which case it's the Alamillo Park for me. Not the bit with hundreds of people picnicking with music at high volume or kids screeching as they fall off their birthday roller skates. No, nestling along the river is a quiet stretch of orange groves, replete with dirt tracks, wild flowers and the occasional jogger. Somehow it manages to remain a secret from the weekend hordes with their fold up tables and chairs, thus giving me the countryesque fix I much need. It's easy to get to, after crossing the Alamillo bridge it's a quick hop down some stairs that lead directly to the riverside, if you find yourself at the main entrance, you've gone too far. <br />
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Right now a few of the perfectly formed, orange trees are bursting prematurely into bloom, but come March when it's true orange blossom season, it's a sensorial treat, rather like a living, breathing aromatherapy session offering itself freely to lift up our spirits. But whatever the season, it's the perfect spot to recharge those batteries, depleted by late nights and one too many cervecitas. <br />
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<a href="http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/avra/parque-alamillo/">http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/avra/parque-alamillo/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.huertodelreymoro.org/">http://www.huertodelreymoro.org/</a><br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0Seville, Sevilla, Spain37.3890924 -5.98445889999993637.1871984 -6.3071823999999364 37.590986400000006 -5.6617353999999356tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-65655583873893192542016-01-21T07:08:00.000-08:002016-01-21T07:08:17.263-08:00Chi Kung - Get some balance in your lifeThat fella Descartes who once said 'I think, therefore I am' might have done society a bit of a disfavour. We're all just constantly thinking, problem solving, mulling over, worrying, predicting, reflecting back. God, I feel mentally exhausted just thinking about it. Oh dear, there I go with the whole thinking thing again.<br />
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You see our bodies somehow have ended up as being mere means of transport for the overactive lumps of jelly on top of our shoulders. We don't really pay attention to them until they start to fail on us, where as in fact they are constantly firing out warning signals saying 'What about me? I don't want another coffee. Hang on a moment, I'd really like to sleep more than 5 hours a night... pleeeaaasssee, just listen to me.'<br />
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And so time passes, our minds get more neurotic and our bodies fall apart. It's like this massive, big surprise and then we wonder how it all happened.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkioNyxSruw_RVXTBtboAACxO7smoVyfJFtZBVyVuz-w_2RcMzT2N56hXDarpVFvItqC2O2L6R-Q64tSeTpQTYNLyaBxRxT4TnlTQ-23AyMS2e-wpPvlaAXBSg4iIAnRTq5qU8U0o5zc/s1600/P1050647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkioNyxSruw_RVXTBtboAACxO7smoVyfJFtZBVyVuz-w_2RcMzT2N56hXDarpVFvItqC2O2L6R-Q64tSeTpQTYNLyaBxRxT4TnlTQ-23AyMS2e-wpPvlaAXBSg4iIAnRTq5qU8U0o5zc/s1600/P1050647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkioNyxSruw_RVXTBtboAACxO7smoVyfJFtZBVyVuz-w_2RcMzT2N56hXDarpVFvItqC2O2L6R-Q64tSeTpQTYNLyaBxRxT4TnlTQ-23AyMS2e-wpPvlaAXBSg4iIAnRTq5qU8U0o5zc/s400/P1050647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkioNyxSruw_RVXTBtboAACxO7smoVyfJFtZBVyVuz-w_2RcMzT2N56hXDarpVFvItqC2O2L6R-Q64tSeTpQTYNLyaBxRxT4TnlTQ-23AyMS2e-wpPvlaAXBSg4iIAnRTq5qU8U0o5zc/s1600/P1050647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
But it's not too late dear friends. You can get your old mind and body working in perfect harmony thus leading to optimum health, both mental and physical... Step in Chi Kung (or Qi Gong). A therapeutic practise rooted in Chinese medicine, it involves gentle exercises combined with mindful breathing to restore equilibrium once more to our entire beings. <br />
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Its proclaimed benefits (many proven in scientific studies) include:<br />
emotional balance, relaxation and stress reduction, improved heart functioning, lowering cholesterol, improved lung capacity, strengthening the nervous and immune systems, improved sleep, weight control, improved muscle tone, joint maintenance, diminished possibility of osteoporosis and last but not least, the expansion of ones consciousness (my own personal favourite). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZFOLA_go3F1zBTa0TqwVFc0_hk2iGS310vUf-kZcauPloJ26SC_HpwdrzQDUxZmwWEa7XXGvYIISBvL75PNduY41o6nLla3xoO6dFOJfdz-D5wEsMyTKZAPs_A3C77Hfl50d63o753c/s1600/P1050652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZFOLA_go3F1zBTa0TqwVFc0_hk2iGS310vUf-kZcauPloJ26SC_HpwdrzQDUxZmwWEa7XXGvYIISBvL75PNduY41o6nLla3xoO6dFOJfdz-D5wEsMyTKZAPs_A3C77Hfl50d63o753c/s400/P1050652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYsGu-06o2WeytMqpKqCbBOBAiMafNT68Kn1o3q2xpz9eyakxQqzlJ3rFKLu9fRRjlaPURgmnLdIcNlI_V6e9NSQ0k_UCw9UjwNAeAfJfs-nJuCEHIxHaSFYZsZPW1nc0CjaKN08jk6A/s1600/P1050652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYsGu-06o2WeytMqpKqCbBOBAiMafNT68Kn1o3q2xpz9eyakxQqzlJ3rFKLu9fRRjlaPURgmnLdIcNlI_V6e9NSQ0k_UCw9UjwNAeAfJfs-nJuCEHIxHaSFYZsZPW1nc0CjaKN08jk6A/s1600/P1050652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkioNyxSruw_RVXTBtboAACxO7smoVyfJFtZBVyVuz-w_2RcMzT2N56hXDarpVFvItqC2O2L6R-Q64tSeTpQTYNLyaBxRxT4TnlTQ-23AyMS2e-wpPvlaAXBSg4iIAnRTq5qU8U0o5zc/s1600/P1050647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I attended a class for beginners on Monday with Guillermo Rabal, an experienced practitioner who took great care to explain the benefits of each exercise. Perfect for someone dipping their toes in the Chi Kung waters for the first time and in need of some careful and patient explanation, all of which Guillermo was delighted to provide.<br />
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I felt both relaxed and energised afterwards and my body was very grateful to have had a long awaited reunion with its errant master, the mind. <br />
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Classes are Mondays at 6pm at La Barca del Buda, Calle Moravia 6 and cost 30 euros per month for one class a week. <br />
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Guillermo Rabal 607 785 576<br />
<a href="http://terapias.pro/">http://terapias.pro/</a><br />
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I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-72104539991746985712016-01-14T04:53:00.000-08:002016-01-14T04:53:32.123-08:00A homage to 'El Jueves Market' calle FeriaI'm not much of a market person. I'm not much of a browser or a bargain hunter, or a shopper at all in fact and then throw in a crowd and you can't see me for dust. So 'El Jueves' market hasn't really held much draw for me in the five years I've lived here. But, it is a photographer's dream, regardless of your view on second hand markets. <br />
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Every Thursday from 7am - 3pm Calle Feria is blocked off from Castellar to Correduría in order to host the oldest street market in Seville (dating back to the XIII) with a plethora of antiques, religious artefacts, second hand clothes and a high quota of tat. Visually it rates pretty high on the kitchometer, which is always a personal joy. <br />
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So here´s a little visual feel of a typical day of ´El Jueves´ (from a Guiri´s eye view). <br />
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<span id="goog_649298833"></span><span id="goog_649298834"></span><br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-8868084290587502492016-01-13T12:02:00.000-08:002016-01-13T15:06:17.961-08:00You don't have to be a middle class twat to be a foodie in Seville I used to live in an area in South London called East Dulwich. On entering you were asked, 'are you a foodie? Do you know your Shoyu from your tamari, your shitake from your chanterelles ? Are you insistent on shopping only in local, organic shops, even if you have to take out a second mortgage to do so?' If the answer was yes then you might just be allowed to take up residence. Obviously I've made all of that up, but taking away my wild exaggerations, you at least get the picture.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wWpBuEAd7xTCqiYWMaRx_LXUF1gG3AEEi1wVb1IKNXg92pw5MSRlPOIuYJb0i9rbyXrgxFVkS6tf6OS19CkrjduFYviiTEydLfpWMIeB7YFA7sxcAfB-zDM5Q7mjqrZmmxjdqiaysCM/s1600/P1040881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wWpBuEAd7xTCqiYWMaRx_LXUF1gG3AEEi1wVb1IKNXg92pw5MSRlPOIuYJb0i9rbyXrgxFVkS6tf6OS19CkrjduFYviiTEydLfpWMIeB7YFA7sxcAfB-zDM5Q7mjqrZmmxjdqiaysCM/s320/P1040881.JPG" width="320"></a>But Seville is refreshingly different. The love of food is wonderfully democratic. You just need to venture into one of the covered food markets 'de toda la vida' and you'll see wrinkled grannies enthusiastically eyeing up tomatoes, before moving on with excitement to the jamón. Where I'm from we've lost our connection with quality ingredients, or at least if you want them, you pay through the nose in a trendy deli. Yes we've got supermarkets coming out of our ears, but once it's been individually wrapped in plastic, pre-washed, sliced and god knows what else, it's barely recognisable as the raw material it once was. <br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNVeqQ0xtLxvelfwbxMdZBSnn6o6acxuXJpA5eD6z7urBaq4zHCkjK-f0RwWgA5G5GvY7dx15kj5knIE6Agv048p6whtqrA-p7RzeBEq98gBf-Mr4Joxcqp2xHaQkX3TjQXcQk7nG7EE/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNVeqQ0xtLxvelfwbxMdZBSnn6o6acxuXJpA5eD6z7urBaq4zHCkjK-f0RwWgA5G5GvY7dx15kj5knIE6Agv048p6whtqrA-p7RzeBEq98gBf-Mr4Joxcqp2xHaQkX3TjQXcQk7nG7EE/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-H_IP3KsBJiRqvX3nB9nth_NZ0_jJ8goV_aDLsoJ9RvtKUzs9tMFWmghD37-uBVdP77NawI8wZTA0xy1s78W0hWzqhgcMwIP7Nsx8rtijZtR2AkrIEyRqN4Rxliox6qSbiatl-gs18/s1600/P1040878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-H_IP3KsBJiRqvX3nB9nth_NZ0_jJ8goV_aDLsoJ9RvtKUzs9tMFWmghD37-uBVdP77NawI8wZTA0xy1s78W0hWzqhgcMwIP7Nsx8rtijZtR2AkrIEyRqN4Rxliox6qSbiatl-gs18/s320/P1040878.JPG" width="320"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-H_IP3KsBJiRqvX3nB9nth_NZ0_jJ8goV_aDLsoJ9RvtKUzs9tMFWmghD37-uBVdP77NawI8wZTA0xy1s78W0hWzqhgcMwIP7Nsx8rtijZtR2AkrIEyRqN4Rxliox6qSbiatl-gs18/s1600/P1040878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-H_IP3KsBJiRqvX3nB9nth_NZ0_jJ8goV_aDLsoJ9RvtKUzs9tMFWmghD37-uBVdP77NawI8wZTA0xy1s78W0hWzqhgcMwIP7Nsx8rtijZtR2AkrIEyRqN4Rxliox6qSbiatl-gs18/s1600/P1040878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_-H_IP3KsBJiRqvX3nB9nth_NZ0_jJ8goV_aDLsoJ9RvtKUzs9tMFWmghD37-uBVdP77NawI8wZTA0xy1s78W0hWzqhgcMwIP7Nsx8rtijZtR2AkrIEyRqN4Rxliox6qSbiatl-gs18/s1600/P1040878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ocf3eKcYvgEqzgbuYytSzIjiAMRxGYS8u6RdWzTYD-5UcsXRob6HqAPPPpj5PO6VJLFnzJvYKx7OTLu2mDNrDpS1yZsMQHog5Y9fiXq3W9-V9eMCQELctMzT1bIyD9gYFOM8MAqY7gA/s1600/granel+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ocf3eKcYvgEqzgbuYytSzIjiAMRxGYS8u6RdWzTYD-5UcsXRob6HqAPPPpj5PO6VJLFnzJvYKx7OTLu2mDNrDpS1yZsMQHog5Y9fiXq3W9-V9eMCQELctMzT1bIyD9gYFOM8MAqY7gA/s1600/granel+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ocf3eKcYvgEqzgbuYytSzIjiAMRxGYS8u6RdWzTYD-5UcsXRob6HqAPPPpj5PO6VJLFnzJvYKx7OTLu2mDNrDpS1yZsMQHog5Y9fiXq3W9-V9eMCQELctMzT1bIyD9gYFOM8MAqY7gA/s1600/granel+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>But as they say 'Spain is different', or let's make that Seville. To give you an example let's take the humble chickpea. To a Brit, a chick pea is something that comes in a can, right? We have no idea of the different kinds of chick pea (castellano and blanco lechoso just for instance), how for quality and taste you'd never buy tinned or bottled chickpeas - you must buy the dry ones, soak and then boil. And this is the same from the humblest kitchen to the wealthy elite. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sauxBxW798GHn06M5MhbPFHWoISluHrGuTRy02cLECX1bo0043XCppmPXoakY54YKdpeahuKkngt-QdDX0ObtIQWTjE0cVHyhd2a4I-NewSBnucoeUy6uMyj0zeldrL41CU8NfOh46Y/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sauxBxW798GHn06M5MhbPFHWoISluHrGuTRy02cLECX1bo0043XCppmPXoakY54YKdpeahuKkngt-QdDX0ObtIQWTjE0cVHyhd2a4I-NewSBnucoeUy6uMyj0zeldrL41CU8NfOh46Y/s320/granel+exterior.jpg" width="240"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sauxBxW798GHn06M5MhbPFHWoISluHrGuTRy02cLECX1bo0043XCppmPXoakY54YKdpeahuKkngt-QdDX0ObtIQWTjE0cVHyhd2a4I-NewSBnucoeUy6uMyj0zeldrL41CU8NfOh46Y/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sauxBxW798GHn06M5MhbPFHWoISluHrGuTRy02cLECX1bo0043XCppmPXoakY54YKdpeahuKkngt-QdDX0ObtIQWTjE0cVHyhd2a4I-NewSBnucoeUy6uMyj0zeldrL41CU8NfOh46Y/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sauxBxW798GHn06M5MhbPFHWoISluHrGuTRy02cLECX1bo0043XCppmPXoakY54YKdpeahuKkngt-QdDX0ObtIQWTjE0cVHyhd2a4I-NewSBnucoeUy6uMyj0zeldrL41CU8NfOh46Y/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sauxBxW798GHn06M5MhbPFHWoISluHrGuTRy02cLECX1bo0043XCppmPXoakY54YKdpeahuKkngt-QdDX0ObtIQWTjE0cVHyhd2a4I-NewSBnucoeUy6uMyj0zeldrL41CU8NfOh46Y/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br>
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And in most neighbourh<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNVeqQ0xtLxvelfwbxMdZBSnn6o6acxuXJpA5eD6z7urBaq4zHCkjK-f0RwWgA5G5GvY7dx15kj5knIE6Agv048p6whtqrA-p7RzeBEq98gBf-Mr4Joxcqp2xHaQkX3TjQXcQk7nG7EE/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>oods y<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNVeqQ0xtLxvelfwbxMdZBSnn6o6acxuXJpA5eD6z7urBaq4zHCkjK-f0RwWgA5G5GvY7dx15kj5knIE6Agv048p6whtqrA-p7RzeBEq98gBf-Mr4Joxcqp2xHaQkX3TjQXcQk7nG7EE/s1600/granel+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>ou still find individual shopkeepers who hold their own against the supermarkets. Like newly opened 'A Granel' on Calle Leon XIII in the Macarena. Having just opened before Christmas its tempting façade invites you in to an Aladdin's cave of culinary delights. Owned by Javier, who used to be a ham cutter at El Rinconcillo, it's stuffed full with products from Extremadura, many of which pig-related, but also barrels of sweet wines to be bought be the litre, cheeses, Spanish wine, legumbres and olive oil. Incidentally 'a granel' means to buy in bulk without the usual commercial packaging. <br>
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Although he's just been there a short while, he's already a big hit with the local retired population who are usually a good barometer for quality and price. And despite the celebration of all things jamón, it still gave me a warm feeling just hanging out, trying some cheese, buying the obligatory chickpeas and having a quick swig of mistela from the barrel before sauntering off into the Macarena night. <br>
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A Granel, Calle Leon XIII 5<br>
Tel 663 622 709 </div>
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<br>I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-34952856884832663972016-01-11T07:09:00.001-08:002016-01-11T07:10:01.499-08:00Micro Coffee Revolution Yesterday I found out an interesting fact. Did you know that the coffee beans consumed in Spain are roasted with sugar and that when you compare them to a well-roasted, quality coffee bean the Spanish variant is black in colour, with a much stronger coffee kick, compared with its select, golden brown cousin? I kind of guessed as much when, with my morning tostada, I gulp down a coffee thick as treacle, as harsh as a sharp-tongued fish wife and with the potential to launch a rocket. In my heart of hearts, I've always known it's not terribly good for me. But when I'm paying 1 Euro for the pleasure, I kind of accept what I'm given.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNDVm7LMqQaWAoAiDJ4DBsBt2RMLIzpjWtrDnlUAbt2nHLpnsGO7oy-hGMgvhyGtq32XhdnqmvTkwfk5OLkHKlCKq1KZMnBv9FiGJCuTeWPXA5j8jUbMnyS2NV6PpbVH_rdVs2gPEhf4/s1600/virgin+coffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNDVm7LMqQaWAoAiDJ4DBsBt2RMLIzpjWtrDnlUAbt2nHLpnsGO7oy-hGMgvhyGtq32XhdnqmvTkwfk5OLkHKlCKq1KZMnBv9FiGJCuTeWPXA5j8jUbMnyS2NV6PpbVH_rdVs2gPEhf4/s1600/virgin+coffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNDVm7LMqQaWAoAiDJ4DBsBt2RMLIzpjWtrDnlUAbt2nHLpnsGO7oy-hGMgvhyGtq32XhdnqmvTkwfk5OLkHKlCKq1KZMnBv9FiGJCuTeWPXA5j8jUbMnyS2NV6PpbVH_rdVs2gPEhf4/s200/virgin+coffee1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNDVm7LMqQaWAoAiDJ4DBsBt2RMLIzpjWtrDnlUAbt2nHLpnsGO7oy-hGMgvhyGtq32XhdnqmvTkwfk5OLkHKlCKq1KZMnBv9FiGJCuTeWPXA5j8jUbMnyS2NV6PpbVH_rdVs2gPEhf4/s1600/virgin+coffee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>But it doesn't have to be that way. Since before the summer there's been a quiet, coffee revolution bubbling away like a 1980s coffee percolator, in the form of a burgeoning group of micro coffee toasters. First to spring up was <span id="goog_1817629697"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Virgin Coffee Sevilla<span id="goog_1817629698"></span></a>, the petite and bijoux coffee house that toasts its own varieties of Arabica coffee to be drank at pretty little tables at the foot of the Setas near Plaza Encarnación or bought to be consumed at home.<br />
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With no inside space it´s perfect for a pit stop on a clement day, but if it´s a cosy cup of coffee you want then best head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Torch-Coffee-Sevilla-830854220315611/timeline?ref=page_internal">Torch Coffee</a>, a newish coffee house that is part of the world wide Torch Coffee cooperative that seeks to promote seasonal, ethically sourced coffee, empowering people in the process.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfoGzmRn-o6vrDn4BH29IcXQj7uTTUVr-8uKTOBKKLM3eaNloyccAoMHphJ_eS2huSxS14I-suSGs2fW1CkqfqOspteVj8ZZi_S8BT21HOoKz1vppQ9Li70QF1SoExx2NtkhzgARNPB0/s1600/torch+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfoGzmRn-o6vrDn4BH29IcXQj7uTTUVr-8uKTOBKKLM3eaNloyccAoMHphJ_eS2huSxS14I-suSGs2fW1CkqfqOspteVj8ZZi_S8BT21HOoKz1vppQ9Li70QF1SoExx2NtkhzgARNPB0/s1600/torch+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfoGzmRn-o6vrDn4BH29IcXQj7uTTUVr-8uKTOBKKLM3eaNloyccAoMHphJ_eS2huSxS14I-suSGs2fW1CkqfqOspteVj8ZZi_S8BT21HOoKz1vppQ9Li70QF1SoExx2NtkhzgARNPB0/s320/torch+coffee.jpg" width="319" /></a>My quick lesson in coffee came thanks to the two sisters who have set up the Seville operation, coming from an American/ Guatemalan background, they've studied the art of coffee with the greats and pride themselves that you'll never find a coffee on sale in their shop that's been roasted for more than a month, after which it begins to lose its flavour. <br />
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The choice of coffee includes the usual suspects of capuchino, latte, macchiato, expresso etc, but the coffee changes regularly (yesterday it was Guatemalan). One of the sisters is also trained as a baker and there were a whole host of delicious cakes and desserts on display and I can personally vouch for the chocolate cheesecake which was divine.<br />
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The interior is smart and minimalist and with Wifi available it's the perfect place to hang out or work if needs be. Oh and I should mention the coffee's pretty good too. <br />
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Virgin Coffee, Calle Regina 1, local 6 <a href="http://www.virgincoffeesevilla.com/">http://www.virgincoffeesevilla.com/</a><br />
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Torch Coffee, Paseo de las Delicias 3 <a href="http://torchcoffee.es/">http://torchcoffee.es/</a><br />
<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-20902882102042519812016-01-10T11:44:00.000-08:002016-01-10T14:10:24.975-08:00Rock away your January bluesYesterday I was in a bit of funk. January can kind of do that to you. Not even a trip to the organic food market in the Alameda could raise my spirits. A WhatsApp invite to a gig starting due to start an hour later stirred me out of my malaise, so off I trotted, dog in tow to the Garrapateria on Calle Castellar. 'Una Garrapata' is something I've become quite familiar thanks to my aforementioned pooch and is a tick, not the kind you see encouraging you to 'Just do it', but the ones that attach themselves to animals and proceed to suck their blood and/or spread diseases. So presumably a garrapateria would be somewhere to buy ticks or maybe where they just hang out for fun. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnn9rsawA-mcw0hW6vEnkqwd-7kCln1vM_3T8ckFoQ2rPzCiH-YF6bErGv0HU0Iexgxcy8Elqjwv81f6Sjn5B8YNI0vakJMKsH_8ZwnUWzntaarh2uXYg6pWaDYVB8aHR5A8q2VHYUSk/s1600/P1050597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnn9rsawA-mcw0hW6vEnkqwd-7kCln1vM_3T8ckFoQ2rPzCiH-YF6bErGv0HU0Iexgxcy8Elqjwv81f6Sjn5B8YNI0vakJMKsH_8ZwnUWzntaarh2uXYg6pWaDYVB8aHR5A8q2VHYUSk/s320/P1050597.JPG" width="320" /></a>Either way, La Garrapateria is a private rooftop, sitting above cultural association 'La Trompeta Verde'. The words 'private rooftop' evoke an air of exclusivity and elite glamour, which is definitely not the vibe at La Garrapateria. Winding your way up some grimy stairs, which are sure to have seen their fit bit of action over the years, it's hard not to enter with some in trepidation, but on reaching the top you're greeted with a roof top buzzing with every variety of life. <br />
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Reggae Ska band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lapompaska/?ref=ts&fref=ts">'La Pompa'</a> were playing yesterday afternoon, making the most of the break in what recently has been daily deluges of much needed rain. The atmosphere was more summer festival than second week in January, the terrace a sea of smiling, sunglasses-clad faces, bottles of Estrella del Sur in hand, soaking up those precious winter rays, dancing and swaying or just hanging out.<br />
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Nearly all forms of Seville life could be found there; from somewhat addled, hard-living souls, to fresh-faced, enthusiastic erasmus students, all united by a love of music and cold beer. And even down in the dumps, little ole me managed to cheer up and bust some grooves, hard not to while listening to fun tunes, as the pale January sun disappears behind the rooftops. <br />
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La Garrapateria puts on live music on an ad hoc basis, i.e. on weekend afternoons and in good weather, so the best way to find out is by contacting them via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lagarrapateria.cultura?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook</a>. Their intention is to promote young up-and-coming artists of every genre and you'll usually find a paella or a BBQ accompanying the compulsory cold beer. <br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lagarrapateria.cultura?ref=ts&fref=ts">La Garrapateria, Calle Castellar 48</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lapompaska/?ref=ts&fref=ts">La Pompa</a> <br />
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I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-46382003073255056062016-01-08T07:54:00.002-08:002016-01-08T07:58:39.021-08:00Torres y Garcia... just be nice to peopleIt's been a bit of a personal, modus operandi from the start to just write nice things. Not from a pop positive, psychology point of view. I just want to celebrate the good and the great, because these days it's so easy to be mediocre. What I've realised over the last three years of writing I Know a Little Place in Seville, is that the aforementioned 'greats' all have something in common: what they do comes from the heart. From the one-woman, dressmaker to hipster, hangouts like No-Lugar and Red House Art Café; you know as the punter that you're valued and what you're about to receive is delivered with loving care and attention. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE4-7Y8KaRHiW07mesmTgww8deEmr5a7Y7ZSJbbcB6cOe9OvXkH3YwmW4y72Q4TGAke7yJJDJRELnHT192o9gj61vQBf9Kx2EQ6mIS1Rl1cSuLJ6-ht60HcbmmZLUs58Bh99vtODBU-k/s1600/IMG_20160104_235515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE4-7Y8KaRHiW07mesmTgww8deEmr5a7Y7ZSJbbcB6cOe9OvXkH3YwmW4y72Q4TGAke7yJJDJRELnHT192o9gj61vQBf9Kx2EQ6mIS1Rl1cSuLJ6-ht60HcbmmZLUs58Bh99vtODBU-k/s320/IMG_20160104_235515.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE4-7Y8KaRHiW07mesmTgww8deEmr5a7Y7ZSJbbcB6cOe9OvXkH3YwmW4y72Q4TGAke7yJJDJRELnHT192o9gj61vQBf9Kx2EQ6mIS1Rl1cSuLJ6-ht60HcbmmZLUs58Bh99vtODBU-k/s1600/IMG_20160104_235515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>So I was really excited to be trying out the newest venture from the guys behind Ovejas Negras, Juanma Garcia y Genoveva Torres (hence Torres y Garcia). The concept of their biggest project yet (the bar occupies an eye watering 400m squared) is high quality, rustic cuisine and boasts a wood burning oven to make its own bread and pizzas. The interior is extremely stylish, the loos are unisex and the atmosphere buzzing, in an Arenal Ralph Lauren kind of way.<br />
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Sounds great right? (Ok so maybe not the Ralph Lauren bit). Of course there's the food. For me with my humblish tastes and rather large appetite, it didn't set my world on fire. After all, I paid 25 Euros including wine for some shared dishes and had to stuff my face with biscuits when I got home as I was still hungry. <br />
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But, even that I could have handled, if I hadn't been treated like an inconvenience and spoken to in brusque, English imperatives such as 'Come!' and 'Sit!' - normally reserved for a disobedient dog. Unfortunately, it wasn't a one-off experience isolated to just one member of staff. Indeed the waitress looking after our table was equally annoyed by our presence, sighing with what felt like contempt and or at best impatience, or at least that was how it seemed.<br />
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So, sadly eating in Torres y Garcia wasn't a life affirming experience like my first visit to Ovejas Negras was. Maybe it's the inevitable sacrifice made when you open five restaurants - something has to give and this case it is value for money and sheer human kindness. <br />
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Torres y Garcia<br />
Calle Harinas 2<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Torres-y-Garcia-398038360407191/">Facebook Page</a>I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-90427400521645464422016-01-08T05:00:00.001-08:002016-01-23T10:45:28.410-08:00My little guide to Yoga in Seville - 2016 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Finding a yoga class to suit your needs is a tricky process. Is it something dynamic you´re after, or more slow and relaxing, how about something that will get your kundalini energy rising, or promise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSmrN5Le4xFqH5oRqCqxTN_TqRTahRu-ARkHEQgK_G0IdgM0e0_qRRnir-Cq_2DLmiC8-CYzYifCgEEhaKyem7UWseq6gCm0G9xGOiy2hVC2rdbv_bwYbhkjGuIsob8SvIYoBIdl9viE/s1600/yoga+generic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSmrN5Le4xFqH5oRqCqxTN_TqRTahRu-ARkHEQgK_G0IdgM0e0_qRRnir-Cq_2DLmiC8-CYzYifCgEEhaKyem7UWseq6gCm0G9xGOiy2hVC2rdbv_bwYbhkjGuIsob8SvIYoBIdl9viE/s1600/yoga+generic.jpg" /></a>s to unblock your chakras? Or maybe you just want a good stretch without all that spiritual malarkey? It can be a dizzying process and that´s without throwing in the curve ball that the classes will most probably be in a language you´re not familiar with. But it´s a process that´s worth persevering with, because for every person there is the perfect yoga class, and never more so than right now in Seville, where there is an abundance of yoga on offer from slick operations offering a broad range of classes, to more intimate one man/woman bands teaching in cosy, bijoux spaces. All it takes is a bit of patience and tenacity and a few helpful pointers from those in the know (in this instance me) to guide you on your yogic path.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2CkzeeJtg3BhBNNJp29gk5OYeffW1olHBJo9XAq9MIsrFq4IpOtC4LD-pkAWGcVmg6cOg8DyC9AzLDvjPfyxhBCyU7xYLCqnWj5UQYTjuOvF21RK5-7cm8lfLPLOmv_1CrKHuVT2jcQ/s1600/om+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2CkzeeJtg3BhBNNJp29gk5OYeffW1olHBJo9XAq9MIsrFq4IpOtC4LD-pkAWGcVmg6cOg8DyC9AzLDvjPfyxhBCyU7xYLCqnWj5UQYTjuOvF21RK5-7cm8lfLPLOmv_1CrKHuVT2jcQ/s1600/om+sign.jpg" /></a><br />
Yoga in its essence is about the union of body, mind and spirit, and in its fullest sense is much more than just the postures (or Asanas) that many people are used to doing. So most classes will include something called Pranayama, which are breathing exercises to free up the prana (your internal energetic system) and often some meditation at the beginning or end to further quieten the mind. Personally I love a class that incorporates all these elements, but maybe it's not for you, in which case perhaps a class that's more dynamic or posture focused would suit.<br />
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These days in Seville you'll find almost all styles of yoga on offer. Hatha (the more traditional style of yoga) is always a good place to start from, particularly if you have limited experience, strength or flexibility. Right now Vinyasa flow seems to be all the rage, which tends to be dynamic and as you can guess from the title, involving movement between the postures. Ashtanga is perhaps the physically toughest yoga class to attend as bookending each posture is what is called a 'vinyasa', which is like a mini sun salutation combined with a press up, and if you've eaten too many mince pies or have little upper body strength, it will almost certainly leave you feeling sore the next day (or two). Iyengar is slowly coming onto the scene in Seville, in which props such as blocks, straps and chairs are used to support rather than force the body into the postures. This can be particularly effective for those who find themselves rather high on the inflexibility scale or are recovering from an injury. And finally Kundalini yoga which works to awaken the snake-like Kundalini energy lying dormant in the base of the spine through the use of chanting, mantras, breath work and some yoga postures. <br />
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Classes in Seville on the whole operate from Monday to Friday, although there's a limited offering now on Saturdays. Most centres offer morning and afternoon/evening classes, and are generally priced at around the 10 Euros for a drop in class, or once you've found the yoga class for you, prices varying according to how many you commit to per week. The more you want, the cheaper it works out per class, and some centres now offer passes in which you buy 5 or 10 classes and then have a fixed period to use them by. Just a word of warning, you may well be expected to pay a joining fee as well.<br />
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But how about if you know what style of yoga you want to practise, but your Spanish doesn't extend much beyond 'una cerveza por favor'. Fear not, there is a little community of English speaking yoga teachers who have opened centres or teach classes here in Seville, and other classes where the teachers can at least give you a few words of explanation in English. But if you speak a bit of Spanish, I really recommend opting for classes in Spanish as there's no better way to broaden your anatomical vocabulary: where else would you introduce words like omóplato (shoulder blade) or párpados (eyelids) into your everyday parlance.<br />
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So now to the important bit. Here´s my guide to a selection of the yoga on offer in Seville in no particular order. I apologise if I include haven't included your favourite teacher, it's not an exhaustive list, and as much as possible I've included those that I've had direct experience of and/or that offer some classes in English.But please leave any other suggestions in the comment box at the end.<br />
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<b>La Shala</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbBmbFkat-SQP79PHp2AXRS7XMWKVsZ1yR-wJoFNSXLZFuULfG3jJ8EdWruT_mXldJyEr_-iIdc3VVWOUVxtJkSYazcmnGZHbGH0iFUmUulz-NePG6D9rTaLQLjbAk-IzjoC561mSoKQ/s1600/antonia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbBmbFkat-SQP79PHp2AXRS7XMWKVsZ1yR-wJoFNSXLZFuULfG3jJ8EdWruT_mXldJyEr_-iIdc3VVWOUVxtJkSYazcmnGZHbGH0iFUmUulz-NePG6D9rTaLQLjbAk-IzjoC561mSoKQ/s1600/antonia.JPG" width="150" /></a>Nestled on a quiet corner, in close proximity to the Macarena Basilica, La Shala is an intimate and friendly yoga space lovingly guided by British Yogi Antonia and maternity cover Louise. Classes, which include Hatha, Vinyasa vibe and pregnancy yoga are usually in Spanish, but for the Vinyasa classes additional guidance can be given in English. There's a particularly attractive pricing scheme whereby for 50 Euros you can attend as many classes as you would like per month.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lashala.com/lashala.htm">http://www.lashala.com/lashala.htm</a><br />
<span class="Estilo2">c/ Orden de Malta, 3, 41003 Sevilla</span><br />
<span class="Estilo2">T. </span><span class="Estilo2">635 149 123 </span><br />
<a href="mailto:yoga@lashala.com">yoga@lashala.com</a><br />
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<b>Diksha </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgznP0ojAacZMBnSdcYS4CYeF98_fBUpLyCXg4uM2W_LrhyphenhyphenL3yI6L2XqT3EzL86NUf5-85-xR74rpcfKV9iUsygLnfkul6poqbsUE-N-nyGF7SZB1S_T7DpeMyC3AhOgna7AdJQCxQSI/s1600/diksha+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgznP0ojAacZMBnSdcYS4CYeF98_fBUpLyCXg4uM2W_LrhyphenhyphenL3yI6L2XqT3EzL86NUf5-85-xR74rpcfKV9iUsygLnfkul6poqbsUE-N-nyGF7SZB1S_T7DpeMyC3AhOgna7AdJQCxQSI/s1600/diksha+yoga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Located close to the Alameda, Diksha is somewhere to take your yoga practise if you want explore the spiritual elements of yoga. Silvia brings her serene and wise presence to the classes which are about much more than just stretching and relaxation. Classes are never the same and usually incorporate pranayama exercises, chanting and sometimes Yoga Nidra, which is like a guided visualisation, as well as yoga asanas. Silvia can also give you a helping hand in English.<br />
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<a href="http://www.yogadiksha.com/">www.yogadiksha.com </a><br />
Calle Relator 15, Alameda de Hercules<br />
yogatradicionalsevilla@gmail.com<br />
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<b>Oyoga</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPoyueMxqhFRbysfiQYBm_51QO-7GJ9RKZ_vjGJ46ivJbIh9aIsEhEYpLBwrD2vlUmwF4ZtLWoIE-1whd5Z528xA56z6IzGMkZqw0FRnL8MW829kzX4mvsw971_K4VF-__wVALD5hdIQ/s1600/oyoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPoyueMxqhFRbysfiQYBm_51QO-7GJ9RKZ_vjGJ46ivJbIh9aIsEhEYpLBwrD2vlUmwF4ZtLWoIE-1whd5Z528xA56z6IzGMkZqw0FRnL8MW829kzX4mvsw971_K4VF-__wVALD5hdIQ/s1600/oyoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPoyueMxqhFRbysfiQYBm_51QO-7GJ9RKZ_vjGJ46ivJbIh9aIsEhEYpLBwrD2vlUmwF4ZtLWoIE-1whd5Z528xA56z6IzGMkZqw0FRnL8MW829kzX4mvsw971_K4VF-__wVALD5hdIQ/s320/oyoga.jpg" width="320" /></a>Bringing a touch of New York and London to the Seville yoga scene is Oyoga,
opened in 2015 by Lourdes Vidal. With a Vinyasa Flow emphasis (Oyoga is a
Vinyasa Flow teacher training centre), classes are from 8am until 9.30pm Monday
to Friday with an additional class on Saturday mornings at 10am. Teachers are
Yoga Alliance registered, and the centre is modern, well equipped and expect
orange hued colour coordination from the brand new blocks to the yoga
teachers' lycra trousers. If your body's been battered by sport, Oyoga
also offers an especially adapted Vinyasa Yoga for sport and appointments
with Sports Medicine specialist Francisco Gallardo. <br />
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<a href="http://oyoga.eu/">http://oyoga.eu/</a><br />
<span lang="ES" style="mso-ansi-language: ES;">Calle Curtidurias 12</span><br />
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<b>Good Yoga</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCMn27wK4kkGnisBBz6dBrwzfQ0MqA2Agy9mXCjiYs2f_HRqWrc8F6ee1AyuKBqOryiu8jDR2NdN3R30UPNNYPN1Khfg3KVY-_m6XgVHqUOP7sue1COxKPwCzCxCyOimeBygpPdmN4G8/s1600/michelle+yoga+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCMn27wK4kkGnisBBz6dBrwzfQ0MqA2Agy9mXCjiYs2f_HRqWrc8F6ee1AyuKBqOryiu8jDR2NdN3R30UPNNYPN1Khfg3KVY-_m6XgVHqUOP7sue1COxKPwCzCxCyOimeBygpPdmN4G8/s1600/michelle+yoga+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCMn27wK4kkGnisBBz6dBrwzfQ0MqA2Agy9mXCjiYs2f_HRqWrc8F6ee1AyuKBqOryiu8jDR2NdN3R30UPNNYPN1Khfg3KVY-_m6XgVHqUOP7sue1COxKPwCzCxCyOimeBygpPdmN4G8/s320/michelle+yoga+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>American Michelle Goodrick offers Iyengar Yoga and her classes tend to be small and intimate which gives her the chance to adapt each session to the physical needs and experience of her students. Michelle also offers Yamuna body rolling which is a technique originally from New York combining massage and yoga through the use of rubber balls which miraculously free up restriction, both muscular and energetic. Michelle's classes are great if you've got some musculoskeletal imbalances that need working on, rather than seeking spiritual enlightenment, although who knows, it may take you one step closer to Nirvana along the way.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5SlxZsQNfNkfgIF1WnfwyLknHMc2gikAdl9LeBj9Md29SUkHGM4X9P1jPbTlaEgtVj9WhcWdXQ6r9vD1eu6YU6-c01-yEa8LTWjwMdhnbs9Te64iNpDtWD72BJkoB6YT3idhD7JbT84/s1600/michelle+yoga+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodyoga.es/en/">Good Yoga Seville </a><br />
Classes in Triana and Plaza de Armas (see website)<br />
Tel: 647 891 415<br />
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<b>Vida Yoga Para Todos</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdo0q8o_PU87tTEssT8OL72LIBIL8n9QKX_gZOrSLvVXXIdubefm0-RiU6AMymb1dA24HqCf4z5Hn-yIkFTB_7VMYndTReoqReCn8dZjtfugcNLt2IBTAVhchBGRtB3SPg2HahyphenhyphenLFcXs/s1600/25.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdo0q8o_PU87tTEssT8OL72LIBIL8n9QKX_gZOrSLvVXXIdubefm0-RiU6AMymb1dA24HqCf4z5Hn-yIkFTB_7VMYndTReoqReCn8dZjtfugcNLt2IBTAVhchBGRtB3SPg2HahyphenhyphenLFcXs/s1600/25.png" width="320" /></a>Opened just over a year ago, this fully equipped yoga centre aims to make yoga accessible to everyone. They probably have the fullest complement of classes stretching throughout the day, including Kudalini yoga, with a wide variety of teachers. They are the most affordable offering a trial week free of charge where you can attend as many classes as you wish, and if you decide to continue, per class they are probably the best priced in Seville. They also boast a shop in the reception where you can buy health food products and yoga teacher training courses are available. Two of the teachers Candela and Patricia speak English and are happy to translate for any non Spanish-speakers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.yogaparavivir.es/">http://www.yogaparavivir.es/<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b> </b></span></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>c</b></span>/ San Hermenegildo, Nº13. 41003 SEVILLA</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Teléfonos: 955227015 / 654695226</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: small;">e-mail: </span><a href="mailto:vidayogaparatodos@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: small;">vidayogaparatodos@gmail.com</span></a></span><br />
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<b>Salavinyasa</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP1Ls4xLtOAny7ZJ12YFAgLpFYu6lkfbaYZilHplOg3JnK7I8ZfwEeCGonY0CA6jvts7oFu6t8hOfo47dOl4XrOuSL-Y88WjAb4WvzL4HfswfVeH1qMJtg2QakQK7K6IX0xLX7KC_8DM/s1600/elly+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP1Ls4xLtOAny7ZJ12YFAgLpFYu6lkfbaYZilHplOg3JnK7I8ZfwEeCGonY0CA6jvts7oFu6t8hOfo47dOl4XrOuSL-Y88WjAb4WvzL4HfswfVeH1qMJtg2QakQK7K6IX0xLX7KC_8DM/s1600/elly+yoga.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Another Brit teaching yoga in Seville is Elly Chamberlain, who has recently moved to what is probably currently the most beautiful yoga space at Esana, just behind the Setas (Metro Parasol). Elly´s classes are Ashtanga focused with morning and evening classes available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Elly mostly teaches in Spanish, but once again for obvious reasons can switch to English at any time should the need arise. <br />
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Salavinyasa<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AshtangaVinyasaYogaSevilla?fref=ts">Facebook page</a><br />
Esana c/ Jeronimo Hernandez, 4<br />
Tel <span data-reactid=".z.0.0">678 91 74 32</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDgzJrR36hTTU7vh0BxlC3m8zKRf7_5E3547qxSBSLpnK_6r6W1ZEMdG4xasyVgPGdzVFdrtRuRXYIeXul_4yNRwtgszJqUkOVc8xc5BevewiZ9rFDOP8j8YnRbeDoNhHBK1AbA0Kbu8/s1600/carmen+torres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDgzJrR36hTTU7vh0BxlC3m8zKRf7_5E3547qxSBSLpnK_6r6W1ZEMdG4xasyVgPGdzVFdrtRuRXYIeXul_4yNRwtgszJqUkOVc8xc5BevewiZ9rFDOP8j8YnRbeDoNhHBK1AbA0Kbu8/s1600/carmen+torres.jpg" width="193" /></a><b><span data-reactid=".z.0.0"> Yoga y Vida</span></b><br />
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<span data-reactid=".z.0.0">Experienced yogi Carmen Torres offers Hatha yoga on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Sadhana, near Puerto Osario. Unique to Carmen are her regular retreats at the spa town of Alange near Merida, where as well as filling your days with yoga and meditation, you get to wallow in the therapeutic thermal baths. </span><br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0"><a href="http://www.yogayvida.com/">http://www.yogayvida.com/</a></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0">Sadhana, Calle Matahacas 8</span><br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0">Tel: </span>658 556 529<br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0"></span> <br />
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<b><span data-reactid=".z.0.0">Paula Figueiredo</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2z19bnXIJ4LYz_ySC4mfv-DlwGD54X18U1ffixJRstaut2FJGRU7rEK-oZd8sXYK2Ec8lEp2vYt4EBsP3MySP5i-XTLzRME9S2Dp9GfpArSnkqgc9hcgn8XtfKJ3b-3yNVJHtN34BwI/s1600/paula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2z19bnXIJ4LYz_ySC4mfv-DlwGD54X18U1ffixJRstaut2FJGRU7rEK-oZd8sXYK2Ec8lEp2vYt4EBsP3MySP5i-XTLzRME9S2Dp9GfpArSnkqgc9hcgn8XtfKJ3b-3yNVJHtN34BwI/s1600/paula.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0">You couldn´t have a more personal experience than a class with Portuguese yoga teacher Paula. Taking place a stone´s throw from the Alameda in an intimate space that I think was probably once someone´s front room, she offers small group ´Integral Yoga´ classes Monday-Thursday in the mornings and evenings. Paula has been teaching yoga for over 12 years during which time she has gone on to train many other yoga teachers and can help out in English when needed. </span><br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0"><br /></span> <span data-reactid=".z.0.0">Calle Joaquín Costa 34, bajo (parallel to the Alameda de Hercules)</span><br />
<span data-reactid=".z.0.0">Tel: 622 089 439/ paulagoufig@hotmail.es </span><br />
<br />
<b>Se Yoga (Yoga en Triana)</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm43an7GgBkYb9B3j9wCKumPGOW3ahWJAIdo56PG1BgKKmScajX0XXThRZ2Be4YzlfQKexAWp2x3JAGC85_tbvt9VzI55OrwcVDj11A7tmUGI2RibU53FcsCT-45XMDwDidk9tOvEStJ4/s1600/louise+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCA2bIjtzekAbju7OoGiC0aXgXIs4G6r5ostg6VXqKdQim-wviyGfkuDpQ1hm5fspmfOc-D9dXeW-1nBkGyO5G5zIeSOgNb6NfGlXXfDAV9exV4l_Pwwg1V9dJzbEqZH7YD4vQVgbgLU/s1600/se+yoga+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCA2bIjtzekAbju7OoGiC0aXgXIs4G6r5ostg6VXqKdQim-wviyGfkuDpQ1hm5fspmfOc-D9dXeW-1nBkGyO5G5zIeSOgNb6NfGlXXfDAV9exV4l_Pwwg1V9dJzbEqZH7YD4vQVgbgLU/s1600/se+yoga+image.jpg" width="320" /></a>With the every increasing number of yoga spaces opening up around the Alameda and historic centre, it´s easy to forget that there´s a whole world going on across the river in Triana. And frankly it would have been my loss because by continuing to be my usual lazy bones self and not venturing further afield than half a kilometre from my house, I would have missed out on a little gem of a yoga studio space, within spitting distance of the river, close to Calle Betis. As soon as you enter and meander your way up the winding, tiled staircase, there´s a feeling of being part of a little yoga family. That's maybe because Lula, an Argentine with 12 years of teaching practise, has transformed the living room of her apartment into a tranquil yoga space. The style of yoga is Hatha and classes are very reasonably priced, but check with Lula direct.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/fusionarte.sevilla?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/fusionarte.sevilla?fref=ts</a><br />
Se Yoga, <span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">Santísimo Cristo de las Tres Caídas, 1, Triana</span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">Tel: </span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="_c24 _50f3"><span dir="ltr">653 09 58 00</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="_c24 _50f3"><span dir="ltr"><b>Lavigne Yoga </b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm43an7GgBkYb9B3j9wCKumPGOW3ahWJAIdo56PG1BgKKmScajX0XXThRZ2Be4YzlfQKexAWp2x3JAGC85_tbvt9VzI55OrwcVDj11A7tmUGI2RibU53FcsCT-45XMDwDidk9tOvEStJ4/s1600/louise+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm43an7GgBkYb9B3j9wCKumPGOW3ahWJAIdo56PG1BgKKmScajX0XXThRZ2Be4YzlfQKexAWp2x3JAGC85_tbvt9VzI55OrwcVDj11A7tmUGI2RibU53FcsCT-45XMDwDidk9tOvEStJ4/s320/louise+yoga.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="_c24 _50f3"><span dir="ltr">Possibly the hardest working yoga teacher about town is Louise Lavigne, a Canadian by birth and a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher. She´s teaching pretty much right across the city in various yoga centres including La Shala, Oyoga, Espacio 800 and Sala Bioespacio. Louise who has taught across the globe, teaches in English and Spanish depending on the venue and draws upon different styles of yoga in her classes including Vinyansa, Sivananda, Iyengar, Power Yoga and Anusara. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="_c24 _50f3"><span dir="ltr">Contact Louise direct to confirm timetable and prices of classes.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.lavigneyoga.com/yoga.html">http://www.lavigneyoga.com</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm43an7GgBkYb9B3j9wCKumPGOW3ahWJAIdo56PG1BgKKmScajX0XXThRZ2Be4YzlfQKexAWp2x3JAGC85_tbvt9VzI55OrwcVDj11A7tmUGI2RibU53FcsCT-45XMDwDidk9tOvEStJ4/s1600/louise+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="_c24 _50f3"><span dir="ltr">Tel 693 287 669</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".5c.$mid=11420822887490=2aae91106198e738f68.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><span class="_c24 _50f3"><span dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">luisalavigne23@gmail.com </a> </span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Ruby Jagger</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ_fGsnwHTl8rI4FnzAkpJjTSJ7600Fw0h0nu247hmPYwTyWZj7_W9W9Qyf_AoUYgkt4MVO8iZcieaPctd_T8_Lv8uOcaodsKWPO4AebCAoUNeaPWE0ICt5z6FkpO5tIrIdza9-ix474/s1600/yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ_fGsnwHTl8rI4FnzAkpJjTSJ7600Fw0h0nu247hmPYwTyWZj7_W9W9Qyf_AoUYgkt4MVO8iZcieaPctd_T8_Lv8uOcaodsKWPO4AebCAoUNeaPWE0ICt5z6FkpO5tIrIdza9-ix474/s1600/yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ_fGsnwHTl8rI4FnzAkpJjTSJ7600Fw0h0nu247hmPYwTyWZj7_W9W9Qyf_AoUYgkt4MVO8iZcieaPctd_T8_Lv8uOcaodsKWPO4AebCAoUNeaPWE0ICt5z6FkpO5tIrIdza9-ix474/s320/yoga.jpg" width="320" /></a>Pioneer in the Saturday morning yoga class is British Wheel of Yoga
certified yoga teacher Ruby Jagger, offering Hatha yoga and once monthly
Ashtanga. Her classes are given in English but cater to an international crowd.
"I view yoga as a set of tools to be explored by students so that they can
discover what works for them. I aim to develop their bodies within the postures
while also working on concentration and meditation using techniques such as
yoga nidra, mantras and yantras", Ruby says. <br />
<br />
Her classes tend to be quite sociable and a post-class breakfast
with the group generally follows. Classes cost 10 Euros and work on a drop in
basis, just contact Ruby beforehand so she can arrange a yoga mat, blocks etc. <br />
<br />
<span lang="ES" style="mso-ansi-language: ES;">Saturdays 10.30am - 12pm</span><br />
<span lang="ES" style="mso-ansi-language: ES;">ESTUDIO 35, Plaza del Pelicano 4,
Local 35, 41003</span><br />
Ruby: 697948104/ arjagger@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
<b>Other centres offering yoga to check out that I don´t have direct experience of include:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.esanayoga.es/el-centro-yoga-sevilla/">http://www.esanayoga.es/el-centro-yoga-sevilla/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kinemasevilla.es/">http://www.kinemasevilla.es/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.centrointegraldeyoga.com/">http://www.centrointegraldeyoga.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.centrosensei.com/">http://www.centrosensei.com/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/espacioabierto.centro?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/espacioabierto.centro?fref=ts</a><br />
<a href="http://www.yogasevilla.net/">http://www.yogasevilla.net/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-83665649051113359672015-12-09T07:29:00.000-08:002015-12-10T07:12:02.238-08:00Sevilla helps Siria - It started with a whatsapp<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnsEWE1o_cgxRl2CzIWU3Ok-1xcXGcTRUDqwand9DgHolG0kFq9vJ901im8FW3EH9ljIKFqsERYinIPxpCejC_CicVsn2RyZ2OGCvRcBH-0imkLvkMVUdCR-t5OkW_3XkDkmBV21L6o0/s1600/cartel+definitivo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnsEWE1o_cgxRl2CzIWU3Ok-1xcXGcTRUDqwand9DgHolG0kFq9vJ901im8FW3EH9ljIKFqsERYinIPxpCejC_CicVsn2RyZ2OGCvRcBH-0imkLvkMVUdCR-t5OkW_3XkDkmBV21L6o0/s400/cartel+definitivo.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Living in a
foreign country, it´s easy to go through life as a passenger. Dipping in and
out, buzzing around like a nectar drinking humming bird, before flitting off into
the sunset when the going gets tough. After all, for most Brits living in
Spain, it´s the lifestyle we´re after - a more relaxed pace of life, long lunch
breaks, nothing too heavy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But
sometimes that lightness of being can turn into a remoteness, a separation from
whatever real life seems to consist of in that moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As someone
who came to Seville to escape the heaviness of London life, at first living
apart in a fancy free, Guiri world enchanted me. I was free to do as I pleased,
with no one to answer to. But five years down the line, it just wasn´t enough.
I wanted to contribute in some way to the city that had welcomed me with open
arms, I just wasn´t sure how. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In May I tentatively
dipped my toe in the ‘ giving back’ waters, when following the earthquake in
Nepal, I was involved in a small way in a fund raising event that raised 11,000
euros in one night. On a high from the feel good vibes and camaraderie, I sent
a whatsapp message to our group suggesting a follow up, secondhand clothes
market. To which the response was ´Great idea, so you´ll organise it right?´
Begrudgingly, I agreed. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Summer came
and went and the attention of the news reading public inevitably moved on to
the next human catastrophe, which this year happened to be the mass
displacement of Syrians from their homes, with hardened hearts softening at the
sight of a small child´s body washed up on the shores of Greece.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH-EhneH2fVp45c1OHiDmU76x0po82js8yUXcPkkwiAAAuUhjznvtpGKlh9e8qmXBDxtlm_HJ5GHYlnMajag0FcfaT17TiRaubKswYMSpWQxk7prMvd8CkeQ-ibjDWWHk3VaBHLdwG4w/s1600/refugee+event.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH-EhneH2fVp45c1OHiDmU76x0po82js8yUXcPkkwiAAAuUhjznvtpGKlh9e8qmXBDxtlm_HJ5GHYlnMajag0FcfaT17TiRaubKswYMSpWQxk7prMvd8CkeQ-ibjDWWHk3VaBHLdwG4w/s400/refugee+event.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It seemed
we had no alternative but to redirect our event towards the Syrian refugees and
while we were at it, why stop at a clothes market? ´Let´s go for the maximum
fund raising potential and organise a day-long event with live music, bar, food,
kids activities, alternative therapies.. Oh and you´re ok coordinating that
Mary, right?´</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Gulp. The
words ´claro que si´ might have slid out of my mouth, but inside every inch of
my being was screaming ´Nooooo´. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Luckily, it’s
not just been me putting,what at times has felt like an Andaluz ‘Live Aid’
together. We’re an international groups of Spanish, British, Americans, Syrians
and Nepalese, all united by the desire to make some small difference to an
impossible situation, although far from easy to cajole into anglo saxon, orderliness in our high decibel, weekly meetings.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But here we
are 2 months later and this Saturday 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> December is the big day. With
the name ´Mi Corazón sin Fronteras´ (My heart without borders) our group of
ordinary Joes have put together an event that promises to double at least the
amount we raised for Nepal with proceedings going to the UN agency for
refugees, ACNUR. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLyRn9Lq5SCZ2OsppgKoNW6wabSHeKyMmBeGHcfT2Ddz5ODZTFJ5UXmKxkoMGG2bCwaNwQjQTfxCzxtL7n9pSaLKRPvFFsQxkvjOK9OPKFeAS8Ix-nh1N-y6kNTOQwlWBg7j02NU5J4s/s1600/refugee+event+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLyRn9Lq5SCZ2OsppgKoNW6wabSHeKyMmBeGHcfT2Ddz5ODZTFJ5UXmKxkoMGG2bCwaNwQjQTfxCzxtL7n9pSaLKRPvFFsQxkvjOK9OPKFeAS8Ix-nh1N-y6kNTOQwlWBg7j02NU5J4s/s400/refugee+event+2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Taking
place in the Cortijo building in the Alamillo Park, it starts at 10am with most
of the chilled activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, Shiatsu etc happening before
the live music starts at 1pm with local acts such as Bosco the FAKE, Emmett, My
Yellowstone, Contradanza, Rigo Ochoa, Yomuri, Maria La Serrana, Cule & Cheyennes and Londoner Esther Weekes with
her Flamenco/jazz outfit, Lucky Eye, playing until 8pm. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Plus there’s
loads of stuff for kids like face painting, arts and craft workshops, bouncy
castle and puppet show and for the adults a bar (obviously) and a
middle-eastern tea area. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tickets
cost 3 euros, with a drink included. Plus an entry in the lucky dip, with the
possibility of winning one of over 1000 prizes such as an experience for two in
the Arab Baths, a night in a boutique hotel, dinners in some of Seville’s finest
restaurants, cooking courses, hampers of organic products, to name but a few. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p>So, with a sunny, 20 degree afternoon predicted for Saturday, the kind of December day you only get to experience in Sevilla, you´d be mad not to head over to the Alamillo Park. See you there! </o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">12th December 10am - 8pm Sevilla Ayuda Siria - Mi Corazón sin Fronteras. El Cortijo del Parque Alamillo, Sevilla </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For further information check out our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/174223506254421/" target="_blank">Sevilla Ayuda a Siria Facebook Page</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sevilla-AYUDA-A-SIRIA-168028490210412/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Community Page</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Or if you can’t make it but
would like to make a donation to ACNUR: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">LA CAJA RURAL DEL SUR, ES82 3187
0812 8110 9511 7824</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-34501861398097606812015-11-12T09:59:00.002-08:002016-01-13T03:21:45.122-08:00Myplayz - Sharing Economy Seville styleYou still staying in hotels, travelling by train, eating in restaurants and paying professional tour companies to show you the sights? Well frankly, you need to get with the programme dear friends and embrace the burgeoning sharing economy that´s taking the world by storm.<br />
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By now, even the likes of my 79-year-old mother has heard of AirBnB, but for most that´s about as far as their ´peer-to-peer´ experience reaches.<br />
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Spain currently ranks 5th in European countries using the fluffily titled, ´Sharing Economy´. Suddenly to your average Jose, renting out a spare room to tourists or inviting complete strangers round to dinner has become completely normal. Equally as a consumer, if you can save a few Euros sharing a car instead of taking the train, then why the heck not?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KPpZ8SqE_3sVWwLxG8qTu8qxdNHPw4PESYtyRs1WmOyQQj-R8Cy_tdJNjNtPkHJKtD1cTQXNqG7DP-qCrtZjYMM-tPkoxxOiKiAEFFdRTeLKfDcejzEPtS0-AupJ3BjOqNHi4NbSBLw/s1600/P1050590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KPpZ8SqE_3sVWwLxG8qTu8qxdNHPw4PESYtyRs1WmOyQQj-R8Cy_tdJNjNtPkHJKtD1cTQXNqG7DP-qCrtZjYMM-tPkoxxOiKiAEFFdRTeLKfDcejzEPtS0-AupJ3BjOqNHi4NbSBLw/s320/P1050590.JPG" width="320" /></a>Seville´s been rocking the sharing economy for a while now with alternative currency the <a href="http://iknowalittleplaceinseville.blogspot.com.es/search/label/pumarejo" target="_blank">Puma</a> taking the lead. But in the last few months a new peer-to-peer off shoot has appeared on the city´s entertainment scene; ´<a href="http://myplayz.com/" target="_blank">Myplayz</a>´ courtesy of cultural events company, La Matraka.<br />
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Billing itself as a ‘revolution in culture,’ it's a web-based community of users who create and attend their own cultural events from private locations. Put in simple terms it’s AirBnB for culture where ‘hosts turn their living rooms into a theatre, a garage into a cinema or a garden into a concert venue’. As a user you create a profile and then express interest in any gigs you´d like to attend. Then it´s down to the hosts to send you an official invite, with the cost on average being €5. As a host it´s a great way to create your own event, something particularly attractive for music acts, who of late are severely restricted due to the punitive entertainment licensing laws. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPclPS72JEetFYAACunY3hA_5UHNijH_ux5-5uWTqNsSyK8DCoUh3qnCmjRVwh54483BeUaFYYC2wEFhaEuTCgrMZfe1qp12DISKyKcEixkI08oKK5EnEEH0qhgG4A_eAtaBFQ_mDhApo/s1600/P1050591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPclPS72JEetFYAACunY3hA_5UHNijH_ux5-5uWTqNsSyK8DCoUh3qnCmjRVwh54483BeUaFYYC2wEFhaEuTCgrMZfe1qp12DISKyKcEixkI08oKK5EnEEH0qhgG4A_eAtaBFQ_mDhApo/s320/P1050591.JPG" width="180" /></a>So on Monday night I found myself wandering into the unknown as I experienced my first Myplayz event. Performing was an American dude, Calvin Johnson and the location was a rehearsal studio in the <a href="http://iknowalittleplaceinseville.blogspot.com.es/search/label/Corral%C3%B3nes" target="_blank">Corralones</a> on Calle Castellar. Waiting outside in the tiled courtyard, I couldn´t help but reminisce about those heady days of the Corralones, when by night almost every studio dramatically transformed itself into a bar or concert venue.<br />
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But tonight it was down to Calvin and in the blacked out rehearsal studio he had no where to hide. A few people in the intimate audience were pleased to see him and nodded appreciatively as he meandered through his one-man, acoustic set, which was peppered throughout with the staccato sound of flamenco feet tapping from the dance studio next door.<br />
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And when his set ended and Calvin walked off into the audience (where else could he go after all), there was an uncomfortable moment where no one knew quite what to do next. And nor did I think, poor Calvin, as that line between performer and audience somehow gets blurred when your public are so close that they can see the beads of sweat dripping off an artist´s top lip. But a little bar at the back selling Cruz Campo, soon put an end to any awkwardness and everyone seemed pretty pleased by the evening. <br />
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Myplayz is in its infancy. The idea is that eventually, rather like its successful, grown up cousin AirBnB, it will stretch across the globe. But right now it´s a Seville thing and one that is definitely worth checking out. <br />
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<a href="http://myplayz.com/" target="_blank">http://myplayz.com/</a><br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-87435942868413231552015-11-08T09:40:00.002-08:002015-11-08T09:40:50.211-08:00Flamenco, Flamenco, where for art thou Flamenco?So the other day I overheard a conversation between a local and their tourist friend. ´Forget seeing Flamenco in Sevilla´, he stated curtly , ´it´s all just for tourists these days´. And at this he suggested his acquaintance wander around the Corralón in Plaza Pelicano and eavesdrop on one of the many rehearsals taking place. But under no circumstances should she part with any cash and see a show. <br />
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It seemed a pretty bold statement. After all, Sevilla to Flamenco is like New Orleans to Jazz or Nashville to country. But was he right?<br />
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A litmus test to try out this assertion has turned out to be my most recent Airbnb guest. For a month of her life she had decided to come to Seville and live and breath the whole Flamenco experience. Every night at about 8pm after she´d finished her classes, she´d head off out into the night. In passing I´d say, ´Flamenco?´ and in return she´d nod enthusiastically. And I think she pretty much covered the gamete of Flamenco offerings in the city, from trusty favourite ´La Carbonería´, tablaos ´La Casa de la Memoria´ and ´El Tabanco´ and Peña ´El Niño de la Alfalfa´. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTk5vlX81xA1ciY-RNPwNm1vko2IsEHiNYRzBaWRSavzJqs_sS7vduPMjNSUkB8Z4VM19LVYhRtjqPgrYAwJCgfewQjgSh20PR_-oLPlOKmmDtwqIsuaUaNXFNgZwo6FPlLk7U-TaaTI/s1600/ni%25C3%25B1o+de+alfalfa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTk5vlX81xA1ciY-RNPwNm1vko2IsEHiNYRzBaWRSavzJqs_sS7vduPMjNSUkB8Z4VM19LVYhRtjqPgrYAwJCgfewQjgSh20PR_-oLPlOKmmDtwqIsuaUaNXFNgZwo6FPlLk7U-TaaTI/s320/ni%25C3%25B1o+de+alfalfa.jpg" width="320" /></a>The following day, I´d ask ´So how was it?´ And rather resignedly she´d murmur ´It was OK, just a lot of tourists´. <br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ninodelaalfalfa/?fref=ts" target="_blank">El Niño de la Alfalfa</a> was the exception. Tucked away inside part of the Corralón on Calle Castellar, as a Peña, it´s like a social club for Flamenco enthusiasts, be they grizzly voiced, hard licker drinking purists ´de toda la vida´ or fresh faced, Scandinavian flamenco ´baile´students. The point being that if you end up in the Peña, it´s because you´re probably very passionate about the art. Performances are usually on Friday and Saturday evenings at 10pm and often sell out, especially if there´s a dancer with a name on the programme. <br />
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Another Peña that has just reopened its doors after a summer of refurbishment is ´La Peña Cultural Torres Macarena´, just the other side of the Almohad wall and well hidden away down a cobbled backstreet. For a while now it´s been plagued by complaints from a very determined neighbour and as a result only has performances on Wednesdays at 9pm. But it´s worth the trip as from the demographics of the audience - immaculately turned out, Sevillano couples, professional flamenco artists and only the occasional, particularly adventurous tourist - this is about as authentic as flamenco gets in the city. Don´t expect much information though on their website or Facebook Page, which haven´t been updated in months. <br />
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So while it´s true Seville is no longer a city where flamenco spontaneously combusts on every street corner, there are alternatives to splashing out a shed load of cash and watching it in a sterile atmosphere, with not an óle or ´fin de fiesta´ in sight. <br />
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Peña Flamenca El Niño de la Alfalfa, C/Castellar 52 Acc C (Zona Plaza de San Marcos)<br />
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Peña Cultural Torres Macarena, Calle Torrijano 29<br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-62350411225478682332015-11-01T03:45:00.002-08:002015-11-01T04:14:37.463-08:00La Suite del Reloj - Flamenco goes experimental <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfbuQBGXTlYPT2h4PaqpefD-bmQQGxH8FREERfnnEepgPYc3BB_f3jm-fAlIpcwklFBIaWnTZgpIFu_EwlQaKw8XSv221J0x4giCpyCNoTdt7rNnOL9pHBWc3Zyz-gKmX_uvQZjZZnTM/s1600/suite+del+reloj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfbuQBGXTlYPT2h4PaqpefD-bmQQGxH8FREERfnnEepgPYc3BB_f3jm-fAlIpcwklFBIaWnTZgpIFu_EwlQaKw8XSv221J0x4giCpyCNoTdt7rNnOL9pHBWc3Zyz-gKmX_uvQZjZZnTM/s1600/suite+del+reloj.jpg" /></a>I live and write about Seville, the clue´s in the title of the blog. I feel pretty at ease writing about cute bars or out of the way secrets, but get me on the subject of Flamenco and I feel utterly out of my depth. You see, I am a flamenco dullard. I have no idea of compas (flamenco rhythm), I cannot differentiate between a bulerías or a soleá and don´t even get me started on the art of ´tocando palmas´ (the effortless clapping in time that accompanies most flamenco performances). I´m also not that savvy about jazz either. I like it on the whole, apart from the more experimental kind which to me seems more like musical masturbation, but I don´t really understand the nuances.<br />
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So last night it was with some trepidation that I found myself at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/josetorrestrio/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Jose Torres Trio's</a> latest Project, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1652586231693237/" target="_blank">´La Suite del Reloj</a>´ at <a href="http://www.teatroquintero.com/" target="_blank">Teatro Quintero</a> on Calle Cuna; a contemporary flamenco show with heavy shades of jazz. <br />
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Kicking off proceedings were the aforementioned trio: Jose Torres on guitar, Jasio Velasco playing the viola (and later on the very atmospheric, musical saw) and Karo Sampela on drums. Also on stage was Carmen Mori, who I only realised after the fact was interactively operates the lighting as the show unfolded. The performers entered stage, stood around, gazed into mid distance, Carmen stirred a coffee and then they all sat down. Any flamenco/jazz confusion I might have had prior to this, had now reached panic attack inducing levels.<br />
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But anyway, I hadn't come to the wrong place and it was in fact a concert. With just the trio playing to kick off, it was a gradual start, but a few songs in, invited artist Cristian de Moret entered stage and blew the audience´s socks off with some serious 'cante'. Soon fellow invited guest, flamenco dancer Asunción Peréz, ´La Choni´ assumed her position, prowling like a tigress, before exploding into action. <br />
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In the show´s publicity it promises to suspend time and normally I´m very suspicious of such assertions. But weirdly time seemed to speed up and slow down at will as the intensity and rise and fall of the performance lulled the audience into a state of calm, concentration before whipping us into a state of frenzied, excitement. <br />
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As someone who doen´t fully understand the technical aspects of dance, I really loved the moments when ´La Choni´ vibed off her fellow artists, with a wantonness and humour not usually seen in a straight flamenco performance. Probably for an aficionado of the art, they were the least choreographed and demanding sections, but for me they were by far the most exhilarating. <br />
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´La Suite del Reloj´ continues for two more nights at the Quintero Theatre (1st and 2nd November). If you´re at a loose end in Seville and want to experience what the experimental flamenco folks are up to, then this is just the ticket. <br />
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Find details online at <a href="http://www.teatroquintero.com/programa.php?isp=68" target="_blank">http://www.teatroquintero.com</a>I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-54250435549756256972015-10-29T05:10:00.000-07:002015-10-29T08:24:56.897-07:00To menu del dia o not to menu del dia, that is the questionMid-week lunchtime eating out has always felt like a naughty, luxury for me. Not so apparently for Seville´s suited and booted funcionaries who cram into their favourite haunts, nipping out between courses to smoke an obligatory cigarette to cleanse the palate. <br />
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But when I do allow myself a daytime, eating liaison, I feel obliged to make it count and take advantage of a ´Menu del día´ option. The word menu in Spanish has a very specific use. It´s not the thing that you open to see what culinary delights are on offer in an eating establishment; that´s a ´carta´. The menu actually refers to the lunchtime set menu that many restaurants and bars offer to get bums on seats during what is traditionally a tough trade to crack. <br />
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´El menu del día´ always sounds like an exciting proposition. ´3 courses, plus wine for 10 euros´ sounds pretty good to the average northern European or American trudging the streets of Seville. And in relative terms it ain´t that bad. But, and as ever there is a but, it´s always the same old, usual suspects on offer: a limp salad or vegetable soup as starter, some fish or meat with chips as a main and the confusingly named ´flan´ which is really a creme caramel, as dessert. It fills a whole and that´s the extent of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgiDQCVo7gDIJSXcfvsQVYS33CswOy5j4so-nnNYffBwox6WO4fbsIGUn3AJNW70zgYL6c_SIWufnmm3oCe-J51ym8FdVq4cOM3kOrmS2-Ds7b9v9Rv9ZKYQnGI6a0388rEv-j0dlCrQ/s1600/P1050573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgiDQCVo7gDIJSXcfvsQVYS33CswOy5j4so-nnNYffBwox6WO4fbsIGUn3AJNW70zgYL6c_SIWufnmm3oCe-J51ym8FdVq4cOM3kOrmS2-Ds7b9v9Rv9ZKYQnGI6a0388rEv-j0dlCrQ/s320/P1050573.JPG" width="320" /></a>But right now my days are free to do as I please and accept any invitations that come my way and so this week I found myself at <a href="http://www.kaedemacarena.es/" target="_blank">Kaede</a>, in the basement of the Hotel Macarena. By night it´s a slightly out-of-my-price-range sushi restaurant, but at lunchtime it offers the holy grail of the budget eater, ´el menú del día´ and without any of the usual dreary offerings. In fact it was one tasty, tempting delight after another. To start a little bowl of edamame beans is popped on the table while you mull over your choices. A seaweed salad, miso soup and pork mini rolls come as standard and then for the main one can choose between mixed sushi (nigiri and sashimi), sashimi with egg fried rice, chicken kebabs with rice, yaki soba or tempura vegetables with rice, followed by ice cream or coffee/tea. <br />
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I went for the sashimi, which was a decent sized without being over-facing, portion of salmon, tuna, mackerel and butterfish. The egg-fried rice was fresh and light and I finished off with some green tea ice cream and all at the very palatable price of €8.50. As I left I had a spring in my step, knowing that I'd eaten a healthy bite which had been kind to my stomach and with not a flan or crema catalana in sight.<br />
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Kaede Macarena (in basement of Hotel Macarena)<br />
Calle San Juan de Ribera 2<br />
<a href="http://www.kaedemacarena.es/" target="_blank">http://www.kaedemacarena.es/</a><br />
I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-73380983728126811412015-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:002015-09-15T02:39:33.964-07:00Fun times at Feria MarketSeptember, oh how I love September in Seville. Everyone is back from their summer sojourn, the colour of creosote and intent on still squeezing every last drop out of the heat that remains. The shops still pretend it´s summer, only opening in the morning (not such a fan of this as it happens). The nights are warm, but not sweat inducing like August, but just enough to wander coat free from bar to terraza until the early hours of the morning. <br />
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One place where locals are milking September for all it´s worth is the collection of tapas stalls at the back of the fish market in Calle Feria. Things all kick off once the fishmongers have packed up their wares and the historic market is transformed into a modern eaterie offering sushi, rice dishes (including paella), Mexican food, oysters, salmorejos and artisan croquettes. <br />
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Most folk tend not to loiter too long inside the market and instead position themselves outside eating, drinking and chatting animatedly. There are some high tables ro park one´s behind, which if you manage to nab one, are set against the stunning backdrop of the Algaba Palace. <br />
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It´s been a while since I´ve been somewhere there´s a palpable buzz, probably not since the heady days of the Corralones on Calle Castellar. But on Thursday - Sunday evenings the market really takes on a life of its own with live music and all the people you normally see in the Alameda, crammed into the tiny adjoining Plaza Calderón de la Barca. It probably helps that prices are reasonable - for €3.50 you get a tapa and a drink or just a tapa on its own costs €3. <br />
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But right now in Seville for unbeatable atmosphere, taste, value and fun, there´s no better place to be. <br />
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<a href="http://mercadodeferia.com/" target="_blank">http://mercadodeferia.com/</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MercadoDeFeria?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook page</a><br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-22017040024910924042015-07-13T06:46:00.000-07:002015-07-13T06:46:06.326-07:00Magnum Summer Club - outdoor pool One of the most bewildering aspects of summer in Seville is the striking lack of open air swimming pools available to the public. Even on those most hellishly hot days of the year I´ve never been quite brave enough to saunter into a hotel, passing myself off as one of their paying guests, in order to gain access to a pool of water that´s not just a puddle of my own sweat.<br />
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But dear friends, there is a swimming pool in this fair city that does not require any silly disguises or resorting to identity theft. It´s just a matter of heading over to <a href="http://www.magnumclubsevilla.com/summer/" target="_blank">Magnum Summer Club</a>, officially part of the Hotel Melia Lebreros in Nervion. You pay 10 Euros per visit and they throw in a towel.<br />
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It´s a curious place, I won´t lie. The pool is lined ´exclusive´ looking white double beds, all Ibiza´d up with billowing drapes and shisha pipes. On arrival we spotted a vacant bed, lay down our bits and pieces, only to find out that in order to occupy such a grandiose space one has to ´buy a bottle´ and by that I don´t think they mean a botellín of Cruz Campo.<br />
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There are other poolside lounging paraphernalia that don´t require aping the ostentatious naffness of Kim Karshadian and Kanye West, but there is more than a whiff of Jersey Shore about the whole set up, particularly on a Saturday afternoon when you throw a few stag/hen parties into the mix.<br />
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But the pool itself is wet and cool and in the absence of many other options, it does the trick. It´s up to you if you embrace the ´copas and cocktails´ by the pool vibe, or just surreptitiously sip from a bottle of water, smuggled in inside your sarong (I think you can probably guess which option I went for).<br />
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Magnum Summer Club, Calle Luis De Morales 2<br />
<a href="http://www.magnumclubsevilla.com/summer/" target="_blank">http://www.magnumclubsevilla.com</a><br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-36454629926903937752015-06-28T14:07:00.000-07:002015-06-29T10:10:18.561-07:00Keep cool and carry on 2015Have you heard the one about the Northern European tourists who decided to come to Seville in July and August, proceeded to march around the streets in the baking 40 degree afternoon heat before passing out in a sweaty, sodden mess? Doesn´t sound much like a jolly jape, does it? That´s because it´s not. Seville in summer is to be treated with the uttermost respect and is not for the faint hearted (I mean literally, if you have a heart complaint, best come in March or April).<br />
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So if you want to stay out of Accident and Emergency and spare a few Euros for an already cash-strapped Spanish Health Service, follow my annually updated guide to surviving summer in Seville.<br />
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<b>1. Become a night owl</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmiY_hAZgfixuken_A0-9evAZRgGo63bnBs9WC9f2sJRF9LouW_JeIU3z7UlRfoPVgem1G5a1TgdLa9zqfinaLNzS9-omH4qgXWNVNS63R7rWtk_Sc3CVfmQzgtMZsp1dbBHRsKbAoLY/s1600/drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmiY_hAZgfixuken_A0-9evAZRgGo63bnBs9WC9f2sJRF9LouW_JeIU3z7UlRfoPVgem1G5a1TgdLa9zqfinaLNzS9-omH4qgXWNVNS63R7rWtk_Sc3CVfmQzgtMZsp1dbBHRsKbAoLY/s320/drink.jpg" width="231" /></a>Please, please, please put any silly idea of doing anything, be it everyday chores or touristy stuff, out of your pretty heads between the hours of 12pm and 8pm. I know that´s practically a whole day, but that´s just how things roll in these parts. If you head out on to the normally bustling Alameda during these no-man´s hours, you´ll be greeted by only the hardiest of cerveza drinkers (insert alcoholics here) and maybe some passing tumbleweed.<br />
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Anyone who has any sense (and air conditioning) will conserve their energies until the streets have started to cool down, which can be as late as 9 or 10pm. Long siestas are of course obligatory, which will leave you fresh and ready to enjoy the hopefully cooler summer nights.<br />
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The powers that be in the city understand this, and lay on a whole season of cultural events to entertain the folk who for what ever reason haven't abandoned ship and headed off to the beach. The picturesque gardens of the Cartuja monastery play host to 'Nocturama', a series of live concerts featuring up and coming pop, indie and electronic groups from around the country. Starting at 9pm every night and tickets costing from 7 Euros, it's like a mini festival every Wednesday and Thursday in August until the beginning of September.<br />
<a href="http://nocturamasevilla.es/" target="_blank">http://nocturamasevilla.es/</a><br />
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If you want something a little more civilised then check out the 'Noches en los Jardines del Real Alcázar´ which are 75 concerts over 75 nights. The music covers many musical genres from the city´s eponymous Flamenco to Baroque, classical, world music and jazz. The setting is enchanting, and is a chance to visit the stunning gardens while basking in the melee of exotic aromas such as jasmine and and lady of the night, all again at a very reasonable 5 Euros or 6 Euros if bought on Internet.<br />
<a href="http://www.actidea.es/nochesalcazar2015/" target="_blank">http://www.actidea.es/nochesalcazar2015/</a><br />
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The Centro de Iniciativas Culturales de la Universidad de Sevilla (CICUS) also get in on the act with their summer programme of music and open air cinema, which has a cooler, hipster vibe.<br />
<a href="http://cicus.us.es/21-grados-en-el-patio-del-cicus/">http://cicus.us.es/21-grados-en-el-patio-del-cicus/</a><br />
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Plus more open air film is available in the enormous courtyard of the atmospheric Diputatión buildings, but make sure to go on Sunday evenings when films are shown in original version or face putting up with some dubbing barbarity.<br />
<a href="http://www.asomatealpatio.es/">http://www.asomatealpatio.es/</a><br />
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<b>2. River life</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEt5ED2LFBWWyWrwydfun0Sym4CbEyka5cjBQ3by-N4Vfx7Tfe7U8Ra5GJQTaC-OHUy9sN0IaKL95M3a_SGndC8f3v3psClecS6yNKNtNSXkz0J1uk6KFLJ13IYFdlxD_ye1rzFeQpow/s1600/triana.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEt5ED2LFBWWyWrwydfun0Sym4CbEyka5cjBQ3by-N4Vfx7Tfe7U8Ra5GJQTaC-OHUy9sN0IaKL95M3a_SGndC8f3v3psClecS6yNKNtNSXkz0J1uk6KFLJ13IYFdlxD_ye1rzFeQpow/s320/triana.jpg" width="320" /></a>In a Seville summer the River Guadalquivir becomes a place where those that haven´t made it to the beach can fool themselves into forgetting that they live in what is affectionately known as the 'frying pan of the world'. Those of you who have followed my blog from the start or who live on Spanish shores will be familiar with the term ´Pijo´, which is roughly translated as preppy or sloany, and from what I can tell a lot of the bars by the river tend to be a natural habitat for this variant of the local population. But don´t let this deter you, there are some stunning spots where you can sip on your ice cold beer or overpriced Mojito, while staring across at the beautifully lit Giralda or Golden Tower. Head to any of the bars on Calle Betis in Triana, or if you fancy a bit tropical greenery with your cocktail, Puerta de Cuba seems to hit the spot.<br />
<a href="http://www.puertodecubasevilla.com/en">http://www.puertodecubasevilla.com/en</a><br />
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However, if sloansville isn´t your bag, Espacio Pescao Crudo further along the river on the Paseo de la O lays on live music, themed food nights, and not a Ralph Lauren shirt in sight.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Espacio-Pescao-Crudo/1489159701297780?fref=ts" target="_blank">Pescao Crudo</a><br />
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<b>3. Raise the Roof</b><br />
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I know they say heat rises, but in Seville in summer life happens on ´azoteas´ which is the Spanish for roof terraces and any hotel worth its salt will have one, as will most apartment blocks and even municipal buildings.<br />
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If you´re a tourist you´re in luck, because hopefully if you´ve been prudent enough to check into a hotel with a pool, you´ll be able to lounge around under a sombrilla, while drinking something wet and ice cold. I´ve heard of some locals booking into a hotel if they´re stuck in Seville for the weekend, just so they can join in the poolside activities, because for some reason, elsewhere in Seville, public open air pools are decidedly thin on the ground. But if you don´t happen to be a patron of the hotel, you can still drink in their terrace bars, and the city´s slightly pretentious jewel in the crown is the decidedly hip, <a href="http://www.emecatedralhotel.com/" target="_blank">EME </a>hotel, whose roof terrace is within spitting distance of the cathedral. You pay for the privilege in the bar prices, but the EME isn´t the only hotel with a roof terrace in town, you could also try <a href="http://www.hotelcasaromana.com/es/?" target="_blank">Casa Romana</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/terraza.puertacatedral" target="_blank">Terraza Puerta Catedra</a>l or <a href="http://www.espacioazahar.es/" target="_blank">Espacio Azahar</a> if you want something a little more low key.<br />
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Many of the city´s cultural activities happen on multitude of roof terraces, such as the annual <a href="http://iknowalittleplaceinseville.blogspot.com.es/2015/05/reclaim-roof.html" target="_blank">Redetejas </a>series, which organise live music events, cinema screenings and theatre throughout the summer months on private roof terraces. And the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MicroteatroSevilla?fref=ts" target="_blank">Microteatro </a>guys have got in on the act also offering cultural activities from the comfort of their terrace.<br />
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<b>4. The Moors weren't stupid you know</b><br />
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Before I came to Seville I had no idea how ingrained in the fabric of the city the Moorish influence was. It was after all part of the Al Andaluz kingdom for 500 years, and the city's architecture remains the most noticable reminder of this time.<br />
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The Moors were big on water features, through which they created their own little gardens of paradise, and the gardens of the Royal Alcazar Palace are testament to this. You can spend hours mooching around from one shady corner to the next, reading a book or imagining the city's pre-christian history. If it's too hot to visit during the day, you can check out the night time visits which also include a guided tour, with theatrical enactments representing historical events that happened within the palace walls. <a href="http://www.alcazarsevilla.org/">http://www.alcazarsevilla.org/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RzHO0bMJTKBcuAxyzQUxFf1lDxPcyQr0cTalpKLJa-IYikccVeYP2XE5hfov40A9FPeuCNf1aVxjJhawFwkkEE9QIb4bxHaGOHPiH5AVL-6c3oGRXvYK1QqhhYCFbuSNCOlqW1ez-vg/s1600/aire+de+sevilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RzHO0bMJTKBcuAxyzQUxFf1lDxPcyQr0cTalpKLJa-IYikccVeYP2XE5hfov40A9FPeuCNf1aVxjJhawFwkkEE9QIb4bxHaGOHPiH5AVL-6c3oGRXvYK1QqhhYCFbuSNCOlqW1ez-vg/s320/aire+de+sevilla.jpg" width="320" /></a>Or, while we're on the topic of water and Moorish times, you could head to the Arab Baths. I know this sounds slightly counter intuitive, why on a dehydration inducing, boiling hot day, would you choose to hang out in the some steam baths? But seriously, it's an option to consider. Firstly because it's one of the most relaxing places I've ever visited - think padding in hushed tones before immersing yourself in a bath of scented water - and more importantly inside you can forget about the hellish heat that awaits you upon leaving. And as a 2015 update the baths have opened a roof top terrace complete with infinity pool and juice bar. <a href="http://www.airedesevilla.com/">http://www.airedesevilla.com/</a><br />
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<b>5. Hang out with the locals</b><br />
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Sometimes though on a hot summer night, rather than being entertained on a terrace, you just want to find a cool breeze and quench your thirst with your cold beverage of choice. Current local hot spot is the fairly recently opened <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MercadoDeFeria?fref=ts" target="_blank">Mercado de Feria</a> bar with outside tables at the back of Feria Fish Market, where you can get a tapa and a drink for 3 Euros and from Thursday-Sunday be entertained by some low key, live music. Or if you really want to mingle with the locals ´La Pastora´ has a huge garden for big groups and specialises in local favourites such as fried fish or cold tapas like ensaladilla or patatas aliñadas. Just bear in mind that prices are based on weight, so if you have a large tapa, you get a large bill.<br />
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Bar La Pastora. C/ Muñoz León, open 8.30pm - 1.30am<br />
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So there you have it. With this, you will survive the heat, remain hydrated or should I say lubricated and be culturally enriched. Result!<br />
<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-38028293895731979432015-06-22T12:18:00.002-07:002015-06-22T13:53:33.112-07:00´Best breakfast in town´ title challengerIt´s been a while now that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Cacharreria-de-Sevilla/186960071384306?fref=ts" target="_blank">La Cacharreria</a> has been the undisputed champion of breakfasts in Seville. Open any hipster guide and there it pops, tempting you in with its delicious homemade jams and luscious cakes. But that´s the only snag, unless you happen to nab one of the two tiny tables outside, there´s no choice but to cosy up within its bare-bricked interior. All well and good on a damp Seville winter´s morning, but right now before 11am is the only time you can sit outside until night falls without melting into a sticky heap, so breakfast ´al fresco´ becomes a premium.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLs91GWIEzkrsOaR-uc90vAQlwr5nBJhnyuFcWeS0OghyiaGnaXuP0PPGvhuSUvjeIDR62j_moY6zoZgjI4P5LEYbfyoGdr0D5gDb0-Wkj3LQn-iyUdcOAWbWd8CQTwQWWb08ZjnrAvmw/s1600/P1050477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLs91GWIEzkrsOaR-uc90vAQlwr5nBJhnyuFcWeS0OghyiaGnaXuP0PPGvhuSUvjeIDR62j_moY6zoZgjI4P5LEYbfyoGdr0D5gDb0-Wkj3LQn-iyUdcOAWbWd8CQTwQWWb08ZjnrAvmw/s320/P1050477.JPG" width="320" /></a>Last week a new contender stepped into the ring, with a culinary pedigree that got me salivating at the mere thought. La Cuba in Plaza San Marco, is the new venture from the team behind <a href="https://www.facebook.com/restaurante.contenedor?fref=ts" target="_blank">ConTenedor</a>, but don´t go expecting the same high-end elaborate cuisine as their self proclaimed slow-food original offers. That´s not to say the food isn´t good, it is just La Cuba isn´t equipped with a kitchen as you would know it. In fact it would appear at first glance that inside it isn´t equipped with anything at all. That´s because the main focus of La Cuba, apart from the food, is the terraza outside nestling at the foot of San Marcos Church. In fact it´s a table outside or nothing, because step inside the bar itself (to go to the loo for example) and you find yourself amidst chopping boards, juicers and all sorts of culinary capers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">´old´ cheese, sun dried tomatoes, avocado, rocket on toast</td></tr>
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Breakfast errs on the side of fancy. Granted you´ve got a whole load of toasted options, but instead of the usual tomato and olive oil staple, there are wildly exotic possibilities like ghee and homemade jam, hummus (exotic in these parts), roasted peppers and aubergines with anchovies, and sun dried tomatoes, rocket, manchegoesque cheese with avocado.<br />
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And that´s without even getting to the ´bols´ (which are breakfast bowls filled with a whole bewildering, smorgus board of stuff). It was after I had consumed my avocado, cheese and rocket toast extravaganza that I noticed the non-breaded goods options, so I can´t speak from first hand experience. But the menu does include intriguing combinations such as organic goats cheese yogurt with homemade muesli or possibly the most mind blowing breakfast combination of them all; avocado mousse with cocoa, agave syrup, cayenne pepper, muesli and fruit.<br />
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It is easy to get a little bit over-awed by breakfast at la Cuba, particularly when choice in most other places is limited to ¨tomate triterado o en rodajas¨ (tomatoes mushed or sliced). The menu is extensive and slightly bonkers, though does try to cater to all dietary limitations providing a key for any possible allergy or intolerance issues.<br />
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Apart from breakfast they´ve got a fresh, lunch and dinner menu with light, inventive salads, hot and cold soups (I tried their deliciously wholesome warm, pumpkin soup ladened with roasted vegetables and croutons), salmon tartar, venison tataki and cheese/ham/ pate platters.<br />
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It´s only been open a week, so time will tell whether Seville will go wild over ghee and jam on toast or not, but I for one am already planning my next trip back to try some avocado mousse, agave syrup and muesli. I may never look back. <br />
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La Cuba, Plaza San Marco<br />
Breakfast served 9am-1pm daily except August when it closes at the weekend. <br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-28035194365587803732015-06-10T07:05:00.001-07:002015-06-10T07:05:44.048-07:00Estraperlo - Organic Treasure<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nrJINIBrBjUMygBVFAvoSs43ko9GpUtpoHeXs6c3Yqkv1BSjloHCo9VvtHTY68SsLf_k-q_if2pavKbS3RM-_Th2buqquPz7tt7CjDrVojW4CYv6LXWLCh_o2fLlJyb5WINSibiSgBo/s1600/P1050470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nrJINIBrBjUMygBVFAvoSs43ko9GpUtpoHeXs6c3Yqkv1BSjloHCo9VvtHTY68SsLf_k-q_if2pavKbS3RM-_Th2buqquPz7tt7CjDrVojW4CYv6LXWLCh_o2fLlJyb5WINSibiSgBo/s200/P1050470.JPG" width="133" /></a>It´s easy to bandy about the term 'hidden gem' and without it this blog would have no content. But in all honesty sometimes the places I write about are gems and sometimes they are hidden, but rarely are they the two words together. And indeed a hidden gem if you´re running a business, has its drawbacks. It´s all very well for the ´in the know´ to give their loyal custom, but there comes a time when a few hoi palloi wouldn´t go a miss.<br />
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This perhaps is the case with the beautifully discreet, organic store <a href="http://www.estraperlosevilla.com/#about" target="_blank">Estraperlo</a>. ´Estraperlo´ means contraband in Spanish and this could explain why it is so hidden away from passing trade. But what it sells is very much above the law, in fact more than that, its products are positively good for you. Estraperlo sells organic food such as fruit and vegetables, grains, quality olive oils, artisan wines and beers and more exotic fayre such as fresh seaweed and ingredients for Asian cooking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YkWh8BNjS8-BUJaL0MYkoUnXn7hYq52ep7gC9jObD8oxcn7GOqaZafKTkh8wmgpFyAc6Cs8qtOIG3S0YS9lU7ZvtEH-dIRziJ8m-ThwwhNEz3gOmahzlAMfL-axjamrvZ59g8UmUVaY/s1600/P1050462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YkWh8BNjS8-BUJaL0MYkoUnXn7hYq52ep7gC9jObD8oxcn7GOqaZafKTkh8wmgpFyAc6Cs8qtOIG3S0YS9lU7ZvtEH-dIRziJ8m-ThwwhNEz3gOmahzlAMfL-axjamrvZ59g8UmUVaY/s200/P1050462.JPG" width="150" /></a>Located on the shady side of the Alameda close to the restaurant Al Ajibe, it´s not a place you just stumble across, as beyond the gate there´s a secluded courtyard and then the shop within. I say shop, but in reality it´s much more than that. At the back there´s a working kitchen from which a daily menu of tapas are cooked to be taken away or as I did this week, eaten at a giant wooden, shared table. As well as that there are regular cooking workshops that seek to push the boundaries beyond the usual suspects on offer. Coming up there are workshops on Thai cooking, making pestos, tartars and ceviches, plus a monthly ´Murder Mystery Dinner´ that I definitely hope to be writing about in a future post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID6B3H_7Mqr6qq9EvOoh_yf594It9HJMWbHGyJIbGHf8Cqoxi9Jbiml-1fkhMYtT8NvIH8e0_6w2fwFahVmEf4Ki525fugq-vAl-QhRrFFhSaFGHo07ZSkbMtuijlT5wrW1C7cXC66ow/s1600/P1050468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID6B3H_7Mqr6qq9EvOoh_yf594It9HJMWbHGyJIbGHf8Cqoxi9Jbiml-1fkhMYtT8NvIH8e0_6w2fwFahVmEf4Ki525fugq-vAl-QhRrFFhSaFGHo07ZSkbMtuijlT5wrW1C7cXC66ow/s200/P1050468.JPG" width="133" /></a>I assumed, due its location in Boho Alameda that it would be on the pricey side, but both the organic products and the tapas menu are eminently affordable and utterly delicious. So far I´ve only bought tomatoes and lettuce, but for the first time every in my life I was brought close to tears by the bursting flavour of a humble tomato. And the tapas were simple, tasty and vegetarian friendly.<br />
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So if you want to find the definition of hidden gem in Seville, at Estraperlo you´ve got it!<br />
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Estraperlo, Alameda de Hercules<br />
<a href="http://www.estraperlosevilla.com/#about" target="_blank">http://www.estraperlosevilla.com</a><br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-91561408826393521382015-06-02T04:36:00.001-07:002015-06-02T04:36:56.898-07:00Wanna stay cool? Say no to Nylon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjnIOrQqbLHwXKjQnslLdCSgwBtDRJ3nxlrVorCltt3tZH0Wy8_mYKZKPkOpYfd0n6wpsbLVdOye9a09MsB656bSWzn7iVVI_iPOx8a9vPIJU1mHtDHlNMCCl-uuL5yS6V34ZZVRWg4U/s1600/P1050460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjnIOrQqbLHwXKjQnslLdCSgwBtDRJ3nxlrVorCltt3tZH0Wy8_mYKZKPkOpYfd0n6wpsbLVdOye9a09MsB656bSWzn7iVVI_iPOx8a9vPIJU1mHtDHlNMCCl-uuL5yS6V34ZZVRWg4U/s200/P1050460.JPG" width="200" /></a>Top heat beating tip for the day; eschew nylon at all costs. It´s obvious really, 40 degree heat plus synthetic fibres = pongy armpits and less friends. But step foot in any shop on the high street and you will be greeted by an array of man made fabrics that no amount of anti-perspirant can temper.<br />
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The solution dear friends is good old-fashioned cotton and if you want to go one step further towards fresh smelling loveliness, go organic. <a href="http://verdemoscu.eu/es" target="_blank">Verde Moscu</a>, which has just transferred from happening Calle Regina to Calle Ortiz de Zuñiga in the ultra hip Soho Benita district, specialise in natural fabrics that are organic and/or locally designed and produced.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81TMHTQWuA104UGvILt8l_USMBFcKjWXvljxFbMOdnNbbsDuqLm2i85r9NUmMt2NGXu_UkXEP007YJjyxls-zLwjkCRNO3nWw4kPxyF4NoUEmg4XSw1vh88bfcvtkfYuV095DGt1lrFU/s1600/P1050459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81TMHTQWuA104UGvILt8l_USMBFcKjWXvljxFbMOdnNbbsDuqLm2i85r9NUmMt2NGXu_UkXEP007YJjyxls-zLwjkCRNO3nWw4kPxyF4NoUEmg4XSw1vh88bfcvtkfYuV095DGt1lrFU/s200/P1050459.JPG" width="200" /></a>Run by a quartet of sociologists they impart their social vision into their business. At Verde Moscu there are no owners or workers, their clothing is fair trade and as much as possible they minimise the distance travelled by each item of clothing.<br />
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I love the simple yet stylish cotton summer dresses and T-shirts. Plus if you´re cut from vegan cloth there is animal cruelty free footwear to fit your principles, while any leather stocked is naturally treated rather than using chemicals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Gi80oxlpDvZC0PgJaUdu8JME9mREondYdTOSPTXkUbSJeLrs9z2uf8vpHj3kDcdfZh9sQJielUrVur77ey2WLY39DstUg7csvEALvvQfUiVuPzrnw3foQVfQZ4bXujjtU1NNMJEynoc/s1600/P1050457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Gi80oxlpDvZC0PgJaUdu8JME9mREondYdTOSPTXkUbSJeLrs9z2uf8vpHj3kDcdfZh9sQJielUrVur77ey2WLY39DstUg7csvEALvvQfUiVuPzrnw3foQVfQZ4bXujjtU1NNMJEynoc/s200/P1050457.JPG" width="200" /></a>The new shop near independent staples Isadora and La Importadora, is light and breezy, rather like their clothing ranges. Watch out for their uber trendy, vertical wall garden stocking over 40 luscious indoor plants, further imbuing the atmosphere with natural, plant goodness.<br />
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Verde Moscu, Calle Ortiz de Zuñiga 5<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/VerdeMoscu" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/VerdeMoscu</a><br />
<a href="http://verdemoscu.eu/es" target="_blank">http://verdemoscu.eu/es</a>I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-60114036382843876532015-06-01T14:23:00.002-07:002015-06-01T14:23:24.165-07:00It´s ok to juice alone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LUzLvu9RbE8lN93Qtj3WjNAQ5sErYDkUrXOulv4fecLZmWe1HzMf0Bi_6zJZXpchdNvCPTVtxwOlJTQf_EzHzdr8yWHV0fURL_TjA2uPjvgwm2A99013ght7QXCuGkykfkdDv6Iw_IQ/s1600/juice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LUzLvu9RbE8lN93Qtj3WjNAQ5sErYDkUrXOulv4fecLZmWe1HzMf0Bi_6zJZXpchdNvCPTVtxwOlJTQf_EzHzdr8yWHV0fURL_TjA2uPjvgwm2A99013ght7QXCuGkykfkdDv6Iw_IQ/s200/juice2.jpg" width="138" /></a>The other day I came across a very unusual sight: a twenty-something, male of the Sevillano variety sitting alone, sipping Moroccan tea while reading a book. I know to any seasoned traveller, this is something one does all the time. And on moving to another country, I can´t tell you the amount of time I´ve spent in my own company, hoping that someone might momentarily consider me intriguing and mysterious rather than a slightly tragic, lone wolf.<br />
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But for the indigenous population of Seville being alone is something to avoid at all costs. Much better to be surrounded by a bevvy of family or your mates of ´toda la vida´. And if you do happen to be alone for a moment, well of course there´s the solace of a smart phone to take the sting out of the temporary solitary confinement.<br />
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But this dude was choosing his own company. The signs were there. The tea pot, the book, the concentrated brow, even a passing friend couldn´t break his dedication to ´him time´. And the location was carefully chosen; the newly opened juice cafe ´Al Baraka´ run by a Moroccan/Syrian team. Positioned in the buzzing little square at the top of Calle Regina, it´s the perfect place for a non-booze fuelled hangout, with friends, but also without them. As well as the usual gamut of juicing options, there are also north African/Middle Eastern standards like hummus, stuffed vine leaves and falafel, plus hookah pipes and Moroccan tea. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVGPZYlbIvU-oBQu-JMRJZ6zGNgzaYga6SSoxPf_4k09q3O03PSTfhc1-W3qC2zQm_Fnlk2BhrpEK05rBRlcRy8UmH9xwPO1_ZKCMUf2xrofFVZFl6wBPcwazncOrM-IIdJM2uEkj0rM/s1600/juice3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVGPZYlbIvU-oBQu-JMRJZ6zGNgzaYga6SSoxPf_4k09q3O03PSTfhc1-W3qC2zQm_Fnlk2BhrpEK05rBRlcRy8UmH9xwPO1_ZKCMUf2xrofFVZFl6wBPcwazncOrM-IIdJM2uEkj0rM/s200/juice3.jpg" width="148" /></a>I love ´Al Baraka´ because they provide a refreshing alternative to the all too ubiquitous glass of beer, the owners are sweet, plus the location is one of my favourites in Seville. All forms of life unfold around you; nuns marching past in starched habits, children screaming at the top of their voices, shop keepers going about their business, dogs sniffing each others bottoms, confused tourists clutching parchment thin, ragged maps and hipsters on route to la Cacharreria. And it is all there to be savoured with a cool glass of freshly made juice of your choice. <br />
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Al Baraka, Calle Regina 1<br />
Opening hours 9am - 1amI know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-89964346462623537312015-05-27T05:11:00.000-07:002015-05-27T05:37:24.166-07:00Reclaim the Roof It´s every Brit´s dream to live somewhere in the sun with a roof terrace or a balcony. My dearest and bestest friend in London, who shall be known in this blog as ´the Windy Piper´, loves nothing more than wending away hours on his tastefully landscaped and expensively furnished West London roof top, despite temperatures that would leave most Sevillanos reaching for their winter coat.<br />
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Cut to the skylines of Seville where roof top terraces are a plenty but rather than being cherished havens for lounging and taking in starlit nights, they are on the whole desolate, sun bleached spaces, strewn with washing lines and the odd wobbly plastic chair. I include my own roof top with in this category. I´ve had big plans from the start of creating an urban garden, with a hint of Morocco. But it´s gone little further than a half thought idea and remains to this day tired, abandoned by good taste and barely frequented.<br />
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This lowly state of the highest spots in the building hasn´t gone unnoticed and Seville cultural trailblazers ´La Matraka´ have taken matters into their hands in the form of ´<a href="http://redetejas.org/" target="_blank">Redetejas</a>´, an initiative to reclaim the usage of private ´azoteas´ (roof top terraces) for cultural purposes. They´ve created a global network in which ordinary folk can organise cultural events, be it live music, theatre, comedy etc, using as a setting their own roof top terrace. Redetejas provides the framework, but its up to the individual organisers to decide on the content and format.<br />
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Last Saturday saw the launch of Redetejas Vol 7 in Seville, kicking off the 2015 season of mini azotea events. After parting with just 3 Euros and picking up my wrist band and map that afternoon, I pitched up at what looked like an office building on Calle Cuna within spitting distance of Plaza Salvador. A mini bar selling the ubiquitous botellines of Cruz Campo was present, along with some fake grass and plastic chairs. And at just after 8pm the first cultural encounter kicked off with ´Mansilla y los Espias´ taking to what I can only loosely call a stage.<br />
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With these kind of events, the calibre of the acts can be a bit hit or miss and I must admit when I saw the drawn features and intense stare of who I could only imagine was Mansilla, a saxophonist who wouldn´t have looked out of place in a semana santa band and the beaming, wild locked, double bassist, I wasn´t holding out much hope. But contrary to my misconceptions, they were mesmerising. Front man Fernando Mansilla, performed in dry, desolate spoken word, piling on layer upon layer of existential angst, coupled with biting commentary on the hapless state of modern society. The forty or minutes or so breezed by in a second, all against the dramatic cityscapes of church towers and the cathedral.<br />
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Next stop was a ten minutes stroll to Calle Jerónimo Hernandez, where after entering the front door we found ourselves winding our way up some stairs and onto a boho, plant bedecked private roof top. This time it was jazz courtesy of Miguelo Delgado and Anita Franklin who started off with some of their own compositions and filled the rest of the time with some soul classics. And the final stop off was the roof top bar of de-rigeur, hang out ´Micro Teatro´ which wasn´t so much a private space, but cosy and intimate none-the-less. Performing there were forces of nature ´La Maravilla Gipsy Trio´ who are currently riding the quest of the Balkan gypsy musical wave. More than just a music trio, they are are a full blown, entertainment act, complete with well thought out jokes, audience participation and a small boy called Martin playing a plastic accordian. I must make special mention of percussionist Rafael Rivera´s disturbingly mobile eye brows and facial plasticity, which had me transfixed while disgusted at the same time.<br />
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The Redetejas season goes on for the whole summer, not just in Seville but all over Spain and they´ve even made it as far as Mexico. As well as attendees and artists, the organisers are always on the look out for people who are interested in coming on board and organising an event on their own azotea. Or if you just want to go along and check out one of their roof top routes, go straight to the website where you have to register to get more details and then it´s just a matter of enjoying a night of intimate, roof top magic.<br />
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For more invitation go to <a href="http://redetejas.org/" target="_blank">http://redetejas.org/</a>I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-25155036532418286362015-05-23T08:27:00.000-07:002015-05-23T08:36:06.271-07:00When in doubt; EnsaladillaI´m easily confused and more so the older I get. When a waiter reads out a long list of possibilities I can guarantee the only one that sticks is ensaladilla. So more often than not, if I find myself in a state of utter brain freeze, ensaladilla is what I order. And somehow, it´s always a winner as with a cold beer and accompanied by some picos (little breadsticks), I come away feeling full and happy.<br />
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Ensaladilla is best described as a kind of cold Spanish comfort food. Generally you´ll find some roughly mashed potatoes, lashings of mayo, boiled carrots, the odd pea, tuna and if you´re really pushing the boat out, a few pink prawns. Haute cuisine it´s not, but a decent beer accompaniament, it is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5BeVpI3byD_fbSuYXPMnOPIj_vsE0ZGCgIGpMUPPPEhG7kutmyo3lYIHrmQJoKw_oIxqb17EDUMwVYBQfmpBVSfollLUj8giWE_cgCQFTMEkGiPRUDU0TF5RjwIDAm9IRHsJo8yGZkM/s1600/ensaladilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5BeVpI3byD_fbSuYXPMnOPIj_vsE0ZGCgIGpMUPPPEhG7kutmyo3lYIHrmQJoKw_oIxqb17EDUMwVYBQfmpBVSfollLUj8giWE_cgCQFTMEkGiPRUDU0TF5RjwIDAm9IRHsJo8yGZkM/s320/ensaladilla.jpg" width="238" /></a>So on a balmy May evening, looking for an outside eating alternative to the always heaving terrace of Las Coloniales, I found myself in the shady enclave of Plaza Leandro. Under the heaving bows of an ancient tree were an adhoc collection of metal tables belonging to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LasCincoFarolas/timeline" target="_blank">´Las Cinco Farolas´</a> and with just one left, it was ours for the taking. <br />
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The owner, who it turns out is Russian, reeled off a long list of tapas and in an instant I felt my the haze descend and before I knew it the words ´ensaladilla´ were coming out of my mouth. The deed was done and I expected nothing more than the usual heap of potato/ tuna mush. But to my surprise this was actually the best ensaladilla I´d eaten in Seville. The clue came from the Russian influence; in many places ensaladilla is also known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivier_salad" target="_blank">Russian Salad</a>, the original reportedly having been created by chef Lucien Olivier in 1860 for his restaurant ´The Hermitage´, a well known restaurant of its day in Moscow. The modern equivalent is now eaten all over the Spanish speaking world and almost certainly bears no resemblance to the Russian original.<br />
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But the offering from ´Las Cinco Farolas´ was in a class of its own, the difference being more hard boiled egg than potato giving it a chunky texture rather than the usual formless mush. Personally speaking it was a pure delight, so much so that today I´ve returned with the specific intention of ordering ensaladilla rather than just doing it out of sheer panic. There are also other decent tapas on offer, ranging from the classic spinach and chickpeas to Russian sausages with a dash of proper mustard. And all under the benevolent, leafy shade that beats a Cruz Campo sombrilla anytime.<br />
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Las Cinco Farolas, Plaza Leandro 1<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LasCincoFarolas/timeline" target="_blank">Las Cinco Farolas Facebook page</a><br />
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<br />I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2236402600177904755.post-45416580220674152162015-05-08T13:44:00.002-07:002015-05-08T14:01:36.748-07:0048 hours in SevilleIt´s Friday night, you´ve dumped your bag at your hotel or AirBnB apartment of choice and now what? Your guidebook, which incidentally hasn´t been updated in about 10 years, shows a bewildering array of the best tapas bars in town or must see Flamenco shows. But really, do you want to be rubbing shoulders with every other Tom, Dick or Hans in town? If you´re anything like me, you´d rather merge seamlessly into the local crowd, or at least not stick out like a fold-out map wielding, slightly sun burned, sore thumb. So with this in mind, here´s my capsule 48 hours itinerary which will guarantee you the best weekend of your life.<br />
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<b>Friday</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert at Brunilda</td></tr>
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8.30pm: There´s one time when being a ´Guiri´ or foreigner is something of an advantage in Seville and that is in the instance of feeling peckish at a sensible hour. Rather than holding out until the locals finally decide to chow down, why not head off early to one of the city´s swathe of affordable yet envelope pushing eateries such as <a href="http://www.espacioeslava.com/" target="_blank">Eslava</a>, <a href="http://restaurantecontenedor.com/en" target="_blank">ConTenedor</a>, <a href="http://laazoteasevilla.com/" target="_blank">La Azotea,</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaBrunilda" target="_blank">La Brunilda</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/perroviejotapasbar" target="_blank">Perro Viejo</a>, where your only chance of getting a table is doing it on northern European time.<br />
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10pm: Ok, tasty food done, now it´s time for some entertainment. Alongside Jerez, Seville is a mecca to Flamenco enthusiasts. I´m no expert, but given a choice, I´ll always rather see some flamenco in a peña, which is basically a social club for Flamenco aficionados. Compared to a few years ago, the peñas are fewer on the ground, as many have been closed down after noise complaints from neighbours, but one that continues to shine brightly is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ninodelaalfalfa" target="_blank">The Niño de la Alfalfa</a> on Calle Castellar which has shows on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm. Get there a bit early as if there´s a known artist performing it can fill up pretty sharply and leave you straining to see at the back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof top bar the Hotel Inglaterra</td></tr>
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12pm: If you´re a flamenco nut, you might want to stay put all night at the Flamenco Peña where the real fun starts after the show, otherwise why not take yourself off to one of the city´s many roof top bars dotting the city. Personally, I´m not a fan of the <a href="http://www.emecatedralhotel.com/" target="_blank">EME</a> which is constantly rolled out as the Azotea (roof top) bar of choice, all style over content in my books, but you could try the neighbouring <a href="http://www.hdmaria.com/" target="_blank">Doña Maria Hotel</a>, <a href="http://www.hotelinglaterra.es/es/index.html" target="_blank">Hotel Inglaterra</a>, <a href="http://www.fontecruzhoteles.com/hotel-fontecruz-sevilla/" target="_blank">Hotel Fontecruz</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/terraza.puertacatedral?fref=ts" target="_blank">the Terraza Puerta Catedral</a>, which while petite and bijoux boasts weekend concerts and DJs. And for close proximity to the Alameda try <a href="http://www.espacioazahar.es/" target="_blank">Hotel Espacio Azahar</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CasaRomanaHotelyRoofSevilla" target="_blank">Roof</a>, the terrace bar at the Casa Romana Hotel. Be warned, drinks tend to be on the pricey side. <br />
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<b>Saturday</b><br />
Ok, you´re on holiday, it´s Spain, so there´s no rush to get up at the crack of dawn. Weekends in Seville are about moving slowly between various eating and drinking opportunities, breakfast being the first and my own personal favourite.<br />
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10ish: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lacacharreria?fref=ts" target="_blank">La Cacharreria</a> on Calle Regina is undoubtedly THE breakfast place in town. Tiny, bare bricked, with beaming, yoga practising staff, this features in all the fashionable go-to guides for Seville due to its uniquely delicious brunch style offerings, ranging from the home made seeded bread and jam, the health busting juices, coffee that doesn´t take the roof of your mouth off, home made cakes to die for and a giant bowl of fruit, yogurt and muesli that will keep you going until dinner. It is small and outside space is minimal, but even if you´re propped up at the bar, it´s still worth it.<br />
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After breakfast, you´re perfectly positioned for some shopping on Seville´s of the moment street Calle Regina recently rebranded <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReginaMarket?fref=ts" target="_blank">Regina Market</a>. If you´re a foodie you can stock up on Spanish delicassies at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/botellasylatas.sevilla?fref=ts" target="_blank">Botellas y Latas</a> where ex-Chef Carlos is happy to give you cooking tips, fashionistas can head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VerdeMoscu?fref=ts" target="_blank">Verde Moscu</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lasetacoqueta?fref=ts" target="_blank">La Seta Coqueta</a>, art lovers to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ungatoenbicicleta?fref=ts" target="_blank">Un Gato en Bicicleta</a> and if you´ve forgotten your favourite organic beauty products, try <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bienybio?fref=ts" target="_blank">Bien y Bio</a>.<br />
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At the top of Calle Regina, you´ll find yourself in Plaza Encarnación, once a non-descript part of town, but now host to Seville´s controversial, modern architecture talking point <a href="http://www.setasdesevilla.com/?r=1&A=1024" target="_blank">The Setas</a>. Setas mean wild mushrooms in Spanish and from afar as they span either side of the plaza, they do resemble some sort of mushroom/waffle hybrid. The Setas hold 3 ´experiences´ within their structure. Underneath you can find <a href="http://www.setasdesevilla.com/antiquarium/" target="_blank">the Antiquarium</a> housing the ancient Roman remains unearthed when building began, on the ground level there´s the traditional food market and then crane your neck upwards and you´ll see the undulating walkway that boast some of the best views of the city. It costs a very affordable 3 Euros to go up and in true Seville style, you can stop for a beer at one of the terrace bars at the top. <br />
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1pm: If you want to get a true picture of Seville weekend life then head to Plaza Salvador anytime beteen 12.30 and 3pm. The fairly inoquous square, once only known for its historic 17th century church, is transformed into decibel bursting, hive of cerveza quaffing activity, as Sevillanos gather en masse to talk extremely loudly, show off and eat fried fish. The only drinks available are sold from the narrow, spit and sawdust bars at one end, so be prepared for jostling and beefing up your bar presence in order to get served. <br />
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1.30pm: If you´re new to Seville you probably won´t last more than an hour in Plaza Salvador, in which case it´s chance to take advantage once again of ´Guiri´ eating hours and head to <a href="http://www.ovejasnegrastapas.com/" target="_blank">Ovejas Negras</a> near the Cathedral, which starts serving lunch from 1.30pm. Juanma and his gang head up a cool, new breed of fusion tapas eateries proliferating the city, injecting both style and taste at affordable prices. Get there early before hordes arrive.<br />
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4pm <b>SIESTA </b>- your body will give you no other option but to indulge in this very sensible southern European afternoon ritual.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prawn capirote take centre place at Duo Tapas</td></tr>
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8pm: On a Saturday night, it´s got to be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Alameda,_Seville" target="_blank">the Alameda de Hercules</a>
to the north of the historic part of the city. Once only frequented by
drug users, pimps and prostitutes, it´s now the Boho, going out
hotspot in Seville. Start the evening by getting your bearings and go
for a stroll around the tree lined avenue where there are a whole host
of bars to hang out in and people watch. Some of the best tapas bars can
be found at the <a href="http://sevilla.callejero.net/calle-calatrava.html" target="_blank">Calle Calatrava </a>end, with my favourite being <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DuoTapasSevilla" target="_blank">Duo Tapas</a>, both for its reliably delicious dishes and the buzzing canteen atmosphere inside and perfectly positioned terraza outside.<br />
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I
love the desserts at Duo Tapas, but you could always work off your
straining waistlines by strolling over to hip, artisan, ice cream hangout <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreskuraSevilla?fref=ts" target="_blank">Freskura</a> and indulge in one of their handmade italian gelatis. If you happen to be here in June or July don´t miss their fresh fig flavour. Who knew ice cream could be delicious and seasonal?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NCjjRCzGIQ-5oG5VOTwNmr6mvZzK6k8dawGN8Y573rKNnMhYmIypxzIPo0S0y0gBca2DkzJTUsqwPpaS6Z8KgmXFrOzC7zQhFy6vFKUYDq9DTczer-33i-8Se8_pMBu9mS9motXl_bk/s1600/P1040653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NCjjRCzGIQ-5oG5VOTwNmr6mvZzK6k8dawGN8Y573rKNnMhYmIypxzIPo0S0y0gBca2DkzJTUsqwPpaS6Z8KgmXFrOzC7zQhFy6vFKUYDq9DTczer-33i-8Se8_pMBu9mS9motXl_bk/s320/P1040653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Midnight: From the witching hour onwards the Alameda comes into its own and is awash with drinkers, yoof strumming flamenco guitars, dogs hanging out and sniffing each other´s behinds and lots of cerveza fuelled excitement. Just opposite Freskura is <a href="http://iknowalittleplaceinseville.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/old-favourite-comes-good.html" target="_blank">Cafe Sonoro</a>, which I´ve been reliably informed has the best selection of quality spirits in town and tends to attract a loyal over 30 crowd. If you want to see and be seen then primely positioned <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caf%C3%A9-Central-Sevilla/334044343302318?fref=ts" target="_blank">Cafe Central</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/el.deesquivel?fref=ts" target="_blank">Corral de Esquivel</a> can´t be beaten, just don´t go expecting cutting edge music or the like: in Seville socialising is just that, talking, more talking, drinking beer and then some more talking. But if you find yourself in need of a nightclub then stumble a few paces along nearby Calle Relator and you´ll find <a href="https://www.facebook.com/munichclub?fref=ts" target="_blank">Munich</a>, the nearest club in the vicinity.<br />
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Sunday:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkINkiid035hqr-MdwmTRMJ8PUskasZA-3H4e9g0FgvImcVgXzfeEwung3gJOfygHuaxJLY79VmtucAj2G1fJyTsGItsnjRAH61d12AEnxXmVfViIxhV_bBKBfX3TytRW39UOdYut52g/s1600/P1040434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkINkiid035hqr-MdwmTRMJ8PUskasZA-3H4e9g0FgvImcVgXzfeEwung3gJOfygHuaxJLY79VmtucAj2G1fJyTsGItsnjRAH61d12AEnxXmVfViIxhV_bBKBfX3TytRW39UOdYut52g/s320/P1040434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">classic breakfast: tostada con tomate y aceite</td></tr>
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Any time until 2pm: If you can face the Alameda again by day, then for me this is my favourite place for a leisurely, traditional breakfast. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PiolaCafeBar?fref=ts" target="_blank">Piola</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caf%C3%A9-H%C3%A9rcules/117537981644648?fref=ts" target="_blank">Cafe Hercules</a> offer the <a href="http://iknowalittleplaceinseville.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/in-search-of-perfect-breakfast_5.html" target="_blank">tostada and coffee classic</a> to well after midday. And there´s no where I´d rather be on a sun-soaked Sunday morning, then sitting outside a café on the Alameda.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3792EoL2C90R8RoGboan8SaWjZiVcnEfUvU-8tbJyPWYOsWAfAx2LTLdvdSP6eHdEkXt6czYFGJ33qCM13-i4WitKvj5vsLo7ibbn3I_z1htu5Bm27NO5luMoQolnKDio50Ank8970Y/s1600/P1040628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3792EoL2C90R8RoGboan8SaWjZiVcnEfUvU-8tbJyPWYOsWAfAx2LTLdvdSP6eHdEkXt6czYFGJ33qCM13-i4WitKvj5vsLo7ibbn3I_z1htu5Bm27NO5luMoQolnKDio50Ank8970Y/s320/P1040628.JPG" width="180" /></a>And then my dear friends, it´s up to you to get all touristy. For the picture postcard Seville experience you could get lost wandering around the narrow streets of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz,_Seville" target="_blank">barrio Santa Cruz, once the jewish quarter</a>, or cross over to working class district <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triana,_Seville" target="_blank">Triana</a>, walking along Calle Betis or Paseo de la O to see the weekend artisan market . Then of course there´s the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giralda" target="_blank">Cathedral and the Giralda Tower</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Seville" target="_blank">Alcázar Palace</a> and gardens and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_del_Oro" target="_blank">Torre del Oro or Golden Tower</a>. And that´s without even mentioning <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_de_Espa%C3%B1a_%28Seville%29" target="_blank">Plaza de España and Parque Maria Luisa</a>. So if you haven´t exhausted yourself from all that eating and drinking, knock yourself out on a final dose of history, before crawling once more onto the airport bus and your return flight back to a your comparatively humdrum normality. I know a little place in Seville....http://www.blogger.com/profile/04705841799347625617noreply@blogger.com0