Category: culture

Telva Cooking Classes at La Raza

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Yesterday evening I was invited to an inauguration class given by the Telva Cooking School that was being hosted at the Hostería del Prado. We were a group of press, photographers and bloggers who were also all foodies at heart. During the hands-on participation class we were shown how to make a three-course meal consisting of: crispy seed crackers with aubergine pâté, breaded turkey breast rolls filled with smoked cheeses and served with dried fruit compote and raisin sauce, and a light bizcocho and cream for dessert. All of which were delicious, but I was personally partial to the oatmeal crackers with sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds.

And we all got an apron to take home too!

The classes are to become a regular feature at the Hostería del Prado. Check with Marta Galán for details:

Grupo Hostelero La Raza
Tel. 954 232 024
comunicacion@grupolaraza

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Bazar Victoria

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A true Sevillano classic and landmark that has been going strong for almost 100 years, Bazar Victoria is my absolute favourite… what? Well, here is where I run into trouble. It is at once a traditional hardware store with everything from basic nuts and bolts to gardening implements, as well as being the best place to find curious kitchen gadgets. Its shop windows display an endlessly fascinating variety of objects and it’s almost impossible to walk by without stopping and being drawn inside. Once there you are advised to take a number and you can happily browse through the crazy clutter while you await your turn at the (also cluttered) magnificent wooden counter.

Excellent personal service is another thing that sets Bazar Victoria apart. Not only do Rafael, Paula and Amalio know where everything is (no small feat in itself) they attend to every customer with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. You can tell they are proud to be a part of this piece of living history.

Among the many articles on sale you can find such diverse things as wooden darning eggs, spinning tops, lamps, cooking bags, marble mortars and pestles, and prawn peelers, made of every material from silicone to brass, sheet metal, wood and enamel. But it’s also the power of nostalgia that keeps people coming back again and again, to enjoy the bustle of customers coming and going, the ringing of the cash register, and all the sounds and smells that bring back old familiar memories of home. Something almost so subtle that it could be trapped inside a cricket cage (also for sale – seriously).

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Bazar Victoria
Entrecarceles 1
Mon – Fri: 10.00 – 13.15 / 17.00 – 20.30
Sat: 10.00 – 14.00
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Internations Seville

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Last night I went to my second Internations monthly meet up in Sevilla. They started having them here last October. Basically it’s a way for expats (really dislike that term – but what else could we use?) to meet and share their experiences of living in a foreign land, though there are also a few Spaniards in the group.

Last night’s meet up started off early (7pm) at the Horno San Buenaventura, the idea being that people could have a coffee and snack before heading out later for a tapa. Around 9 o’clock we headed over to the Plaza Alfalfa for tapitas and more chatting at La Bodega.

I actually preferred the second location because it was easier to mingle.

But as this is still a new thing here, our fearless leader Hugo (who organises the events) has been trying out different locations, times and days of the week, which I think is great. Because you’re never going to be able to please everyone. And it’s good to mix it up a bit.

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I’m not usually much of a group person, though I was a member of the AWC for awhile. This group seems a bit more lively than the AWC. First of all, it’s not just women and there are no expensive sit-down lunches to pay for. Also the Internations meets seem more casual and fun. So we shall see. I think it’s a great way to meet new people.

If you’d like to come to the next meet up in February then go to the Internations website and request an invitation. Or get in touch with me by email and I’ll send you an invitation. The more the merrier!

Recyle Bin Graffiti Competition

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Yesterday afternoon I came across a group of graffiti artists participating in a competition, painting glass recycle bins (concurso contenedor vidrio). This has been going on for the last few years. Or at least, I’ve noticed the painted bins around town before but have never seen the annual contest in progress until now.

I was pleased to see a lot more stylishness to the painting this year, rather than the usual graffiti mishmash of wonky letters and weird images. Most artists had a picture of what they were painting on top of their bin, some showing how they worked out the dimensions, and it was quite impressive to see how they turned a flat painting into a three-dimensional one.

A couple of my favourites were the flamenco dancer and the “Eye of Cthulhu” one below, which of course reminded me of my friend raincoaster, so I made a special collage of it just for her.

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If anyone knows who won the competition let me know!
List of participants