The NYT reporter was very kind in her offer to explain to me the gist of the Spanish conversations that circulated around the table. She was most helpful when the food began to arrive at the table. Delicacies and special culinary treats that caused guests to ooo and ahhh as plate-after-plate of food were presented. I kept passing over the mostly pork and meat dishes in hopes of seeing a vegetable or seafood treat. If you want seafood in Madrid, you are most likely to be offered paella, a rice and seafood dish. At the risk of having my “Black” card revoked, I must admit I don’t
fancy Louisiana style gumbo and I don’t like paella for the same reason—both contain too much of a mismatch of ingredients for my taste. Yuh can just serve me a nice grilled, jerked, baked, stewed or fried fish—keep it simple.
Now, lest any of you have the idea that I am some kind of big time sophisticated traveler I will reveal my lack of sophistication at the restaurant. After several rounds of plates of “appetizers” I was beginning to wonder when the main course would be served. Well imagine my surprise when coffee and little plates of dessert were served signaling the near end of the dinner. It finally dawned on me that the dinner consisted solely of combined tapas and multiple bottles of wine. In one way I was relieved that the dinner was coming to an end and I didn’t have to keep making excuses for passing over the Spanish equivalent of blood pudding or some other equally ghastly concoction. On the other hand, I was mildly disappointed that I didn’t get to explore the full menu.
One thing I can say for certain about social interactions and my initial impressions in Barcelona and Madrid is that folks take the evening meals and hanging out with friends and family seriously. I can also say that I was pleasantly surprised by the general congeniality of strangers. I had heard so many negative things about how formal Madrileños are and how anti-immigrant sentiments directed at African immigrants who reach the Canary Islands appear to be on th rise. Frankly, I had my guard up and didn’t know what to expect.
Well, I am back this week for another taste test of Madrid.
Stay tuned for dispatches:
from Madrid
and Oporto, Portugal
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