What I've been watching....

I recommend....

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

So somehow I missed the buzz about Mrs Maisel and happily when I got around to watching it there were 3 seasons built up for me to binge watch. Unfortunately the 4th season is now currently delayed due to Covid but still at least it is on the cards and I will eventually get to see how it all works out for Mrs Maisel on the comedy circuit starting in Greenwich Village.

Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) the series introduced me to how a 1950's Jewish Family lived. Charismatic Midge Maisel seems to have it all - a nice home, husband, two children(boy and a girl) and doting parents who live in the same building and seem to take on a huge part of the childcare burden for Midge. I can't help compare how Irish people were living at the same time as Midge and marvel at her super stylish wardrobe (seriously how much clothes does one person need) along with her lifestyle (taxis and having a fridge freezer being the norm). Let's just say 1950's middle class Ireland looks years apart from Midge's set up....and not in a good way. Even while queuing for meat (to entertain the Rabbi) Midge's style and glamour is apparent. But it is not her style and glamour that is her appeal - it is also her charm and knowledge of how things must be socially - but once she gets on the comedy stage we are exposed to her full personality and wit and that's where it all takes off and Midge goes on a different course from being a traditional Jewish housewife. It's definitely worth watching.....but be aware that it does not all go entirely smoothly as unfortunately Midge says it how it is and sometimes just doesn't know when to stop. 

As an add on I was fascinated to see the whole family encamp to some place in the Catskills for the Summer - pretty much exactly like Dirty Dancing, which of course you know from reading this blog that I am a big fan. I never really understood the whole thing in Dirty Dancing about the sister nearly in tears over not bringing more shoes with her to the holiday camp, but after seeing Midge and her mother pack for their trip I am beginning to understand. The didn't do anything by half in the 50's it seems, and I guess there were multiple costume changes needed during the day depending on whatever activity one got up to!

Late Night

I happened upon "Late night" starring Emma Thompson and found it to be a very watchable film. In recent times, I have started so many movies and then switched them off after awhile for various reasons. But this one was good in my opinion. Starring Emma Thompson as a Late Night Talk Show host at the top of her game but probably hitting the point where someone new is going to swoop in and take her job, she hires a new show writer (Mindy Kaling) to invigorate the show. It's not a laugh a minute film - I wonder is it even a comedy, but it is definitely entertaining.  I highly recommend it!

It's worth a watch for Emma Thompson's hairstyle alone!!

Grand Hotel

And the final thing I have been watching is Grand Hotel. or Gran Hotel in Spanish.  

Groan.....it's so bad and the only reason I've stayed watching it is I am looking at it in Spanish along with Spanish subtitles in order to improve my Spanish. But honestly it is just so terrible with hard to follow over the top ridiculous storylines (but maybe I am finding it hard to follow because of my poor Spanish) and laughable dramatic music. Just bad, bad.

I've watching 8 programmes so far, but I don't think I can go any further.

Let me know what you are watching these days and whether you recommend it. Leave a comment below!

Spreading Valentine's Cheer across the World

Sending Love to my sister

I saw on Facebook that the Wesley House Valentine Gala Ball was cancelled this year due to Covid. In the place of the Gala and in order to fundraise, they were selling hearts for the garden. 

I thought this was a really great fun idea so I ordered one for my sister in Key West. 

I ordered it about 5pm Spanish time (around midday in Florida) and when she arrived home from work that day she was surprised to find a heart planted in her garden!

Supporting Wesley House

She posted pics on facebook asking who sent her the heart and also used the hashtag #sharewhlove which you can search to see other homes and businesses in Key West decorated with hearts and supporting Wesley House.

Wesley House provides a range of supports for different families - click here to see more and also to send love and hearts to your friends in the Florida Keys.

Ireland Reads Day - February 25th 2021

"Ireland Reads"

I could listen to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins forever!  

We found Bagels!

Look what we found - Bagels!

You have read about my search for bagels in a previous blog post (see here)

Well guess what we happened upon today! Yes bagels!

Aldi and Lidl - Malaga

We had decided to go to Aldi and Lidl to buy a few items that you can't get elsewhere, namely a block of cheddar cheese and a block of Stilton from Lidl along with some pre-made "Angels on Horseback" (dates wrapped in bacon) that just need to be heated up in the oven. Aldi doesn't actually have anything that we can't get elsewhere but in fairness it is a particularly nice Aldi so we like to go in for a browse to see what they have.

Well I was glad we went to Aldi today because what did we find among the special food items that they only have for a week or two and then when they are gone, they don't return for a few months? Yes Bagels.

We were so happy to find them that we bought a few packs in different varieties (plain, seasame and whole grain) and when we got home, I sliced them and then put them in to the freezer so that we can enjoy them over the next while!

Cake time!

Cake to celebrate

For the past 3 weeks we have been doing a Spanish course from 9.15am to 1pm everyday. Today was our last day along with another student who had been studying with the school for 3 months.

The student who was finishing up a 3 month course brought cake along for the morning break.  He had stopped off and ordered them from La Canasta Panaderia.  

La Canasta (there are a few dotted around the city) is one of our favourite spots for a coffee and a mixto for our desayuno and I can report that their Tiramisu cake is just as good as their mixto!!!

A big thanks to W. from The Netherlands for the lovely cakes. They were much enjoyed by all of the students and teachers.

Cheered up by the Garda Jerusalem Challenge

Malaga on restrictions

As I wrote yesterday Malaga is now on restrictions with shops and restaurants closed for the next 2 weeks. I anticipated it being worse than it actually is but there is still a fair bit open here in the city with Coffee shops serving take away coffees (definitely essential!) along with the panaderias selling bread. There are also other essential services like phone repair shops and hairdressers still open.

Garda Jerusalem Challenge

I was feeling a little down in the dumps yesterday with all of the Covid goings on but I was really cheered up by watching the Irish Gardai (police force) rise to the Jerusalem Challenge along with the Swiss Police Force and others. The music is great and the backdrop of the Irish scenery looks gorgeous......oh and there is also dancing horses!!!  Dancing horses, I needn't say any more - but there is also some traditional Irish dancing.

Have a look at it here:

Yesterday I shared pics of the streets 10 minutes before all the cafes, bars and restaurants had to close for 2 weeks.

Today I took more pics from the same spots and will put them down below, side by side, so you can compare the difference.

Calle Granada

Calle Caldereria

Calle Calderia - up near Plaza de Uncibay   

 

As you can see there is considerably less people around the streets which should hopefully bring down the numbers. Additionally I think the not selling of alcohol in bars and restaurants will be particularly helpful.

Let's see how it goes and fingers crossed there will be no extension of restrictions beyond the two weeks.

2 Weeks of Restrictions in Malaga: Restaurants and Non-Essential Businesses are closed

2 Week Closure of Restaurants, Cafes and Non-Essential Businesses

Malaga capital cierra su actividad no esencial a partir del miercoles

Well it has happened. New restrictions are starting in Malaga from midnight tonight. The number of Covid cases went above 1,000 per 100,000 and so new restrictions have been brought in where restaurants and shops are to close for 2 weeks. Up to this point they had to close at 6pm with a 10pm curfew. 

Of course we know that it is 2 weeks initially and this is sure to be extended.....

How we will be affected by the new restrictions

We don't think we will be very affected by the new restrictions. We have not been visiting restaurants or bars and have only been occasionally going out for coffee over the past while. We had signed up for 3 weeks of intensive Spanish lessons in a language school with 3 days left to attend but in actual fact schools are not closing so we will still be able to attend. 

Unfortunately we were also doing 2 hours of Spanish lessons with Speak and Learn where we met with a teacher in cafes in Malaga. These have been put on hold for the moment as the cafes will be closed so we can not meet up. In the past we have done these classes online but have decided to take a break from them while the restrictions are in place, as we did not find the online class as useful as the face to face class.

PIGSY Art

For Ciaran, his studio will be still available to work in but the art gallery that it is connected to will be closed for the next two weeks. Unfortunately his newest solo art exhibition was due to open in 2 weeks time so for the moment that has to be postponed. This is a big disappointment.

Other activities 

And the other thing that we thought would be affected would be Padel but it seems that non-contact sport can still take place so I will go to my padel class on Thursday. Along with all of the above, my volunteer job in Cudeca Charity Shop is also on pause for the moment as the shop will not open for the next two weeks as per these restrictions.

So let's see how all of this plays out and whether the numbers reduce in order to allow for reopening in 2 weeks time. I'm not feeling hopeful and think there should probably be more extensive restrictions like hairdressers having to close along with sport being restricted.

For posterity here's how the streets looked this evening at 5.50pm just 10 minutes before all the bars and restaurants have to close at 6pm for the next 2 weeks.

                                                                    Calle Granada

                                                    View of the Irish bar from my balcony

                                                                Calle Caldereria