Bob's Spanish Adventure

Does my bum look big in this?

Well, I'm finally back! I'm sorry to the very few of you who are keeping track of my blog. I've not been able to update it for the last month and a bit due to the pressures of work. As you may know, I took a four week holiday from my job at the bar 'El Parque' while my daughters and friends were here in July and August. Upon returning from my holidays, my bosses asked me to work full days, starting at 8:30 in the morning and finishing after 2am with a short break in the afternoon. I found out the reason for having to work double shifts was that the other token Englishman at the bar was not up to scratch and had been religated to washing glasses behind the bar and they desperately needed someone to wait tables. Anyway, that's where I've been.

I finished my work at the bar on 14 September. The entire staff went out for drinks and a meal courtesy of the landlords once we'd closed. We ended up going to a karaoke bar (a first for me) and I was coerced into singing some Frank Sinatra songs. I was really embarrassed but ended up getting into it and enjoying myself, standing in front of my workmates and performing for them! The owner of the bar played 'New York, New York' and 'My Way' for me. While I was singing, Pepe and Manolo, two of my friends from the bar told the owner of the karaoke that I was looking for work. He ended up offering me a job but said I needed to start that same night! Ugh! I would have normally said I'd need time to think about the offer but with both my friends standing behind Benny, the owner, and nodding encouragement it was difficult to turn down the offer.

Anyway, after snatching an hour and a half nap to sleep off some of the alcohol, I returned to the bar to work. I actually enjoyed the job working behind the bar and pouring drinks but I didn't finish until quarter past 6 in the morning. By the time I got home I was absolutely shattered as I'd hardly slept for about twenty-four hours. In spite of my exhaustion though, I found it nearly impossible to sleep! I drifted in and out of sleep for about three hours but that was that. I spent the rest of the day exhausted and dreading returning to work for another long shift. I was especially anxious because the following day my former workmates from the park were all going to the beach for the day and, having worked all summer to earn the trip for myself, I dreaded turning up to the coach at 7am without having slept a wink. Well, to cut a long story short, I ended up going to the karaoke and telling my new boss Benny that the hours didn't suit me and I'd have to give up the job although I enjoyed working at the bar. Fortunately, he was very kind and understanding.

The trip to the beach was fabulous. The staff and their families were collected by coach in the centre of town at seven in the morning for the trip to Roquetas de Mar, near Almeria. It was a fascinating journey through a corner of Spain I'd yet to visit. Along the way we stopped for breakfast and arrived in Roquetas about 11am. The beach was very quiet as the school year had begun and there were very few tourists in the resort. We all changed quickly and headed straight for the surf! The beach in Roquetas slopes steeply, which meant that the waves were huge and perfect for body surfing! We all had a fantastic time in the water. At half two we were called to lunch at the chiringuito on the beach that we'd hired to prepare our meal. We had a five course meal that consisted of salad, octopus 'A la Gallego', a selection of fried seafood, 'Arroz Caldoso' which is a rice dish with seafood. It was full of lobsters! I probably had four lobsters all to myself! Finally there was melon for dessert as well as coffee and liquers. I was absolutely stuffed by the end! I won't forget the meal or the day with my friends for a very long time! Throughout the year the waiters at the bar put their minimal tips in a piggy bank to help, but the trip to the beach is largely subsidised by the owners of the bar. I didn't spend a penny the entire day and I ate and drank like a king!  

You're probably wondering about the title of this installment of my blog. Well, the inspiration comes from all the Spanish women in Alcala la Real. I spent years as a married man in England training myself to say 'no!' as quickly as possible when asked the same question by my ex. In Spain, I would have to re-train myself to shout 'Yes, dear' as quickly as possible because it seems a large backside is revered here. It is rather a shame for anyone who, like myself, appreciates a tiny, firm bum. The other thing I'd like to mention, while I'm having a whinge, is that although there are huge numbers of gorgeous, young women here, once they get to my age they all seem to shrink to half their original height, become extremely overweight and develop facial hair!  Ugh!

Well, it's two in the morning and I should get some sleep. I'll write some more soon. If you read this and are pleased to see me back on line, send me a message. Cheers! 

• Posted by bobinspain on 26/09/2007.
• bobinspain's site