Post #251906 by midnite on Thu, Aug 31, 2006 11:49 PM

Espana! Bright blue sky, citrus trees, beautiful dark-haired Flamenco dancers, Moorish architecture of Andalusia, arid landscape of Toledo, modern and bustling Madrid. A fascinating nation mixing the talents and tastes of many disparate cultures. Ole!

It's August '06 and that means eight days in sunny and ever exciting Spain. Least that what my tickets said, so, we're off:

Seville: Andalusian home of the flamenco and some of the most beautiful Moorish architecture, our hotel a prime example. The winding lanes of the Barrio Santa Cruz, the Cathedral, and the fantastic Alcazar all make for a wonderful amalgam of Arabic and Iberian. As if existing on two sides of the same country in different eras it was a fantastic entre to Spain. A highlight was the Flamenco show. I, the once skeptical midnite, was quickly transfixed by the speed of the guitarists and the joy of dancers. Plus, Spanish women are like the prettiest in the whole world. And I gets around.

The fortress city of Toledo is straight out of a book, say one like "Man of La Mancha", for instance. Perched high on the mesa it is a cobbled street maze of brick buildings, every alley seems to turn a corner and provide a stunning view across the plain or opens to a charming plaza. Along with Seville it is considered the most beautiful of Spanish cities, that I do not dispute. The cathedral was one of the best I've seen, and I gets around. It is a Spanish town of the ages and I would gladly go back for several days.

*Guys in Pretty Suits 6 Bulls 0. The score does not tell the story, though. Yes, it was death in the afternoon, blood and sand, Ole! and all things that make Spanish culture what it is...supposedly. I saw some amazing things, much of it captivated me, quite a bit disgusted me. At one point the nastiest motherf'n bull literally pile drived the huge horse used by the picador. It was seemingly apparent the horse was muerto and the crowd gasped in horror. I got real confused at that point, as in dead bull=good, dead horse=bad. Same bull, or another not sure, actually rammed the thick wooden plank of the protective banderillero barrera. Sent it, and the guys in pretty suits behind it, flying. I sensed that sort of thing did not happen often, I was soon rooting for the bulls. I dissed some sloppy torero and saluted a couple of the bulls that gave before they got. It was what it was. It's all been said before.

*The horse lived, but soon quit its current position for a safer job at the glue factory. Blindfolded, gagged, and continually ramrodded by a half-ton of pissed of Bos Taurus Ibericus is no way to make a living.

Spanish Tiki Bars. What is "What you write about at Tiki Central after you visit Spain?" Barcelona is really the epicenter of the Spanish Tiki culture, but Madrid did not disappoint with a couple of visits to Mauna Loa Hawaian (sic) Bar. Located on historic Plaza Santa Ana, Mauna Loa was a heady trip into the Spanish Tiki scene. The decor is first-rate: bamboo, tropical fauna, and many small aquariums. Plus, they got live birds upstairs offering their constant refrain. In the small bar area and the cavern like rooms downstairs is much faux lava rock, dark red-brown painted ceilings/walls, and rattan furniture. Service was fine, the Mauna Loa provides each table with several snack bowls (chips/olives/nuts) and a plain but still acceptable ham sandwich (on white!). The senoritas receive a plastic lei and a carnation. The music can get a bit loud, but is pretty fun, Spanish Pop-wise. The crowd is decidedly young, and loud as well, but us oldsters got there early and left before things got too Ibiza-ish. I'd go again, it's a fun place.

Drinks at the Mauna Loa, like so many Spanish/Portuguese Tiki bars are served in real Tiki type vessels. Yep, there's Tiki mugs in them thar bars! Mauna Loa does not have the best variety and they're not for sale, unless you have the suave charm of an International Taveler and Bon Vivant. Unfortunately, the mugs are the highlight of the drinks. One goes to Spain, one goes to Spanish Tiki bars, but not so much for the fine mixology. It is the Achilles heel of the Mauna Loa. For my taste they are not worthy of the fine decor and 6E. Then again, I am spoiled at the feet of Vic's and Forbidden Island. More about the drinks in my subsequent post about the Mauna Loa in "Locating".

Sure, Spain is fascinating, the people (especially the senoritas) are beautiful beyond words, the native cuisine is rustic and tasty (Iberico Jamon, yum!) and the culture an exciting mix of Arabic & European. Madrid possesses some of the world's finest art museums and urban planning. Yeah, it's a great place...but you wonder, yes, you must inquire: What about the club sandwiches?

Ehh, not bad. Passing, though nothing to write home to Mom about (the Paella is mucho better!). Now, did I mention the Spanish ladies? Tan muy hermosos, son.

Adios muchachos,
El midnite