Ron.M -> RE: Flamenco and a beer in Amsterdam? (Sep. 7 2009 12:15:21)
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You meet all kinds of interesting folk in Bars IMO. When I was 20, on the invitation of a couple of Spanish friends, I once went up to "El Bar Inglés" in the (mainly English/ American Ex-Pat) area of Madrid in the North. These friends were probably even poorer than me, since I had a stash of dough to keep me living on the breadline eating one meal of Judias Blancas con Pan a day for 3 months....(about 150 pesetas, (or £1) including accommodation!). [:D] The beer was very expensive in comparison to usual Madrid prices, but when I was up at the bar ordering a round, a man with a soft Irish accent started to talk to me and we joked a bit over stuff. Years later I found out he was a very well known Irish writer who broadcast a lot on the BBC. On the second time I was there, this Spanish guy in his late 20's started talking to me while I was waiting to get the drinks in and was interested in what I was doing in Madrid. I started talking about Flamenco and guitar and why I enjoyed being in Spain, (which he seemed enthusiastic about), and asked him (as you do) what did he do himself? He laughed and shrugged his shoulders and had another sip of his whisky and said, "Well, basically I do nothing....I am a member of the Spanish Royal Family. So, still waiting for the beers to arrive, I asked him what that involved. He said, "Well....I'll probably sleep till 12 tomorrow...and then get washed and dressed and go to a private bullfight with some friends in the afternoon and then a private party in the evening.... (Actually, he didn't boast about it, but looked rather bored with it all...) As I said....sometimes you meet interesting people....as I have in London too! (I tried to have a word with Ronnie Biggs at a posh, but very casual beach-front bar in Rio, but he was well-on and basically ignored me to perform for his adoring fans....the guy was the very worst of English ass-holes you get in Spain, frankly...) cheers, Ron
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