Xpensive

Of course meals were provided on the cruise ship. There was a buffet room that was open from about 6am to 10pm and several restaurants to choose from (for an extra price), plus the dining room where your dinner was served. All beverages had to be paid for, however. And you really had to pay for them.  

But part of the fun of travelling is eating at local restaurants. We managed to sit at a table and have something in each of the cities we visited. I found this lovely spot right on the beach in Barcelona. I was doing my own thing on the Hop On Hop Off tour bus, so XUP missed this restaurant named after her. It seems this charming Catalan expression means something along the lines of 'simmer in own juices' Like a slow cooker, I am imagining. It was supposed to have great paella, but I was not that hungry, so had some gazpacho and salmon carpaccio. Turns out I wasn't even that hungry. Must have been the heat. It was over 40C. I chose to eat indoors where it was air conditioned. I also didn't want to pay the 10% extra for patio seating.

The food was very good. But also very expensive. At least by North American standards. I have travelled in Europe enough that I knew to expect to be charged extra for most things, but it still comes as a shock.

For water, one must pay for a bottle - and even a small was 2€ ($2.60)
I was asked if I wanted bread - yes, please.  with tomato? - sure. turned out to be about 6 croutons with a bit of chopped tomato and red pepper. a chopped cherry tomato. that came to 2.50€ ($3.25). it did add nicely to the gazpacho, I will admit.
CUBIERTO translates as 'cover' or 'tableware' at .50 (.65). that was an unexpected charge.
All in all it came to over $32 for a bowl of soup, an appetizer and a coffee. and a glass of water. But, gratuity is included. and I really like that part!

Part of ABCWednesday where I was not at home for X number of days.

having coffee and dreaming

These past few days it has been all about TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) and the appearance of Himself - George Clooney.

No, I have not seen him, except on numerous news reports and on the front page of all the newspapers, because, who wouldn't want to see George Clooney on the front page?

But, I discovered today, that while I was sitting at one of my coffee haunts last weekend, the owner was setting to prepare a meal of a lifetime for ... yes, Clooney. He wanted a special Italian meal to take out. Okay, for his plane trip home. Airline food that isn't anywhere near airline food. Unfortunately, owner Mr Albanese wasn't allowed to meet Mr Clooney in person. But it was two degrees of excitement to that 6 degrees of separation to Himself. I lunched at the bakery where the owner (who, okay, I've also never met, still...) made lunch for Clooney (who he also didn't actually meet, still...)

I bet it is crowded in there today. Sigh.