Mr. Britt comes to visit

   My longtime friend, Jim Britt, came for a visit in September. I picked him up at the bus station in Tarragona and we proceeded directly to Hospitalet for a little Mediterranean therapy. We split a big cheeseburger at a chiringuito on the beach. It was a beautiful day and the water was just right. Afterward, we went to El Masroig and saw the sights.
   The next day was cool and cloudy so we took a drive around Priorat. We went by the vineyard and then on to Scala Dei and Falset. On Sunday, we went by the winery in La Figuera and drove over to Tarragona for lunch. We had lunch in a Peruvian restaurant by the marina. I've eaten there before and the food is good. We had tapas and then a Peruvian tamale which was just OK.
   Unfortunately, both the amphitheater and archeological museum were closed. We were able to see the amphitheater from above and also toured the cathedral. We enjoyed a traditional vermut (vermouth) in a plaza just around the corner from the old Roman circus.
   The next day (Monday) was September 11 and the national day of Catalunya. Jim and I carried some chairs and a table up to the Plaza Major for the annual sardinara. For one euro they give you a large salted sardine, a loaf of bread, a tomato, an onion, olives and all the wine you can drink at 10:00 a.m. You have to cook the sardine yourself but a fire is provided.
   There was a good turnout and a traditional band that played Catalan music. This particular band was from La Fatarella. I was impressed to see many of the musicians using digital tuning devices. I've noticed that intonation can be a big problem with these traditional bands but, mercifully, these folks had it under control.
   As you can imagine, a siesta was required after the sardinara. In the afternoon, we went to a birthday party for my friend, Sandra, in Cornudella. Sandra teaches English there and invited some of her students. Judith was our hostess and we spent a pleasant few hours.
   Jim caught a train for San Sebastian the next morning. He spent a couple of days there and then flew on to Milan. Jim had tickets to La Scala and saw an opera featuring Placido Domingo. He then went on to Venice for a few days.
   Jim returned to Barcelona and I drove up there to meet him. We toured the Barri Gotic and Las Ramblas before having tapas with some friends later in the day. It was a great pleasure having Jim here and I hope he comes back!
                                                             ¡Gracias, Amigo!