Vilafranca de Bonamy

Saturday, 9 June 2007
Angel and I went to a dinner party at the home of Silvia and Francisco in Vilafranca. Silvia had asked Angel to bring something for desert. When we greeted our hosts, Angel showed them the spoon he had brought for desert. He had actually brought 3 different kinds of ice cream and a bottle of very fine wine: a 1991 Rioja Gran Reserva from Conde de los Andes. Silvia and Francisco have a beautiful new home. Pancho was already there when Angel and I arrived. Silvia invited all her anesthesiologist friends from the hospital: Raquel, Paki, Lola, and Inma. Pedro got me a beer and poured it into a frosted glass as soon as we introduced ourselves.

Pedro and Francisco set out appetizers which included a plate of the best kind of Spanish ham, 2 kinds of olives, fried ants and meal worm larvae. Everything was good, but I especially liked the ham and the spicy olives. Silvia was making gazpacho when Angel and I arrived, and that was the first course for dinner. She served it in white bowls with thinly shaved Spanish ham on top. The main course was cheeks of veal in a sauce served over noodles. It was a bit like Hungarian goulash, but much better. We drank Angel´s wine first, and another much younger Rioja, 2003 I believe, but very good wine later. There were several deserts. Francisco made a fruit salad. of melon balls, mango, brebas, cognac, rum with coconut, and ouzo. There was a torte of two thin layers of cake with filling between them and lots of meringue on top, and of course the ice cream that Angel brought.

After we cleared the table, we rested and massaged one another. When people woke up from their nap we poured drinks over ice and went upstairs for some music. I chose the sweet liquor with herbs that I had drank with Francisco a few days earlier. We later came downstairs for some karaoke competition. I was clearly the worst. I didn't even know the words to the English language songs, and I was never able to carry a tune in a bucket. Angel helped me out. Francisco is a great vocalist. It was a great party enjoyed by all I am sure.