A Sunday Afternoon Tradition

Sunday afternoon 1:30 I waited for my new friends Brian and Lidia to pick me. They had invited me to join them for lunch. Today we were going to their favorite beachside place called La Perla Blanca.
It would also be my chance once again to ride in the luxurious interior of the metallic brown Jaguar saloon. I was thinking I would wave at passerbys as the Queen of England
used to do. She was in a Land Rover. But no matter I felt very royal in the Jaguar.
Leaning against my building looking down at my iPhone reading the latest news from the States I heard a car horn. I looked up and saw Brian and Lidia in a “Oh no” compact Peugeot! Lidia go out we greeted each other with a kiss on either cheek and said I could sit in front. It was too cramped for my long legs in the back. Well there was to be no queen waving (hand held straight up rotating side to side) to the denizens of Marbella today. And I had practiced all week!
I got in the front and off we went. Brian said that he was driving this car as it was easier to park at the beach. I get it. I am as picky about which car to drive depending on were I am going. No way would I ever park the titanium silver M3 in a Marianos parking lot. Not even up in scale Whole Foods.
La Perla had quite an extensive menu. For starters we opted for calamari rings and shrimp atop of avocado slices smothered in a delicate creamy sauce. Fo the main entree it was to be Casserole Rice with Red King Prawns. This seafood dish is similar to paella but soupier in consistency.
We devoured it. And then retired to the patio of their expansive home in Marbella. There Brian told many of his finest stories as the captain of British Airways Concord. Concord pilots, only 22 of them, as part of the boarding protocol were required to greet all passengers many of whom he befriended including Elton John, the Rat Pack, and other celebrities.
It was now about 6 pm and the idea came up again of getting some food. I wasn’t really hungry but what the hell why not. It was to be Indian curries I having mentioned that with as many British expats in Marbella there surely must be good Indian restaurants. And yes indeed I was right. And we took the Jag!
The Restaurant Bombay to Goa was the destination. Brian having Indian ancestry did the ordering but I opted for the Vindaloo, he for the Bindi and Lidia a mild lamb rogan josh. Plus Pilau rice and nam bread filled with coconut.
The restaurant is located in La Cala de Mijas an expat community town. Elegant and well maintained shopping areas. Instead of waiting for the order we drove down the coastal road to the town of Fuengirola. It would be my chance of doing the wave.
In Fuengirola inching along the busy seafront I had the chance. At a stop light a passerby was gazing at the car. He saw me in back. My hand ready. But I froze as all I could do was break a weak smile. Cowardly royal that was!
Fuengirola is the last coastal town before Malaga. Returning back to pick up our order we took highway A-340 west. The order was ready and before long I was back in my apartment savoring my spicy Chicken Vindaloo in front of the TV.Read more