Blog No. 33
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 9:46AM I have been in Spain for a few weeks though don’t worry I’m not stranded because we drove down in a car I borrowed from Citroen’s press department.
Currently I am in Malaga because, I’m writing an article on Picasso, whose home town this is, for the Sunday Times but also because we wanted to visit the IKEA near the airport which was actually a bit disappointing, I don't know why but I thought an IKEA in Spain would be more exciting than the one in Wembley but it isn't. Today I had my photo taken at Picasso’s birthplace by a Sunday Times photographer so I avoided paying the €1.00 entry fee. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before but I’m a big fan of what the Spanish call the Casa Natal. In fact in June I’m making a documentary for Radio 4 about John Lennon’s home in Liverpool.
We drove down here via Ronda and stopped on the way for a coffee at a roadhouse in the mountains where the menu had been translated into English in a very odd way. Tapas were listed as “Cold Lids-Snacks” and “Hot Lids-Snacks” while “Rosada a la Plancha” somehow had become “Hoar Frost with Rime Irons”!
Sitting on the terrace of the hotel last night , behind me there was an elderly-ish American Couple and a French woman. They were talking about Picasso’s most famous painting Guernica which both women had seen at the Museum of Modern Art in New York but the American woman’s husband had never heard of it so she explained its content to him. She said “It’s like about this town that got like completely bombed and flattened. But I don’t know what the town was called.” “I think the town was called Guernica.” the French woman said. “Well there you go.” replied the American woman.
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Well funnily enough it was on the terrace of the Parador next to the Castilo Gilbrilfaro where I overheard the American woman talking about Picasso.
But I’d never heard of El Pimpi and now its too late because I’m back in Granada but I liked Malaga a lot so next time I visit I’ll definitely check it out.
I meant to mention I had a bit of a shock watching Channel 4 the other week in my house here in Spain, they had that Top 100 Comedians programme originally broadcast in 2007 with the same interviews but redone for 2010.
And I found I’d gone from number 18 in 2007 to number 72 now! While I thought number 18 was perhaps a bit high, number 72 seems a bit too low for my place in the firmament of comedy. Its very hard knowing your exact ranking in the world. Up until two weeks ago when I was 18 I was a very demanding person, constantly sending paninis back in cafes for either being too hot or too cold but now I’m 72 and small Spanish children have started pushing me off the pavement. How did this happen?
Reader Comments (14)
Alexei, I like Malaga, it's pretty charming. I wonder if you have been to the Castio Gibilfario or El Pimpi - the ancient tapas place?
You should have gone to the Plaza de Major if you wanted somewhere fun near the airport. Bear it in mind for next time.
Dear Mr. Sayle,
Glad to read you are well, working and in a warmer climate. I trust you will provide publication/broadcast dates for the two 'housing projects' you mention. In the meantime, if you charter a helicopter you could get to Madrid in time for the Atlético Madrid v L.F.C. game. Also, Guernica 'anniversary' on 26th; so a trip to Madrid to view the painting and pay homage to the fallen might make the trip worthwhile. L.FC. No pasarán!
Wish I was there.
Dear Mr Alexei.
I Have never been to Spain!
阿列克谢· 塞利; that's your name in Chinese. Pretty cool huh? Found it on some Chinese site, got no idea why.
Evelyn, been scouring the virus ridden and corrupted streets of Cyberville looking for a lead on the Chinese language thread you posted. At the moment the money's on it coming from Hong Kong. Could be the name of a runner in the 2.30 at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Hard to say really without knowing how you sourced it. Which website did you find it on?
In the course of my enquiries I came accross a copy of 'Weeping Women Hotel (哭泣的女酒店)' on Amazon China: http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp/ref=sr_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272215358&asin=0340831227&sr=8-1. It was the only A.S. title listed. Perhaps the others have been deemed reactionary, revisionist and/or subversive. It'll be interesting to see what they make of 'Stalin Ate My Homework'.
From 18 to 72?!?!? What the heck happened there? See, you could vote as many times as you like, so tons of dimwits probably voted a million times for Sarah Silverman or something. if it'd been done by a panel of judges or fellow comics it would've been different....am proper annoyed about that because i missed the show. Should've been top 20, no question!
Enjoy Espana! i so know i spelt that wrong.....
xx
"...but now I’m 72 and small Spanish children have started pushing me off the pavement."
I think they should re-evaluate your position based on that comment alone!
When my wife read that she said "he looks quite good for 72."
True, you DO look good for 72, Alexei!
The only rational explanation for the order of the100 best is that names were drawn out a hat. The result's funnier than many on it. Chubby B. at 62 beggars belief! How'd he get on the list at all? There's solace in that 45's your ranking over the 2 votes.
More on Sayle at: http://roserouse.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/being-amused-by-scouse-raconteur-alexei-sayle/ . Take a walk on the canal-side with Rose and Alexei.
Nice article, L'amateur. Mr Sayle, if you want to increase the traffic to you site, you'll have to start including sexy bits in your biography or this blog. Either that or dedicated death threats to Justin Bieber....
Dear Mr. Alexei Sayle
I was talking to my brother the other day, he mentioned that he saw your interview with Melvin Bragg, and the fact that you mentioned your connections to the Isle of Man.
This brings me to ask you to PLEASE get in touch with me, as i have been for some years now been building my family Tree, and have come across a Great great uncle i have not been able to track down. He moved to Birkenhead Liverpool many years ago, so i'm lead to believe, his name is Henry Sayle born circa 1889, and that is all i have on him. Should anything ring a bell to you Please email me at the following address, tj1of4@fsmail.net
Thanking you for taking the time to read this, and i look forward to hearing from you.
Mr. Richard Eric Sayle.
Small Spanish children push everybody off pavements. It's the mothers who are really dangerous though.