Ahmed's Kebap

A few blocks away from the hotel in Barcelona was a kebap joint run by Ahmed. Ahmed served these kebaps that were the size of Frisbees and probably the most delicious kebap served in Europe. Throw in an Estrella Damm (beer in Barcelona) and you have yourself a quality meal.

A co-worker and I dined with Ahmed three times in the course of the week. Truth be told my co-worker ate there five times. This was not because a lack of better places, we just felt a certain attachment to Ahmed. If I could write Ahmed a letter, some of it would read as follows:

Dear Ahmed,

You make the best kebaps a person on earth could eat. I would like for you to make them for me regularly. Please move to America and open up shop. Specifically, please move to Dunwoody, Georgia and bring your friend who looks like Saddam Hussein with you. I do not think your restaurant would be the same without him.

I know a guy named Achim who makes k-bobs in Athens, Georgia. I think you two should team up. Achim is very good with customer service. Achim is Hungarian. I could introduce the two of you. It would be nice.

I love you and kebaps,
Billy


Sure, I had some delicious tapas and great Paella. I even had dinner one night at one of the most expensive restaurants in town on top of one of the tallest buildings in Barcelona. But it was Ahmed’s kebaps I dreamt of at night…and still do. My mouth is watering as I write this. I guess what I’m saying is a want a kebap made by Ahmed.

They are delicious.


Your Words Athenians:
Quotes in praise of Achim’s K-bobs (currently Uncle Otto’s)

I used to eat here many times in college and it doesn’t hold a candle to Ahmed. Bold statement, I know

Let Me Tell You About The HOLA Windup

The clerk that works the evening shift at our hotel in Barcelona has a certain way of saying ‘hello’ each evening when we return from our long days of work. I have dubbed this particular greeting the ‘hola windup’. Let me explain how this works:

Step 1: Close your eyes as you rear back your head and lift your arms
Step 2: Breathe in and pause
Step 3: Explode your head forward while nodding, open your eyes widely, throw your arms out in a welcoming jester, and say “HOLA”
Step 4: Finish with a smile

This sincere welcoming we received everyday became comical after a few days. My colleague, Luke, took note of the ‘hola windup’ as I did. As we took the lift down to the lobby, Luke jumped out of the lift to the counter for a sneak attached. Luke windups up and fires: “HOLA, HOLA, HOLA.”

Senor Hotel Clerk returned fire with another ‘HOLA’.

Every evening upon our return from working, we received this warm, unique, greeting delivery. After a few days, we realized that the ‘hola windup’ does not represent a welcoming home, rather a loneliness of missing friends and customers each day. Rather sad if you ask me.


YOUR WORDS SENOR HOTEL CLERK:

Rear-back and fire: “HOLA”