It was my birthday recently. And I organised two small celebrations in the two places I seem to live in these days.
The first
So, my partner asked me where I would like to go to dinner on my actual birthday. I suggested a restaurant recently recommended on a Podcast series by TV presenter Michael Portillo.
Michael Portillo has Spanish heritage (and name) and is famous in the UK for losing a safe seat as a British MP, after which he made endless excellent and well reputed documentary series about Railways initially in UK then the rest of the world. In other words he knows what he is doing.
The fish restaurant is actually located in the fish market on the edge of Madrid and doesn’t get passing trade. Starting with the wrong wine choice, which pretended to be Clarete and wasn’t really – too much like Rose . After sharing Huelva white shrimp and a huge Turbot and turning down everything except a small desert and coffee the bill arrived.
We both looked at it, not really shocked. And waited for each other to pay. In UK you get taken out for your birthday. In Spain you take others out for your birthday. Being in Spain and with a Spaniard there was only one option – to reduce my bank balance.
The Second
The event Four days later: In Altea ( a seaside town regarded as the Spanish Santorini) I gathered up eight chums of five nationalities and went to the best and oldest Paella restaurant on the sea front. An old favourite for celebrating my birthday mainly with the same people, for many years and sharing the same three paellas-for-two as last time. Then, off to another café for coffee as a good friend is a waiter there. And this time it was great to be taken out by the British majority. Presents ranging from a box of cereal, a tin of anchovies, a challenging book, and a bottle of Cava. – all special according to the nationality of the giver.
Both events we great in their own ways. The adventure of the posh Madrid restaurant and the familiar Paella. And the best factor – knowing the intercultural pleasures as well as pitfalls– celebrating with people you love to be with.
Happy Birthday to me!
Feliz cumpleaños a mí
SIETAR Intercultural Congress Valencia 25 June
David, Samar and other SCT associates will be presenting at the SIETAR Valencia Congress 25-27 June 2026
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Written by David Rigby © 2026 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd
