Los Caracoles
“Do I have snail breath?” He huffed hot air that filled her face.
Sniff. Pause.
“I’m picking up a salty scent, something like wet cement and soiled sidewalk,” she said. Sarcasm never was her fortée, but she was working on it. She was doing it for him. “So, yeah. Ew.”
“Ew.” He echoed with exaggerated disgust, crinkling his nose in that way that made her laugh. “But at least I don’t have snail antennae between my teeth,” he said smartly. Her toothy grin disappeared behind blushing cheeks and pursed lips. She was convinced that the cracks between her teeth were lined with superglue.
He leaned over the cafe table with lips saturated in snail ooze to lay a sloppy kiss on her clamped but laughing lips. Even through the lip lock, she laughed. She always laughed.
They had ordered snails by accident. But at least they learned a new Spanish word today: los caracoles.
They committed the word to memory as they strolled the sunny Spanish sidewalks back to their shared apartment. This time, they would not make the same mistake twice.
..........................
Story Inspiration: Sa Golleta Restaurante, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Real-Life Review: Sa Golleta Restaurante sits in the center of Palma de Mallorca on Avinguda d'Argentina, a refreshing distance from tourist destinations. Open only Thursday through Sunday from about 1 - 4pm, this cozy cafe offers an authentic Spanish experience of a two- or three-course shared lunch. It claims its signature specialty as paella, a baked rice dish mixed with meats and seafood. Here, however, the dish is disappointingly dry, lacking the robust flavor it deserves. Offered as a primero or segundo plate, you can pair it with another appetizer or entree, such as snails. Brush up on your Spanish before attempting this eating experience.
Sniff. Pause.
“I’m picking up a salty scent, something like wet cement and soiled sidewalk,” she said. Sarcasm never was her fortée, but she was working on it. She was doing it for him. “So, yeah. Ew.”
“Ew.” He echoed with exaggerated disgust, crinkling his nose in that way that made her laugh. “But at least I don’t have snail antennae between my teeth,” he said smartly. Her toothy grin disappeared behind blushing cheeks and pursed lips. She was convinced that the cracks between her teeth were lined with superglue.
He leaned over the cafe table with lips saturated in snail ooze to lay a sloppy kiss on her clamped but laughing lips. Even through the lip lock, she laughed. She always laughed.
They had ordered snails by accident. But at least they learned a new Spanish word today: los caracoles.
They committed the word to memory as they strolled the sunny Spanish sidewalks back to their shared apartment. This time, they would not make the same mistake twice.
..........................
Story Inspiration: Sa Golleta Restaurante, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Real-Life Review: Sa Golleta Restaurante sits in the center of Palma de Mallorca on Avinguda d'Argentina, a refreshing distance from tourist destinations. Open only Thursday through Sunday from about 1 - 4pm, this cozy cafe offers an authentic Spanish experience of a two- or three-course shared lunch. It claims its signature specialty as paella, a baked rice dish mixed with meats and seafood. Here, however, the dish is disappointingly dry, lacking the robust flavor it deserves. Offered as a primero or segundo plate, you can pair it with another appetizer or entree, such as snails. Brush up on your Spanish before attempting this eating experience.