Saturday, May 5, 2012

The quest for absinthe in Madrid, part I


My husband told me about a wine shop near his place of work that had absinthe on its shelves.  Today I got there to take a look.  After looking around, I did not see it so I went to talk to the sales man and this is how the conversation went:

Me: Excuse me, do you have any absinthe?
Sales man: Yes, it is over here – goes to a shelf, looks around and says – Oh, I think I sold my last bottle.
Me: Oh.  What brand is it?
S.m. (Surprised): Brand?  It’s the only one that exists.
Me: (Puzzled look) There are about 50 brands of absinthe.
S.m: Oh, really?  This one comes in a slim bottle and it’s green.
Me, thinking to myself: "That is not much help."
S.m. # 2, joining the conversation: We have the one that sells the most.
Me, thinking to myself:  "It’s no wonder it sells well, it’s the only one you have."
S.m. # 1: It’s from Catalonia, that’s all I know.
Me: Well, thank you very much for your help.  Bye.

Note to self, living the shop: Do not come back here for absinthe.

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