Mon, 28 May 2012
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Blogger Melissa Kim depicts Spanish cafe imagery with the lens of European romance visitors love and expats love to live in.I'm sitting in one of those gloriously charming cafes adorned in Catalan modernism - of the curved and organic architectural variety, high ceilings and bulbous lighting. Even after a few short moments, I can practically feel it dripping: a terribly romantic afterglow which can only be found in European coffee bars.
The elderly couple sitting to my left is settling in - interestingly enough they are sitting on the same side of the table, just the two of them, on the more comfortable booth side. This, to me, is a curious sight. They are not one of those horny young couples looking to make out; however, they are holding hands, which I think rather endearing. He's wearing a bright, spring green sweater over a pink button down shirt.
A couple of cafés con leche later I realize, from my perspective and without being utterly obvious, that the old lady is not wearing a wedding ring.
Maybe they're having an affair, I finally conclude.
What is it about cafés, like this particular one in Barcelona, that are so quintessentially romantic? I can nearly smell the smoky haze of old world and wartime eras. I see beautifully vintage clothing, gloved feminine hands, and dapper, uniformed men; the clinking of beer glasses or coffee cups after an evening supper. My mind wanders, and I try to imagine what this city would have been like decades ago; what kinds of daily conversations transpired over cups of coffee here.
Photo Flickr © Shoubo;visualpanic;karynsig
Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.
Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.
A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.
Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.
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