By Jeannette Encinias
In Barcelona there is a commonplace and charming sight that I have grown especially fond of. It is not the distinct and wonderful plazas sprinkled throughout the city, the tall and decadent Sagrada Familia or even the narrow and enchanting streets of the Gothic Quarter. Although I do love all of these things. Instead, throughout my days here, I am perpetually delighted by a certain set of human beings. As I walk up the hills, down the alleyways and through my neighborhood, I see them. In the morning on my way to coffee, I nod hello. When I am crossing the street, I walk alert just in case I need to extend my arm to help. At the park, I bend at the knee to the dog sitting loyally at their feet.
In this whimsical and vibrant city, it’s the old men who have caught my attention. I do not know why they have taken up residency in my heart but I can feel my face break into a smile every time I see them. Their faces are thin and they have a way with laughter and distress, both emotions populating their faces finely. They walk slowly, cane in hand, for many blocks at a time. They wear long sweaters with small buttons along with old village cap and slacks. These dear men greet each other lovingly and sit three, four or five in a row, shoulder to shoulder, on benches. Their discussions are animated and they gesture fervently, sometimes disrupting the sleeping dogs on the ground. I’ve seen them become exasperated with one another, one of them finally walking away mumbling and sighing. The others will stay on the bench and turn their necks to watch their lone friend take leave, sometimes only to the nearest bench. The next day all arguments are forgotten. I see the same men in the same plaza explaining things to each other, taking turns in their conversations, graciously. If you are ever lost, go to them. They speak only Catalan, of course, but they will work with patient and concerned eyes to help you. I believe they have a way, just the sight of them, of curing any kind of homesickness.
~Village Caps and Slacks was Jeannette Encinias’ first contribution to The Spain Scoop. For details on contributing, go here
Village Caps and Slacks – Barcelona
By Jeannette Encinias
In Barcelona there is a commonplace and charming sight that I have grown especially fond of. It is not the distinct and wonderful plazas sprinkled throughout the city, the tall and decadent Sagrada Familia or even the narrow and enchanting streets of the Gothic Quarter. Although I do love all of these things. Instead, throughout my days here, I am perpetually delighted by a certain set of human beings. As I walk up the hills, down the alleyways and through my neighborhood, I see them. In the morning on my way to coffee, I nod hello. When I am crossing the street, I walk alert just in case I need to extend my arm to help. At the park, I bend at the knee to the dog sitting loyally at their feet.
In this whimsical and vibrant city, it’s the old men who have caught my attention. I do not know why they have taken up residency in my heart but I can feel my face break into a smile every time I see them. Their faces are thin and they have a way with laughter and distress, both emotions populating their faces finely. They walk slowly, cane in hand, for many blocks at a time. They wear long sweaters with small buttons along with old village cap and slacks. These dear men greet each other lovingly and sit three, four or five in a row, shoulder to shoulder, on benches. Their discussions are animated and they gesture fervently, sometimes disrupting the sleeping dogs on the ground. I’ve seen them become exasperated with one another, one of them finally walking away mumbling and sighing. The others will stay on the bench and turn their necks to watch their lone friend take leave, sometimes only to the nearest bench. The next day all arguments are forgotten. I see the same men in the same plaza explaining things to each other, taking turns in their conversations, graciously. If you are ever lost, go to them. They speak only Catalan, of course, but they will work with patient and concerned eyes to help you. I believe they have a way, just the sight of them, of curing any kind of homesickness.
~Village Caps and Slacks was Jeannette Encinias’ first contribution to The Spain Scoop. For details on contributing, go here