A Series of Unexpected Finds: A Meltingpot of Europe

by Emelie Göthe (Sweden)

I didn't expect to find Spain

When me and my mother, a pair of the most non-spontaneous people out there, traveled to Malaga this last september, we arrived with no expectations and had the trip thouroughly mapped out in plans. Needless to say that’s when life happens. Right across from the grandious city farmer’s market in the midtown boutique hotel of Altarazana, was were we chose as our humble abode for the week. It was quite a view with the large, cathedral-like and intricately patterned window with a spur of all colors from a sideway look through our balcony window. Believe it or not, the very first day after our arrival day, when we were round and about to explore the rown, was a big, national Catalinian holiday and no stores were open. When strolling down the street, we suddenly found ourselves right in the middle of a street parade, among hoisted religious sculptures of Mother Mary and playing trumpets. It was a spectacular kick off to our holiday, although not the highlight. Even hoping on the hop on hop off buss up the hill to the gorgeous monument of Gibralfaro wasn’t the peak of the vacation, although it was quite spectacular. So what memorable string of events was it that was the pinnacle of the trip? I will get to that in a minute. Malaga was the first city I’ve visited that I truly fell in love with and I say this without a shout of a doubt. The city is just filled with musings as well as small treasures in each and every corner, wether it being tapas bars, architecture or striking street art. I fell in love with the ”One-Armed-Lady”, also known as the majestic cathedral with only one tower complete along with the resturant El Pimpi that was one of the most swanky, luxurious resturants I’ve ever visited. Its two floors and a back yard so grandious made you feel like you’ve just entered into the most hip garden party that there was. We were two months too early for spotting the resturants co-owner himself though; Mr Banderas, but it was a hit nonetheless that we both started and ended the trip with. Further on, there surely was not shortage of impressive museums through the city, but even so, there was nothing that captured my heart more than the neverending music that was everywhere you turned! If not at the beach, then at a daytime or nighttime resturant and I quickly learned to track down the most common and the best spots to hear the live music from the often very talanted trubadours. There was a lovely display of jazz music being played at the end of a one-way-alley right by resturant Beluga to entertain the guests. One street musician and vocalist that I especially remember, had an amazing, spellbinding performance for two whole resturants of people in a narrow crossroad outside an Italian resturant called Pizzeria Ciao. Don’t let the name fool you - it had one of the most exquisite pasta dishes I’ve ever had; fagottini, pear and truffle filled knots of pasta with a gorgeous, green parmesan sauce. The skilled singer-songwriter sang everything from classic Spanish pieces and the Beach Boys to The Black Keys ”Lonely Boy” and beautifully and that. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to thank or gift him anything, but f I ever see him play again I’ll be sure to do that and maybe even an extend an invitation to play at my future wedding. The most dramatical and magical act though, couldn’t demonstrante more of an example of how Malaga really is a multi-facited meeting point of all kinds of cultures and people. When we finished off our Malaga-trip by exploring the gentle calms of Nerja, we were witness to the most romantic and movie-like scenes on the Balcony of Europe. Not only did we get to thouroughly enjoy the delightful harmonies of an incredible Italian female opera vocalist accompanied by a violinist during our lunch, but this was quickly switched out to men dressed in kilts playing the bagpipe, followed by a real, Scottish wedding, merely within a matter of hours. There must sincerely be something magical in the waters of Malaga.