The holiday season has started, with almost everywhere pinning their hopes on national, rather than international tourism to save the day.
Quite a few people out and about on Sunday night, particularly around the Balcón de Europe, as one might expect, Plaza Cavana and the lower end of calle Cristo. La Taberna, Meson de Julio and Los Mariscos were packed with late evening diners and El Pulguilla was doing a roaring trade.
Along calle Diputación, now closed to traffic from 19:00 to 03:00 for the summer, the restaurants all have their tables out on the streets but the only one doing any late trade was Meson de Antonio, almost all seats taken. The rest were empty.
The artisans market was attracting a fair number of visitors, especially the ceramics stall where the potter’s wheel was in motion.
There have been complaints from the Local Police recently that strange scheduling has meant that they are unable to adequately patrol the streets, especially at night and during the weekends, and it was quite noticeable that I did not see one officer the whole time I was out. Most unusual, particularly on the Balcón de Europa.
Good news for the odd unlicensed busker or street trader!
In addition the the usual accordeon players, there were the South Americans set up at the mirador end of the Balcón and a solo guitarist/singer near the church, both amplified. Makes for a nice, relaxed atmosphere as you stroll around. Can’t see why the authorities want to ban such activities, perfectly harmless and they add character. It’s becoming the same the world over, unfortunately.