OF late the Daily Bulletin has been full of criticisms, comments and suggestions about what to add to the tourist mix. There is a terrific lot on offer already. For almost a year I was looking after my 14 year old grandson but every Saturday and Sunday after the school week I found things to entertain him from skate board competitions, vintage car displays, fair grounds etc., until he found his feet.
For older visitors there is even more on offer. For example yesterday (Saturday) I took a trip to Palma. Starting off in Plaza España about 11 am I ambled down the pedestrian only Calle Olmos buying a clip board (8) at one of the excellent print shops which seem to concentrate there together with a lot of curtain shops. Crossing Via Roma I entered the tranquil garden of the Misericordia walking beneath their giant 200 year old tree up some steps to the almost medieval Plaza Hospital before turning into the impressive courtyard of the convent. Here there was the first Foreign Community and Media Fair celebrating Majorca Day (free entry). I wandered around meeting other immigrants (like me) from South America, Africa and of course the UK in the form of ESRA and our own Daily B. I had a chat with Editor Jason Moore and columnist Anna Nicholas and got Xmas stocking fillers for my 3 daughters in the form of her 3 books about our island (30). As a bonus they were personally autographed and may become family heirlooms.
Retracing my steps to the Via Roma I walked down the centre of the Ramblas taking in the beautiful flower displays before visiting the Caixa Forum in the majestic Grand Hotel in Plaza Weyler to peruse the Charlie Chaplin exhibition (free entry), a really professional set up with photos, posters and film clips.
Crossing in front of the Teatro Principal and passing the pavements cafes thronged with people now at 1 pm I climbed up the steps with gift shops seemingly glued to the walls and their produce almost blocking the way. I slipped into the shopping mall under Plaza Major and got myself a leather wallet (17) before emerging into the square itself bustling with shops, stalls, living statues and even an opera singer.
Exiting along the narrow but picturesque Calle San Miguel (specialty house linen and wedding dresses) I progressed to the Olivar Market to pick up a 4 kilo leg of mutton (11) for a curry again mixing with an international group, this time much poorer, customers looking for the cheaper cuts rejected by more affluent gourmets. The market was humming with people and had eye catching technicolour displays of fruit & veg.
Back to San Miguel, down Reina Esclaramunda (sheet music and instruments) to the square known to all by its skating rink as Plaza de los Patinadores not its official name Plaza Bisbe Berenguer de Palou and into the restaurant Cellar Sa Premsa for an excellent light lunch of tongue with capers plus a beer (9). The clients were still arriving at 2.30 when I was leaving and were struggling to get a table, the place was still heaving with a fabulous mix of nationalities and ages from children of 3 (no problem in Spain) upward to the 80's a true taste of Majorca.
I have visited all of these places many times but it was still a very refreshing start to the weekend, full of the charm of our island and in the process I spent a little on useful bargains helping out the town's economy in a small way.
Mike Lillico
Playa de Palma
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