Jason Moore25/02/2017 00:00
TW
2

Is there a danger that some parts of the island could become so cosmopolitan that you forget the fact that you are actually in Spain? And I am not talking about the tourist resorts. Majorca has changed dramatically over the last decade and will continue to do so. In most cases these changes have been for the better but people like myself, who have lived on the island for more than 30 years, do miss some of the things about "old Palma".

One of my chief complaints is that the old style cafeterias and bars seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate along with many of the small shops that I remember as a child. It is easier in Palma these days to buy a hamburger or a piece of pizza than a paella. You can count on a single hand the number of restaurants which serve typical Majorcan food in central Palma. Having a croissant with your breakfast is easy, finding a bar or cafe which serves ensaimadas is difficult especially in central Palma.

These days the city has a great cosmopolitan mix, which is fantastic - the city is alive and buzzing with all nationalities - but it is nice sometimes to be given a reminder that you are in Spain. Even the old-style tapas appear to be disappearing even though they are always in demand. It goes without saying that Palma is a far nicer place these days; old buildings have been restored to their former glory, there are new boutique hotels, new attractions and a fantastic quality of life. But a bit more Spanish would be nice.