Café Porque Aquí

Saturday was one of those days where one glimpses the extraordinary in the mundane. It began with a trip to the tapas bar around the corner from home. Sidling up to the counter I requested my usual "cafe con leche para llevar" (coffee with milk to go). I had things to do- verbs to conjugate, vocabulary to memorize and laundry to ignore. The jovial bartender, Santiago, however, would have none of this. His coffee was to be savored at the bar. Santiago had control of the precious espresso machine, and therefore all of the bargaining power. I conceded and received my cafe in the typical glass. I soon realized that Santiago was right: the bar turned out to be prime real estate for participating in the local social scene. The bar is patronized by all types of locals- patricians, middle aged duenas, and women with infants to name a few. All engage in fast paced, jovial banter with Santiago and his mother, who are also the restaurant's owners. Santiago introduced me to a distinguished looking octogenarian in a dapper fedora, who turned out to be a bit of a flirt. Santiago looked on mischievously as the distinguished gentleman asked if I had plans for that evening.

Later, on the way to a flamenco bar with friends we spotted no fewer than a dozen brides. They materialize in alarming number during Saturday evening sunsets. Some newlyweds go for a triumphant ride around the Old City. One such couple passed by in a classic horse drawn carriage with white horses. The bride was resplendent in lace and satin. The groom was equally elegantly attired in sky blue tuxedo with coattails, accessorized with a top hat and, the piece de resistance, a pimp cane.