The night air was warm as the flamenco music drifted in the balcony doors. The city sounds were growing as the hour grew late. It was night time in Sevilla. The cafes in the Barrio de Santa Cruz were starting to fill up with friends meeting for tapas and drinks. I stood on the balcony, leaning on the railing, sipping my sangria. Loving the fruity wine taste – swirling it in my mouth, savoring the sweetness, thinking of how alive I felt – here, now, in this city. It was as if I have lived here before, in perhaps another time. I had put on the strappy peasant top and skirt in white that I had purchased that morning while strolling through the shopping district.
My hair, blondish brown, tumbled over my shoulders as I looked out over the city and watched the lights come on and the night come alive with passion. I don't know what it is about Sevilla, but it feels sexy, passionate, pulsing with life. Maybe it is the gypsy musicians that go from table to table playing their flamenco and dancing. Maybe it was the warmth of the air, or maybe it was just me. I had this whole apartment to myself for a month. I scanned the crowd and watched couple meet with kisses and smiles.
As the taberna opened its doors and the music started to pour out, I decided to go down and have a seat and enjoy the crowd – and maybe meet someone interesting. I tied my new strappy sandals up my ankles and grabbed my little purse – full of Euros. I missed the pesetas. They were so uniquely Spanish. I settled in at a table in the corner and ordered a glass of sangría and some jamón Serrano, manchego, and aceitunas. I let the music take me in and I closed my eyes and smiled and let my head fall back a little.
"Te gustaría otra copa?" I heard from a very masculine voice, I brought my head down and opened my eyes to see the most glorious dark brown eyes and brilliant white smile.
"Si me compres..." I responded.
"Claro que sí, bella."
When was the last time someone called me beautiful. Oh, it was wonderful to be in a country where the men appreciated beauty and told you. I signaled to the seat across from me and you sat.
You were dressed so "Spanish". A classic white shirt with a black blazer, and nice fitting, pressed jeans with black loafers. Your thick dark wavy hair was cut short and only curled slightly at the tips.
"Americana?" you asked.
"Si," I answered.
You switched to English with a beautiful Spanish accent – not thick or faltering, but distinctly Spanish.
"My name is Berto. And you?"
Mmmmmmmmmmm, Berto, was that short for anything? "Debb," I responded.
We chatted about Spain and why I was there, how I knew Spanish. I feel as if I have always known Spanish, as if it was in my memory from some other time. I was there to enjoy myself, to celebrate for my 40th birthday, by myself – no husband, no kids. To siesta when I wanted, shop, stroll in the Parque de Maria Lucia, read a book at the Plaza de España, sip sangría for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.