The Happiest Man in Spain

           In an effort to produce a profound blog entry about my experiences in Spain thus far, I had a plethora of options to choose from. I could have spent a whole page on the Great Mosque of Cordoba, a spectacle which people flock from all over the world to see. I could have chosen to write about the Alhambra and the powerful way it controls water throughout its expansive complex. I could have even discussed all of the Picassos and Dalis I’ve seen in museums around Madrid. Yes, all of these would have been valid, albeit cliché, potential blog entries.

You may be disappointed to hear, however, that I’ve selected none of these.

Rather, I’ve chosen Vicente, the charismatic barkeep and co-owner of our class’ home-away-from-home, the Pension Jaen. Now, it may come as no surprise to anyone who has traveled—especially those in this Berkeley Abroad program—that tourists are not necessarily welcome with open arms in many parts of Europe, especially when you don’t even speak the language of the nation. In fact, my initial impression of Spain was tarnished by a few rude cab drivers, waiters, and residents I’ve encountered during my first two days here.

Luckily for Spain, Vicente turned my negative impression of the country around immediately.

            But what is it about Vicente that makes him such a lovable character? Is it his distinct, fast-paced walk? His contagious smile? His tendency to spike our 9 a.m. coffees with cognac? The fact that the portrait in the restaurant of him as a child oddly resembles Manny from Modern Family?

                Perhaps it’s all of the above. Even though there is a language barrier between us, Vicente still greets me with a kind “Buenos días!” every morning as I’m walking by the bar and an occasional pat on the head before we sit down for lunch. And whether you’re craving some sangria or Fanta at lunchtime, Vicente will hook it up. When one is feeling homesick, it’s nice to know there is a happy and hospitable person who will treat you like familia (that’s “family” in Spanish). And although I believe he still hasn’t gotten my name down yet (hence his tendency to call me “Japón”, accompanied with pressed hands and a bow of his head), Vicente sure knows how to provide a warm welcome to both locals and tourists alike.

Muchos gracias, Vicente.

Or, rather: domo arigato, Vicente-san.

-Trenton “Japón” Inoue