It was about 10 years ago. Mrs Sánchez and I were staying in Sevilla for a weekend with some friends. Even in May, Sevilla can be hot, so we spent most of the day by the pool in our hotel next to the Real Betis stadium. In the cooler evening air we took a taxi into town, walked up past the cathedral and worked our way up the busy narrow streets 'tapeando' as we progressed. Some time later and with several rounds of tapas and cañas inside us we came to Plaza Alfalfa which is my favourite city square in all of Spain known to me so far (Plaza Trinidad in Granada comes a close second). It was still early and warm enough for children to be playing in the small park. The bars that line the square were filling up quickly and most of the outdoor tables were already occupied.
We went into a crowded bar where music was playing, ordered some drinks and tapas and took in the atmosphere. Standing room only here so I found somewhere to lean and take in the room. I could just about make out that the music , just audible above the general hubbub, was 'Back on the Chain Gang' by the Pretenders . Chrissie Hynde with 'I found a picture of you. Oh oh oh oh oh!'. The sudden familiarity of it there in that most Spanish of city squares made me grin and I nodded happily along to the beat. Across the room I spotted a tall English- looking girl. She, too, was nodding . Our eyes met just for a few seconds.
'Now we're back on the train Oh oh'........and together we yelled...... 'Back on the chain gang!'
Just for two seconds there was a connection. We both smiled and in a twinkling she had turned back to join her friends. The moment had lasted only two seconds I relive it every time I hear that song.
August 20th. 2015
