There is a town on the island of Majorca.

The town is called Alcudia. 

Alcudia town is walled.

Within these walls there are winding streets. 

On one of these winding streets is a square. 

This square is called Placeta de les Verdures. 

By night, it is quiet and keeps only the company of three trees.

By day, three restaurants throw open their doors, take out their tables and chairs and stretch out their arms and awnings for the people in the know. The sun peeks between the leaves on the trees and darts over the edges of the white sun shades. The space is small and yet unashamedly inviting. 

Whenever we visit, we are shocked to find a table. This place is popular. You can feel the hum of the town in the air, you can hear the laughter, conversation and clink of glasses around you and yet the very effortless nature of this place feels beyond serene. 

The food at most is a reflection of why I love Spanish food. It is simple yet elegant, fresh, tasty and wholesome. It is the type of place you can order a beer and sip it as slow as your heart desires. You are not rushed and you are not certainly bothered. 

I often think of this small square when my mind needs a place to escape to. In my memories I am sitting in the dappled shade, sipping on my soda and enjoying the very easy pleasure of having a meal with my family. It is as if this square is built for stillness. Outside of its alleyways and walls there are market traders, tourists and locals going about their day. If you really listen you can hear their rushed ramblings, their strolling shoes and their feverish flip flops. Otherwise, this square contains within itself a calm and seclusion that is hard to find in this world. 

All life is here. Going about it’s usual every day. And yet it is a place you can get lost in your thoughts without being disturbed. It is a place where you can escape from your sofa, at home, 1200 miles away.