Premiere: Robot as operator

Day 35: Change was the order of the day today. We spent the last few days and weeks mostly in small villages and the surrounding nature. Since we had to spend the day in Elche today because the market only opens on Sundays - you probably guessed correctly yesterday :-) - we decided to take a closer look at the city.

We've been to Elche three or four times, but mostly just to see the Sissi palm, an oil mill or something else. This time we just let ourselves drift and discovered a city - it has almost 250,000 inhabitants - with a very special charm. What is immediately noticeable: There are an incredible number of palm trees here; we sometimes had the feeling of stumbling from one palm garden to the next. And most of them are immaculate, clean and well-maintained from front to back. And in between the old churches, the large basilica and other monumental buildings from days long past. A fascinating mixture that captivated us.

And there was a first: We sat in one of the many squares in a street café and were served by a robot. No fun! Icke had chosen a piece of cake that we wanted to share, and suddenly a trolley rolled up. No service anywhere in sight. He stopped at our table and mumbled something in Spanish. He turned slightly so that Icke could see her slice of cake. We took the plate out, a little unsure. The people around the tables watched this with big grins on their faces. They were probably already on a first-name basis with the robot.

We were amazed at first. But soon the magic of this city fell over us again. We listened to a street musician playing on the balcony at home. With microphone and amplifier. During Corona times, the man probably found joy in being able to play the guitar in front of an audience in this way. He sang old hits and tunes and people stopped and clapped. All around there were the many children on the squares and streets, chasing after the ball or playing catch, while their parents or grandparents exchanged the news of the day over a second breakfast in one of the many cafés. Or the bachelor party, which was celebrated loudly in the middle of the street with dancing, music and firecrackers. And above all the blue sky and the sun. This is pure life.

Tomorrow morning at the big market the heart of this city will beat a few beats faster, I'm afraid...