On The Borderline... La Línea de la Concepción, Spain!

Que paso 'La Línea?' Yo sabía que no podía mantener lejos! Being on the Frontier with Gibraltar, I made the most of my trip to 'La Línea de la Concepción'. The contrast between the two places, madness! 'La Línea' served me something that I appreciated and respected with it being on the borderline! Keep it cute! Voy a tener una gran cerveza y unas tapas! España, en 'La Frontera!'

Leaving Gibraltar behind me I crossed the border into Spain to be acquainted with 'La Línea de la Concepción'. From the very first moment, I could tell that this Spanish border town had an edge to it! I welcomed that notion because I'm a sucker for a bit of drama. I half knew where to walk to find my hostel but I was far to busy checking out this unassuming town to care. It didn't want my love but I knew deep down that 'La Línea' would show me something worthwhile. 'Calle Real' was one of the hubs for the townspeople with a whole street dedicated to outdoor cafe style seating, something clicked that I made a wise choice to revisit Spain. If truth be told it was too quiet for my liking on the day I arrived from England. Oh, it was the Epiphany! Aside from that public holiday the streets were really quiet during that early afternoon time! It was their siesta time! Dios mío! Confia en mi y dias festivos! I was hungry and wanted to try some local booze, it was a dangerous idea! I hadn't experienced overseas culture in a minute, I wanted to drink! ¡Sí! 

I had no stresses with my accommodation, never-mind waiting for my room to be cleaned. I went out in-search for an authentic place to have my first Spanish beer, it was fine. I can't remember the name of the bar but it looked local far from a British company. Ordering my first beer in Spanish felt so good, settling into my new surrounding was easy enough for Spanish was the language of choice for the local patrons. Staying at Hostal Paris on 'Calle de Sol' for £56 for three nights afforded me to see two countries for a cut price! I may have been enjoying the Spanish vibe but the border with Gibraltar only lay a five minute walk away. Translating to 'The Line of the Conception', I'm guessing its got some connection with the birth of a new border? I wasn't drawing any line of judgement to my allegiance to Spain or that British Overseas Territory. The chilled pace of 'La Línea' impressed me much with its no frills attitude, I felt comfortable to be back in a non-touristic town. Ese es mi tipo de cuidad! ¡Sin juicio! All good, S! 

I was gunning for a cup of Spanish coffee and cake during my short stay in 'La Línea!' I'm all about trying the local flavours of wherever I travel to, so I was open to trying something new. My 'café con leche' otherwise known as 'coffee with milk' tasted great at the time but sent me to another planet because I'm not so used to drinking strong Espresso coffee but my tart was light and tasty. The people of the line loved their tapas and seafood, so I didn't want to appear rude by shunning their local delicacies. Trading my 'café con leche' for a 'cerveza grande', I ordered some calamari fries to complement my latest Spanish escapade. If the truth be told, I probably should have ate more but the beer tasted too good for me to frankly care! Would I indulge in another 'café con leche?' I'm afraid I'll leave the people of the Continent to enjoy their Espresso in peace. My love for foreign food knows no limits so I tried my best to sample as much authentic tapas as possible. Of course, Spain! To be abroad after such a long time, it was lovely to be in Spain! Yes!

Looking back to my first afternoon, I made a split decision to cross the border from Spain to Gibraltar but the 'cervezas' were starting to talk! I decided to halt at El Braseron steakhouse. My hazed judgement paid off big time for a tankard of lager that only cost me £1.40, per drink! Choosing to visit during the week turned out to be a great thing because everyone endorsed a healthy level of nocturnal socialising, changing into some smarter threads I made my way to 'La Chimenea' by chance to find a beautiful tapas bar that transported me to somewhere like Old San Juan, Puerto Rico with the rustic decor and Reggaeton music, I was in a mild state of euphoria. Vamanos 'La Línea!' I had really miss living in a Spanish infused neighbourhood like when I lived in Newark, NJ so I appreciated 'La Chimenea!' I sampled some cured ham of the bone that tasted on-point with a few pints of 'Cruzcampo lager!' Every corner of the world has to have an Irish pub, so I loved my pint of Strongbow at Molly Bloom's! Spain had me satisfied! 

Leaving my problems at the front door, I paid a visit to the 'Iglesia de la Immaculada' for some reflection. I'm not a religious soul but the 'Church of the Immaculate' looked lovely with a serious of statuesque and solemn figures of the Madonna, Jesus Christ on the cross and the saviour as a baby. Being early January the chilled approach to dismantled the Christmas lights gave a feeling that time wasn't usually an issue in 'La Línea de la Concepción?' My hostel was conveniently located around the corner from the square that is captured above. I loved the relaxed pace of life in the central square, I didn't stray too far away from that familiar centre because it was lovely. I didn't feel the need to walk endlessly. Supongo que menos es más? Sí sí! Exactly, I wasn't bothered as long as I saw highlights within the town, making the most of the compact geography of the town allowed me to see what I wanted without having to take any form of public transport. ¡Naturalmente, I was getting all the non-touristic vibes that I wanted! 

I'm not going to throw shade on 'La Linea de la Concepción', I actually want to show it my love because it had some edge to it! I endorsed that fuego completely! As I walked to and from the Frontier several times, I passed a series of council flats that gave the town some spice! Acting as a massive contrast with the winding town centre streets, I embraced it all! On the last night I found 'Pollo Loco' for my tea that I ate alfresco on a bench, to then finding a living room sized bar that served super cheap mixed drinks! I adored 'La Linea's' small town vibe! Hablo Inglés? I got the feeling English wasn't the language of choice within the town of the line but I tried my best to be respectful by asking for most things in Spanish. Gibraltar was seen as the place where people spoke English and they sure had their opinions. I found if I asked how to say the phrase or request in their native tongue it was appreciated. I used a few sentences to ask for drinks and needless to say those Spanish words were understood, those drinks! ¡Gracias por todo, España! 

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Joseph Harrison