It Is Not What You Think!

Jules Heartly | April-May 2024

During a recent trip to Spain rooted by the presentation of my book Mornin The Superbird during the worldwide Earth Day Celebrations, I took the liberty and pleasure to visit a close friend in Madrid, and of course to live the experience of being a tourist in Madrid guided for someone that lives the city now as a local, the writer and journalist, Enrique Cordoba. 

After a fine lunch, we were diving into the historic streets of Madrid, and let me tell you, there’s truly something magical about walking through this vibrant city. One spot we stumbled upon was the  Calle de la Escalinata.

Located in the heart of Madrid, just steps away from the bustling Puerta del Sol, Calle de la Escalinata is a charming street lined with centuries-old buildings, colorful cafes, and quaint shops. As you meander down this cobblestone road, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

The architecture is simply breathtaking, with ornate balconies, intricate ironwork, and beautiful frescoes adorning the facades of the buildings. You can almost imagine the horse-drawn carriages and flamenco dancers that once graced these streets.

La Calle de la Escalinata has a lively atmosphere. The sound of laughter and chatter fills the air as locals and tourists alike sip on espresso at sidewalk cafes or shop for artisanal goods at the charming unique stores.  

There, the three of us, my friend Enrique and my friend Angelina  walked while taking in the playful cultural street vibe. I was distracted by a boutique setting where a bunch of standing people were actively writing notes and posting them on the boutique’s exterior walls. 

I pointed out to my friends the oddity of it, just to realize Angelina was walking a bit far behind and her focus was far from what I was seeing.  She made an effort to catch up, still not looking around. Then she quickly grabbed my hand and whispered.  “I am not feeling well. I think I can’t walk any longer”

Her face pale, her hands cold, her legs trembling.  Her lips barely moving.  She held me.  And I looked around for a place for her to sit or lay down.  None was available.  None was close by. 

Enrique and I looked at each other trying to figure out our next move.   Angelina seemed totally unable to walk one more step.  

“Do you want some tea or something to drink? Would that help?”  My dear friend Enrique Asked. 

And after she barely nodded, he ran down the street to the next Bar to fetch it. 

In the meantime, a guy, a neighbor of the owner of the boutique I had been eyeing. Asked whether my friend was in need of any help. 

Promptly after my  approving head gesture, Daniela Camino, the owner of the Peque Story place where people continued to write notes, came out.

“ Do you need a place to sit or lie down?  Please come inside the store”  She offered.

Angelina, unable to move, accepted mine and the help of the stranger who previously had noticed her in pain. Angelina sat down but the pain didn’t seem to recede. So she lay down on the floor on an improvised carpet and pillows promptly set up  by the boutique owner, Daniela. 

All needed assistance was provided by her, including a nurse visit and the courtesy of closing the store while Angelina lay down waiting to recover from  her health issue. 

Enrique who had arrived promptly with the hot tea, putting on his journalist hat, started the conversation and the introductions, and later the taping of the event, while Angelina’s health impasse subsided. 

And thanks to all that, we learned the fascinating story of Daniela Camino, an Argentinian writer, resident of Madrid Spain for a few years already, who came up with the beyond interesting idea of writing personalized books , based on each client’s own story.  A revolutionary idea making a lot of people happy, besides having them own a unique gift element. 

“My motivation was the birth of my daughter 15 years ago. It took a long time for me to decide to leave my “comfortable life” as a creative director of advertising to open my own store. As my daughter got older, I felt the need to write down the most meaningful moments so I wouldn’t forget them in the future. Things that seem silly but aren’t. For example, when she learned to ride a bike without training wheels or when she said the first word… I would write down the exact date and write about how the moment had been.

Then I came up with the idea of making life books. That’s how my business started. But then I started changing things. Now I do books for all ages, writing workshops for adults, small personalized events (birthdays, farewells, etc), mentorships for people who want to write their own book and the products in the store (authentic and handmade).” Daniela told us on a passionate tone.

Her personality, her mission, her story, her passion for what she does and her open attitude to help fulfill people dreams, by expressing gratitude to love ones, through her individualized written stories, is in itself what truly sets her business apart at la  Calle de la Escalinata, a hidden gem that was waiting to be discovered. 

As she reopened the store, and we all three stepped outside (Angeline back to good health) more and more passerby continued writing their notes. 

“There are all wishes to become history”  as the sign inside the story read.  ,or on Danielle’s  own words, stories to become true.  Wishes to be fulfilled.

“The thing about the slips of paper with the wishes came to me when I saw so many people walking through the door, typing whatsApp messages to their friends probably saying ” I wish you were here, or things like that”. And I thought, “How nice it would be if they wrote messages/wishes on paper.”

“And, so I put out the sign encouraging people to do it …. and in just one year there are already more than 10,000 wishes” Danielle continued sharing her story and answering Enrique’s questions and mine.

There are few of those wishes written on the little pieces of paper, she shared for us to understand what she meant.  “Some of the wishes that impacted me the most are:

1. May my parents never leave me (an 8-year-old girl).

2. Forgetting about my ego.

3. Have a friend (a 10-year-old)”

My curiosity satisfied, I thought “perhaps I should also write a wish and leave it there”. Angelina had the same idea and she actually carried it out .

As the sun started to set over the majestic city of Madrid, a sense of magic filled the air, we said our goodbyes and thank you’s.  The warm hues of the setting sun cast a golden glow over the streets, creating a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for an evening stroll through the bustling city center.

As we wandered through the narrow cobblestone streets, We were enveloped in a symphony of sounds and sights. The chatter of locals and tourists alike packed the air, blending together with the soft strains of live music drifting from the many bars and cafes lining the streets. The scent of tapas and sangria wafted through the air, tempting us to stop and indulge in the culinary delights of Madrid. There was the street photographer who successfully tempted us to get a historic photograph on an unforgettable day. 

The evening brought with it a new energy and vibrancy to the city. The streets came alive with a diverse array of people from all walks of life, each bringing their own unique stories and experiences, as we have had.  All of them ready  to be part of the hand woven blanket of Madrid’s rich culture. 

As darkness fell, the city lit up in a dazzling display of color and light. The iconic landmarks such as the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor were  illuminated, casting a magical glow over Madrid. The hustle and bustle of the day gave way to a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, perfect for leisurely strolls and soaking in the ambiance of the capital.

Walking the streets of Madrid at dusk was a truly enchanting experience. It was a time when the town revealed a new essence, a lively and welcoming place where old met new, and traditions blended seamlessly with modernity. 

As we continued  our  exploration of this captivating place, I was filled with a sense of gratitude for being able to witness and experience all that Madrid has to offer, more particularly, great people like Daniela Camino, and the incredible human being and unparalleled travel writer  Enrique Cordoba.

At the end of the day, we settled with Tapas and good wine with  Enrique’s wife Maripaz, at the Restaurant Cazorla, a very fine choice! 

We recapped the events of the day, and got once again awed by the confabulation of the universe in our favor guiding us to meet a fellow writer in such an unexpected way.  

Enrique Cordoba, added one more anecdote  to his endless collection of traveling  chronicles,  one more to the tapestry of stories available on his 5 different traveling books . 

 I got inspired to write this blog for you all to have one more reason to visit the capital of Spain. 

So next time you find yourself in Madrid, be sure to take a stroll down Calle de la Escalinata. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a slice of history right in the heart of this dynamic city. And once you step inside the @Peque_Story boutique, you would be at another one of Madrid’s hidden gems.

Thank you for reading my blog. I am looking forward to hear about your traveling stories.

Remember to follow me on Twitter (X), Instagram and TikTok @JBRADIANT and check my website for current and upcoming books and stories.