On this trip, I avoid all toll roads and pass through many beautiful villages. Whenever I do end up on a highway, I appreciate the rest stops in Spain. No overpriced “Tank & Rast,” no paid toilets. The bathrooms are free, the coffee is good, and everything costs half as much as in Germany. It’s nice to see that there are still corners of Europe that haven’t been completely devoured by capitalism—at least not yet.
Today, I spend a good four hours behind the wheel and another 30 minutes searching for a parking spot in Salamanca. Surprisingly, I’m still in a good mood. And when I finally stand in front of the massive cathedral, I’m left speechless.
I arrive late in the evening and immediately disappear into the first bar I find—tucked away from the busy streets. Bar Musical turns out to be a hidden gem. Inspector Gadget is playing on a projector screen, people are dancing, the music is fantastic, and the whole place feels like a bar straight out of a Tarantino movie.
I spend the night feeling like I’m hanging upside down in the van since I have no choice but to park on a steep street.
The next day, I play street music where the city is most alive. Even while setting up my equipment, an elderly man approaches me. Without much explanation, he calmly starts showing me photos on his phone—stone sculptures he has made himself. I have no idea why, but he also has a connection to Germany: he lived there briefly in 1964.
At some point, I have to politely excuse myself and start playing. By the end of my set, I’ve made around €16—just enough to treat myself to an excellent breakfast at the best bakery in town.
