From the narrow Mallorcan alley and the crowded cafés, it is only a few steps up to the apartment which manages to combine what many would say is the best of both worlds.
On the outside – the Spanish charm with small balconies, beautiful shutters and rustic stone walls. On the inside – newly renovated, Scandinavian style with light hardwood floors and a modern kitchen. It is the home of currency broker Nick Jones, Managing Director at Premier FX.
The balcony doors are open and you can hear the buzz from down the street. Chatter, laughter and the sound of porcelain coffee cups.
– You are surrounded by people when you live here. It was a bit of a shock at first when I realised that there are people everywhere, Nick says with a smile. On the streets, on their balconies and terraces, everywhere. But once I got used to it, I loved it!
The characteristic narrow streets in the central part of the Old town really do situate the balconies very close to each other.
– It took me a while to get used to it, but now I sometimes stand on the balcony, drinking some wine and having a chat with one of my neighbors across the street.
Nick describes this neighborhood like a tiny village. The people who work here usually live nearby and sometimes they have small street parties and invite him to join.
Close to the Palma nightlife
For Nick this part of Palma was the obvious choice to stay in. He wanted to be close to the restaurants and the bars, and within walking distance to his office in La Rambla.
– The location couldn’t be better for me. Although it can be quite noisy during the day, it is very quiet at night. And if I feel the need for some peace and quiet, I get in my car and drive to some restaurant in the mountains with stunning views.
Nick, who is originally from the UK, had been living in Portugal for several years, but after opening a new office in Mallorca in 2013, he decided to make it his permanent home.
– Living in Portugal was different to this. It is beautiful, laid back and relatively quiet. But when I first came to Palma I fell in love with the place and thought “Oh yes, I could live here!”
It is hard not to feel Nick’s enthusiasm when he speaks about Palma. The people, the places, the experiences and the atmosphere.
– The city is so full of life. The weather allows you to have more of an „outdoor lifestyle“, and people tend to be more sociable, open and spontaneous. There are always things to do here, events, festivals and street parties to participate in. The favorites are San Sebastian, when the streets turn into a big barbecue, or The Art Night in Palma.
Kunst und Musik
Nick lebt seit 2014 in seiner Wohnung in der Altstadt und hat keine Pläne umzuziehen. 100 Quadratmeter, aufgeteilt auf zwei Schlafzimmer, Küche und Wohnzimmer passen perfekt zu ihm.
– „Und das ist meine Musikecke“, sagt Nick und zeigt einen seiner Lieblingsteile der Wohnung. Zwei Gitarren, ein Verstärker und ein Foto von jungen Rolling Stones an der Wand, signiert vom Fotografen.
– „Ich liebe Musik wirklich. Dies ist ein Les Paul. Alle meine musikalischen Helden spielten dies. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin…“
Nicks Interesse an Musik reicht weit zurück, aber er entdeckte eine neue Leidenschaft, als er nach Mallorca zog. ART. Eine Ausstellung des lokalen Künstlers Andrea Castro führte zu seinem ersten Gemäldekauf und er war begeistert.
– „Ich fing an, Kunst zu lieben! Und das Kunstgefühl in Palma ist unglaublich.
Und egal ob Kunst, Kochen, Weinprobe, Segeln, Wandern … Mallorca hat es.“
Nick hat auch ein großes Interesse an Autos, sowohl schönen Klassikern als auch modernen Performance-Autos, und er war begeisert, als er „Driving Mallorca“ fand, eine Gruppe von Autoenthusiasten, die sich jede Woche treffen und über die Insel fahren.
– „Es ist das Beste! Ich liebe Autos und ich liebe Menschen. Ich lebe meinen Traum. Dies ist eine wirklich schöne Insel mit einer pulsierenden und lebhaften Stadt im Sonnenschein. Was will man mehr?“
Text: Maria Strömqvist
Photo: Ida Carlsson
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