It’s an understatement when you say that Alex Larrea can’t sit still. In a span of six months, the Spaniard has seen more of India than most Indians do in their life time! Right from parts of Karnataka to Kerala, Goa, New Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Puducherry and Uttar Pradesh, he has seen it all.
“I like to meet people and go places. When I first came here, I was alone only on the first day. After that, I made plans to go for dinners, barbecues and else where. I can’t stay alone and do nothing! Once, I went on this amazing trip — from Srinagar to Leh — on a Royal Enfield,” he explains. Which is why he isn’t too pleased with the constant traffic jams. “It takes two hours to get to the airport and I am not used to sitting in a cab for that long!”
A travel buff, it’s no surprise that he decided to come to Bengaluru. “My company said that they have a new project for me in Seoul and of course, I was eager to go.
But finally, I was asked to come to Bengaluru instead. I spoke to Spaniards in India and asked them about the City, and when they said it was a good place to be in, I agreed.”
Before this stint, he spent a year in London and six months in Montreal.
His adventurous spirit doesn’t wear off easy; unlike most expatriates, who are wary of driving in India, he took to the streets quickly. “It’s difficult but not scary. I rented a bike on my second day here. People don’t want to get into an accident so they avoid you.”
But despite this wanderlust, Alex misses home and his family. “I come from the north of Spain, from a city called San Sebastián. It is the most beautiful city in the world! India is very different when compared to home, which is less populated and everyone knows everyone there so it’s safe. And by 9 pm or 10 pm, the streets are empty!”
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like the City, “People here are funny and polite. And it’s safe for expatriates like me — one need not worry about being gunned down (although the situation is different for women).”
His hometown is a prominent area in Spain’s Basque Country so he has been exposed to different cultures. “I feel proud to be from Basque Country. Although they say that Basque is different from Spain, we are all together. While I studied in Basque (language), I’d speak to my parents in Spanish.”
Talking more about home, he explains, “It’s a small town and your group of friends are the same. In our free time, we’d surf, stay on the beach, go trekking or biking. In winters, it’s really bad weather and rains a lot, so we go to a bar and drink.”
And like any proud Spaniard, he is infected by football frenzy. He says, “I have played soccer all my life,” but then corrects himself.
“Soccer is the wrong word, it is football! I spent some time in Canada and I’d say ‘soccer’ there. It has become a force of habit!” His favourite team is his home team, Real Sociedad. “But if I had to pick between the two giants — Real Madrid and Barcelona — I’d pick Barcelona. They have players that I like.”
Not one to stifle words within himself, he adds, “I also love to talk. I talk to my friends about football, and also movies and television shows. I heard recently that the second season of ‘Fargo’ is out so I’m going to watch that; the first season was amazing!” Although not a big music buff, he adds, “I went to the Skrillex concert with my friend recently. I didn’t know who he was until I heard him and recognised a few songs! I’m not one to remember song or artiste names. Actually, I don’t know how to download songs so I just listen to songs in Spanish on the radio.”
This enthusiasm he has translates to various parts of his life. “I have a roommate who has been here three years but doesn’t know any Kannada or Hindi. I know just the basics so that I can communicate with ‘tuk-tuk’ (auto) drivers easily.”
His Kannada vocabulary includes phrases and words like ‘Hegidira’, ‘Tumba chennagide’, ‘Bega bega’, ‘Swalpa swalpa’ and ‘Saku’.
But ask him about food and his face turns sour. “There are a lot of good places for expats, like The Only Place, Fatty Bao and Cafe Noir, but I don’t like Indian food much — it’s too spicy. Actually, I don’t mind Indian food if it is not spicy. I’ve tried ‘idlis’, ‘naans’
and ‘rotis’, but that’s about it.”
He can’t hold his tongue when he adds, “You have some of the best restaurants in Basque Country. The meat is fresh and the dishes are known around the world. My favourites are the Spanish omelette and
‘Pintos’.”