Blogs from Málaga, Andalusia, Spain, Europe - page 23

A day can never feel longer when you try to meet up with someone from home on a trip....after a cancelled flight which made me miss my connection i somehow still managed to find my parents checking into our hotel in Malaga, south of Spain! Nine months away from home, it's nice to see mom and dad. They soon discovered after a few bus trips and some flights of stairs to our home on Riviera del Sol, that I got it a lot easier with my backpack than a suitcase!! Our Villa's beautiful, overlooking the ocean and fully equiped, a sure treat for me!! Quickly adjusting to the Spanish culture, I'm thinking we could really learn a thing or two with this idea of a mid afternoon siesta! it only makes sence, step away from ... read more

One day and one night in Málaga, yet another whirlwind trip but it's a small enough city to enjoy in a day. Got a nice welcome from the hostel I stayed at - Picasso's corner, literally round the corner from where Picasso was born, of course now turned into a 'fundacio'. I spent a good part of the day at the Alcazaba, former palace/fortress for the Muslim leaders, built in the 11th century. Great views of the city and the port. There's a Roman theatre below the Alcazaba, which you'll see on your way to the entrance from Placa de la Merced (where I stayed). Of course, I only found out about a certain elevator that takes you up to the heart of the Alcazaba after I had climbed up. It figures! Above the Alcazaba ... read more

I love Spain and when I think of Spanish people, many fabulous qualities come to mind: they are warm, friendly, eager to help strangers, devoted to their families, jovial, easy-going...the list goes on and on. But one word would never appear on this list: ATHLETIC. So during a mid-day coffee break last week while my co-workers chatted amongst themselves about going hiking on the weekend, I listened and tried to imagine this crowd of coffee-drinking, churro-eating, middle-aged teachers on a mountain. Ha. Not going to happen, I thought to myself. But then one of them turned to me and asked if I would like to join them for some hiking in Malaga on Sunday. Now, you must know that on this particular day I was trying to be more social than normal, and also, that I ... read more

La Diabla, that's Spanish for the she-devil, was smelling a little less than fresh this week, so we did the task all cat owners dread most: we gave the cat a bath. Though, in all honesty, I must admit that the normally ferocious Tea was more relaxed than other cats I've bathed. She only clawed me a little and didn't really freak out until I put her next to the space heater. She didn't know quite what to make of the big, scary white machine with metal grates and heat waves flowing out the top. Aren't cats the cutest when they're wet? They get so confused by the water that they resort to their instinct to lick themselves clean...despite the fact that they already are. What goobers. Anyways, we're adjusting to life with a kitten again. ... read more

It was cold, and the sun hadn't even started lighting up the sky when I left the Oasis in Granada. It took about 15 minutes to walk to the train station, and I passed a number of Spaniards just ending their nights. Once at the station, I boarded the train bound for Algeciras. This is the same line I took to get from Algeciras to Ronda, and from Ronda to Málaga, and unfortunately it was just as slow and stinky. The first hour or so was in the dark, but I did get to see a wonderful sunrise over the mountains as we approached Bobadilla where I needed to change for Málaga. I had to wait for about 20 minutes in the near freezing temperatures in Bobadilla before the express train arrived. The trip to Málaga ... read more