Oops in Torremolinos, but more pictures of Mijas

Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Spain

Travel memory: This memory comes with a small grimace, a bit of a shudder and a rueful giggle...

Please cast your mind back to the posting I made of how I had a wee bit of trouble figuring out how to get to, and then later how to get home from, the whitewashed, cliff side village of Mijas. Although those adventures ended happily my trials were not yet over for the day. In fact, one more 'mishap' was in store for me before my head hit the pillow.

What could have happened, you inquire anxiously? 

Well, picture now one of my fellow tour members Ellen and I arriving back to the hotel after having had to walk a slightly greater distance than should have been necessary had I been paying better attention. We were not footsore (we didn't have to walk that far!) but we were tired. We spied other group travellers – Ruth and Jim enjoying a drink and a bite to eat in the hotel's cafe. 

 

Just the ticket after our busy, eventful day! 

 

I asked if we could join them and they graciously agreed.

Yes? So? Where's the problem? What happened?

Well, I ordered a lovely glass of white wine, perfect for the end of the evening, the end of, actually, a thoroughly lovely day in glorious Mijas. I got my glass, took a sip and then reached over and popped a couple of small nuts, nibbles on the table into my mouth.

OR, to be strictly accurate, what I thought were small nuts, nibbles on the table. 

To my horror (not quite instant enough for my liking) they were, in fact, the chewed pits of olives, originally gnawed on my Ruth and Jim.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, feel free to shake your head. What was that woman thinking of?

I spit them out and my companions, silently stunned for a second, burst into laughter.

The icing on the proverbial cake, however, was that across the room the waiter had witnessed me popping these already chewed pits into my mouth. He hastily filled a cup with fresh, whole olives – olives NOT already chewed or sucked on by others – and scurried over and presented them directly to me in an elegant and grand gesture.

(Oh dear.  This could only happen to me.)

What can I say? 

I did the only thing possible. 

I took one of the offered olives.

I felt I had to.

Hope you giggled. Enjoy now a few more pictures of Mijas. Do click on them.

Alhambra

Alhambra

Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex originally constructed in 889. It fell into disrepair until the mid 11th century when it was rebuilt by the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahamar of the Emirate of Granada. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.

After the conquest of Granada by the Reyes Catolicos (Catholic Monarchs) in 1492 some portions were used by Christians Rulers. The Palace of Charles V, built by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1527 was constructed within Alhambra's fortification walls.

The Alhambra fell again into disrepair for centuries, during which time the buildings were occupied by squatters. Its importance was again recognized in the 19th century and restorations were made. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well known Islamic architecture. Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travel memory: Before we left the bus to join our local guides, Antonio gave us all the name of the local restaurant where we would be having lunch following our visit to the Alhambra. He also pointed it out to us as we drove past it (in the shadow of the Alhambra). He did this in case members of the group got separated since the Alhambra is such a huge complex with more than one exit point.

Why do I share this?

I laugh.

Yes, you guessed it.... I got separated from the group (heavy sigh). In my (feeble) defense, I was not alone and there were a couple of other 'stragglers' in the group, although I fear it was only because they may have been relying on and following me. ( If so, not the wisest decision on their part.)

Happily, when we reached an exit point and our group was clearly not beyond it, we doubled back. Also happily – and in a wee panic – I was able to scurry ahead and finally spy our group in the distance. Thank you Ruth for your bright red jacket! Thank you Tuay for your bright pink jacket! Thank you Suausipam and Darlene for you blue jackets! I was on the right track! And then I spied Antonio waiting by the (correct) exit point looking for the lost members of his flock. 

 What can I say?

 Antonio must have the patience of a saint.

What of the Alhambra itself? 

The word of the trip – if you haven't already guessed it – is AMAZING. Breathtakingly beautiful as a complex, as well as the views of Granada it offers, set up high on the mountain side. Its reflecting pools, its fountains, its other water features, its room decorations, its columns – incredible.

I relive its beauty in my photos.

I share its beauty in my photos.

Don't forget to click on them for best effect!

 

PC with all pictures - is not working

Hoping all my gorgeous pictures are not lost.
Feeling very depressed.
(On laptop but pictures not on it)\

Completely frivolous post!

Cultural Discovery...

Throughout the tour Antonio was always introducing the group to some cultural “discoveries”, most often edible. 

Here I am with “Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce”.  

TOO yummy!

Travel memory:

Didn't like my choice of a Madrid cod tapas during another discovery.  Oh well, plenty of other kinds of tapas around!

LOVED (when I hadn't expected to, I don't usually like liqueurs) the mixture of Anisette with brandy– called “Sol y Sombra” (for sun and shade – dark brandy (sombra) and the clear anise (sol)  hence Sol y Sombra)  I asked for a wee bit more saying, “Sombra Sol” but Antonio corrected me – he said it was always Sol y first.

Pit stop – Man of La Mancha territory!
Posed with a statue of Don Quixote, bought a bit of olive oil and some red “Man of La Mancha” wine – both produced from the vines and olive trees in the immediate surroundings. Even saw the legendary Man of La Mancha windmills in the area.
When I drink the wine I will think of Spain. (Gave the olive oil away as gifts... still have some olive oil from Italy I got in May for my use.)

Travel memory: 
Antonio said he was once asked by a woman whether the olive oil she had purchased 3 years before was still good to cook with. 

 Antonio said he told her that if she still had olive oil purchased three years previously then she “didn't cook with olive oil”. 

Antonio said he and other Spaniards buy olive oil by the gallon. 

Toledo

Central Spain

Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as well as its historical co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures. This period of religious tolerance (known as “La Convivencia”) continued until 1492 when the Jews were expelled from Spain, followed in 1502 by the expulsion of the Mudejars (Moors).

Toledo also has a history in the production of bladed weapons, which are now popular souvenirs of the city. How popular? Well I purchased one... Letter opener in form of a mini sword... hey Marlon – if you're reading this blog you will know what part of your Christmas present will be next year.  (How confident am I that Marlon does not read my blog? Pretty confident.)  :) ;) :D

The old city is located on a mountaintop with a 150 degree view, surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River.

The history of Toledo dates back to Roman occupation (Toletum) circa 192 BC. Some Roman ruins still exist. Roman occupation was followed by Visigoth rule, Muslim rule and finally the Reconquest of Toledo in 1085 by the Christians.

Toledo was the capital of the Spanish empire until the middle of the 1500's when the royal court moved to Madrid.

Among other attractions it contains many historical sites, including:

• The Alcázar of Toledo, which now houses the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Library ("Biblioteca Autonómica") and the Museum of the Army ("Museo del Ejército")
• The 13^th century Baroque cathedral (Catedral de Toledo)
• The Zocodover, a central market place
• Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca

Toledo was also home to El Greco for the latter part of his life, and is the subject of some of his most famous paintings, including The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, exhibited in the Church of Santo Tomé. No pictures were allowed of this work, so I guess you will just have to visit Toledo and see it for yourself! (Side note: You won’t regret your visit – either to this church or Toledo or to Spain! Amazing for all.)

For such a wonderful town I didn’t get many - if any - good photos.

Oh well.

It happens.

Even so, check it out (hardly worth clicking on them, but feel free)