Traveling With History

I feel quite young right now. Well, I am still young, right? RIGHT?? :) But traveling with a group of people where the majority is 60 and over does make me even younger. Quite the difference, when I think back to the "Southern Sun" with Trek America where a huge bunch of the people were in their early twenties. There I was definitely one of the older ones. But, in any case, I am enjoying very good company here touring the South of Spain.

We have left Málaga and with it the Atlantic Coast behind. Headed towards the mountains of Andalucia, visiting one of the "pueblos blancos" (the white villages): Ronda. We’ve had some insight on corridas there. Thought about the pros and cons of it. Is it cruelty to animals or High Art? Guess that’s a topic where it’s hard to find an answer to. I did not eat a bull’s stew there. In case you might think I’d do that now, after having had Alligator in New Orleans. But instead enjoyed a Gazpacho and a Spanish Tortilla. We’ve tested the sherry in the city of Jerez. I marvelled at the beautiful Andalusian Horses oft he Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Which definitely is a High Art. No discussion about that needed. Such grace and beauty. Amazing! We’ve explored the many historic sights Seville hast o offer (feel like I just can’t take in any more, there is soooo much). And saw another form of Spanish Art: the Flamenco. An art in it’s most passionate form.

Yes, I am stuffed on my travels through Andalusia. With art and history and culture and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of food too. But you see, this all makes great sense. And feels so very right. At moments as tonight. Strolling through the picturesque streets of Seville. The hectic day has been left behind and changed into a quiet night. The city is dressed in lights. A single guitar sounds through the streets. The sweet smell of jasmine embraces the evening. The sweet smell of summer days.
Another day just started. Another day filled with history, culture, art, and of course food in beautiful Andalusia.

Málaga as seen from the Gibralfaro

Andalusian Colours

un pueblo blanco: Ronda


people of Ronda

Plaza de Toros - Ronda

un Calle en Jerez

the Southern Feeling

Plaza de España - Seville

El Sevillano

Casa de Pilatos - Seville

Pasión pura

Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.

~ Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel ~

A Train Ride Down South

It feels like I did not leave home. Sitting in a restaurant in the old town of Málaga, just next to the church, I can hear more Swiss German than Spanish. But my physical condition definitely tells me that I have been on the road for a while. Taking the train yesterday evening at 8 PM in Basle. Changing in Lausanne. Then trying to sleep, with the emphasis on trying (Gosh! Are teenage kids really that inconsiderate these days?!), for a train ride of almost 10 hours down to Girona, Spain. Another change there to get the train to Barcelona (just a short ride of an hour). And then one last change, hopping on my last connection to the final destination of today: Málaga. So, you might wonder (completely eligible), what makes one go on a train ride of 20!! hours when you can do the same distance in just 2 hours. Hmmm, well, those of you who kow me, do know that I am not a passionate flyer. Let's just say, I'd rather stick to the ground if I can. And a small note in brackets ... I did the whole America / Canada Trip of 3 months with only taking a plane once. The rest was either by bus, train, car or boat. Well, sometimes I did some hiking :)

So, I guess my bones are telling me to just get into that nice and comfy bed (don't we just appreciate the small things if for once we have to miss out on them?). And, of course, I DO listen to what my body tells me to do :) Especially as there's loads of new roads to be traveled on during the next few days. It is one more day of exploring Málaga tomorrow. Then I'll meet up with yet some other group of strangers in the evenig. Spending the next 9 days traveling through Andalucia. The forecast - at least for the weather - looks splendid. We already have now a temperature of 33 degrees C. And this in October. Can anyone believe that?! Gettin' on my Shorts and Shirts again and living some more summer days - which I thought I'd had left behind already. Enjoy things while they last ...

First Glimpses: The Old Town of Málaga

Soaked in the evening light: Cathedral

That's the plan: Andalucia in 9 Days