Tales of Andalucia
October 2015
And if we put together
our own group of 6-8 we’d have our own tour plus a nice discount. So we put
together our Grupo de Siete: my
brother Doug (unfortunately, sister-in-law Ann couldn’t join us ̶
we’ll miss her), their friend Una from a previous trip to Iceland (where
we also traveled in March, and small world experience: Una’s a high-school
friend of one of my colleagues!), Marjorie’s cousin Jim & wife Susan, &
Susan’s sister Ann. I’ve acted as “Principle Guest” in arranging details and
payments (& calculating exchange rates between British pounds &
dollars) with Gary Montagu, aka Gary the Tour Guy, who has been very responsive
to our wishes. AAA agent Donna helped arrange our flights.
One regret: I’ll be missing my 50th (!!!) high school reunion ̶ it was thoughtlessly moved from Sept. to early October after we’d made arrangements for this trip. But Marjorie made it to hers in August, and we’ve had some interesting activities leading up to the trip. M had her most successful sales at the big 64th Annual Schenectady Stockade Art Show a couple of weeks ago ̶ and we’re partly dug out from the artistic disorder at home. Last weekend we returned to the historic Stockade for the annual “walkabout” to tour some of the old homes & gardens.
One regret: I’ll be missing my 50th (!!!) high school reunion ̶ it was thoughtlessly moved from Sept. to early October after we’d made arrangements for this trip. But Marjorie made it to hers in August, and we’ve had some interesting activities leading up to the trip. M had her most successful sales at the big 64th Annual Schenectady Stockade Art Show a couple of weeks ago ̶ and we’re partly dug out from the artistic disorder at home. Last weekend we returned to the historic Stockade for the annual “walkabout” to tour some of the old homes & gardens.
And Sunday (9/27)
we saw the rare “super blood moon” eclipse; i.e., during a full moon when its
orbit is closest to the earth, last seen in 1982 (full disclosure: left photo is mine, right is from the internet). This makes for a trifecta of
heavenly events, combining with clear skies for peak Northern Lights in Iceland
in March & for July 4th fireworks viewing from the East River in
NYC.
Thursday,
10/1:
We had everything packed up Wed. night;
Marjorie celebrated her efficiency with a facial at Kimberley’s Spa using a
coupon I had given her. This AM she and her art mentor Betty set up for an art
show this weekend at Hagaman. We’ve had heavy rain & cooler the last 2
days, and a hurricane may head up the coast to bring more rain this weekend. But
a nice day today & an uneventful drive to NYC to drop off the car at Smart
Park JFK, using a Groupon coupon. On the drive Marjorie chats & texts w/
grandson William on his new cell-phone (he assures us it’s after-school so OK
to use his phone). He passes along names of 3 fútbol players from Real
Madrid whose jerseys he’d like us to look for. I have leftover euros from a
previous trip as seed money; tho we’ll make several ATM stops (cajera automática) during our travels.
Easy thru abbreviated TSA “Prechk” (we appear to be trustworthy travlers). On
time out of JFK at about 7:30pm. We splurged some for “Premium Economy” seats w/
a bit more legroom on the 1st flight on American.
Friday,
10/2:
Free
wine, a pretty good dinner & continental breakfast. Some “bumpy air” but the
6½-hour flight is on-time into Madrid at 9am (6 hour time difference) w/ pretty
sun. Had to wait until here to get Iberia boarding passes for the next flight.
We’re in a “satellite terminal” that seems quite deserted, but shortly
rendezvous w/ Susan, Jim, & Ann. We board our noon flight but sit a while;
not sure why, can’t understand our pilot in either English or Spanish. The flight
takes us over dry rugged countryside about an hour late into Malaga at 2:15 in
bright sun on the Costa del Sol. Some confusion about getting our bags until
someone kindly tips us off that bags coming in from outside the country are
sent to a different location. Doug & Una arrived earlier via Paris, we meet
up as planned w/ them and Jimmy & Alan from the tour company at CAFÉ & TE in the Arrivals Hall.
We’re a bit too late for a planned stop at Mijas mountain village, so instead
head for our hotel. Thru Malaga, which is much bigger than expected (about 600,000) ̶ all
of the cities we visit prove to be larger than we thought ̶ past
a big IKEA & McDonald’s.
We all opted to start w/ an extra day
at our home for the week: Antequera Golf Hotel. We won’t be roughing it here:
indoor & outdoor pools, spa, restaurant, golf course. I’ve taken up golf in
my retirement this summer after many years, but no, didn’t bring clubs; and the
course is 3 km away.
But there is a statue of a golfer in the roundabout near
the hotel, and a poster of golfers over our bed. We check in & poke around
the hotel. Things get busier as some bus groups arrive.
But there is a statue of a golfer in the roundabout near
the hotel, and a poster of golfers over our bed. We check in & poke around
the hotel. Things get busier as some bus groups arrive. 
I explore some pretty
neighboring areas to warm up my shutter finger. A nice surprise: we’re invited
to Gary’s for paella tomorrow night.
Too pooped to go into town (about a 15-20 minute walk), we chat by the pool
& have a buffet dinner in the hotel restaurant. A singer performs by the
pool as we head for bed.
Saturday. 10/3:
A good night’s sleep, awake at 7:30,
unusually late for me when we travel. It’s still quite dark; sunrise later here
than home. Then a typical AM mix of sun & clouds. Only 2 English TV
channels: BBC World News & CNBC (mostly financial stuff). Today’s news
includes follow-ups on some shootings at an Oregon college. Down for the good
breakfast spread: typical European mix of eggs, bacon & sausage, fruits
& tomatoes, meats & cheeses, breads & rolls, cereals. Thought this
would be just a day to decompress from our flights, but instead one of the
later-day itineraries has been inserted: Torcal & Malaga. Our guide for
today, Antonio, arrives in our van w/ 2 sets of 3 seats across plus Jim (who’s
still recovering from knee surgery) in front next to the driver. Jim gets extra
points for soldiering on over cobblestones & some mountainous terrain.
A pretty drive, houses & villages nestled in the surrounding hills. To El
Torcal de Antequera, a Natural Park Reserve (paraje natural) in a small mountainous area south of the city. A
brochure rightly calls it a “museum of natural sculptures.” Beautiful views as
we drive up along a winding road surrounded by limestone rock formations.
A
short but somewhat strenuous hike takes us down into a natural amphitheater,
then up to a rock terrace w/ incredible views over the countryside, a small
town below w/ a plume of smoke spiraling up. 
Wow! In addition to the many rock
formations (reminding us of national parks in Utah), there are fossil imprints
& other neolithic remains, pretty weeds & thistles, colorful lichens .
. . and a vulture soaring above us. 
At a small museum on the geology & history of this area we meet Gary, who founded this tour company 6 years ago. After a career in IT & computers, he started new ventures including renovating & selling houses . . . just as the housing market crashed! But he seems to be doing OK.
More sun in the PM as we head back to
Malaga. Thru a maze of streets down to the waterfront for lunch at Restaurante Hermanos Muñoz, one of the seafood chiringuitos. 
The specialty is sardines grilled on
an olive wood fire on the beach next to the Mediterranean; some get sardines, Marjorie & I split a grilled sea
bass. Then a pirate ship shooting its cannons in the bay! 
Thru a pretty pedestrian area, a view of the “armless”
Cathedral (a 2nd tower was never finished), into famous old tavern Bodegas El Pippi. 
As will be true thruout our stay,
there’s way more here than we expected. Pretty flowers & fountains outside
the Cathedral, 
and a very impressive interior. 
After a stop for dos pequeños el helado (2 small
gelatos), Marjorie & I head into the Moorish Alcazaba (fort or castle). 
Beautiful plantings & gardens,
panoramic city views from the ramparts, pretty stonework & bricks, arches
& entryways. Malaga was Picasso’s home, but M & I skip the Picasso
Museum. Heading back to the garage we see a big ferris wheel in a park, many
horse-and-carriage rides.
After a stop at our hotel, it’s off to
Gary’s house as sunset brings pretty pink reflections in the clouds. We join
another tour group with folks from Australia, Scotland, & the US. A
wonderful meal: paella (a stew of
seafood, chicken, sausage, rice), sangria & wine, melon & ice cream for
dessert. Gary’s operation seems quite a family affair: Antonio’s wife made the paella, Jimmy’s wife is the housekeeper
(she’s in the hospital now after a heart attack, but reports are that she’s
doing well).
A terrific 1st full day!
Sunday,
10/4:
Barry explains the origin of “Moors,” referring to Muslim invaders who were
Berbers & Arabs from North Africa. He also recounts the exploits of “the
black Douglas” & other Scottish heroes, and tells us of the “evil weevils”
that have been killing many palm trees in the region. 
On
to Ronda, one of the largest of the white-washed hill towns w/ (as my Rick
Steves book says) a “spectacular gorge-straddling setting.” Orange (naranja) trees line the street as we
drive in. Barry leads a walking tour. 
Past Iglesia de la Merced, a convent of the “barefoot Carmelites.” Thru a pretty park & promenade looking over incredible panoramas from 2500’.
Along paseos named for Orson Welles &
Ernest Hemingway, who loved Ronda, toward the “New Bridge” overlooking the
gorge. Rick Steves notes that we could go “down, down, down” into viewpoints in
the gorge, but would have to come back “up, up, up;” we stay up top. 
A stop for
lunch on a pretty street: tasty olives (plentiful here, of course) to start, gazpacho & tapas, vino blanco. 
After
some orientation, Barry sends us on our own for 3+ hours. Our group splits up
to wander the pretty alleyways & shops. Jim has the most “global” experience:
watching an Argentine-Tonga rugby match in an Irish pub. 
We eventually work our
way to the famous bullring, oldest in Spain
& now a museum. This was the birthplace of modern bullfighting, and
celebrates the iconic Romero family: Francisco, son Juan, & grandson Pedro
who killed nearly 6000 bulls. The museum includes posters, costumes, various
paraphernalia. 
You can walk out into the arena surrounded by 5000 seats. To
Susan’s dismay, Jim has her pantomime a bull’s horns coming at him ̶ they
receive applause from a spectator up in the stands. Into paddocks & pens
& stables w/ horses for an equestrian school. 
The drive back to Antequera is very quiet as all (except Barry) snooze. He takes a swing thru the city to show some restaurant possibilities, but we’re again too pooped to go out, instead grabbing dinner by the hotel pool.
Monday, 10/5:
BBC news: migrant crisis talks in
Turkey; a typhoon in China; S. Carolina hit by a “once in 1000 years” rain. Some
confusion finding breakfast, moved to a “saloon” on “floor -2”. A mostly cloudy
& cooler AM. Today takes us 65 miles east to Granada. As usual, we leave
the hotel passing a pretty shrine to St. Veronica. There always seems to be
someone there, and her presence seems appropriate for us ̶ she is
the patron saint of photographers. Marjorie, who organizes the cleaning of
altar linens at our church, notes that St. V is also the patron saint of
laundry workers. And for some reason Veronica’s name is attached to a variety
of businesses here. The drive again takes us by olive trees covering hills as
far as we can see. Barry provides background on the Muslim invasion &
occupation of al-Andalus. Granada was
their last stronghold, falling in 1492 to Isabella & Ferdinand. The Sierra
Nevada mountains loom ahead as we reach Granada. Another deft parking job in a
garage.
Coffee & tasty churros
(w/ chocolate to dip into!) beside a pretty square. A short walk thru part of
the Alcaiceria silk market, a “mesh of tiny shopping lanes” (tho Marjorie & I note that it
pales next to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar), to the Cathedral. Barry warns us about
gypsies handing out sprigs of rosemary & demanding 5 euros in return.
Coffee & tasty churros
(w/ chocolate to dip into!) beside a pretty square. A short walk thru part of
the Alcaiceria silk market, a “mesh of tiny shopping lanes” (tho Marjorie & I note that it
pales next to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar), to the Cathedral. Barry warns us about
gypsies handing out sprigs of rosemary & demanding 5 euros in return.We split up, Barry & I hoping to get our Alhambra tickets. This was the most stressful part of my efforts as “Principle Guest.” Gary e-mailed while we were visiting family in Minnesota in July that I would need to make our reservations directly for the Alhambra tour. With some trepidation, I was able to successfully follow the step-by-step instructions he sent. However, claiming the tickets requires the credit card with which they were purchased. We had lost a card and had to get a new one during the summer, but now can’t remember whether that was before or after the Alhambra tickets. Unfortunately, it was the latter, so my card doesn’t work at the 1st ticket office. There’s still hope, but we’ll have to plead my case up at the entrance.
But
first there’s more to see. Marjorie spends some time in a spice market, there
are pretty shopping alleys, 
Light
rain as we enter the Alhambra, but it’s short-lived, and we have a nice PM
& evening w/ comfy temps. First thru the beautiful Generalife Gardens:
colorful flowers; beautiful trees including poplar-lined walkways, pomegranate,
orange, & other fruit trees; panoramic views over the city. 
Past ruins of the medina, a city of 1000 who lived w/in the ramparts. There’s a parador (an old palace, now hotel) & other hotels on the grounds.
But the
highlight (for which we especially need the tickets for a time slot to enter)
is the Nasrid Palace, a royal palace built mostly in the 14th C. A short wait in a queue, where we’re amused to learn that
Susan is a gummy bear/worm gourmet. 
A beautiful interior: ornamentally
decorated walls & ceilings, elaborate arches & doorways, intricate
carvings, pretty tilework. Lovely courtyards, highlighted by Courtyard of the
Lions. The Washington Irving Room commemorates his Tales of the Alhambra.
A
drive high up to the Albaycin, the
old Moorish quarter, for dinner at Jardines
de Zoraya & a flamenco performance (timing flexible at, as Barry puts
it, “Andalusian 8:00”). A welcoming drink & excellent 3-course meal (w/
choices for each). Then a fine performance. Rick Steves says flamenco has its
roots in Roma (Gypsy) & Moorish culture w/ “flamboyant machine-gun
footwork,” graceful turns of dance, among the best guitarists in the world,
“raspy-voiced wails” of singers. This show seems an excellent example: spirited
dancing by a man & woman, a wonderful guitarist, emotive singing. Afterward
a walk up to Mirador de San Nicholas
for a wonderful view of the lighted Alhambra & city below. 
It’s
been quite a day. Susan has an app that’s recorded 18,000 steps, 8.23 miles! A
very quiet ride back, to our hotel about 11:30.
Tuesday,
10/6:
A quieter day to recharge, we can
sleep in for a 10:00 pickup. In the news: Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio lit
in pink for breast cancer awareness. A cool cloudy start, brief shower during
breakfast. Our “extra day” itinerary is inserted for today. Una in open-toed
sandals wonders: “Are we walking on rocks today?” Barry tells us more about
Antequera (from “old city” by the Romans). The city is much larger than we
expected, 45,000.
A drive to Los Dolmenes, 3 dolmens dating to 2500-1800 BC, among the most
important prehistoric discoveries in Europe. These portal tombs (tho they seem
also to have been used as living spaces) are lined up w/ the “Sleeping Giant”
& surrounded by flowering rosemary, other pretty plants & trees.
There’s a fascinating video about their construction, bringing huge rocks from
a neighboring hill to fit together for walls that were then covered by a roof
& dirt. Early Christian crosses were later carved into some of the walls. 
Ruins of
Roman baths below Mirador Plaza de Santa
Maria haven’t held up as well as the dolmens.Some light rain as we drive
out thru pretty agricultural areas, more very red soil. Then a nice sun/clouds
mix over the farmland. 
Back to Antequera. Barry drops us off at a Roman gate by the old bullring to go wandering & shopping. I walk back to our hotel via a pretty park & pedestrian promenade, past an elaborate playground.
Marjorie strolls & explores shops w/ Una. M finds a Christiano Ronaldo jersey & shorts, 2nd choice from William’s wish list. She communicated her wishes to the store clerk via an elaborate pantomime of kicking & pointed to her back; he became enthusiastic at the mention of the Real Madrid team. M then explored local grocery items in Mercadona Supermercado. Earlier she had found a t-shirt for other grandson Miles w/ the iconic Andalusian bull (& I later find the same for myself). Back at the hotel later Susan, Jim, & Ann regale us w/ their stories of PM silliness that included trying to squeeze into a photo booth. Looking at their photo, Una observes: “You can tell they’d been drinking.” Another tip-off was Susan’s references to “flamingo” dresses.
Wednesday,
10/7:
A cool mostly sunny AM. In the news:
11 million VWs affected by “emissions-cheating software.” Today is our longest
drive, 100 miles NW to Seville. We’re enjoying Barry’s company; he seems as
much a member of the group as a guide. We drive thru flatter terrain, past a
big solar farm, vineyards, & the ever-present fields of olive trees, pretty
oleander in the median. A fast highway, colorful road signs advising against
tail-gating.
Into a service area for a coffee stop at Restaurante Venta los Casaores (“recommended on Trip Advisor”).
Seville is a large city, 750,000, also
“flamboyant” & “thrums w/ flamenco music.” Spain’s largest & wealthiest
city in the 17th C. And a very pretty city: jackaranda, plane, &
other trees; pretty parks & promenades.
Barry leads a walking tour thru the
old city while recounting its history. Past a colorful union demonstration,
lots of horse-drawn carriages, lovely Palacio
San Elmo & Parque de Maria Luisa.
Barry points out the “4 Ps” represented in a series of statues overhead: poets,
painters, priests, pirates. Pretty white pigeons (the 5th “P”?) in
the beautiful tree trunks.
The riverside Torre
del Oro; everything to & from the New World came thru here. So many
beautiful buildings! And many colorful shops & outdoor displays to colorful
fans, dresses, & castanets (but the group nixes my suggestion to get some
to play on the drive home).
Into a service area for a coffee stop at Restaurante Venta los Casaores (“recommended on Trip Advisor”).
Seville is a large city, 750,000, also
“flamboyant” & “thrums w/ flamenco music.” Spain’s largest & wealthiest
city in the 17th C. And a very pretty city: jackaranda, plane, &
other trees; pretty parks & promenades. 
Barry leads a walking tour thru the
old city while recounting its history. Past a colorful union demonstration,
lots of horse-drawn carriages, lovely Palacio
San Elmo & Parque de Maria Luisa. 
Barry points out the “4 Ps” represented in a series of statues overhead: poets,
painters, priests, pirates. Pretty white pigeons (the 5th “P”?) in
the beautiful tree trunks. 
To Plaza
de España, a spectacular setting created for a grand exposition in 1929;
but it “crashed along with the stock market.” Beautiful towers, tilework &
murals, rowboats in waterways. It’s a Disneyesque vision of Spain on steroids. 
Nearby into what had been a “royal tobacco” factory (Barry gives a pop quiz on the opera Carmen ̶ she’s a gypsy girl who works in a tabaco factory in Seville), now a university building w/ beautiful arches, fountains, staircases. Into luxurious Hotel Alphonso XIII for a “comfort stop.” And we see our 1st Starbucks! Into Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter, w/ its maze of lanes & patios, white-washed houses, windows w/ iron latticework draped in flowers.
To the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world & 3rd largest church in Europe. It
includes the largest altarpiece ever made: 65’ tall, 44 scenes from the life of
Jesus & Mary carved from walnut & chestnut, a “staggering amount of
gold leaf.” 
On
to the Alcazar, the oldest “working”
royal palace in Europe (the official residence of the King in Seville). An
unusual tree w/ pink blossoms as we enter. Large gardens & park. 
An impressive maze of rooms & halls; I spot
a couple having wedding photos taken in this fabulous setting. 
We walk back
toward the car thru a maze of very narrow streets (hence the term “kissing calles,” Barry tells us). And a very
“global” stretch w/ Starbucks, restaurants claiming “authentic” NY pizza &
Mexican food, street musicians who sound like New Orleans & Sorrento. Another busy day: Doug’s app has recorded 15,400 steps. The drive home in pretty lowering sun & sunset gets us back to the hotel at 8:30. Snacking in the room suffices after our big lunch. BBC news: the US is unhappy that Russia is launching cruise missiles against the both Islamic State & opposition groups in Syria; “volatility reigns” in the stock market.
Thursday,
10/8:
We
drive in past Gypsy neighborhoods & along tree-lined boulevards &
parks. After parking, a walk thru pretty neighborhoods w/ windows beautifully
decorated w/ lattices & flowers. Cordoba is also known for beautiful
interior patios; there are annual “open houses” & awards. 
A stop into Asociacion de Amigos de los Patios
Cordobeses to admire an example of the patios plus handiwork by local
artisans. 
Continuing on thru a maze of cobblestone streets w/ evidence of both
Romans & Moors to the Royal Stables. Some beautiful “dancing horses” are
going thru their paces. 
To the Alcazar, the site of planning for
Columbus’ voyage. An “overrated fortress” says RS, but the plaza has especially
beautiful gardens & fountains. Marjorie is intrigued by someone painting
with fingers instead of brushes outside the entrance, but too long a line to
get one for herself. 
Passing lots more horse-and-carriage rides, we go into the
old Jewish Quarter & a small synagogue built in 1315, 1 of 3 medieval
synagogues remaining in Spain. Nearby is a statue of Moses Maimonides, the
“Jewish Aquinas.” Then we have a bodega
table reserved for an excellent tapas
lunch: lamb, gazpacho, aubergine (eggplant), calamari, etc. Gourmet cook Jim is
impressed w/ the wine reduction. 
Another
gorgeous PM, quite warm in the sun but overall very comfortable. Now for the
highlight of the day, & one of the trip highlights: the Mezquita, containing the Cathedral of
Cordoba & the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Moors from N Africa conquered the
city in 711, dividing this space into Christian & Muslim halves and building
the Great Mosque. After Christians retook Cordoba in 1236, instead of razing
the mosque (as happened elsewhere), the 2 religions continued to coexist. 
A
Renaissance cathedral nave was inserted in the center, beginning in 1523 but
not completed until 1766. An amazing place! More than 800 double-arch columns
of the mosque surround the beautiful cathedral interior, with many smaller
chapels around the outside edges. The organ is being played during our visit,
adding to the wonderful atmosphere. 
Friday, 10/9:
Sadly,
it’s time to leave. There are some uncertainties: Susan, Jim, & Ann have
been wondering how best to make a needed change of airports in London; Una
isn’t confident that her “White Airlines” connection to another tour in Lisbon
actually exists. Hopefully, all will be well. A very clear AM, bright crescent
moon & lots of stars, for our 7:15 ride to the airport w/ Barry & Alan.
M & I have a later flight than the others, but decide to head in with them
(we could have been dropped off in Malaga, but Barry says there won’t be much
open for us to do). We’re especially sad to bid farewell to Barry, our
wonderful guide & companion over the past week. Barry: “I’ll remember you
every time I see a churro.” Still the
guide to the end, as we drive toward Malaga he explains the Control de Velocidad signs we’ve been
seeing along highways: “speed traps” that record speeders on video & mail
tickets to them.
At
the Iberia check-in we ask about Premium Economy seats for the Madrid-JFK flight.
They are available; the agent says “Too busy. I won’t charge you.” As seems the
practice here, we have to wait for our gate to be posted about 45 minutes
before scheduled departure at 1:40. Gives us plenty of time for tasty breakfast
pastries at Upper Crust (“No Nonsense Good Food” & “Superb Coffee”) &
later a shared ham-&-cheese baguette.
Boarding is delayed because our plane is late arriving, but they do a fast turn-around so only about 20 minutes late taking off over the blue Mediterranean.
In Madrid we take a bus to the
terminal, train to another terminal, then a long schlep to our gate for on-time
departure at 4:45. We’re treated rather well on the flight: they offer a large
selection of newspapers (when did you last see that in coach? ̶ I
catch up on sports news w/ a USA Today) & we’re fed pretty well again w/ a
hot meal & later a big “snack.” On time to JFK about 7pm, it’s raining! The
rain has delayed other flights so we have to wait a bit for a gate. Thru
baggage claim, Customs, etc. w/o incident, a call to Smart Park for pickup to
get our car.
Boarding is delayed because our plane is late arriving, but they do a fast turn-around so only about 20 minutes late taking off over the blue Mediterranean.
We
head to our Queens family in Jackson Heights to deliver some winter clothes
packed in the car that were stored in our basement, and to give them some gifts
we brought from Andalucia. After a short visit, we decide to head back to
Albany, which turns into quite an adventure. As we near the Triboro Bridge we
come upon what seems more like a parking lot! An accident on the bridge has
closed all 3 lanes going north. After sitting a while w/ no progress I’m able
to maneuver & squeeze over onto the last exit before the bridge. Our GPS is
too confused to help, but I know something about alternate routes out of the
city. We double back to head for the Whitestone Bridge, then north w/ a few
missteps, finally home at 2:30am, considerably later than expected. The house
is occupied by “Billy Bassoon,” one of our regular Albany Symphony guests, but
he’s sound asleep by now; we’ll see him later after we’ve had a few hours
sleep. After picking up mail held while we were away, some exciting news:
Marjorie was awarded 1st place in “mixed media” at the Hagaman show!
Her first 1st! And it’s a beautiful day, fall colors well underway.
The trip was a great success on every
count! The itinerary proved even better than expected w/ every day a new &
wonderful experience. Each city was quite distinctive, and bigger, more
colorful, more spectacular than even our high expectations. And the natural
scenery ̶ mountains, lakes, fields of olive trees ̶ was
way more than expected.
All the details were handled
efficiently by Tour Andalucia: airport transfers, comfortable hotel, efficient
van rides each day, dining arrangements. Each city had a nice mix of guided
walking tours & time to explore on our own. Barry, our guide for most of
the trip, was a delight! Who’d have imagined a Spanish tour w/ Scottish brogue?
He fit right in w/ our jolly group, giving & taking a lot of kidding. There
was good orientation & background info w/o overloading us. Barry has quite a knack for storytelling, an engaging style & sly sense of
humor; tho one is given some pause by his
statement: “Why spoil a
good story with the truth?” I especially appreciated his being my support
dealing w/ the Alhambra ticket snafu.
The weather was just about perfect. A
few brief periods of rain when it didn’t matter, pleasant temps (highs mostly
mid-to-high 70s, topping out in low 80s).
Our
group of 7 was also a delight to travel with: congenial, punctual, flexible. We
all played very nicely together. It was so enjoyable to have the extended time w/
Doug, Susan, & Jim, & getting to know Ann & Una.
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