Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Adios to Spain


Our third day in Spain, we woke up to clouds, and so when we headed to the hillside


white-washed village of Mijas, 1400 feet above sea level,



we had to search a little harder for color, since the azure blue we had been experiencing was no longer our canopy.


We found color in the shops-- pottery


and flamenco dresses of all colors and sizes.


The look out perch offered spectacular views,


and the old walls of this hermitage built in the 1520's had a story to tell. Legend has it that the Virgin de la Peña appeared to two young shepherds in June of 1586 who had been led there by a pigeon. Subsequently, an image of the virgin appeared in a recess in a tower where it had been hidden for 500 years. Today the village people keep the little chapel decorated with flowers.


We moved on down the coast to our final destination of Malaga, another beautiful and modern Spanish city with almost 600,000 inhabitants. One of the oldest cities in the world, first founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC,


its bullring lies smack in the middle of high rises in the center of the city. 


Roman ruins of an amphitheater date from the first century and lie in the shadow of the Alcazaba, a fortress first built in the 11th century.


One of Malaga's claims to fame is that it is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, who gladly posed for pictures with us in front of  his birthplace with his sunglasses and baseball cap. We toured the Picasso museum, but as "interesting" as the paintings were, we were not allowed to photograph any of them for you, which is just as well, since I'm not sure I could have explained any of them to you anyway.

And just as impressive to me, is that Malaga is the birthplace of that cultural icon of Spain, and the voice of the most famous kitty we all love, Puss in Boots from Shrek---Antonio Banderas. Here's a little scoop--we'll be hearing him again in the spin-off from Shrek, "Puss in Boots-The Story of an Ogre Killer" to be released in November.


As the sun began to set on the day and on our stay in Spain, we took one last look at the Cathedral


and bid Adios to the beautiful Costa del Sol, with dreams of coming back again one day to retrace our steps.

13 comments:

  1. OH, Debi, how great have these posts been! I love Spain. I went in 2001 to Granada and Seville and visited Seville again in 2008...it was wonderous....especially to someone who had no appreciation for the culture or landscape. I had the blessing both times of being introduced to Spain by a dear American friend on missions there and seeing the heart of the Andalusia (sp) region through her the the eyes of locals. I would go back in a second and have enjoyed its delights through your tour once again (you give great tours by the way.) I always tell people who are surprised by my gushing that there is no way to describe how warm the people are (and the temp, depending on the time of year), how delicious the food is (tapas, anyone?) and how lively, and vivid the scenery is. Thanks for the glimpse once again.

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  2. Duh, I meant to say I had no appreciation "before" I went, obviously the experience deeply impressed me...goodness. My comment above is a bit messy, excuse me.

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  3. Obviously you had a wonderful time!! All the photos are just supurb and I have loved seeing them all!! I think there would be nothing grander than sitting on a hill by that blue sea and just watching the day go by! Marvelous!!!!

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  4. Wow, what a fabulous place!! Thanks for the wonderful tour, Debi! xxoo :)

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  5. Oh, Debi, I've so enjoyed this tour of Spain in these last posts! I have only been to Madrid for one day so very much appreciate your photos and all the details. Once again, you've taken me on a delightful, picturesque and informative journey to a new place – thank you! – g

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  6. Thank you for sharing your lovely trip to Spain. I enjoyed it so much! Checking in with your blog brightens my days, Debi.

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  7. Thanks for sharing this fab trip :-) I have only been to Barcelona , think I might blog about that trip.. it was in 2003 though . I never know where I am going to find you when I come over to your blog :-) xo Anne

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  8. So kind of Picasso to agree to pose with you!

    Lovely pictures and words as always, dear friend. Where are you taking us next?

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  9. This was so much fun and so informative!! Even to the A.B. movie coming out soon! It's always such a joy to stop by your site! Thanks so much!
    Ann

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  10. Am trying to catch up on your posts. You have really had a wonderful trip. Beautiful scenery, historical sites, and I think I hear music in the background. In the setting sun the cathedral looks almost golden.
    Washington DC has a bullring in the middle of it also - Congress.

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  11. Those photos look so lovely and make me feel like jumping onto the next plane to somewhere warm and sunny, plus I'd love to see the Picasso Museum! I hope it's warmer in Texas than here now and you're well. Have a lovely week, Love from London xo

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  12. Did Jordan get a flamenco dress?

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