hola and besos

Hola mi amors.

We are in our element here, relying on Maya to speak Spanish to cashiers and waiters. There is a music to the chatter of the Andalucians - it is rapid and full of warmth. Our plan for Spain, after the ruins of Turkey, the history of Venice and the five galleries and 2 museums 3 Cathedrals and two train trips of Paris, to go for colour and experience here and we have not been disappointed. In addition to Jessica and Juan, Laurel has been a great resource - handing over her own "guide book" of a year's research and trip with Carroll, Sal, Lynn and Fred - who all gave recommendations. Ronda is one of the main pueblo blanco (or white villages) set on a gorge and known for its historic and massive bull ring in the center of town. Our hotel is tucked away in a winding lane (like in Sevilla) and a short walk over the bridge found us the best tapas so far. The bridge crosses a gorge where the earth has been cleaved - the drop is straight down and gave me vertigo as we crossed with a wedding party - negotiating cobblestones with their stilettos. You could say the canyon is drop dead gorgeous...

I have to sign off - eating at the fashionable hour of ten o'clock with the crowds of young children walking by in their strollers and running around our tables - leaves us little time to write and read in the evenings.

I am finally an official contributer and will post Cathy's point of view soon.

besos  and ciao til then,

Cathy