Malaga, Spain!!!

Photo taken from ship...early morning light...

The kill...

Sergio, young matador in training...

Beautiful movement...

Traditional costume...

Cathedral of Malaga

Cathedral entrance...

City courtyard...

Flamenco...

Storybook Garden

View from Fortress...

Today is Monday, May 13, 2013. We arrived in Malaga, Spain, 7:30AM. Once again the air clear, crisp and the sun peeking through. The temperature would rise to 75 degrees, just perfect for touring. We are officially in the the Mediterranean and it is all and more, than I expected. Malaga is the fifth largest city in Spain. Malaga dates back to 770B.C., discovered by the Phoenicians The climate is subtropical and it is a very busy seaport. It is also the birth place of Pablo Picasso. Malaga is a city rich in antiquity and I could write volumes about it’s beauty. Neat and clean and it’s people very friendly. 

We booked a tour through Holland America and promptly left the dock at 9:30AM. We are now six hours  ahead of EST.

There were about forty of us on a large luxury motor coach. The coach had electric shades on the front windows and plush and comfy seats. Antonio, was our driver and LuLu, our guide. She was a very upbeat and knowledgeable woman. We were greeted with a big smile and she shouted out, Hola! Hola amiga, I responded! That about limits my Spanish!!!

We first visited a bull fighting arena. It is still legal to bullfight here and there are several shows a year. Traditions and history of the sport are very interesting. “There is a very strong emotional connection between the matador and the bull,” LuLu said.

We met Sergio, a young matador in training. He is twenty two years old and has fought a four year old bull, which means he has gained experience. Bulls at age four, are killed and harvested for food. LuLu explained that the meat is more tender because the bull is killed quickly by the matador. Sergio showed us some of his moves and finally the kill! If a matador does a good job he is then given one ear of the bull. If he does a really good job and kills the bull on the first strike he is given two. The crowd and the president decide, which. They scream Ole! Ole! Bullfighting is a very dangerous sport and there is an average of two major accidents a year. There is actually a surgical team on staff here. So don’t try this one at home kids! 

We then attended another Flamenco show. This show was far more professional than the last show, we saw in Cadiz. The “sole” of Spain, I call it. The deafening tapping of the shoes entered my soul, opened my heart and lifted my spirit. You can’t help but feel it. Flamenco is a very passionate and elegant tradition. It is very much a dance of emotion and improvisation! A dancer feels the beat and then decides on the step he or she will perform. Flamenco is actually a combination of three different cultures, Arab, Indian and Spanish. Flamenco was born out of poverty, many people were destitute, they had there legs to dance and their voices to sing, both were free and Flamenco was born. We loved the show and the four entertainers got a standing ovation. 

Visiting the Cathedral of Malaga, was truly an experience. It is said that it took 250 years to build. It is only opened, if the Pope visits and sometimes during lent. Designed  in ornate Renaissance style. 

A fourth and final stop, we drove to the highest point in the city. It is called, Mountain of The Lighthouse. A large fort greeted us and panoramic views could be enjoyed from almost any turn. It resembled an old castle and had been partially destroyed by Napoleon’s army. There were beautiful gardens here and it looked like a scene from a story book. There was a bit of a climb and I would not recommend this tour to anyone who has trouble walking, although some gave it a try. There was, however, a seating area not far from the bus.

Well folks, here again, is another city I would love to visit again!!! Hmmmm, maybe I’ll just have to do this cruise again next year!!! Olé!!! Olé!!! Might be too early to let hubby in on my thoughts!!! Let’s keep it a secret! 

Lessons learned: It is so wonderful to make one’s dreams a reality! “Never want to say, I should have, while I can.” 

Wisdom: Life is too short, why waste a moment. Trite but o so true!!!