Day Trippin'

Thus far, I have managed to successfully venture on two day trips to nearby towns in Spain. The first, Antequera- a linda (precious) town situated between Granada and Sevilla. The second, Almuñecar- a beach town on the Mediterranean coast. Both were about an hour and a half’s bus ride from town and well worth the trip.

Along with some other auxiliares, I took the advice of my roommates and went to Antequera rather than Ronda (which I do still want to visit). I immediately fell in love with the town and wanted to spend the night in order to fully take advantage of what the quaint, idyllic Antequera has to offer (including, among others, a medieval fair that supposedly picks up at night). We didn’t stay the night (hostels too caro- expensive), but we still had a great time. We walked until we got to the medieval market below the Alcazaba (castle) that overlooked the entire city. I, of course, had to buy a decorative plate. Couldn't resist something to hang on my wall.

Among the various sausages, beer and crafts at the market was my soon-to-be novio (boyfriend). I’d have to say it was the hair that initially drew me in. That, and he gave me a present: a magic trick. Or should I say, "illusion." As Gob says, "A trick is something a whore does for money."

After a sad farewell from my medieval novio, our group had the entire Alcazaba to ourselves to explore at our leisure.

Then onto “El torcal,” which proved to be an amazing end to the day. Everyone told us that it was worth (vale la pena) going to “El torcal," which was a park roughly 20 minutes by cab from the center of the city. They claimed it was like entering another planet and boy, were they right. The rocks throughout “El torcal” that formed when Spain was below the ocean made the entire park eerily reminiscent of Mars… minus the grass, and oxygen… and people. Clambering around on the rocks and exploring the trail (trying not to stray off the green path- sendero- and missing our bus) is just one of the many reasons to go back to Antequerra.

Last week, on the Dia de la Hispanidad (gotta love those Spanish holidays), we just barely caught the bus to Almuñecar and headed to the beach. The weather in Southern Spain has been unnaturally warm for the time of year, but heck- I’ll take relaxing by the beach in October any day. Apparently Almuñecar is nicer than the closer beach, Motril, but I was still a little disappointed that there wasn’t really “sand”- just small stones. However, my disappointment was immediately alleviated after realizing that virtually all of the rocks were perfect skipping stones. Bruce would have been in Heaven.

Swimming in the Mediterranean is awesome. Perfectly clear blue water. No waves (which I admit I sort of missed). AND the water is salty enough that it takes no effort to float. Amazing. And, a little helado on the way back to top it off. Speaking of food, though… we could NOT find a good, cheap place to eat for the life of us and ended up eating mediocre Mexican food. Spain doesn’t know how to do Mexican food… and rightly so. Apparently the sauce that covers patatas bravas counts as every salsa and/or spicy sauce. I should have splurged on some pescado (fish) being right on the coast.

Michelle & me on the beach

The bilingual teacher I work with, Vanessa, goes kayaking every weekend seeing as the water is getting too chilly for swimming. She offered to take me with her (and is also trying to persuade me to learn how to salsa dance)- so who knows? Next day trip?

All for now!

PS- Update on work: First impressions were a bit skewed. The bilingual teachers are awesome, and we are supposed to go for cheap and huuuge tapas tomorrow night. They're all around my age, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them and getting the inside scoop of Granada and the area. I organized a game today to teach the children the numbers 1-10 (the 6-year-olds). Successful with the "smart" class, not so much with the... other ones. Also, I'm tutoring a 13-year-old girl who lives in the old part of the city- el Albaicín. I have to climb a lot of cuestas (hills- because it "costs" you a lot to climb them, get it?) to get to her, but any extra spending money is well worth the hike! Slowly but surely, I'm getting better at lesson planning. Fingers crossed I don't royally screw up her education. Kidding?