MORE FROM SPAIN…...WHAT A GREAT PLACE !!!

Almunecar, Spain

Looking south across the Med toward Africa

Wow.  This place is great.  I don’t think we have ever been anyplace where the weather was more perfect than it has been here.  The temps have been around the low 70’s for the lows and the low 90’s for the highs.  That would seem a little warm for the afternoon high temps except:  the ocean is cold, the breeze is constant, and the humidity in zero.  The humidity being so low is the great thing about being here.  There has hardly been a cloud in the sky…..we love it. 

The area is breath-taking….we love the mountainous views of the ocean from the highway that runs along the coast.  The architecture is very interesting and a perfect match to what I thought it would be like in this area.  Think the old movie Casa Blanca.

Seafood is plentiful and delicious, the fruits and vegetables are as good or better than what we find in the U.S., and, by and large, the groceries are cheaper.   We don’t care for the pizzas we have bought out, and the meats are probably more healthy than back home (with less fat content), but they are not nearly as flavorful as ours are.

We have spent a lot of time just walking around the town of Almunecar exploring the various shops and sites, and people watching.  We have had a blast.  There is a great, wide slate sidewalk on both sides of the road that our condo is on, right along the beach that is great for running and walking.  We have been wearing it out.  I have been doing my 4-6 mile run every other day, and Dahleen has been walking every day.  On the days I don’t run, I walk with her.

We are excited to have Lindsay, the daughter-unit, visit us for a week and she will probably need a vacation to get over her vacation by the time she gets back to the U.S. 

I have selected several photos, from the hundreds we have already taken, and posted them below.  If you want to see more, in a few weeks check on our Facebook page. 

 Happy, happy happy.  Sure beats Afghanistan.

 The Cross at El Penon del Santo (The Rock of Christ).  

Touring the Gardens. 

Castillo de San Miguel….captured by Christians from the Muslims in 1489.

 Dinner and flamenco dancing.  A great evening.

 A nice crib with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.

 The weather was perfect…..low humidity and a nice warm breeze blowing constantly.  

BREAK IN SPAIN....HABLO ESPANOL UN POCO......HELP!

6 Jun 2013

Almunecar, Spain

Me taking a photo of Dahleen taking a photo….what ???

Me hablo espanol un poquito…it has been a long time since high school Spanish classes.  Yeah, I know I am married to someone who is bilingual (Spanish and English).  Although I tease Dahleen about being “media bilingual” (halfway bilingual)….halfway speaks English and halfway speaks Spanish…I have to admit she does both pretty well.  You would think that being married for almost 14 years to someone who speaks fluent Spanish, and whose family (for the most part) speaks fluent Spanish, would help me to learn the language better.  The truth is, it doesn’t. 

For the most part, it is my fault; I am too impatient to struggle understanding, and especially trying to speak, the language during the course of conversation that I cry “uncle” and plead for English.  I do understand much more than I let on.  It comes in handy when those who think you are oblivious to the language try to slip something by you in Spanish.   You know, like they are speaking in a secret code and you have no idea what they are saying.  I just act ignorant and let them go.    :-)

Anyway, I digress.  I said all that to say this….it sure is nice being a tourist in a foreign country accompanied by someone who speaks the language fluently.  I am sure that a non-Spanish speaking person could travel and enjoy all that Spain has to offer with just a little difficulty, but it was so much easier with Dahleen being fluent is Spanish.  Let me add, even with the little difficulty of not speaking the language, Spain is a GREAT place to visit….especially the Costa del Sol of Southern Spain.

 

After leaving Kandahar, stopping for a layover in Dubai, a very quick (almost too quick) connection in Amsterdam I arrived in Madrid and found Dahleen.  She had arrived about an hour ahead of me, and we had no trouble meeting at my arriving terminal. 

We found the rental car desk, secured the car for a month and then set out on our 5 hour drive south to Almunecar.  It was a great road trip, weather was beautiful and the countryside was picturesque. 

Once in Almunecar, we settled into the condo……7^th floor, beachside….heaven.

I have included a few pictures of (very few of hundreds) of Alumunecar and will report more as we enjoy our time here in Spain.  We will post most photos on Knot Tide Down's Facebook page as we go.  Here you will just get a sampling.  

  

Dahleen striking "the pose" at one of the many cool spots in the town of Almunecar.

The view from the condo….the coast of Africa is just on the horizon.

Happy, happy, happy !!!