Tres Mesas en España - 3 Months in Spain

It is now officially spring here in Spain which brings many changes. The fruit trees are starting to blossom. The olive trees are loaded and the weather is getting warmer plus the days are longer.

SPRING IN SPAIN

What have I been doing lately? Well Juliet, my English friend has opened the doors to Juls’ Gym. Some things are so difficult to accomplish here in Spain. Juliet’s patience have been tested many times with the Spanish “manana” mentality this culture seems to possess at times. Everything takes twice as long I have noticed, but us foreigners get use to it. Her gym will be a success as it is a great workout, only women allowed, the music is awesome and the atmosphere is fresh and friendly. Plus there is a pool and bar right next to her gym, what more can a person want. I have walked the 45 mins. trek to Punta Lara where Juliet lives a few times. I can go as the crow flies or take the beach route, which is lovely of course.

I went with a friend a few weeks ago to Frigiliana for an overnighter. Both days we hiked to the top but going in 2 different directions. Sandy and Mike, you’d be surprised, I didn’t whine once...Okay, well maybe a tad at the really steep slippery part ahah. From the top we could see Nerja, Punta Lara, houses tucked in the mountainsides, orchards, farms and the Mediterranean Sea. We happened to come across a tiny farm built in the side of the mountain, very unusual. They had the usual farm animals and also 2 donkeys or mules. I still can’t tell the difference between those 2 creatures.

FRIGILIANA, SPAIN

Back to Nerja to get some everyday errands done—banking, return emails and call Sarah, Mom & Earla. The next day, spontaneity kicked in and we packed up again and drove to an area called Las Alpujarra, which is the south side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The drive to Orjiva was super windy, but I didn’t get car sick, that only happens going to Whistler, BC ahah. But how they build these mountain roads is beyond me. There is only a 5 inch shoulder on either side of the road, rather scary at times. We stopped along the way to soak up the gorgeous scenery and add more clothing.

We camped 45 mins. from Orjiva (in an old olive grove) and once we arrived we walked into town for a cerveza (or 2) and met 2 women, Sam who is from Spain and her friend from Switzerland. They joined us and we talked Spanish all afternoon. They were very patient with us and helped us when we would get stuck, but we learned loads of vocabulary. They both earn a living selling jewellery that they make so right there Sam made me a pair of earrings and a necklace out of burnt orange coloured beads. I love it, very Spanish-like. So we said our goodbyes and came across a street market that sold everything from A to Z. I bought a surprise for Sarah when she arrives.

ONE PUEBLO WE VISITED ON OUR
SEVEN PUEBLO HIKE

That night we met up with Paco, a friend who works at the restaurante/bar next to the campground. We had a fun evening of hanging out with all Spanish people and playing pool with Antonio, Jóse, Pépe and Andreas. It was hilarious as we won 4 games in a row and I have only played pool once last week for my first time. Beginner’s luck for sure.

HIKING IN ORJÍVA

The following day we were up early and walked a trail called La Taha de Pitres, which took us through seven pueblos--Pitres, Capilerilla, Mecina, Mecinilla, Fondales, Ferrirola and Altalbéitar. The origin of this walk dates back to roman times and was important during the Arab occupation (not sure why ahah). We saw century-old trees, natural springs, rivers, ravines and exceptional views of the Apujarreño landscape and Sierra Nevada.

Along the way we would stop at each town for a wee bit of a rest and end up finding Spanish people to converse with. Our last town we ended up speaking with 7 teenagers doing what all teenagers like to do—hang out, laugh, and tease one another. They were so interesting and would laugh at some of our Spanish since they spoke very little English. Before we left Antonio, Marina, and Anna gave us a sample of flamenco dancing. I tried as well and it was hilarious. So the kids pointed us to our return walk to Pitres and off we went. What a fun few hours. The hike usually takes 5 hours but for us it was 7 hours as we seemed to attract Spanish folks to yap with. I think Spanish Immersion is the way to learn plus it is so much fun.

The next day we lounged around and hung out with Luticia and Daniel from Almuñecar and spoke only in Spanish as Daniel doesn’t know one word of English. That night we went to my very first Flamenco show. It was amazing, the women moved her feet so fast they were a blur at times. The music the band played was lively and we seemed to be eating tapas for hours ahha. Again, I have no idea what I ate but I enjoyed every mouthful, even the squid. Yes folks, Leigh-Ann ate squid ahah.

The 5th day we drove zig zag part way up a mountain through a national park then hiked to the top. The mountain range is the Sierra Nevada and man, it is nothing like our mountains back home as far as the vegetation. The pine trees are short and spindly, there are tons of huge cactus, and the rocks are rough. There are so many differences, both beautiful in their own way. Most nights we would sit around practicing our Spanish and listening to Spanish music all the while gazing at the same stars as you all would be. It made me feel not so far from home when I would look up.

HIKING IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MONTAÑAS
WITH FOXY

We said our goodbyes, which are long in this culture with lots of kissing, hugging and planning when we will see each other again. Paco hopes to come to Nerja in the next few weeks and we will take him all around our little town, to the beaches, out for tapas and a night of dancing.

Late at night we drove to Granada. It was strange to see a big city and all of its’ lights. We both had a silly craving for fast food, something I haven’t had in almost 3 months. But nothing was open so we ended up making popcorn which was awesome even without my usual loads of butter. We stayed 2 days in Granada and it sprinkled rain off and on so I hit the stores for some light summery clothes in preparation for our hot summer that is to come in Nerja.

SHOPPING IN GRANADA
IN THE RAIN

News flash everyone! Chris and Earla went to a lot of work on my behalf and my little Lucy Lou finally arrived in Spain. We drove to Málaga where she flew in. She left on the Mon. and arrived Wed. with an overnight stay in Frankfurt, Germany. There was a big mix up with her paperwork from Germany. After trying to speak to the Customs guy, 2 phone calls to the Vet in Frankfurt, having the Spanish Vet come to the airport, finding only one person who spoke English, more paperwork filled out, and me having a big crying spree, they finally released her Thurs. late afternoon. In the end the problem was the Custom guy didn’t understand German, go figure. I can laugh about it now, but I was a mess, thinking that Lucy had to be in her kennel for 4 days only to be let out for food and to do her business. I have some tear-jerking video of when I got to hold Lucy for the first time. Lucy cried of joy (me too haha) and I was so happy she remembered me.

THE DAY MY LUCY LOU ARRIVED

We have been back in Nerja a week and Lucy is settling in fine and dandy. She has been to the beach, some restaurantes, out for cafés with me and my friends, climbed a mountain, and already she knows her new home when I give her the command “Lucy house”. I don’t feel as homesick with Lucy here. She is my little ray of sunshine. I will try not to send too many “Lucy Does Nerja” photos, but I can’t promise ahahah. Lucy walked all the way to Frigiliana with us, 3.5 hours away and back. She absolutely loved it.

Carol would have been here right now but had to cancel her trip as she has been rather sick. I was very disappointed since I was so looking forward to showing her my favourite places. I was looking forward to taking off for a few days and see a bit of Spain as well with Carol, nothing like a girl’s road trip. I even had a Lucy sitter all lined up. Anyways I know one day Carol and Bruce will come. I vision Carol and I sipping cervezas, tasting tapas yapping til the wee hours of the morning while Bruce climbs the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

Sarah and Earla arrive in 20 days but who’s counting ahha. I am! Girls you better catch up on your sleep as I have tons of places for you two to see, friends of mine for you to meet, lots of beaches to walk, girlie clothes shopping to do and mucho tapas to taste.

I finally have a land line and will email you my new phone number as I don’t think it is a good idea to put it on my blog. Surprising inexpensive to call Canada, 5 euros for 300 minutes, cheap like borscht. I have my computer serviced and just waiting for the Internet to be connected which should be in less than 2 weeks, but then again it could be longer considering the country I am living in ahah.

Next week, I am joining a casual conversation class at Burianna Beach, buying swim tickets for the local pool, continuing to work on my Spanish verb workbook, buy pots and plants for my 2 patios, going to a local hair show (I have been asked to one of the models, too funny), taking Lucy to the Vet’s for her Spanish Passport, and of course getting together with friends. Life is good.

Things I have learned, experienced and love about Spain:
-The plants seem to grow without any water.
-I have not seen one truck here, only small compact cars and a few SUVs.
-Nerja has only 2 sets of traffic lights, they are sure into their Round Abouts though.
-Taking my Verb book everywhere with me is so helpful.
-The Spanish are still dressing like it is winter even in April, it’s cool for them.
-Take more food when I hike to the tops of mountains.
-Finding a fax machine in the small pueblos is next to impossible.
-The avocadoes are big, tasty and you can just pick them off the trees as you go on walks.
-Gas is just as expensive as back home.
-Spanish soap operas are great for learning pronunciation, they talk my speed.
-The geckos and lizards are tiny but the frogs (possibly toads) are big and really creepy looking.
-Pack Kleenex with you where ever you go, most bathrooms don’t have hand wipes.
-Bathroom lights are usually on some sort of a timer. Know where the light switch is located before you sit.
-Four days of rain in 3 months. The Spanish love the rain as they have serious water problems in the summer.
-A long hot shower after camping in the great outdoors is absolute heavenly.
-The orange tree blossom smell is so fragrant, something I will never forget. I wish I could bottle it.
-Seeing the big city lights are pretty but I prefer the little lazy town of Nerja.

I still miss my family, my friends, and my flowerbeds at times.
I love home / BC / Canada, but am IN love with Spain.
Take care everyone and keep in touch.

Adios por ahora,
Leigh-Ann & Lucy