Labor Day Weekend!

The first destination of our Labor Day weekend get away was Ronda, a striking combination of new and old straddling the grand fissure El Tajo gorge. We walked through the out skirts of El Mercadillo, which is the new side of town on the north side of the gorge. This town was started when taxation drove out most of the residents of La Ciudad(The city) at the end of the 13th century, so clearly the Spanish definition of new and old differ slightly from the American interpretation.

While winding our way through town we saw the festivities set up for Feria de Pedro Romero. This is a two week long party that is help in remembrance of the legendary bull fighter Pedro Romero. Ronda is arguably the birthplace of bull fighting in Spain, or so the Rondan's like to boast.
We arrived at the Puente Nuevo (new bridge) which spans the impressive gap between La Ciudad, and La Mercadillo. The views were equally impressive from both sides of the bridge. This bridge is definitely the star of sites to see in Ronda.
After enjoying a nice lunch, and buying a few little treasures we were on the road to our next destination...Málaga.

We arrived in the late afternoon, just in time for a traditional siesta! After that, refreshed and revived we headed out to explore the city and find a nice place for dinner. We were successful in both our endeavors. I made it my yummy mission to try the gazpacho (a traditional Spanish cold tomato soup) at every place we ate, it was a very successful mission!

The next day we wondered some more through the city, discovering all the subtle beauties in the fine wood work, outdoor sculptures, and quaint shops.
As is almost always the case here in Spain, and in Europe in general, the architecture was not to be over looked. The immense Cathedral of Málaga was over two hundred years in the making, and was still never completed. The south tower remains unfinished giving this edifice its nick name of "La Manquita" or "the one-armed lady".
The Alcazaba, was the 11th century Muslim Governors palace-fortress. It is built like a fortress with terraced view points, and sprawling layout, but the intricate details of its interior architecture display its role as a palace. There is a internal water flowing systems that feeds many fountains and supplies water to the beautiful gardens scattered through out the compound.
Out front they have unearthed a small Roman theater, only increasing the depth and intricacy of this ancient cities past.
We just couldn't get enough of the striking lines of the Moorish arch way, they managed to make such simple framework, intensely interesting and beautiful.
The long trek through the grounds of the Alcazaba in the never ending Spanish summer heat, left us ready for something a little cooler, so we ventured into Museo Picasso where no cameras were allowed but where the art and the air conditioning were plentiful! While for the most part pleasing to the eye, Picasso's work can be quite mentally exhausting, so once we pondered on every last piece of priceless art, we opted for a nice quiet lunch to ease our aching feet and heads!

Being big lovers of photographing nature, we thought a trip to the botanical gardens couldn't be missed!
The plants were plenty and the breeze was high as we meandered through the twisted maze of the gardens interior. Brad snapped pictures until he could snap no more. We took his full data card as a sign to head back to the hotel for a much desired siesta.

I got dressed up for our last dinner out in Málaga, and after a half a bottle of wine I was feeling pretty good.

We headed home the next morning, and after a stop by the Viveros (or nursery) we got to work hanging the treasures we had found in Ronda. The hanging plant pot is a very common decoration for the outside of the house here in Spain, or at least here in little America's version of Spain, base housing.


After all was said and done this weekend was all that we could have hoped for, restful, fun, and productive!