Spain Trip '08

We went on our first big adventure after moving to Denmark. The girls had a week off from school (as did all of Denmark's schools) and my mother, Carole, arrived for a visit. We all took off on the following Monday and flew into Malaga, Spain, in the southern region of Andalucia. Craig has always wanted to go to Spain and it was a treat for me to return to the country of my college year abroad 26 years ago. We chose this area to try and get the last of the year's sun and we managed more warmer than colder days.



The first 3 nights were spent between Nerja and Frigiliana , about 2 miles off the coast in the Costa de Sol, in an agricultural valley with avocado, orange and olive trees. We stayed in a recently built villa with a private pool, 3 bedrooms, a lovely view, a stuffed stag over the mantle, and boasting roosters that began every morning at 4 am. From there we visited local sites, the fantastic caves nearby, ate classic chocolate and churros for breakfast, tapas in a little bodega for dinner viewed the ocean and a drive to Granada where we visited the Alhambra, the last Moorish stronghold.



From there we drove to Sevilla and stayed right in the barrio Santa Cruz, right next to the walls of the Real Alcazar, the castle of both Moorish and Christian kings. It's from this building that King Ferdinand sent Christopher Columbus to discover America! We took a bus top tour, ate more tapas, mom and I visited the Cathedral and Tower while Craig took the girls to Mcdonalds.



From there we jetted south of Cadiz, to the Costa de Luz and landed in a town called Zahara de los Atunes. Little did we know we were one of the only vacationers in a small town of 600 people, who's population grows to 120,000 Spaniards on holiday in the summer. We caught the last of the beautiful warm fall days and the girls actually jumped the waves with Craig. It was a ghost town and our resort owner took kindly to us and opened his dining room, ordered fresh fish from a friend, put on his chef whites and made us the best meal we had the whole trip. The girls had fresh hamburgers from steer that live just down the road and the adults has sea bass. Juan joined us later for dinner and wine, and then met us the next morning with hot croissants as we drove away to catch the ferry to Morocco.

So, our last full day of the trip was spent in Tanger, Morocco. We had 7 very full hours there, guided by Jamol, who works for the tourist ministry (and his commissioned retail friends...) to the financial district, kings' mansions, parks, camel rides, the ancient Casbah, dined on touristy bland Moroccan food entertained by old, toothless musicians who desperately needed a bath but couldn't be happier, walked through the food and clothing markets and, visited the city ovens where a man will bake your own bread for the citizens, the dirty, smelly streets, hovels for homes and very poor children running through a maze of 850 web-like, narrow streets they call home, some playing with soccer balls that had lost all their leather and barely held air.

I've never felt more like royalty, and more exposed than walking the streets of the Casbah, where locals physically hung on us to sell us their wares, many of whom will never leave Morocco and only dream of America from what they see on t.v. We are so privileged in our lives. It was a great eye-opener for the girls as well.

We flew out of Malaga and returned to Copenhagen the next day. All very glad to get back to fresh air, less cigarette smoke, foods we could buy and cook to our liking and times.

Carole stayed on an extra week and used it to recuperate from the busy trip, see the sights of Copenhagen, nap, eat, play games with the granddaughters, walk and shop. One night I took her to a CIS 5th grade parent potluck at the home of the Ambassador to Cypress (don't mind if I name drop, please). She enjoyed meeting the variety of people that make up the social network at school. The home wasn't bad either.

Next month the PTA is throwing a Dinner Dance/auction with a country western theme (oh boy) at the home of the US Ambassador, who will be leaving after January... I'm sure Craig just can't wait to dress up for that. There will also be a couple of evening galas next year.

I am helping at one of the craft table for this year's holiday festival, on Dec. 6th. Each table will have a different ethnic theme. We'll be making menorahs (surprise!) There will also be food, games, santa, bake sale, crafts for sale, etc.

No plans yet for xmas, but we have over 2 weeks off. I'm hoping to go on at least a 4 or 5 day trip by train somewhere. I'm starting to work on that now.

Tried my luck and got a haircut by a Danish stylist. It turned out to be a great cut and I am very happy. This was a below average price at $95 and it was just a shampoo, cut and blow dry.
Welcome to Denmark.