The Real Spain

Wanting one more mountain experience, we drove away from the coast toward Granada, then east into the mountains on a steep, curvy road. The sheer cliffs and cactus reminded me of Arizona. The town we were aiming for, Lanjaron, is an old village of narrow streets perched on the side of the mountain. The town is the gateway to La Alpujarra and the Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada. The view from a city plaza, with a castle in the foreground, was breathtaking.

The hotel we selected, El Hotel Espana, is a grand old hotel built in 1917. According to their spanish language brochure, it has been visited by actors, artists, poets and bullfighters. There are pictures in the bar as proof. The hotel is filled with antiques, including an old radio and an RCA victrola. We had a two-chandelier bedroom overlooking the steps leading to the pool. Lots of roses, bougenvillea and greenery, too. We had a lunch on the front veranda, the ¨menu del dia¨ and watched as a bus unloaded a group of bicylists who were making their way thru the mountains.

The most fun came that night. We took a long nap so we could stay up for the 10 pm ¨baille¨or dance at a hotel down the street. The poster advertised a singer, keyboard player and tango music. When we arrived the ballroom was empty. Slowly couples began arriving, all ¨mature¨, none under 60 years of age. There were about 14 people all together, and the couples danced every single tango. Then they began line dancing, something like our Texas line dancing, to tango music. The ¨paloma blanca¨ or white dove seemed to be their favorite. They were truly enjoying themselves and each partner seemed to know each others moves precisely as they gazed into each others eyes. FUN!!!

We are now in Torremolinos planning our strategy for the next few days. Granada, maybe Gibraltar, more seafood, then back to Rota for the flight home:(