Letters From the Top of the World (or Spain?) (or Malaga?)

The rest of my week continued in a mesh of pool, beach and cooking. Then a couple of things changed with our plans and it became a mad scramble to find accommodations and a new time table for the upcoming month.

If I have been sparse in posting, its because I've been trying to figure out the next month, I'm tired, and I'm still trying to enjoy every moment.

So the new time table Douglas and I devised consists of the following:

8/28 - 9/2 : Valencia
9/2 - 9/9 : Madrid
9/9 - 9/16: Barcelona
9/16 - 9/24: Rome
9/24 - 9/29: Dublin

So, all in all, whatever changes may have happened opened up the opportunity to visit Rome--and I couldn't be happier!

Douglas and I had to check out of the hotel at 10am, but our night bus to Valencia didn't leave until 9:30pm. This meant we had the entire day in Malaga city center to explore. We used our time wisely.

On our way into the city we even discovered a ship named after Latin heartthrob Mario Lopez--of Saved by the Bell (Slater!) and Dancing with the Stars fame. But he's Mexican and born in San Diego, so I have no idea why he would have a ship named after him. Though a ship named "Mario Lopez's Abs" or "Mario Lopez's Dimples" would make perfect sense.

Once at the heart of Malaga, we found the Plaza del Obispo. The square is the quintessential baroque urban space of Malaga. After the re-conquest of the city by the Catholic Kinds, this square (which had already existed in the Muslim Malaga) was one of the few important plazas of the city. However, it was not until the 18th century that the plaza's monumental artistic and religious character flourished. The economic recovery that took place in the city played a large role in this improvement since with it came the construction of the Cathedral and Bishop's Palace.These buildings occupy two sides of the plaza and determined the religious character of the square that remains to this day.

The other important plaza that existed is now known as Constitution Plaza. It currently is considered the center of the city and houses a small cultural area of cafes and upscale shopping as well as plenty of souvenir shops. At the center of the plaza, water trickles from an ornate fountain.

During my research of Malaga, I fell in love with Alcabaza and Gilbalfro--a fortress and palace dating back to the 8th century, though primarily constructed during the 11th century. Although the first trip to the city center hadn't provided ample time to pay it a visit, this time I wasn't going to take "no" for an answer.

The word Alcabaza comes from the arabic word for citadel. This is the most well-preserved of its kind in all of Spain.

Douglas and I would be great at defending the city. At least we could out-pose any predatory intruders.

The remnants of what I assume was a mosaic. Along with larger rock fragments are tinier pieces as well.

Gardens, complete with an old school irrigation system and of course, plenty of fountains.

Intricate patterns adorned the floors and ceilings, while the arches also exhibited precision craftsmanship.

Douglas discovers his own way of scaring off intruders.


After we made our way through Alcabaza, we set our sites on Gibralfaro.

Gibralfaro is an ancient fortress on mount of 131 meters (no idea how many feet that is...), which dates back to the time when the Phoenicians founded the present city of Malaga. At the beginning of the 14th century Yusuf I of the Kingdom of Granada constructed the caste on an old Phoenician enclosure. The name is derived from the Phoenician word for light Jbel-Faro, meaning "Rock of Light".

The views from the castle were some of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring I've ever seen.

Unfortunately, in order to get high enough to enjoy those views Douglas and I had to scale a mountain in flip flops in the sweltering heat. I am not overexaggerating when I say that at one point we (mostly I) had to stop every 20 feet or so. Towards the top the incline was so steep I took off my shoes because I feared that I would slide right back on down. Most people take the bus, and to be honest, I read online that the bus is the best way to get up there and that the "walk" (aka HIKE) is torturous. I just assumed it was a bunch of old people with cataracts, arthritic limbs and porcelain hips complaining. So I took on the mountain, Rambo-style. I take that back. It was more Rocky-style because I had my ass handed to me.

However, I made it. A feat I will remember forever. Mind over matter and all that. And the views and exhibit did not disappoint.

I don't know what this is, but it's a cute picture--and it illustrates the tomato shade of my face after the hike (aka MOUNTAINEERING) up to Gibraltar.

Then Douglas started making fun of "my pose". Apparently I always take pictures with a hand on my hip and my knee popped. I am 100% aware of this "phenomenon" and it is actually a decision I have made. Pictures look forced no matter how you take them. So I might as well stick to a pose that is a classic. Something I won't groan at in 20 years when I look at the pictures.

At the same time, I agree that I end up looking like a cut out doll with a different outfit posted in front of something new. I decided to start changing it up.

Here Douglas and I re-enact our favorite scenes from Indiana Jones.

The trek back down from the precipice of the city was much less arduous than our earlier expedition. We wandered our way back to the city center for some pizza before our nine hour journey to come.

(The pictures are taking too long to post. I will add them in as soon as I can, but I wanted you guys to know I'm still alive. Keep checking back!)