Ronda, Spain Photo Journal

The Road to Ronda, Spain

Today's adventure was a visit to the beautiful 

mountaintop village of Ronda.

"I have sought everywhere the city of my

 dreams and I have finally found it in Ronda"

    ~Rainer Maria Rilke

We started from our condo on the beach and 

headed up the San Pedro Road through the 

mountains.

After my first trip, I swore I would NEVER

go back by car.  On my last trip, that would

have been my eye in the car except it had a

tear coming out of it.

I admit my first trip up the mountain was

awful.  It is a 2 lane road with constant twists

and turns but what made it awful was the 

daredevil motorcyclists that were weaving 

between cars and banking so far in the curves

that it was frightening.

This photo shows the tree line, the area 

where trees can no longer thrive.

And when you reach the top it is nothing

but rock, some scrub and mosses.

And then you come upon the beautiful city

of Ronda, like an oasis in a desert.

"There is nothing more startling in Spain 

than this wild and mountainous city."

                  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Ronda is home to Spain's oldest bullring.

Bull fighting is still an important part of

Spanish culture.

The views into the surrounding valley are

delightful.  I wonder what life is like for the

people living in these farmhouses?

And the views beyond of the surrounding

mountains are breathtaking.  What a variety

of color.

This is a lovely spot to take in the view.

Today there was a harpist playing in 

the gazebo.

You don't realize the plunge until you 

look at it from this angle.

Hem is popular here, as he is in many places.

He spent summers here researching bull fighting.

It is a lovely little city filled with cafes and 

restaurants, many with spectacular views.

Everyone has their cameras out for shots

of the Puente Nuevo or New Bridge, odd to

call it new since it was built from 1751-1793. 

But that just shows how old this city is.  How

did people get to this place back then?

The bridge spans this canyon, it 

reminds me of the legs of an elephant.

I love to stroll through the narrow,

winding streets.

I peek into the courtyards.  I would

like to live there.

And spend a quiet Sunday afternoon

near the church.

Saturday Market at Fuengirola

If I'm in southern Spain and it is Saturday you

will find me here at the Fuengirola Market at the

fairground.  It is one of the largest markets in Spain.

We park under the orange trees near the art store.

Then the hunt begins!  For the girl who likes

old stuff, this is heaven.  There is a little bit

of everything here and it is not too artfully

arranged, I like the thrill of finding a treasure

among the junk.

I love the idea of buying my produce right

from the wheelbarrow.

Ummm ~ yeah, it's Spain.

This is my favorite style of treasure hunting,

poking through boxes.

Here is a perfect combination, tiles, great door,

old cameras and clocks ~ yum.

So what did I buy?  An assortment of vintage

household items with foreign words on them,

I am an absolute sucker for this stuff.

A Spanish slipware piece and some very

cool knives and forks.  We plan to use them

for spearing olives and spreading cheese.

And a score!!!  I always admired the tobacco

jars at Colonial Williamsburg but they were so

expensive for a transferware reproduction.

Today I found this, handpainted, brass lid

made in Holland and I got it for 10 euros! 

Score!!