We set out for Ronda on Monday morning... Our mission: To meet Alexis at the McDonalds at noon. We were doing great till there was a construction zone on the N340 Coasta. The next thing we knew we were on goat paths somewhere lost and finally into somebody's driveway. We found our way to the N340 when Edward spotted someone coming out of their driveway and we followed them to the main road.
On the road to Ronda we stopped to take some pictures and met some sheep.
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I guess it would be really redundant at this time to mention that it was REALLY PRETTY there... Unfortunately, there was also construction on the Ronda end also so We got a bit lost going into town. I actually was able to go into the visitor's center and get directions from a guy that didn't speak English... and I actually understood what he was saying... mostly... OK, just the main idea. We pulled up to the McDonalds just as Alexis was on the sidewalk. |
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Alexis had found Chester and the two of them were ready to be the tour guides for the day. Chester adopted Alexis when she was going to school in Ronda. Alexis went to Spain with the hopes of bringing him back home. Instead, Chester is bringing Alexis to Spain, and I'm happy to announce that Chester's previous owners have allowed Alexis to adopt him permanently. (Go Chester). Alexis has also gotten a job over there and will be moving there in the next month. I know that the two of them will be quite happy together!
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After parking the car, the first place that we were taken was to this church right next to the garage. We went in and Alexis spoke into a lazy Susan to a nun in the other room and Voilla! a key! The key opened a door. When we went through the door there was a golden hand. This is the hand of a saint. After she died a priest dug up her body and cut off her hand and encased it in this golden statue. There are little windows on the fingers (above the rings) and that circle in the center where you can see the actual hand (such as it is). It seems that this is a national treasure and has had to be hidden from authorities on occasion. |
| We then went to eat at a local restaurant and had traditional Spanish Tapas. Tapas kinda means "food on a buffet". We had a Russian potato salad, veal ball, stuffed crab and a eggplant lasagna. Even Chester was able to come in an dine with us. |
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This is the bridge that connects the two parts of Ronda over the Tajo Gorge. They also have a stunning view!
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| Alexis went to school in what used to be Palace Mondragon. One of the kings of past lived there and it is now a school (and museum) |
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This is an archway at the school, and to the right is the road to the school. Ronda boasts the oldest Bull Ring in Spain, and we went in to take a look. |
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Chester was nice enough to play the bull,
and Edward (after coaching) finally played the matador |
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| It was nice to have some take our picture so that both of us could be in the same picture | |
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We said good-bye to Alexis and her friend Paco that night and headed back to Benalmedena Costa. Next Tangier, Morocco! |
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