April 18-19, 2010 -- Frigiliana and surrounds

We are back in Frigiliana, catching up on laundry and journaling, and have had some time to reflect on our Spanish trip. We have learned enough Spanish to get around, although we have had some humorous experiences, eaten some surprise dishes, travelled some circuitous routes, and relied considerably on the kindness of strangers.

We are amazed at the Spanish daily schedule. We described their meal routine, but that doesn't cover it entirely. After their second breakfast, and their 1 p.m. beer or wine break, shops close (even the Tourist Bureau) and people go home for dinner, the big meal of the day, which is followed by a siesta. They return to work about 3:30 and apparently work until about 6:30. Then everyone, young and old, is on the street for an evening stroll, the paseo, until dinner at about 8:30.

Ladies shoe stores abound and the women in Spain love fancy shoes. These are on display on the evening paseo. Older women also are out and about and they are dressed in lovely suits, and nylons in their more sensible shoes.

Around 10:00 things begin to come alive -- concerts and shows begin, tapas bars are lively and overflowing onto the streets, which are full of local people, including little children and babies in strollers, and this goes on until after midnight when tipsy people begin to loudly wend their way home.

We are aghast at some of the expatriates' attitudes towards the Spanish people, who are regarded as lazy, ignorant, ugly, and improvident. We find them kind, helpful, and courteous. Their farms are well kept although their goat dairies seem run down and dirty. We have seen very little of the equestrian culture that is such a part of Spanish identity.

One of the things that will linger most in our memor- ies of Spain will be the scent of orange blossons; orange trees are everywhere and the scent is amazing.