Mijas and Ronda

The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain...but also, it seems, in the mountains! Today we traveled west through the Sistema Penibetico, or Baetic Mountains, and found ourselves witnessing one of the only ten days of rain that this region of Spain purportedly receives.

The white (chalked) facades of Mijas remained beautiful even in the dreary conditions. We proved braver than our absent "donkey taxis" as we traversed the streets of lovely Ronda on our own two (wet) feet! The elevation of the village once provided area farmers with an opportunity for supplementing their agricultural income by offering visitors donkey rides up the mountain side to see the fantastic views provided in the picturesque community which overlooks the ocean. We were accompanied today though by only our knowledgeable local guide (and our umbrellas!)

RONDA

Next, we traveled northwest through exclusive Marbella, where the enormous estates of several American movie stars were visible from the roadway, toward our destination of the Andalusian village of Ronda. Ronda is populated by homes and shops adorned with decorated iron and floral balconies (see above). We tentatively left the rain behind and were greeted with some welcome sun after a lunch featuring regional specialties of Spanish ham, pork loin and pasta. We toured one of Ronda's most famous features, it's bullfighting arena, which is the oldest in Spain. This arena was a favorite of Ernest Hemmingway, who wrote a number of his works in the city of Ronda, and Orsen Wells, who specified his cremated remains be scattered here. Undoubtedly, the most breathtaking views in town for most were those surrounding the Puente Nuevo ("New" Bridge) which, despite the name, was completed in 1793. The bridge was built to connect the older portion of Ronda to the newer and resides 120 meters (~390 feet) above the canyon below. With structures clinging to its sides, it is a dramatic view that can only be fully appreciated in person, but we all took our best shots at capturing it! Tomorrow, we enjoy Seville with it's fabled beauty, and hope the sun comes with us!