Amandas Adventures in Spain

Well I have loved Estepona, there is something about it l can't put my finger on, I suppose it is the atmosphere, a mixture of bouyant and laid back. I have been here nearly 4 weeks, the time has flown!  I have got used to the strange chiming from the bell tower, ie at 6 in the morning it chimes 12 times, and it plays a Trumpton-like collection of notes that make a wierd tune at midday. Then it strikes 1 at quarter-past-whatever, 2 at half-past and 3 at quarter-to. All very confusing but it adds to the charm.  And l have got used to my little room in the hostel and pulling up the shutters in the morning to see the orange trees in the square and the mountains in the distance . (That's when l try NOT to think about the house l had in Valencia, with its' wonderfull views of the citrus groves and the mountains and the huge blue expanse of sky....it is a kind of torture that l have to refrain from, though it is bloody hard at times, wishing l hadn't sold it is, of course pointless) . I have got used to strolling to the beach and watching the boats and ships far away out on the sea, and to the square at night with the young and old all chatting away, a constant hum. I hadn't realised what a great art collection lies behind the doors of the Tourist Office, religious old oils, then upstairs a lovely collection of impressionist work by various Spanish artists and then a further floor with a great modern collection including Picasso, Miro.and many new young artists l had never heard of. Totally free to enter, aparently it is all owned by a Spanish actor. I also went to watch Flamenco, different again from the previous, the woman in a white flounced dress and holding a fan, twirling and stomping and a guy in a black suit whose feet moved so fast it reminded me of 'The Red Shoes', he looked almost posessed. I am catching the bus tomorrow for Malaga, 'Malaga Express', it takes 1 hour 15 minutes and costs 10 euros.  I have arranged to stay with a guy called David (!) via a site called airbandb, which l have not used before. I thought it would be good to stay with someone who knows the city.There were several options, but in the end l went for him due to an inner hunch, and the fact that  he has many great reviews for his hospitality and location of his apartment, and he is meeting me at the bus station.  I am expecting Malaga to be manic after the chilled vibe here, but I am sure it will be interesting. I am booked to stay there till Friday, when l meet up with another woman going up to do the Diverbo week in Corzolla. Oh, and going to look at a reposessed  apartment on the beach tomorrow before l leave, purely out of interest of course! Lots of love to everyone x

Hi, well here l am in Estepona and am feeling quite at home here.  Though its sprawls quite a long way along the coast I am in the old town, which is compact and  is easy to get to know.  I have been staying at a hostel on the Plaza de Flores, very pretty with a fountain and avacado tree, roses, angel trumpets, oranges and jasmine. At the hostel the second night the elderly guy suggests l leave my key at the desk (I never do this as a rule...). On returning after a few wines and tapas he disavows all knowledge of me. I try to explain that l am booked in for 6 nights, that l am in room 16, to no avail.  Eventually his son shows up and explains his father is not 'quite with it', and has forgotten me booking in the night before, so it's ok in the end but t was a bit upsetting at the time. Suffice to say have taken the key out with me ever since.  An accordian player strolls around playing 'Besame Mucho', the theme from the Godfather and some traditional Spanish song, its endearing the first time one hears it, familiar the second time, but after three days it wears a bit thin!  There are some nice bars on the beach but of course they are always more expensive and l am trying to keep to a budget. Those in the side streets further back are loads cheaper, so for example l have been going for eggs and toast and tea and a fresh orange juice most mornings for 3.60 euros. Today l was going to move out to a cheaper place but the Spanish mother at the hostel showed me a room at 25 euros instead of the 35 l have been paying. Why didn't she offer that room in the first place?  Two dutch guys who were staying in an identical room to mine were paying 40 in total, i.e 20 each. I do get annoyed at being stung for being a solo traveller.   I got an e mail from Diverbo to say they want me on the course in Coto Valle on November 22nd for a week.  Thats a week of talking for accomodation and food (although like the Vaughnschool thing it is a bit more involved than that), still it will be an experience.  I have to get up to Malaga and then to Cordoba, then onto the venue itself which seems pretty rural.  So it will be a case of buses and trains and more buses l think. So I wll travel on bit by bit, and will try to fit in the Alhambra, as l have always wanted to go there. Things l like here; the weather obviously, it has been warm and sunny most days, the chattering animated Spanish with all the generations out together all evening, the good tapas bars, sipping a beer by the sea, the friendly local police which make me feel safe walking around at night, and yes, even the accordian player is not too bad.  I still may move to the cheaper hostel as its 20 euros a night and it all adds up to a saving if l am here a little longer. Music wise l have looked and can't see any  'music en vivo' (live music), Karoeke is not my thing!  I skpyed for the first time yesterday and spoke with my lovely son Ben, it was great but l got a bit tearfull when it came to saying goodbye. Bye the way, l have been taking photos but am not sure how to upload them onto this blog, can anyone advise me? Adios for now! X