Day 7... Tangier, Morrocco, North Africa

First an update on last nights fiesta... it got going after midnight and really got loud when the drummers and local singing groups took the stage for a contest in front of cheering, screaming people. We heard it all as it was on the street just below us. Once the music ended around 4a.m. then the street cleaners came with their hoses, blowers and metal trash bins to collect bottles in. This racket kept up until sunrise. We now know why our hotel was only $35/night.

Now for Africa: it is a 35 minute ferry ride across the straights of Gilbralter to arrive in Tangier. Tangeir is a typical city in a developing country with all the ailments and character that make the visit worth while. We spent the a.m. dodging beggers and generally being harrassed in the "old town." It was another world- narrow alleys, tiny store fronts, children running around. We had lunch, went to a few stores, etc. Then we took the bus up into the hills that overlook the sea- we passed mansions owned by various middle eastern royalty and new homes being built for the growing upper class. There was new construction everywhere and at the same time sheep grazed on undeveloped land in the city. Very intersting experience overall and we made it out with only a few spices, a lamp, a carved camel and our purses.

Tues a.m. we travel to Granada to stay in our fancy hotel and take a vacation from our vacation. Adios!

Day 6... Tariffa, Spain, the most southern part of Europe.

3 hours on the bus from Sevilla. Beautiful drive past hills, cows, bulls, and finally to the ocean. We are at the point where the atlantic meets the Meddeterain.

Our hotel is on the main plaza where today is Carnivalle and children and adults are running around in costumes. There is music and drumming everywhere and colored lightbulbs strung across the stage area. We will get very little sleep tonight as the real part will not begin until after 10pm.

Tarifa is a beautiful seaside town and we love it here. We maight buy a piece of property on the ocean for 64,000 euros.

In the a.m. we cross the straights of Gilbralter for Morrocco. Adios!

Day 5
We are in Seville Ruth woke up this morning with a crooked neck (pinched nerve) so we had to walk a crooked 3 miles We saw the largest gothic church in the world after a pitcher of sangria and seeeing a palace. Weather is great and both our spanish and the food is getting better..

Day 3- Toledo ...

Beautiful walled city... we are staying above in the hills overlooking the city. Spectacular views everywhere!

Today we shopped a nuevo mercado for grande chicas then went the walled city for dinner - our choices were limited to meat plain or meat stuffed with more meat. Hmm... Ruth had cold uncooked salmon, Andrea had very rare venison. Thank god for dessert!

Tomorrow we head for Sevilla (seville) and to the "white towns" on the cliffs edge.

Adios!

Day Two...
Walked all over the city today. Made it to the Palace, gardens and one art museum. It is warm and sunny although the locals are wearing winter coats and scarves. Andrea bought cute baby clothes and zappatos for Stasia.

We have a 10pm date with the owner of the Tapas place we ate last night- he said we are "beautiful girls" and must return tonight to dance...

8:45pm Madrid near el hotel Vincci Soho...

Very tired after the flights so we slept all afternoon and are just now getting our first taste of Madrid. The roads are narrow and we will try our best not to get too lost.

We are off to find dinner now.

Adios America... Hola Espania...

First post: sitting in airport in Amsterdam waiting for our flight to Madrid where we look forward to a nice nap. More later...