We left Madrid and headed south to the hills of Andalucia. It was here that we saw Alfonso and Vera, he a poet and she, a former concert pianist; both were so full of life. The enchanting couple live in a beautiful hacienda in Banos de la Encina. Long time friends of Mercedes' parents, they graciously opened their home to us. We spent the afternoon by the pool, which was so refreshing and the best way to bear the sweltering days. We had lunch around four; complete with cheese, bread, sausages, chips, pâté, mussels, shrimp, and the most delicious chorizo. Lunch was followed by drinks for some and siestas for others. I took my siesta in a lounge chair by the pool. The afternoon breeze had set in making my nap most enjoyable. Before dinner, we went for a walk around the local village. Atop a hill sits a castle, one of the two oldest in Europe. It is from this beautiful castle that you can see the hills of Andalucia. This region, known for its olives and olive oil, is covered in olive groves as far as the eye can see.
The Hacienda
Drinks
Walk/Castle Tour
Thursday morning, after coffee and pastries, we headed to the gypsy market in Jaen. Later, we headed to Granada, further south. We visited the ancient, Arab ruins of Alhambra. The city of Granada is breathtaking, with beautiful white haciendas covering most of the ancient area. The newer part of the city is filled with high-end shopping and eateries.
Food stop en route to Granada
We found our way back to Alfonso and Vera's for the night. We arrived in Salamanca today for the wedding weekend.
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