Island Hopping 2024: Spain; Ronda, A Pleasant Stroll, Flamenco Guitar, Friday Night Pizza

We are in the midst of an admittedly long vacation.  But as retirees there is little reason to rush home.  However, life does go on even while traveling, so much of today was devoted to monthly financial housekeeping and some personal correspondence.  This said, we still took some time to stroll though Ronda.  There in the narrow streets adorned with whitewashed facades Sandy and I found the far less touristed areas of this town.  The Plaza del Socorro in the old town is a bustling square alive with the energy of locals and the aroma of fresh coffee.  Sandy and I sat on a bench and watched several tour groups traipse by oblivious to the fact that they were just a few steps away from this little Nirvana.  Finding these unadvertised places is just one of the benefits of independent travel. 

Cliff hanging paths and terraces

The white-washed houses

Famous Matador statue

and his son

Fountain in the Plaza del Socorro

Plaza Del Socorro, looking the other way

Later, after several hours of the “office work” mentioned above we formed our own “el paseo” and again found a remarkable little square, this one the  Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, a perfectly tranquil space in Ronda with a green park and a outdoor café that was playing soft Spanish guitar music.  Since coming to Ronda, Sandy and I have learned how much Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway loved this place and were both a familiar sight at Ronda’s taverns and cafés.  Orson Welles once declared, “to be born anywhere else in the world is to be borne in exile.”  He must have believed it as he had his ashes buried just outside of town.  Wandering these streets away from the crowds, Sandy and I shared their love of this place and Spain in general.

Walking the streets of the new town

Monument in Plaza Duquesa de Parcent

Decorative orange trees everywhere, oranges look like Christmas Bulbs

                                                        Green space in the square

But, the day was not over, we stumbled upon a Flamenco Guitar concert performed by a renowned artist, Emilio Fernández de los Santos.  His stage name is Emilio Caracafé.  The staging of his performance was such that we could see the mountains behind him.  Listening to a heart-moving Spanish guitar concert and watching an unfolding Andalusian sunset, gave us a perfect ending to this Spanish roadtrip.

The terrace of the Music Venue

Views of the New Bridge from the Music Terrace

Sandy enjoying the daisies on the terrace, truth-be-told, wine was enjoyed also 

Art inside the venue

Our flamenco guitarist

Sunset and mountains behind him

Sandy could listen to this music for hours

This guy runs a flamenco guitar school in Seville

                                                                   The grand finale

Ronda has a large representation of Italian restaurants.  And, it is Friday, Pizza Night!  I do try to eat local cuisine, but with this many Italian eateries it almost felt impolite not to do a pizza.  So I did. 

Me and the pizza

Sandy and the Pope

Italian Alley

Night time view of Ronda

Night time view of the Bridge

                                                     Night time view of the Parador (our hotel)