Day 10: Our Last Day in Spain (June 21)

Churros and Chocolate was our first goal of the day, as was getting to the beach – we spent all week in southern Spain without seeing the Mediterranean.  So, we walked to the beach, dipped our toes in the sea, and then searched for a place to eat breakfast that sold churros. Turns out that while I have been operating well speaking a majority of the time in Spanish, one word I apparently just can’t say is “churros”.  After getting weird looks at several restaurants, I asked a woman on the street if she knew of place selling churros.  It took several attempts – I think it's the trouble with the double “r” – she thought I was asking for toros.  We had a laugh and she pointed out a place to go nearby.  I don’t think in the end it was worth all the effort we put into finding them…Rachel didn’t seem blown away.

in honor of Julia

After packing up back at the hotel and moving our bags to the car, we had a few hours to fill before we needed to go to the airport.  We started with a  wander through the Alcazaba (to which I always want to add a syllable – the alacazaba…alacazam).  There wasn’t much information available but it was a really cool fortress palace that you are allowed to explore pretty freely, even along the tops of several walls without any sort of guardrails.

With still an hour left we went to the actual Picasso art museum.  I gained a much greater understanding and appreciation for him as an artist.  Though I am a bigger fan of his early works (like when he was 13 and still painting like he was taught) it was enlightening to hear his own words about his art and what he was thinking during his different periods. 

We found another juice/smoothie place (Malaga is Santa Monica but with much older buildings) and then headed to the airport.  We got a sandwich and played cards waiting for our flight to Tel Aviv.  When we transferred in Munich we had to go through passport control but not back through security, but when we go to our specific gate however, there was extra security with a very thorough pat-down for everyone. They made me take a picture with my camera and Rachel remove both of her harmonicas for inspection.  I was hoping they would make her play them but they didn’t.  I have never felt so safe getting on a plane.

We found a group of vending machines and set out to spend all of our remaining euros.  We had 4,95 left and Rachel was determined to find us an extra 5 cents somewhere.  She searched in the coin returns and then under the machines and did find the money, but then came the problem of getting it out.  In her efforts she actually got us another 1 euro coin and tried doggedly to dislodge a stuck 5 cents piece.  I eventually just asked someone for the 5 cents and we had a field day buying two candy bars, a cup of soup, and a Lift soda, just as we had begun the trip.  (It wasn't until afterwards that we noticed we could have just used a credit card and bought anything we wanted!)

Love Jim and Julia to pieces, but I am so glad to have had this special time for just me and Rachel.  I treasured every minute!