Spain Part 4

We made it! I am writing this from a hotel called Alboran, in a city called Algeciras. We just finished dinner of atun, patatas, arroz cubana y helado. We are at the tip of southern Spain. I cannot adequately describe the beauty of what I have just seen, having driven 3 hours throught the mountains on our slow descent to the sea. The land is untouched and looks as if it must have for thousands of years. From the olive groves at the top to the orange groves at the bottom it was simply surreal. Unforgettable.

This modern hotel vastly different from where we have been for the last two days, a country paradise called Cinco Lunas, a bed and breakfast little inn that a man named Gonzalo built with his own two hands. It was impossible to find, but amazing when we did. Situated near the hill town of Zahara de la Sierra, in the hills of Andalusia, about 40 km from Ronda, it is an untouched feast for the eyes. The soul breathes a deep sigh. Gonzalo and Anja have two small children, Merlin and Marai, who were the ages of our children. The couple have sheep, chickens, olives, apricots, nuts, figs, oranges, all kinds of organic veggies and breads and cheese. They make their own olive oil. A stream runs through their little slice of Heaven where green hills snuggle them in. Everywhere you look nature beckons you to come and enjoy, eat drink and be merr.

Our kids, 3 and 1 have been absolute troopers, patiently enduring and even enjoying the worst of it, like our 13 hour car trip from Valencia. We left at 7AM and headed south west towards Cordoba. What an amazing little city. Ancient and beautiful, with cobblestone streets and the largest mosque in Spain, built in the 15th century. We then drove to Andalucia and got lost. But getting lost in Spain is a treat. You encounter charming small towns and farms and the sunset seems to last forever.

Today we head to Gibraltar. We forgot our passports at home, so we can't go to Morocco today, but at least I will be able to put my foot on the very tip of Spain.

Finally, I must give God the glory. At every perilous turn, every worry, every uncertainty, I felt his guidance and he kept us safe and answered our prayers. More to come. Today will certainly be another unforgettable time.