Driving through the southern part of Spain could easily be mistaken for a desert
like portion of Africa. It’s hot. And dry. And people are riding donkeys along
side the road. You have to check out some of the pictures… it looks as if it
hasn’t rained there in years and the houses are built out of the ground from
adobe or something that looks like rocks. Given this background, when you
finally see the Mediterranean it is a true oasis and the first feel of the warm
water lapping at your feet is special.
We’ve been fortunate enough to spend the last three days along the Spanish
Mediterranean coast in a national park area called Cabo de Gata. As compared to
the pictures I’ve seen in the past of various Mediterranean beaches, the towns
and beaches are practically deserted.
Cabo must mean something specific in Spanish because physically the area of Cabo
de Gata reminds me a lot of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. It must have something to
do with the cliffs and rocks surrounding the area which create a beautiful
background to the turquoise water. We’ve enjoyed just relaxing and admiring the
natural beauty of this place, sitting on the beach and/or next to the pool. We
finally feel like we are really on vacation!
The food is good here too. One special meal we had here was a late afternoon
lunch in the town square just blocks from the beach. We had a wonderful
Mediterranean style salad accompanied by a plate of fried sardines. They look a
bit intimidating… as they come complete with heads, eyes, and bones, but they
tasted wonderful!!
Oh and, of course, I have to comment on all the naked people before I sign off
this journal entry. This is Spain, so I wasn’t surprised to see topless women on
the beaches. But, the completely buck naked folks hanging out on the beach,
playing Frisbee or swimming… that was a bit more surprising!! My question is
why? I can only imagine how quickly my “white bits” would sunburn if they were
openly exposed to the sun
