Los calles de Málaga

On Sunday I had quite a bit of time to fill before catching my bus to Estepa later that evening. With Paola graciously holding my bag for safe keeping, there would be no reason not to take the opportunity to tour the beautiful coastal city.

I was still feeling a bit down and disturbed about my luggage being lost, but there was much to do and see, so I set off to the nearest public telephone to call Julie, a fellow auxiliar in Estepa that I had been corresponding with throughout the past week. On my walk to the public phones, I passed many city sanitation workers. There were quite a bit of female workers in the mix hosing down the streets. Now, I was told, on many occasions by different people, that Spaniards take much pride in their appearances and when they leave their houses they are dressed to the nines. It's not that I doubted my sources, but I just never guessed that a person would fix their hair and make-up perfectly before putting on a jumpsuit complete with boots and then go out to wash the city streets, which is exactly what these women did! They looked good! It definitely put a big smile on my face!
Okay, so back to my phone call to Julie. I found a telephone and placed my call. She answered right away and guessed exactly who I was. It was delighting to discover a cheerful Northern Irish accent greeting me through the line. She told me about the house she had just moved into, the quiet town of Estepa, and of the other friendly Auxiliares that were also living in Estepa. Julie graciously offered to meet me when I arrived at the bus stop later that evening and show me around. That was just the comforting, reassuring thing I needed to hear after my long journey the day before. I ran out of coins so our conversation came to a close, and so began my long walk through the unfamiliar city.
It was not but a block down the street when I was stopped by an older man probably in his 70's, I am guessing. The first and only thing I understand from his long speedy schpeal is "Que guapa". After his is done and clearly waiting for a response, the only thing I can muster up to say is, "Hablo poquito Español". He then repeats "Que guapa" right before asking if I would join him for coffee. WHAT?! I try my damnedest to suppress the urge to burst into laughter and manage to politely (as I could) decline the offer before walking away.

It took me a bit of walking to catch my bearrings and discover a beautiful park in the middle of the city. I walked through it and smile at some of the older couples lounging on the benches, only to have them either glance away or look at me as if to say "crazy white girl". Good thing that was definitely not to first time a person has said or looked at me that way ;-P (Surprised? I didn't think so)
I made my way into the center of the city, which is the older part and quite beautiful. I passed a castle, a beautiful cathedral, a parade honoring a saint, cafes/pubs and knick knack stores for tourists (which, along with the occasional Chinese stores, are the only businesses open on Sundays).
Later that day, I ran into a girl I had met earlier that morning while eating breakfast at the hostel. She insisted that I make an effort to visit the beach before I left the city, for it is truely a sight to behold. How could I resist after a statement like that. So, with still 2.5 hours to spare, I start the 10 minute trek to the beach (really not a bad walk at all). It was quite lovely. The water was pristine and there was a tremendous veiw of a mountaintop in the distance. I hadn't noticed how different the sand was until I began walking on it. The sand was a darker brown and had a thick coarse texture while still managing to be very soft...not sure if that makes any since to you, but that's the best I can do.

The journey

Weighing my luggage
 from the house

      I arrived early to the airport because I was paranoid about missing my flight due to traffic and/or security, so I ended up waiting in the terminal at Intercontinental for about 2 hours. Rookie mistake I suppose, but I'd never flown by myself before.
      I slept practically the entire flight to London after I watched Thor for the first time, FINALLY. Waited another 1.5 hours in London before my flight to Madrid.  More sleep. When I landed I had no idea where to go or what to do. The first two people I spoke with basically told me that if I didn't start booking it I wasn't getting to Malaga, no solid directions for where to go or what to do. When I finally located the correct place to check in, the woman at the Iberia desk was a dream. She directed me perfectly and I made it with plenty of time to spare.

Me and Hulk at the airport in Madrid. 

         Overall things were working out quite in my favor, until my arrival in Malaga when my luggage, as well as the luggage of about 5 other passengers, never showed. My immediate thought was that either my mother jinxed me or she blessed me. While I was packing, I was stuffing my heaviest belongings into my carry-on so as to avoid a surcharge on my checked baggage, when my mom suggested I put a few necessities in the carry on just in case my luggage gets lost.
*Don't worry, Mom, I immediately settled with the idea that you clearly blessed me. As usual*

           After I sorted out the lost luggage report, I caught a bus to as close as I could get to my hostel. It was an easy find and a quick walk. Paola, the receptionist, helped me find the bus schedule for Sunday, answered all 100 of my questions without complaint, she even was kind enough to hold my luggage for 6 hours while I walked around Malaga the following day. I whole heartedly recommend staying at the Feel Malaga Hostel to anyone visiting that area. It is new, quaint, and the prices are great as well!