algeciras

Despite the delay in starting to post, Jon and I have arrived safely in Algeciras.  My cousin, Alexa, who has lived here for the last three years came to meet us in Malaga when we arrived Sunday morning.  From there we took the bus to her town of Algeciras.  Sunday was also Alexa's birthday, so while Jon and I warded off the signs of jet lag, Alexa prepared for a little barbacoa (BBQ).  We jumped right into life in southern Spain, meeting many of her close friends and attempting to speak our version of Spanish, which seemed quite different from the Spanish we have learned in Central America.

Here is the Birthday Girl Herself

Today we got a chance to explore the town of Algeciras...it was far more charming that Rick Steves gives it his book.  We were both pleasantly surprised.

ancient ruins of the merinids

version of man of la mancha at alexa's 

art school

 

cuzzies

Alexa, our tour guide

After our tour, we spent some time at her apartment's pool, ate some lunch, siesta'd a little and then headed to the beach south of Tarifa, followed by tapas in the town of Tarifa.

la playa

On the way there we got a sneak peak of Africa

8pm on a warm summer night

todo tranquilo

tapas in tarifa with Alexa's friends

As you can see, Jon and I are having no problem adjusting to the pace of life here in the south of Spain. 

More to come soon!