view down the hillside to the sea; the white in the low centre are whitecaps

Many Europeans (and some from Japan, US and Canada) hit the Costa del Sol on the southern tip of Spain, there are kilometers and kilometers of beaches with soft beige sand.  Surrounding the beaches are “mountainous” areas.  We are staying in a popular hillside town called Mijas pueblo (countryside Mijas….not be confused with the 3 other branches of Mijas close by). The hillside is dotted with white washed homes and buildings.  Our vacation home overlooks the mountain, down the hill, at the bottom we can see the beach side development and the the sea.  Typically though, the sea is just a haze of clouds, we are sooo far up. Hanging out in Spain we noticed a few things that new experiences:

1.do NOT touch the produce @ the grocery store with your hand; use gloves or bags, then go weigh it yourself and sticker the bag with weight and price

2. the produce is delicious and beautiful to look at; at street market today we could purchase a wooden box of strawberries (approx over 1kg)  for $3 Cdn; 5kg of oranges for $3 Cdn) and rows of artichokes, and fresh asparagus and tomatoes

3.while food is less expensive, electronics and makeup are more expensive

4.enjoying tapas: iberica thinly sliced pork, eggplant drizzled with honey and citrus drenched cod bites are some of our favorites.

5. you will drive a standard up and down steep hills, very narrow streets and through multiple roundabouts which can have 4 or 5 exits….which right? it was the sharp, hidden right not the expected soft turn in sight —-sorry Rhoneil (its even more fun driving a larger passenger vehicle: especially parking )

fixture I like in Mijas home

6. you take OUT the garbage to the closest community bins (in walking distance); in central historical Seville the bins were pneumatic, underground at some points; we could also recycle plastic, glass and paper; here in Mijas you are requested to take out your garbage only between the hours of sundown to midnight (9pm to midnight in the summer)

7. you and your children will be up later, we have easily adapted to eating dinner after 8pm; its light out here, then

8. you will drink only bottled water or beer (its the same price) and wine and sangria and the local summer drink tinto verano (red wine mixed with a slightly citrus sparkling water)

staying warm in Spain in springtime

9. just linger at meal times, the check will not appear until you request the bill

10. you might freeze in the winter and spring; homes are designed to stay cool; frequently its cooler inside the house during our stay….another excuse to go out and mingle; we need warmer clothes when we are in the homes and less clothing when we are out (I miss central heating).  OR come visit a little later in the year.

We enjoy the slower pace, the interaction with other local and visiting families (I’ve spotted a few families of 4 or more kids) but we do attract attention with our larger than typical group but being with family is very much encouraged here.