Ronda

I spent a few Saturdays ago in one of Andalucia's greenest cities. On the way, tall green grass moved like an ocean in the wind. Ronda is a place, like Granada, that was one of the last Moorish strong holds. The city is known for it's historic bridge, high cliffs and Arabic Baths. These baths were built centuries ago, but had advanced technology for the time. Donkeys would pull cranks that controlled the water pressure. They had many rooms for saunas, cold and hot baths and massages. They had areas for men and women. When the Christians came to invade Ronda and either drove out the Islamic Muslims or converted them, the baths were no longer used. The bridge now connects what is the modern city of Ronda to the old is vertically enormous. The middle of it used to be where extreme prisoners were held. The land and structures that Ronda is made up of sits on cliffs and overlooks gorgeous green valleys of rolling hills and beautiful flowers. There is also what looks like sandy rock that makes up the cliffs. Much of Andalucia is dry, but Ronda proves that there is more variety. Ronda is in the province of Málaga. It was the biggest and most important bull fighting city. The ring is now a museum dedicated to the history and culture of toreros (bull fighters) and the sport itself. We had a walking tour of the city and walked down the valley and then up again. We saw the white washed houses and so many great views. It's so crazy to think how old these places are and the lengthy history behind them. Christians gained control in Spain in 1492 and Ronda was already a bustling pueblo before that. I'll upload photos later!

Today Vanessa and I went to Garcia Lorca Park in Granada. The park is so varied and has a lot of beautiful landscape. Our señora said roses should be blooming soon. There is outside exercise machines, a small pond, fountains, a lot of grass and trees. From the park, Granada seems much prettier. You can see the snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevadas. The weather here is perfect. Sunny and warm.