A Change of Scenery - Spain

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Spain

August 15
I traveled from Innsbruck to Dornbirn today, where I met my relatives Gerd and Waltraut as well their children Verona and Lucas. Gerd spoke English well and Verona spoke well enough to translate so that helped. Waltraut also washed my clothes.

I got situated at the house and then we went for a hike in the mountains. These mountains aren't as high as in Innsbruck, only about 900-1300 feet, but they do have nice walking paths. There was a lot of moss and apparently tarantulas too, which surprised me.

That night we went to Liechtenstein. It was the leader of the country's birthday, so they had a big fireworks display, like the Fourth of July. There is a castle in the side of the hill that's lit up and then they shoot off fireworks from behind the castle.

August 16

There are several nice walking paths near Dornbirn, Austria

We took a bike ride around Bregenz, which is on Lake Constance, the Bodensee. I hadn't ridden a bike in a while; it was a bit difficult at first. We went to Bregenz and took a cable car up. We didn't hike today. We saw the lake from the top and saw Lindau, which is north of Bregenz and went to a small zoo with a mountain lion and wild boar.

Then back down for a tour of Bregenz. Included was a castle and tower that has full military uniforms and certain guns, basically a military museum. Also right in the lake is The Spiel, where they do musical theaters. It's a circular stage with an amphitheater around it, which is on dry land.

We biked back to Dornbirn and I got the chance to see where my Grandma Metzler grew up when she was a kid. At night, we went through downtown Dornbirn, to a couple of microbreweries. They dress more formally here when they go out to the bars.

August 17
Today I left Dornbirn, and I'm in Zurich right now. There's the old town near where the river splits. Most of the attractions are right around this area, a lot of churches and parks. It's expensive here so I decided to move on to Barcelona.

August 18
The train stopped at the French border where we switched trains. After that, all the backpackers threw their backpacks down on the train and laid on them and each other. It's actually a pretty comfortable way to sleep.

I am really glad to see new scenery. Even though it's only an overnight train away, Spain is different than Northern Europe. They have churches too, but the churches look different and it's just a different view here in Barcelona.

The first place I visited was the Olympic Port. Barcelona did host the Olympics in 1992 and many of the buildings remain. There are restaurants and bars and it's a good place to take a walk.

I also took a peak at La Ramba, which is Barcelona's main street. There are several places of businesses here as well as street performers and vendors. Although La Ramba is a wide and straight street, there are many small and winding streets that meander away from the main street.

August 19

The battle between man and bull takes place at Plaza de Torros

I moved on to Madrid and visited the Convent of the Royal Barefoot Sisters. There was a line to get in but it was worthwhile to see as it has a good display of art and religious artifacts.

After visiting a couple churches, I went to the rasto flea market. There are a lot of things to buy and a lot of it is junk. Many are just trinkets or severely used. However, it's an entertaining way to pass time. I then went to the Royal Palace. Unfortunately, the actual palace was closed but walking in the gardens and seeing the buildings was still interesting.

At night, I went to the Plaza de Torros for a bullfight. It's not just one matador against the bull but a series of matadors. The first "junior" bullfighter tires out the bull. Next, comes one on top of a huge horse and he sticks a large spear in the bull followed by a few bullfighters who stick small spears in the bull's back. Finally the matador finishes the bull but it is already near death. Then the bull is dragged off by a couple of large horses.

One bull did get revenge as it ran over a bullfighter. He was dragged out of the stadium and I heard an ambulance come to pick him up. I don't know what happened to him but he wasn't moving the last time I saw him. There actually wasn't that many people at the bullfight, I think this one might be more for tourists. I got the cheap seats, which are near the top of the stadium and in the sun. I also did buy a couple of novelty spears.

August 20
I decided to take it easy today because I was getting tired from running around. I did have a big plate of paella (rice, seafood, meat and miscellaneous food) which is a traditional food here. It was good and filling also. I've lost fifteen pounds on the trip.

I also visited Retiro Park which is a huge area of green among a lot of concrete. I laid down and took a nap here. There are also a couple things to visit in the park such as the Crystal Palace. After the nap, it was to the train station for the trip to Algeciras in southern Spain.

August 21
From Algeciras, I got a boat to Ceuta and traveled with a Moroccan, Abdul, going back to his home in Rabat and a Chilean on vacation. We passed the Rock of Gibraltar and arrived in Ceuta, which is actually Spanish, although it appears to be in Morocco. Then we walked a couple miles to the border and ran into a couple tourists.

The Rif Mountains surround the peaceful city of Chefchaouen, Morocco

We took a shared taxi to Tetouan. We then attempted to get a bus to Chefchaouen but were unable to because they wouldn't sell it directly to us, tourists. We had to buy at an inflated price through locals; one group of locals had taken a taxi and followed us from the border. We refused to pay extra and a shoving match followed. They even started in with Abdul, whose only problem was he was honest. We tried to get a taxi but they started pushing the taxi drivers. We finally diverted them and got a taxi to Chefchaouen.

The first person that talked to us there just about got his head ripped off. But he was a good guy and he gained our trust. He owned a hotel and restaurant and beer! Alcohol is officially illegal here but he had some and after we told him out Tetouan story, he gave us the beer free. Things always seem to even out. The city is peaceful, located in the Rif Mountains and has an active kasbah area which is lighted yet dark enough to add a mysterious touch. I hope to explore more of the city in the coming days.


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