Guest Post: Vanessa HS-Doyle Tells it Like it Is

Ten days in Spain with our BFFs. Need I say more???

Sí?!?!

Ok then….

After nearly 4 months of living a French mountain rural life, we reunited with our SF Compound family in Spain
for ten glorious days. We flew into Malaga, where they swoooped us up in a smooth 7 seater minivan filled with
their recent Ikea treasures, and drove us to Tarifa for the weekend! Then back to Granada for the week, via a
quick Ronda stop, and ending in a Sevilla weekend.

Tarifa: Land of dunes, views and dreams of Africa, tapas lifestyle, terrible cracker pizza, amazing sweater
shopping, salty air, pineapple juice trying to pass as Fanta, sunglasses for the wealthy, mellow Santa Cruz CA vibe,
stunning sea scenes, and 3 euro wine copas. This initial vacation spot embraced us and left us so hungry.
Our French mountain attitudes melted in the southern Spanish sun. Yes to late nights eating gelato! Just don’t
get the green Apple.

Ronda: To get there you drive to the moon…… and then find yourself looking down canyons
as you twist your way through cobble stone streets, eat albondigas and buy a cheap belt that
falls apart 9 days later. Word to the wise: hunt for secret nun cookies.

Granada: City to get completely lost amongst winding streets, non stop AMAZING Alhambra
views making you salivate for that elusive nonexistent 14 euro ticket, cave dwelling lifestyle,
flamenco bonanza, tapas y más tapas, tiny and large beers, home cooked meals,
constant search for vaca cheese, HAMMAM euphoria, terrace yoga, 6am city walks
and coffee by Jackito, constant tile ogling, walking explorations making you proud to pass
the 10,000 step mark, baby-sitter Luz enchantments, just look for the wall, be surprised that
not all restaurants make the best albondigas, and enjoy non stop knee to knee chitty chat
café sessions. More iberico ham por favor and def go to La Tana wine bar. 

Sevilla: Need to return!!! A two day graze including best of kid moments with so much
Fanta, horse drawn chariots, bikes, boats, huge life size stuffed animal people and tiny
hidden statue hands followed by...rich popsicles, bridge crossings, Maria Luisa park
elongated sesh, Argentine steak explosion, and thousands of people hitting the streets at
any point in time. City to stroll. Next time….hit up the world famous Aire hammam and Alcazar?!
100% returning to said Argentine heaven.

Back in France…. it’s pitch black at 5:30pm and winter is coming. 

A few cultural take always: 

Spain is glorious.

Spain is affordable.

Continue to take your probiotics, drink your turmeric concoctions and seek out vegetables. It’ll
only enhance your trip ;)

Enjoy the sense of lightness, laughter and good vibes that are abundant.

Say YES to delicious local wine and beer. 

Unbutton one extra button. 

Spanish drivers seem more easy going than French.

Spanish schools need more vacation throughout the year. 

Best tile EVER. 

Can’t wait for my next Spanish vacation or vacation with Hennesseys. 

Wow. Wonderful recap, V!!!! I want to do it all again. We miss you much already. Bisous!!!!  (I added 4 billion pics below)

Our Lady of Fanta