Exploring Malaga

I really liked the Malaga by the beach school. Inside the elegant school building there was quite a ‘big family’ atmosphere, which I think was due to the small size of the school, relative to Malaga (Premium) at least. It is impossible not to be taken with the lovely gardens of palm trees surrounding the school – they provide plenty of shade so you can just relax!

The member of staff showing me around then gave me a confiding look and asked whether I would like to try a delicious fruit smoothie at a lovely little seaside bar that she knew. Naturally, I acquiesced, so we crossed the road from the school to the beach, and she led me to a little rustic bar with an open terrace overlooking the sea. I was spoilt for choice by their range of freshly squeezed fruit juice combinations, and we sat sipping our drinks while I went through my questions about the school, pausing occasionally to appreciate our peaceful surroundings.

After morning classes, I decided to explore Malaga. I wasn’t sure where to get off the bus, but after only 10 minutes it looked like we were getting into the centre so I dismounted. I saw a path and wondered where it went, so I followed it. I could see a little view point by some of the city’s old fortifications and I thought that it might take me there, but it didn’t.

Instead, it led me up and up and up a steep hill to the top of the Alcazaba (Arab castle), from where I had great views in all directions (that was their plan, I imagine).  It helped to orientate me and give me an idea of the layout of Malaga, and I was eager to explore so I bought an ice-cream and set off back down the hill, smiling encouragingly as I passed the people huffing and puffing their way up. Down at sea level, I set off without any real direction and wandered through the streets near the cathedral, noticing the cafes filling up with people chattering as the working day came to a close and the sun lowered in the sky, casting long shadows in the streets.

On my way back to the residence I passed a new, trendy looking restaurant just round the corner from our Malaga (Premium) schol that had some very tasty looking pizzas and calzones on the menu (particularly vegetarian ones, so if you don’t eat meat or fish you might like to have a look for this place), but I wasn’t hungry enough for a main meal so I returned to the school for dinner.

I soon found myself talking to a very lively and outgoing member of staff called Victor who turned out to be in charge of all the excursions and optional activities. I had noticed signs advertising an excursion to Nerja and Frigiliana the following day, which are two famously picturesque towns in the region, so we organised for me to go on the trip. I ended up joining Victor, his friend, the old chef, at the bar and chatting with them and the barman (although perhaps the term ‘chatting’ is a little over-complimentary to my Spanish – I tried to follow the conversation in Spanish and occasionally added my own comments in a mixture of Spanish and English)!

Read my next post to find out more about the excursion to Nerja and Frigiliana!

Miriam