Arriving in Málaga

Thursday February 13 was a beautiful day.  High of 22C in Málaga.  We left Sevilla at 12:50 p.m. on a fast train and arrived in Málaga at 2:45 p.m.   We were pleasantly surprised to be met at the train station by our friends Vicky and David from Ottawa.  They have been in Málaga for two weeks and are overlapping with us for their last week here.  We are in Málaga for the next two weeks.

Arriving in Málaga-- Vicky took this pic as we saw them there to greet us.

We all took a cab to our Airbnb which is on a very quiet street with no car access. We are on the second floor (third floor in Canada) of a four story building.  We are just north of the city centre, but we are within walking distance of everything.   The apartment is very clean and well-equipped.

Entrance into the apartment

Kitchen/dining area- washing machine too!

Living room and one bed

View of loft (we won't be using) - bathroom is around the corner of the living room
Vicky and David are staying in an apartment on the beach but helped us get oriented and walked us over to the big food market (unfortunately closed by 4:30 p.m.).

Outside of the market- lovely tiled roof
There are quite a number of pedestrian only streets in the city centre.  We walked down the main pedestrian street, Marques de Larios, which had a wonderful temporary installation in preparation of the annual Mardi Gras celebration.  We are very excited that we will be here during part of Mardi Gras which lasts from February 21-March 1. There will be parades, music and lots of celebrations.


Getting ready for Mardi Gras

David, Alano and Vicky

David and Vicky took us to a very old vermouth/wine store called Antigua Casa de Guardia- founded in 1840!

Entrance

Lots of different wines, sherrys and vermouth (vermut in Spanish)
More wines
We had a glass of vermut--- straight out of the barrel (gracias David and Vicky).







Cheers!

After we bought some provisions for dinner, we slowly headed back to the apartment, first stopping for a coffee and a churro at Casa Aranda, which has been in operation since 1932.  
Casa Aranda
The Churros Hour
We passed through Plaza Constitución and noticed kiosks with signs for the Copa del Rey (King's Cup).  There were caged off booths where folks could shoot baskets.   It turns out Málaga is European Capital of Sport 2020 and is hosing a big basketball tournament from February 13-16.

Hoops!
On the main square


Schedule of the Copa del Rey basketball
We'll definitely be wearing our Raptor's gear tomorrow.   There is a lot going on in Málaga in February.  Glad we are here.

Looking up our street.  Our apartment is halfway up the street on the left side of the picture.

More adventures tomorrow.




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