The Rock of Gibralter

While we were in Spain, we got to visit a country with an even less favorable exchange rate. We also got a rare passport stamp from Gibralter. Here is Lisa just on the Spanish side of the border.

The Pillars of Hercules

Lisa and I at the Pillars of Hercules, which are at the Straights of Gibralter.

St. Michaels Cave

There is a naturally forming cave on the Rock of Gibralter that you can visit. You can read the picture of the sign for the history. Their gift shop has some good ice cream, but don't eat it in front of the monkeys.

Monkey on Lisa's back

There are Barbary Apes on Gibralter. They are the only free-roaming monkeys in Europe. Legend has it that if the apes ever leave Gibralter, so will the British. Their health is well insured. It is against the law to feed them but everybody does. Here is one that got especially friendly with Lisa.

Tunnel vision

This was taken in the great seige tunnels on Gibralter. Soldiers chipped these tunnels out of solid rock so that they could defend/control the straits.

Africa over my shoulder makes me happy

This was taken at Gibralter and Morocco is over my right shoulder.

Fifty Bucks well spent

With the exchange rate to the British Pound Sterling (like 2 to 1), lunch in a pub is not a cheap event. For the plate you see and Lisa's curry, we'll just say that it was a really, really nice meal.

Use of the word "Galore"

This one's for you, Mr. Tudan!

Seville, Spain

Lisa and I were fortunate enough to get to visit Seville for work. It was very hot (like 112 F) every day when we were there, but you find ways to stay cool. Enjoy!

Slow Farmer Crossing

Biggest Church Ever

This is the biggest Church I have ever seen. Near where we were, every town was named de la fronteira. This is because when the Spanish were pushing the Moors out, it took a while, so the frontier moved slowly. This building was a church, then a mosque, then a church again. The minaret of the mosque was built on the steeple of the church and the steeple of the new church was built on the minaret of the mosque. The builders of the church aspired to build a church so big that people who saw it were think they were crazy for making it so big.

Matador Statue

This was a statue in honor of the Bullfighters, or Matadors. We should have a statue on the farm where I grew up honoring people who were run over by cows.

Name that nationality!

Since we have been in Europe and traveling around, Lisa has been mistaken for French, German, Turkish, Spanish, Moroccan, Jewish and Swedish. I have been mistaken for French a couple of times but just because I eat so much cheese.

Spanish Breakfast

Lisa and I stopped for breakfast at a roadside pub south of Seville. Between Lisa's pseudo-Spanish and my Sesame Street-Spanish (agua anyone?), this is what we got.

Pepto Bismol

We had some great fruit from a roadside stand. It was really good but there is probably a reason why you shouldn't eat unwashed fruit from a roadside stand.

On the road again

Lisa and I put some miles on the Citroen C3 rental car that we had. Above are some pictures taken from within our air conditioned oasis.

Driving Around

Although we stayed in Seville, we got to go all around southern Spain. The roads were windy and the sierry navada (the original ones) were near where we were. Above are pictures of olive trees and a sign near where I had to work.

Flamenco Dance

We got to see a flamenco dance and hear flamenco guitar and singing. It was pretty neat.

Sun Goes Down

The sun goes down in the west in Spain and comes up in the east in America. This is taken on the Atlantic coast of spain, near Rota.

Olive Tree

Olives are NOT GOOD straight off the tree. They also don't come "pre-pimentoed".

Culinary Spain

Lisa and I went out to dinner one of the last nights we were in Spain. We went to the beach and decided to get some seafood. I asked for a seafood suggestion and it was suggested that I have the grilled squid. I had never had grilled squid, it could be the best thing ever. After learning how to "de-beak" it, I proceeded to eat the squid. This squid must have died with an ink pen in its mouth, because, although "field dressed", there was quite a bit of ink left. Apparently, it is non-toxic.