Parador Buffet again,
yeah! Need a game plan for today another 100+F day of heat. The Parador Arcos
is not a particularly old building but they respected the style of the old
buildings which were demolished in order to build it. One side faces the
central Plaza de Espana, another the ravine of the Rio Guadalete and another,
on the curve joins with the Convent of the Mercedarias, the cloistered convent
I mentioned yesterday. When they say, a new building, I believe it dates from
the 1962 and I don’t think it has been updated since then! That being said, the
public areas, the central patio and the dining room are very nice. The staff is
warm and welcoming so what’s a few curly carpets and cracked tiles, which I
have to say is unusual in a Parador. Everything in its own time and I am sure
they are on the list.
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| Church of Acros de Fronterria Opposite the Parador |
We need to find the
Orange store to clarify why the slew of Text messages about our internet
connectivity and use and/or replenishment. Paul also wanted an ATM for cash
too. Google says just a simple 11 minute walk downhill into town on the Plaza
Espana is the Orange store. So off we go! Success! We find it and it was
explained that no, there was no problem just more marketing and trying to sell
us more gigs! Paul got his cash, we stopped for a bevvie and planned our
strategy. We have seen little buses up top there so we thought we would try that
instead of hiking back up the hill. It is very hot, we are aging……do not judge
us! First bus was too big, wait for the 10 alta we were told. Then we looked
for the tren touristica but it barreled on by without us so we opted for a
taxi. It only cost 3.80 euros so it was worth it.
At the balcony off
the square there was a guy from a Conservation Group with a bunch of owls and
raptors under a shade, a glove ready for picture taking. No charge, just a
donation to help feed and care for the birds. I was game! I love those birds.
The first owl looked a bit disheveled, feathers awry and kind of scruffy. I
loved him! Paul took several pictures with various raptors , owls etc. One bird
was 22 years old and the guy said that properly cared for they can live to 28 years
of age. Obviously this man loved and cared for his birds.
High Alter of Acros Church
e had lunch at the
bar across from the Convent and had a lovely chat with the owner Manolo.
Delightful man. Told us a bit about the building and how at the side window his
father used to sell tickets for the old movie theater. So we guess he has been
there a while. He liked that we asked him about those things and after lunch
brought out one of our favorites, Orujo de Hierbas, it will be a nice siesta
this afternoon!
After siesta we met Lynne and Octavio in the Parador bar, a lovely
couple traveling all around Spain and on to Portugal before Madrid and a flight
stateside. They are from Pleasant Hill California (San Francisco Bay Area).
Octavio’s family from Cuba had their roots in the Catalain region of Spain
originally. Having been born in Cuba he spoke Spanish as a child until he came
to the States around age 5.
Octavio recounted
that he had driven their Enterprise car into the narrow streets of the old town
which was NOT what he wanted they had planned to garage the car below and taxi
up to the Parador. He ultimately made his way out of the old narrow part to the
Parking Garage but had a good sized door scrape on his right side rear door. We
know the feeling.
Anyway we chatted and
exchanged travelers’ tales of woe/enjoyment, time had marched on by and it was already 9:30PM definitely suppertime. The four of us wandered
into the narrow passage way to Manolo’s Meson where we had had lunch that day.
All of the outside sidewalk tables were occupied and so the 4 of us wandered
inside yes there was a table free and it had AC. Manolo rushed in and said he
would make ready an outside table for 4. We shared multiple tapas, drank white
wine Tierra Blanca, and the 2 guys each had their rabbit after Manolo cautioned
the it was “wild country rabbit” and not from the supermercado. Dinner lasted
till past midnight, Manolo brought the bill and heart shaped lollipops, and two
small bottles of Cava for his new friends. We were his last patrons and off to
the Parador we ambled. We definitely closed that place down. They were breaking
down and storing the furniture in the old Mercado when we left. The front door
was closed, locked for the night but the young chap responded to the bell
letting us in. We asked to sit in the patio area and he was kind enough to
bring us glasses for our Cava! We sat and talked until nearly 1:30 before
calling it a night. What lovely people, what fun to connect with another couple
and to be able to talk, laugh, exchange family histories and have such fun!
Thank you Lynne and Octavio it was such a pleasure to meet you and spend a few
hours together.
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