Last but not Least

On the field, in the left corner you can see Messi.

This week was a hectic week. After spending a week in Barcelona we went to the south of Spain with the most beautiful and fastest train "Ave" we have traveled in. In 5 hours we were in Malaga and here we had many places on our list to visit so we could choose where to stay for our last 3 months!

But first the last thing Steven and dad had to do in Barcelona before leaving was to see a "live"  soccer game of FC Barcelona! THEY SAW MESSI!!! and his team play.  They were so excited. In the following paragraph Steven will write his experience!
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Steven in front of Stadium with a FCB
flag he found

When we went to the stadium (Camp Nou) the whole underground was full of supporters. We had very good seats in front of the field. It was my first time I had ever seen Messi/FC Barcelona play (only on TV/pictures I had seen Messi.). The game was FC Barcelona against Granada. It was a very exciting game.The end score was 2-0 goals were made by Xavi and Messi. It was one of the best moments I ever had. Also the stadium was very impressive. It was bigger than our stadium in Cape Town and when the end-whistle went off it took only 3 minutes and the whole stadium was empty again. When we go to late soccer games in Cape Town it always starts at 20:00 ,but this game only started at 22:00 and came home at 01:00 and the next morning we had to wake up early.
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dad next to train

The next morning we left for Malaga. There we hired a car and drove to our hotel a bit out of Malaga. Dad knows Harry since end of 1980 when he came here for his work. Harry organised a very nice hotel central to all the places we needed to visit. The hotel was full of tourists from France, Spain, Germany & Holland. It was a very fun and relaxing hotel too with a large pool and entertainment.

In between the visits we swam in the big blue, clean pool, played mini golf, table tennis and played games. Even dad was exercising in the pool with his favorite class........pool-gymnastics. He used to give pool gymnastics when he was doing holiday jobs during his study. (see video below).

Steven playing mini golf

exercising in the pool

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!
Last but not least our main aim was to find a nice place to live for 3 months and a good apartment where Steven and I can make friends, play sports, do school. We looked for a place where the people are friendly and where there are not many tourists so we can learn more Spanish. We left very early from the hotel and drove to different places. We went to Nerja , Amunecar, Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, Vejer de la Fontera, Tarifa  etc.         

We had researched each place on internet, Nerja was too touristic, Granada was too big, Vejer de la fontera was too small. In Tarifa we had seen a Rip Curl shop. The staff was again not very helpful, but after explaining and showing she did help us a little bit and said she would keep the watch and send it way. I am having my watch fixed!!!!! I will have my watch back before the end of October.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rain in Vejer de la Frontera

Rip Curl in Tarifa

in the streets of Mijas

A statue of a black bull

So, after 2 days driving around we sat down and decided that Antequera was THE place with the nicest people and best things to do. Because it was not touristic there were also no apartments for rent for 3 month. Luckily and with the help of Harry (and his perfect Spanish) we found an apartment in the center of ANTEQUERA.

Mucho Gracias

(next week: THE FINAL DESTINATION)

 Louisa