Arrive in Olvera

We have had no internet so have not been able to post on the blog.  They are installing it today so that should get us on schedule.

Mar 21, 2013

We have arrived in Olvera and what a thrill it is to be back.  It was almost dreamlike to drive back into town and see familiar streets and sights.  And people.

We had some anxious moments the day before the trip.  While going online to check in for flights we were notified by Iberia that our reservation had been cancelled.  It took several hours of phone time to finally get that straightened out.  Then, when we arrived at the airport, the agent said she could not find our info for the Chicago-Madrid-Malalga flights.  When we anxiously checked in with Iberia in Chicago they handed us boarding passes and all was well. No explanation for what the trouble had been. The rest of the trip was fine, car rental fine (after working out a glitch where they had cancelled our reservation), and we were on the road, about a one and a half hour drive to Olvera.

As we approached Olvera we encountered a barricade that announced that the road was closed.  They have had heavy rains and parts of the road have been washed out.  We followed the direction indicated which took us to three of the white villages on a circuitous route that eventually led us to Olvera.  At one point we had to drive through a stretch of water where the road was almost washed out, but got through ok.  We did see some beautiful scenery so it was fun actually.  

                                Olvera

Olvera in back, Torre Alháquime in foreground

We met Steve, our realtor, and went to the house which is behind the big church and just a few steps from Bar Valentinos which we mentioned often last year.  Alas, they are closed so we will have to find a new hangout.

We are the first renters in this house.  It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a living room, kitchen, large dining room, and 3 small terrace areas outside.  After we get settled  and spiffed up I will post pictures.  Below is a view 20 steps from our doorway.

Bonnie got right to what she does best, meeting the neighbors.  It turns out that our next door neighbor is Antonio, the local city employee who took us up to the bell tower in the church last year.  Bonnie had a long chat with his wife and they commiserated on the difficulties of caring for elderly parents, joys of grandchildren, etc.

We had supper at Mi Puebleo, one of our favorites last year, got a warm hello from Paco, the owner, and had delicious food, especially the olives!

We were proud of how well we did walking back up the hill to "home".  It is very steep, a pretty good climb.  We were ready to call it a day, literally over 24 hours traveling, and quickly went to sleep, fresh memories taking place of the dreams of returning to this magical village…Olvera.

Hint:  if you click on a photo it will become larger for better viewing.

Till next time