Day 8,9: Arcos (South of Spain)

(Written in Marseille)

Now started the part of the trip that I knew absolutely nothing about! My sister was visiting her friend, Esther, in the South of Spain, and I was just tagging along. All I knew was that we were going to land in Jerez, which is in the South-west corner of Spain. I'd only heard of the place because of the racing events held there. Till a coupla years back, there was an F1 race as well there, but now its not in the calendar, I think.

On Thursday evening, we landed to brilliant sunshine and vast countryside. Jerez airport is strikingly similar to Indore airport, with just three luggage belts and hardly anyone around. Only the shady looking fellows coming and asking if I want a taxi were missing - the taxis were just standing in an orderly line outside the airport.

We were headed to Arcos, Esther's hometown, about a 35 minute drive from Jerez airport. It was well past 9 pm and yet bright sunshine filled the sky. I don't think I've ever seen the sky bluer than what I saw that evening in Jerez. It was simply brilliant! Esther's uncle, Paco, and Esther herself had driven down to pick us up from the airport.

As the car rolled into Arcos, I got more than a glimpse of the hilly, white town. White because, most of the buildings in Arcos are white in color and from far, the landscape shining in the sun looks magnificent.

We headed for Esther's sister's (empty) house, where we were to spend the night. Alex, Esther's boyfriend was also there and we all had a nice & relaxed dinner together. On the menu, beer, tortillas, banderillas, aceitunas, queso manchego and anchoas.

If I'd thought that that was going to be the end of the day, I was wrong. After about 11pm, we headed out for drinks! This was when the night started in most of Spain apparently! I stuck to my beer as people around me had rum and gin and whisky.. We met some of Esther's friends and time passed quite quickly. My dark-skinned sister and me were quite the object of curious glances and questions. The fact that I looked very much like a famous Flamenco singer was also mentioned with rather startling regularity! The "Ola"s and "Adios"es kept running thick and fast through the night as we hopped through bars in Arcos. By the time we were back home to sleep, it was close to 4am!! Reminded me of the party days back in college where the timelines were similar, only we had class at 8 am the next day! ;)

Sleeping at 4am meant the next morning wasn't going to be a particularly early one. We woke up at 11ish, had fruits & bread for breakfast and headed to Esther's house for lunch. We were greeted by her wonderful family who despite the language (they knew only Spanish!), made us feel completely at home! At lunch time, I got a taste of what would become two of my favorite Spanish foods/drinks. The first one was the astounding Tinto de Verano - a red-coloured drink of wine mixed with lemonade! I loved the taste so much that I had it in almost each of my meals thereafter!

The second one was Paella - a rice dish cooked with turmeric powder (VERY Indian!), and with something like fish or egg or meat to go with it. There was also a pepper salad called Pimiento Salad, which completed my first fully-Spanish lunch.

We relaxed and siesta-d by the pool post lunch and I got a first-hand feel of Spanish life in the countryside. Siestas are the norm in all of Spain apparently, and people take at least 1/2 hour naps in the afternoon!

In the evening, we headed out for a walk, and dinner, looking for the best tapas in town. Tapas is a family of dishes really, and can be cooked with meat or seafood. I guess its the way they cook it that is similar. But since by the time we got out it was nearly 10pm, all the well-known Tapas places were full. So we had to 'settle' for a regular restaurant. I had some outstanding boquerones (fried fish), acedias, gambas (prawns) and revuelto de gambas (veggies with prawns and fried egg). It was a good meal, and as my sister could not finish her dish, I was happy to help her out by finishing her patatas al alioli (a potato based dish) as well!!

Then just like last night, we headed from bar to bar (different ones this time of course!), with me downing a few glasses of beer & Tinto! The curious glances continued as we danced into the night!