Wow, seems like it was only five years ago I was making plans for my 50th birthday! In fact, I started thinking about it months before and ended up being treated to a trip to Barcelona.
But it only occurred to me the other day that – eep! – I’m about to turn 55. Which is pretty amazing. When I think about all that has happened since my 50th, especially the whole cancer thing, I feel so lucky to still be around and want to do something extra special this year. So, what should I do to celebrate?
I’ve been invited to Florence in February, which may or may not happen depending on my next PET scan, but I would like to do something on the actual day, January 7th, or at least nearer to it.
If I can get the use of Manolo’s apartment in Málaga I think that would be my first choice. There are two art exhibits on right now that I’d love to see, and of course I adore Málaga at Christmas time. If I go early next week then the lights will still be on. Peter is busy working on a translation job that would actually pay for this trip, so that means he’ll be coming with me 😉 . It also means leaving the cats alone. For… how long? I wouldn’t worry about leaving them overnight, but ideally I’d like to stay two nights and I’m not sure about Azar. The vet doesn’t think anything would happen to him in that time as he’d only miss one day of his treatment, so maybe?
If not Málaga then the other option is to take a couple of day trips next week while Peter is still off work for the holidays. Perhaps Cádiz and Córdoba? We’ll see. Getting kinda excited…
casa azahar 
I went to Cadiz many years ago and don’t remember much about it but I enjoyed my visit to Cordoba in October. La Mezquita is spectacular and lunch at Bodegas Campos was memorable.
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I think I’m more keen on seeing Cádiz again as the central market has re-opened since my last visit and it’s really a great place to just walk around. But Córdoba would be great too, and I have yet to try out Bodegas Campos.
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Oooh, I hope the apartment comes up – I am always jealous when you’re over there. 🙂
I turned 55 this year, too. I finally feel old enough to be a gramma, and now I am. I keep thinking about what my gramma said when she was in her 80s – “I still feel like the same 19 year old girl I have always been on the inside.”
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I LOVE staying at Manolo’s apartment. It feels so much like home and I am always so grateful that he lets me stay there from time to time. I’m just waiting to hear if he’ll have family there next week.
You’re 55 too? We have to start a club!
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I’m 55, as well.
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That’s three so far! 🙂
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I’m already fifty-seven. I guess I can be the old bat.
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You can be our leader! 🙂
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Having been to Florence, I can say that it is a wonderful city to visit (along with Sienna). Had I had a guidebook instead of an ass of a boyfriend who wouldn’t let me spend money (my money was arriving later and I was supposed to pay him back but I actually ended up leaving before my money arrived and I never saw it again) or buy a guidebook, I missed out on a lot. I suspect you would plan ahead and know what you wanted to do (the advantage of the Internet!). I highly recommend it, even at this time of year, which is when I was there. No crowds but cold. Bring a warm coat… I didn’t.
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Shame about your ass of a boyfriend spoiling your holiday like that!
I won’t have to plan a thing because my friend Nicky is a travel writer who has lived in Florence for thirty years – I’m sure she’ll know all the best places to go. And she has very generously offered me the use of their rental apartment during off-season, so that’s why the beginning of February. Yeah, have been told it’ll be COLD, but I have a good winter coat that I barely use here.
So fingers crossed for a clean PET scan! Actually have a lot of stuff planned for the next six months and it all hinges on that.
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