Category Archives: travel

tickets to ride!

30 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, art, cats, christmas, holidays, Malaga, tapas, travel, trips

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Got the word from Manolo last night – the apartment in Málaga will be available next week! Yay!

So this morning Peter and I went out and bought our train tickets. The plan is to leave early Monday morning and come back on Wednesday afternoon. Which means leaving the cats on their own for two nights (!!!). But after checking with two vets about Azar’s “condition” (which is basically old age) I’ve decided to not worry over much, because this trip feels much-needed. And also much-wanted as I really do want to celebrate my 55th birthday in style. Plus Peter has been working very hard the past couple months and this will be a bit of a reward for him as I think he loves Málaga as much as I do.

While there I want to see two art exhibits, both retrospectives. One of Alberto Giacometti at the Picasso Museum, and the other of Eugenio Chicano at the Museo del Patrimonio Municipal. The first one was actually on when I was in Málaga last October but I didn’t have time to see it, so I’m glad I have this chance as I’ve heard it’s wonderful.

Otherwise I guess we’ll be doing the usual. Well, other than dipping my toes in the Mediterranean – bit chilly for that, I think. But we’ll do a lot of walking and seeing what’s new. I’ve been told the shops and restaurants in the newly redeveloped port are now open. I also want to go up to the Parador Gibralfaro and have a drink on their terraza with spectacular views of the port and city, which is something I’ve not yet done there. And of course just being there at Christmas time is wonderful in itself.

By total coincidence a woman from Israel who took one of my Sevilla Tapas Tours last April, Sarah Melamed (she writes the Foodbridge blog), is also going to be in Málaga while I’m there, so I’m sure we’ll get together for a meal one day. And I may also meet up with some other Twitter friends who live nearby. After all, it’ll be Birthday Week! So stay tuned…

55

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in animals & pets, birthdays, cancer, cats, change, travel, trips

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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…