The last time I was in Málaga was in December 2019 for what had become my annual pre-Christmas visit in what used to be my second favourite city in Spain, although I would often go a couple of other times during the year. Well okay, I did land briefly in Málaga in March 2020 just before YOU KNOW WHAT but was quickly whisked out of town by Victor to the Axarquía in order to do research on some wineries there for a Decanter article. I arrived home two days before lockdown. To be honest I haven’t travelled much since then, and still haven’t been outside Spain. Anyhow, I am now finally going back to Málaga.

At first it was a plan to just go overnight to the Vinos de España Una Pasión event, which takes place each year in a different Andalusian city. Last year the 10th anniversary edition was held in Jerez and I think this may have been my last trip anywhere (BC – before crutches). Then I remembered that my friend Jeffrey has been imploring me to visit his new restaurant Andala in Marbella, even offering to pick me up in Málaga and lettng me stay at their spare apartment there. Which of course I’m very excited to visit. So okay then… two nights! A plan was coming together.

The first thing I checked was train tickets. A stupid early fast train from Sevilla would get me into Málaga about an hour before the event, so okay. And Peter wanted to come too, so then the plan was that he’d come overnight and when Jeffrey picked me up the next afternoon he’d head back to Sevilla. This also meant the cats would only be left on their own one night. So… train tickets were purchased. Then I booked the event tickets in case they sold out. And then I started looking around for somewhere to spend the night and OMG…

I mean, I know it’s been a while but hotel prices have gone totally crazy in Málaga, though I guess this is probably true of everywhere. I just haven’t been staying in hotels lately. The cheapest places I could find, including a hotel offering sleeping pods (!!!), were honestly too depressing for words. A couple of “okay I’m just there to sleep” considerations were about 120€ but I just couldn’t do it. So in the end I splashed out on a very “just okay” hotel not far from the train station for 180€ (last week it had been 160€ so I decided to just go for it before the price went up again).

I also went for it because it looks like I may be getting a writing commission that could mean me staying down south another day or so, and so it’s a bit of a gamble. I mean, I can’t afford this! But I also kind of need to do it. Especially because I’m equally excited and scared about going. I don’t know how it’s going to be with the crutches. Even with Peter and Jeffrey there to help out I’ll end up at the train station a couple of times trying to drag my suitcase along with one crutch tucked under my arm and the other holding me up. As for getting on and off the damn train… I shall rely on the kindness of strangers.