Some Spain Stats 

 

Location: Caleta de Velez

Local Temperature: 85 degrees Fahrenheit

Total Journey Mileage: 1,333

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From the moment we loaded our Suzuki off the train and drove it onto the RIGHT side of the road we have been moving. Stopping only at gas stations and rest areas to refuel and to stretch, the journey south was grueling. To break up France and Spain we stopped in the surfing town of Hossegor (just north of Biarritz). We enjoyed a large beach reminiscent of Malibu, CA; napping in the sun and catching a refreshing dip in the Atlantic from the other side. Within just a few hours we were refreshed and ready to continue on.

 

I feel I was misinformed about the stick shift abilities of Jessie and Aparna. They “ran out of time” to practice their manual driving capabilities in the US and as acting driving instructor in Europe, I took them through the riggers of no power steering and a knobby stick. First Jessie in the French countryside, then Aparna on a dirt road in an olive grove in Spain. With all three of us taking in the road and taking on the wheels, we shot down to the south of Spain where we meet Jessie’s friend’s parents Jo and Richard.

 

With help from our hosts, we spent the next two days hopping between Chinese bazaars, the the local shopping center, to the Suzuki mechanic in town. We savored a quick break at a beach cafe one  afternoon, enjoying mussels, fresh calamari and some of the best gazpacho ever. 

 

Again, thank you to Richard and Jo, the amazingly generous couple who put us up in their wonderful flat on the coast of the Mediterranean. We are forever grateful for the food, the laughter and the guidance they provided during our last stop before the African leg of our journey. Our thanks are extended to the rest of their family in town, Richard’s sister-in-law Anne and her partner Reg, for the company and kindness.

 

We miss Caleta de Velez, but are thankful for the time we spent there mentally and mechanically preparing for the rest of our journey! And soon, more about our first day in Morocco …