Small Car, Small Streets

Monday, October 12, 2009
Hooray, we got a car this morning! She gave us two keys and David got to try to sit in both to see which one worked. They both looked small, but one was just too small. We took the red one (a Chevy Aveo), and when we got back to the desk, she said it was rated as a full-size car! We are off to Carmona, and our first Parador.

On the drive, we were surprised to see how dry and barren the land looks. The vistas are all desert-like. We later learned that they get zero inches of rain in June, July, and August, but much rain in the winter. We were doing great following our GPS, but David couldn’t resist when he saw a turn-off labeled “Parador.” We ended up in the middle of Carmona in some streets so narrow it was scary. One other car was ahead of us so we kept going until they totally stopped. It was a young couple and they tried to forge ahead and make a 90-deg turn. They ended up yelling at each other and scratched their car. David backed the car down a hill with about 12 inches clearance on each side. WHEW.

We finally made it to the Parador, and it was in a 12th century castle. Very fancy and impressive (also expensive). The Spanish are proud of their paradors! Enjoyed lunch in the fancy dining room. Saw a beautiful sunset. Went to dinner at 9:00 – walked to the plaza. I ordered a tortilla con jamon and got scrambled eggs and ham bits. Margo ordered Gazpacho and it came out creamy orange? but it was cold and very flavorful.

Some great views from the Parador terrace, including a swimming pool we did not get to try out.