Touch-Base from the Vastness

Almost two months since my last posting.

You may wonder what happened to this gypsy, or if there are no more stories to tell.

The vastness of the stories to share is just as infinite as this desert: so many thoughts, questionings, anecdotes, reflections that I dare say I could have material for writing for at least another full year (making daily postings). However, the richness is such at multiple levels (spirit, adventure, relationship, exploration, culture, outdoors, exotics, photographic-wise) that I would like to have those experiences shared in some other way, maybe ink and paper. So, stay tuned… the gypsy may be silent, but her spirit is intact and continues humming full-on, working on the next glimpse of life to share.

Having said that, I always look forward to hearing from you! Feel free to drop a comment or send an e-mail any time. I thank you all for following this gypsy during this exciting and eventful year… your comments and feedback have kept the gypsy writing, giving her food for thought and kept this little bonfire on. This is by no means a farewell; it’s just a touch-base note. At any moment, the fire will be full on again.

Stay in touch, Stay well… I hope to hear from you soon!

@ Erg Chebbi, Sahara.

Hills of Hell -El Chorro-

-         Length: 5km 

-         Height: 200m

-         Rock: limestone

-         River: Guadalhorce, running through the bottom of the gorge.

The Romans dubbed the El Chorro mountains ‘the Hills of Hell’. Maybe looking at the Garganta del Chorro, better known as the "El Chorro" you might see why.





Why "El Chorro" (The Jet)? There is a strong and visible jet of water springing from one of those caves inside the gorge. Find it on the pic above!



The gorge in perspective.

Hell's hills pricking into heavens.



Spanish Sunsets, now IN SPAIN

Dusk from the up high one of the walls at El Chorro:

Sunset on the pastel-colored hills and the wind turbines.

 


Sun shedding soft orange hues on the walls of Sierra de las Nieves, from Turon.

 

Warm light of dusk spreading on the magnificent valley, the lakes and the olive fields (from uphill Teba).

 Note: to understand the Title of this post, please go to July posting named "From Spanishly salt-free to Spanish sunset".

Periodic Dose of Breath-taking

Peeking from the top of El Chorro village into the El Chorro/Tajo de La Encantada/ Guadalhorce River.

A dam into infinity. Embalse (dam) de Guadalhorce/Guadalteba.

Bushes and "palmitos" (mini palm trees with HUGE thorns!) sprinkled over the mounts, and a playful winding road over the ridge.

 Velvety intense green carpet of of pines between harsh gray colosal rocks, with orangy strikes. Like a carpeted path leading the even higher peaks in the horizon. (from Tajo de la Encantada, El Chorro)



Some breathtaking from the heights at Desplomilandia.





Morning views from uphill Teba.



Afternoon sun trying to break into over Pizarra, from the top of El Santo mount.

Lush mini palm-trees ("palmitos") on a steep slope of El Chorro, in contrast with the lush pines on a more gentle slope in the back.

Mounts, mountains, valleys and beyond, with curvy roads wrapping slopes or drawing lines on ridges. This is as high as you can go with your feet touching ground. The mesmerizing Abdalajis, Guadalhorce, Guadalteba region in the lively Andalusia.

Double rainbow on Pizarra valley, Andalusia. This last Monday. What a promising way to start this week!

Natural Sculptures and Natural Monuments

Main landmark at Desplomilandia, Valle de Abdalajis.

These cacti supersede any man-made sculpture!

Circular carvings around this mount, as if someone has been playing with his finger from above...



Hood-shaped carvings on the walls of Desplomilandia, Abdalajis Valley.





Man-made enhancements

Represa de Guadalhorce-Guadalteba:

 Taking advantage of Spanish winds... they look like huge toys, adding playfulness to the scenery.



Plain Pretty

No need to be spectacular. Sometimes in the smallest detail, or the everyday views to which our eyes have got used to. Beauty is surrounding us. It is up to us to be receptive of that charging power, in its multiple forms.



Castillo de la Estrella (Star Castle, ruins of a former arab castle, on the top of a hill escorting hilly, lovely whitewashed Teba).



Spanish handcrafts (Talavera ceramic) on Spanish staircase.



Spanish cactae (bonsai) in Spanish ceramic pots.



More Spanish ceramic.



Teba's hills and the church tower.



 Everywhere you rest your eyes in Teba, there is beauty, whether man-made or natural. Street signs in Teba.

Olive trees in perfect rows, escorted by unbelievably pretty cactae.



More Spanish ceramic.




The streets of Teba lead to turquoise embalses (Guadalhorce/Guadalteba) and their gorgeous valley.