17 March 2018,Malaga

The weather from the beginning of this cruise to the present day has been atrocious. Having learnt that one has to be quick in taking the advantage of the sun when it pops out,we took the shuttle bus [free]the moment the ship was ready,because the morning had the best chance of being dry,if not sunny. There were several horse carriages waiting for the tourists and on the spur of the moment I said to my sister - let's go on one, and in no time the old coachman was taking us through the clean streets of the city,not a single graffiti in sight, giving us a running commentary is Spanish.That neither my sister nor myself speak the language made not the slightest difference,we understood each other completely and almost an hour later were happy to hand the 30 euros to this kind man with hands deformed by arthritis. Both my sister and I agreed that Malaga beyond the beach is beautiful.There was not a single building we did not like,be it the Town Hall, the University,the most impressive Gibralfaro Castle,the Arabic Fortress of Alcazaba.We could have taken a ferry to Morocco,but there just was not the time.Instead we took a leisurely walk in the Botanical gardens and around the Pompidou Museum.And then we came across the most beautiful shop called Bosaroni with furnishings for the house.There was a woven basket so gorgeous I knew I had to have it,and some wonderfully smelling hand made soap.Next to the Bosaroni was a coffee shop and the cakes in the window were most inciting.The room was only half full,but there was nowhere to sit, several tables were uncleared,laden with dirty cups and saucers.The morose long faced young waitresses grudgingly cleared them and took our order.Had it not been for the fact that it started to rain, we would have walked out.Never in my entire life have I been served by waitresses so unpleasant, unfriendly, utterly obnoxious,barking even at old people,not a hint of a smile on their faces. Black coffee was brought in a cup and hot milk poured into it in front of me.That was "latte".It was good.The cakes were delicious.I asked what the name of the cakes was but got no answer, just a long stare that said - why are you here, why are you bothering me,why don't you shut up. It is very rare that I do not leave a single cent of a tip.This was one of those times.