I had a good sleep and went out to find coffee. I had no reason to rush as I was only riding 25km. In the main square I saw a couple of touring cyclists who were also looking for coffee. All the bars in the main square were closed. We chatted for a bit and they said there were places open up the road into town.
They rode off and I started walking that way. At the first place they were sitting with coffee and I took the table beside them. Andy and Christina are German and are on a 10 day ride. Yesterday was their first day. They had flown into Marbella. They had wild camped just out of town. We talked for quite a a bit and it was after 10 when we parted. They were planning going beyond Ronda which I think may have been ambitious with the late start and 1300m. It more this way than the way I went.
My ride was short and very nearly perfect. Except for the haze the scenery would have been amazing. Blue sky would have made it a stunning ride.
It was only a little after noon when I got to my hotel. Streets were blocked off and the Palm Sunday Procession was staging as I walked my bike through the crowd the last 100m. The hotel/bar guy let me check in when I arrived and said there was a good view at the rooftop. I quickly showered and rushed downstairs to see the procession which had reached the front of the hotel just across the street from the church that was it's destination.
I had beer before food today. Some guys snuck back to the bar and the hotel guy served them so I also got a beer. I took mine and went up to the roof for a better view.
Craziness! I went to the restaurant recommend by the hotel guy and it was packed. The one two doors down had some tables so this had to be the better one. There were no tables but I went to the bar and even though it said no service at the bar. I got a beer and a menu. The bartender/guy in charge said something to the effect of "There is no food service at the bar but since you are a lonely old foreign guy, go ahead and order". I may have upset the balance of the restaurant by being there but is was crazy. Food was coming out of the kitchen at an insane pace. At on point one of the cooks was screaming at one of the waitresses - nobody noticed it was so loud - I could only tell by their expressions. The bar was busy and the guys behind the bar were hustling while with waitresses were sprinting around the floor.
The food was ok. I ordered off the holy week special menu and I could see those dishes flying out if the kitchen. I watched and ate.
Afterwards I went back to my room. I needed some downtime. The afternoon disappeared. I heard rain which didn't encourage me to go out. I also heard a lot of partying.
I was doing some research on jamon and the Serrno we normally get at home is, apparently, the crap stuff. The black label lbèrica jamon is the best. There are several grades but the best requires special pigs that run wild and eat acorns. The legs have to age for over 18 months. When you see them hanging you can tell which are the Iberica because the have black hooves. They always leave the feet on so you can be sure.
At 8 I felt I should eat something and walk around a little. I walked around town in the rain and it looked like the rain had spoiled the party. People where huddled in the cafe doorways drinking, laughing and trying to stay dry. This is quite a nice town. I wandered a bit and then went to the restaurant that had the empty tables at lunch. I picked it because it wasn't that crowded.
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