KARETHE LINAAE
Every September, in one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, La Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda puts on a show unlike any other. Though it happens in conjunction with the annual bullfight, this event does not involve blood, goring or torturing of any kind. At the same time, it offers the public the chance to see…
In part two of A Stroll Around Town with the Mayor, I visit Genalguacil and meet the mayor, Miguel Ángel Herrera Gutiérrez, who, over the past eleven years, has transformed a small village into an internationally recognised centre for art and rural development. A living museum village From a distance, Genalguacil may look like…
Every May, thousands of athletes from Spain and around the world gather in the picturesque town of Ronda, where one of the country’s toughest tests of strength takes place. The 101-kilometre ultramarathon is considered a legendary race in Spanish trail running culture and is one of the most important “bucket list” races for ultra-athletes. Participants…
Desde el primer día que vivimos en Ronda, me fascinan las escobas de los barrenderos. A menudo seguía a los equipos de limpieza con mi cámara, discretamente colgada a mi espalda, intentando capturar fotos de su montaje perfectamente organizado — un par de escobas de mango largo, hechas a mano, colocadas al revés en…
When I was young, I was mortally embarrassed by my father’s reaction to someone littering. Whenever he saw anyone drop even a gum wrapper, he would yell after them, “Hey, you lost something!” And if his booming voice didn’t lead them to repent and pick up their “lost” item, his large stature and threatening…
Of all the early signs of Andalusian spring, the almond blossom is my absolute favourite. The tree, which has grown in this region for millennia, is one of the first to bloom in the new year. Depending on the location, this can happen as early as January or as late as March. This year, torrential…
This is the first in a series of articles exploring lesser-known Andalusian towns through walks with their mayors. My starting point is Cartajima, a tiny village in Málaga’s Genal Valley, around a 40-minute drive from the Costa del Sol. If you don’t know the village, you’re not alone — very few people make the trip…
Most people come to Spain for the climate, culture, nature, and, not least, food and wine. One activity that combines all these elements is a visit to a bodega. Winemaking requires open plains and sunny hillsides, often set against beautiful natural surroundings. At the same time, it is a tradition-bound process deeply rooted in…
January is the month of new beginnings. It’s also a time for self-examination, self-renewal, self-blame and maybe even a little self-flagellation. And while we usually give up on trying to create a ‘new me’ by February 1st, we continue to make the same resolutions year after year. The most important New Year’s resolutions for Spaniards…
Have you ever wanted to step into an entirely different life and try something you have never done before? Then you should consider becoming a WWOOFer. WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a non-profit movement that connects volunteer helpers with organic farmers worldwide. Its goal is to promote education and cultural exchange, fostering…