May 19th

We started day with breakfast in a bar – HAHA! Our pension, being tried in with the bar, serves breakfast there. We had normal fare for included breakfasts – toast and a drink, (the nonalcoholic kind 🙂 ). We were offered pate to put on our toast. I jumped at that. He brought all kinds of different little tins of pate: Jamon, Jamon w/queso, Pavo (turkey) w/queso, Jamon w/pimento. Anyway, we both took a couple each. The bartender grabbed one for his toast – I asked him which he took. It was one of the kind Jeff and I both had chosen. This opened the guy up and he brought out a sauce and olive oil. He said this is what most people use on their toast. (Hard to describe the sauce, but mild and slight touch of sweetness.) He played older rock n' roll while we all ate.

Finished, we went back to our room and gathered water and hats. We took off on a trek to the valley just below the old city of Arcos. The 'newer' city of Arcos flanks three sides of the old. The fourth side is a rocky bluff/cliff. We are hiking down this side – it has a easy pathway down. The river, Guadalete Rio, is the same that has been meandering all around this region, and has been dammed to form most of the lakes we have been seeing.  Anyway, there is a small dam here as well and evidence of four mills. Took lots of pictures and did the hike back up. Once in the old walled area, we did visit two more churches. First one, San Juan de Dios Church, used to be a hospital.  The church's altar piece is not gilded, so that really stood out -all that wood! Second one, San Pedro Church. This church had low hymn type music playing and was very gilded, large main alter and two “tomb” places that have ceramic remains of Saint Peter (seemed a bit eery). Anyway, WOW, did we get sweaty and hot from the hike and just being out. Went back to our room just to cool off – thank you God for air conditioning! I can't imagine summertime here!!

Around one-ish went to bar (Ha-Ha) for lunch, but the wait staff directed us across to the restaurant (I thought they owned this as well). This will be our big meal – we ordered the set menu. I had – starter: chicken and guacamole salad; main: roasted vegetables (Asparagus spears, Squash slices, Red Pepper rings, and Corn on the Cob sections-all drizzled with olive oil and herbs); dessert: cheesecake w/fresh, real whipped cream and strawberries puree drizzle. Jeff had – starter: salmorejo topped w/crumbled hard-boiled egg, and jamon; main: grilled pork steak w/frites and the same awesome sauce I had last night with my chicken steak; dessert: dark chooclate brownie ice cream w/fresh, real whipped cream and a drizzle chocolate syrup. Yum, yum! Again all was great and presented very well. Now we went back to our room for true siesta. 

Later we went to our rooftop for light French dinner and to take in last night of Arcos de la Frontera! Alas, it will be our last night in Spain, too!