The Baltic, Eastern Europe and Spain 2017: Beautiful Grazalema, Spain

We arrived in Grazalema in the late afternoon and the sun was going down. I did manage to get a few shots before.....but the next morning the photos were much better.

This is one of the top 'Pueblos Blancos' or White Villages that are famous in this area of southern Spain. Considered to be at the northern most top of the province of Cadiz, it is about 2 hours from our base in the city of Cadiz.

Colour pots and incredible flora.

Only 52 euros to bring home one of these pig legs.....for prosciutto sandwiches.

A working drinking fountain. Fun faces to be sure.

A gorgeous morning and I can see the sun glaring on the mountains behind the village.

Let's go!!!

Grazalema sits at a height of 812 meters. With a population of less than 3000 permanent residents.

I have to say it was chilly here. A very cool breeze in the mountains meant we wore jeans, long sleeves, sweaters and I bought a locally made winter scarf. It's cold.

But the sun is warm and inviting.

This beautiful village sits at the foot of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.

Grazalema has a strong muslim influence. You can see it in the food and drink.

During the Napoleonic Wars this town was partially destroyed.

Tourism is the major economic contributor to this area, although there are sheep, fresh produce, some custom cork and linens items made by local artisans.

We Debbie waiting on her birdwatcher wife.....She's the best.

Because of the location, many visitors hike and cycle through and around this village.

The traversing between the 'White Villages of Andalusia' is very popular.

These water fountains look ancient....because they are....and people still drink from them. We witness a motorcyclist pull over just to get a drink and continue on his journey.

A long view out over the land we travelled to get to Grazalema and below a zoomed in view of the mountains.

Not the best photo below of the local Griffin Vulture or 'El Buitre Leonado' that inhabits the mountains and skies around here. Even though they are common to see, I just could not get a clear shot because they soar so high.

With a wing span of between 2.3 and 2.8 meters,

14-23 lbs in weight,

and 93-120 cm longs.....glad he wasn't closer.

Because I could see the white head I thought at first they were Bald Eagles.

Spain has the biggest colony of Griffon Vultures in all of Europe. More than 25,000.

Below is not my photo, but this is what the Griffon Vulture looks like. Yikes.

Quite a handsome fellow.

My buddies the sheep and rams in the pastures below our mountain top view.

Hard to believe but I definitely get focus and enthralled in photography on our journeys and forget what time it is...let alone to stop and eat.

Breakfast Spanish style coming up.

A cappuccino and warmed prosciutto on a crust bun with a drizzle of olive oil and a tomato condiment. I am ready to go again.

The main square across from the Town Hall and Police department.

Interestingly the police, even here, are standing around patrolling this village.

This square has tables, cafes, children playing soccer, Moms with babies, dog walker, paper airplane flyers.....and sitters enjoying the sun and people visiting time.

Again because housing is tiny....not like our huge homes in Canada, people get out and enjoy the outdoors. This is their social time. Hardly any cell phones out....people are playing and talking.

I think we might have it wrong in Canada....or maybe we just need to get back to basics.

Being present.

Peppers growing.....at the gas station in Grazelema?

Pensive moment.

These blue flower pots are just some of the colourful pots that decorate these white washed homes in these villages. It is a purposeful intention to add colour to the quaintness of the all white colour.

This is a great example of the wee cement blocks that are all that stand between the mountain roadways and the trip.....straight down??? Just keep your eyes closed...especially if you are on a huge coach bus. Just sayin'.