We spent our last evening in Spain in Malaga at El Riad Andaluz, which was more hostel-like than hotel-like. Also, it was Moroccan themed which, for some reason, seemed a little silly to us after having stayed in a real riad in Morocco. But the owners were quite nice.
We wandered around the city, including its outdoor shopping mall, visited Museo Picasso Malaga and ate dinner. At this point I was really missing Sophie and Andy—I was ready to come home. Aimee, Shruti and I searched for nearly an hour for an international phone card (the one I had ordered online at home was no longer working—nor was my cell phone) and then a pay phone. I called home. No answer. I left poor Andy a blubbering, sobbing message (and then called back to ensure him I was OK). I couldn’t have asked for better traveling companions and I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. I guess all I can say is how lucky I am to have had such a good time but to have also been so ready to come home.
That said, we’re already planning our 40th birthday trip. 🙂
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” —Lin Yutang
![The kiddos at First Unitarian Church are collecting books for students at South Avondale School to help fill the free bookstore our church sets up at the school regularly. If you have gently used or new books you'd like to donate, please let me know and I’ll come by and pick them up! We mostly need Pre-K/K (board books, concept books [ABCs, shapes], not lots of large hardcover picture books), early readers, early chapter books and blank journals. Because of the importance of children seeing mirrors of themselves in these books, diversity is key. Thanks!!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/1b0de463b3b6651ce328e04c69eefb61/5DAF8772/t51.2885-15/e35/p320x320/65600510_490323258372040_2015424398939439067_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com "The kiddos at First Unitarian Church are collecting books for students at South Avondale School to help fill the free bookstore our church sets up at the school regularly. If you have gently used or new books you'd like to donate, please let me know and I’ll come by and pick them up! We mostly need Pre-K/K (board books, concept books [ABCs, shapes], not lots of large hardcover picture books), early readers, early chapter books and blank journals. Because of the importance of children seeing mirrors of themselves in these books, diversity is key. Thanks!!")
