Border Towns
Trip Start
Aug 23, 1996
1
342
450
Trip End
Ongoing
Badajoz,
Spain
Sunday, July 8, 2007
The Story
As we were driving back from Portugal, the first town just over the border just happens to have the largest Moorish citadel, and according to the LP, 40 K's away is a town called Albuquerque, and as I have never been to the States, at least when I have a convo with a Seppoe in the future I will at least be able to say, I've been to .....
Badajoz
After the brief exchange and change of pants, I kind of felt a bit better being back in Spain. At least they understand my dodgy Aussie accented Italian/Spanish !!! We drove through new Badajoz, and like most places, all I could think of was, nice new housing estate !!! As we neared the old section, we started to be followed by Police. I know I'm dodgy, but not that much !!! As we parked up, first one car stopped to watch, then another. I know we were new and there was a chance that this could be new genes for their gene pool, but realistically, do they really want a mong with a dodgy arm and a hand that doesn't work, or maybe, that's what makes me special !!! We had a quick look at an old bridge and Puerta de Palmas, the restored old city gate, before we went into the Alcazaba. According to the signs inside, this was the largest walled citadel built by the Moors. There isn't much left inside, but the walls have been restored so we took a walk. Then memories of India came flooding back. A guy came up and in Spanish, asked me for some money. I gave him the old no hablo Espanol. I did then say, matedoyouspeakStrayan !!! He looked at me and realised that loser street was where he was staying because he had no idea what I was talking about !!! There are a couple of old towers attached to the walls, but not much more. Maybe we should have gone around to look at some of the churches, but this was not a church tour, so they would have to miss out. We went back to the car, saw more Police cars, jumped in, they followed us to the outskirts, and then left us as we were obviously no harm to them.
Albuquerque
I was going to head back to Merida when Lucy said that in Albuquerque, there was an old fort on top of a hill and as it was only 40 K's away, and at the speed you drive at, we should be there in 15 minutes !!! Sold. Now the story is that Albuquerque sits on top of an older Moorish version, so first good reason to come, and second, it overlooks Portugal, and has been the scene of many a battle. They actually did control it for a few years in the early 1800's before it was re-taken. We parked up, and followed a track, and as has been the way with this whole trip, the track led to nowhere, so we came back. Eventually, we took the real way, and above us loomed the old fort. We powered up this huge hill before we saw the signs. This was typical of Europe. The inside had been turned into a Youth Hostel. We eventually found the front door, and there was a sign on the door, tours at 09, 10 and 11. Oh well. There were some nice views, so we wandered around the laneways a little before we realised that it was getting close to beer o'clock. With that, we jumped back into the car and headed for Merida.
And Finally
With each moment in time, a new place opens up. Where do you start, where do you finish? I don't think I will return to Badajoz, but Albuquerque, the real one that is, does warrant a return.
