El Rocio

7 October -- Tuesday

Just a short drive from Matalascanas (and right next to the national park) is a very picturesque place - El Rocio.

Here is a blurb about it from the andalucia.com website: "The Rocío Pilgrimage is the most famous in the region, attracting nearly a million people from across Andalucia and the entire country. This is a tradition that began in the 15th century when a hunter from the village of Villamanrique discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary in a tree trunk near the Doñana park. Devotion to this particular versin of the Virgin was initially a local affair. However, over the centuries it became more and more widespread until present day pilgrimages that attract participants from as far away as Barcelona and the Canary Islands – and that is not to mention tourist who might travel from even further abroad."

In the late afternoon of our second day there I went with Carrie to Rocio to visit. We saw huge flocks of pink flamingoes in the estuary. Unfortunately they were some distance from us, but Carrie loaned me her binoculars and I got a close up look. It was amazing to see them working their long legs, stirring up food from the river bed to eat. At times it looked as if they were all doing Michael Jackson's moves! Very funny to see.

08 Oct -- WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday we left Matalascanas and returned to Malaga, where I saw the Norwegian chiropractor (who is a graduate of Palmer College - he spoke well of the QCA) and he gave me LOTS of help which I greatly appreciated.

09 Oct -- THURSDAY
We board the train in Malaga, transfer stations in Madrid, and now, my friends, we're on to France on the... Night Train to Paris (doesn't that sound like the name of a 1940's movie?)!!!