Texans' Andalucian Adventure 2005

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June 10th 2005 saw the Texans, both real and adopted, meet at the Parador de Granada in southern Spain.  This was the last Arab kingdom in Spain and taken by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.  What a first impression staying at what is listed and deserves the reputation as the greatest Parador in all of Spain.  If walls could speak, the former Franciscan Convent founded by Isabel and Ferdinand must still be reeling from shock after the onslaught of the Texans.

The Alhambra in Granada and La Mezquita in Córdoba – built as a mosque and converted to a cathedral after the Moors were driven out of Spain – after those sights everything else seemed tame.

Arriving at El Castillo by night, what a sight seeing the 8 th century Moorish castle perched on top of a mini-mountain above the sleepy town of Monda. There we were in the footsteps of Julius Caesar, who fought a battle here in 45 BC. Pretty impressive.

Flamenco night at El Castillo – everyone got in the spirit, especially two blonde and beautiful Spanish ladies.  Could they be Lou Ann Corboy and Sharon Bush?

Ronda, famed as one of the Pueblos Blancos in the Moorish tradition, afforded us a leisurely day, where we enjoyed a lovely luncheon overlooking the River Guadalevín. Our guide in Ronda was Clair Twomey, Netta’s cousin, who now makes her home in southern Spain.  It all goes to show – scratch anywhere on the map of the world and you will find the Irish.  This brings us to Jerez and more Irish. William Garvey from County Wexford set up in the sherry business in 1780 in Jerez de La Frontera.  We had a wonderful time viewing and tasting.  Ken Gorman presented the Director with Ted Murphy's book just hot off the press A Kingdom of Wine and Mike Corboy was photographed in front of a barrel of sherry honoring the Vatican. Their sherry San Patricio was named for the patron saint of Ireland.

We did not spend the day drinking sherry but visited the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art and experienced the incredible horse show.  

Our Marbella day shopping and touring with Maureen Newman was great fun; of course the serious golfers spurned the shopping and golfed at the famous Las Brisas Club courtesy of David Newman.  That evening we dined at the famed Villa Tiberio in Marbella lauded by Gerald Tsai as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world.  The flowers were incredible, the group cleaned up well, and the food superb.  Thank you David for making all the arrangements and to Mike Corboy for hosting the pre-dinner Champagne reception.

Málaga and the newly opened Picasso Museum was an experience as we all tried to figure out what Picasso really meant, or, if he meant anything at all!  The museum, housed in the 16 th century Palacio de Buenavista, was magnificent and the art interesting and thought-provoking. It appeared from our short visit to be a city worth returning to and hopefully we can.

The grand finale at David and Maureen Newman’s house was truly a night to remember, a little on La Dolce Vita side and over the top but then that is what we Texans are used to.  Who will ever forget, dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and in the distance Gibraltar and Lou Ann Corboy doing the limbo with the African Steel Drum Dancer on Stilts.  Tribute for the trip goes to the great participants who made newcomers feel so welcome that they were heard saying “We don't care where you are going next year, just sign us up.”

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