I try to be as environmentally aware as I can, to "do my bit" in the face of global warming.
I renovated my house and made it eco-friendly. Nowadays I try to travel in a manner that takes account of the environment.
[Image courtesy of renouvo]
For example, taking the bus to Malaga, or to Sevilla; the train to Madrid or Granada. It's not only kinder to the environment, it's also cheaper and it's stress-free.
Or, is it?
Time for a moan! The "Damas" coach from Ronda to Malaga is modern and clean. Yet it has no toilet!
For older citizens, particularly those who have bladder issues, this is potentially catastrophic on a journey of two hours duration!
I travelled last Saturday from Ronda to Malaga. I suffer from water-retention and take a daily diuretic tablet, which makes me need to "pee" every ten minutes or so for several hours..
I was up early that day, so I took my tablet at 05.30 am which gave me about four hours until it would stop working.
[Notice courtesy of Edit.org]
I didn't drink anything after my early morning black tea (two cups); I went to the loo just before boarding the bus, and, lo and behold, I got away with it!
I arrived at Malaga bus station without having an embarassing "accident".
Another "gripe"
I couldn't get my tickets in advance at the "taquilla" in Ronda bus station, because the ticket clerk WAS ON HOLIDAY!
And another .....
The coach is supposed to offer free Wifi, but it wasn't working! At least it had charging points, so I was able to charge my mobile!
[Facebook] [Freepik]
Malaga
The bus station was a 50 minute walk in the heat of the day, so, going totally against my eco-friendly ideals, I took a taxi. That short journey of around 10 minutes cost me more than the bus!
Then I couldn't find my "hotel". Did so eventually (the address was wrong) and was confrontrd by a keycode-controlled door (no reception - well, the place was cheap). Rang the owner who gave me the code. I was in!
Only to discover two more key-controlled locks, one for the landing and one for my room! Another call to the manager and he sent me the codes to my mobile.
When I got in the room, I was shocked. I knew I had to share a bathroom on the landing, but there was no handbasin in the room, no drinks fridge, nothing.
Well, I guess you get what you pay for! Lesson learned!
The Press Club
The walking tour of significant locations in the history of journalism and the Press in Malaga was fascinating .....
..... and the subsequent tapas and raciones at Restaurante El Gallo Ronco were delicious.
The chat over dinner was very interesting and I got to know some new people.
Rte. El Gallo Ronco [Photo: Paul Whitelock]
For more on this, please click here:
History of the Press in Malaga
Day Two
No problems today. I enjoyed several hours in this fabulous city, before getting the bus back to Ronda .....
..... where I left my handbag with all my important documents, my cash and my mobile phone on the bus!
F**k!
[Photo courtesy of Facebook ]
Links:
MALAGA CITY - Help me, Ronda
© The Curmudgeon
Pictures:
Edit.org, Facebook, Freepik, renouvo
Acknowledgements:
Damas, Interbus, Paul Whitelock
Tags:
A1 realestate, bus, coach, Costa Press Club, Damas, diuretic, Edit.org, Facebook, Freepik, Granada, Interbus, Madrid, Malaga, Paul Whitelock, renouvo, Ronda, Sevilla, taquilla, The Curmudgeon, train, water-retention, WiFi, www.help-me-ronda.com