Exploring Guadix, Spain

We got up and did some driving right at sunrise. It was only a half hour or so to Guadix on the main highway, so we figured that by the time we got there the sun would be high enough to keep us warm. Daytime temperatures inland are pleasant with the sunshine, but it's chilly enough overnight and it takes a while for things to warm up.

One of the reasons we came to Guadix is to match up another of my dad's photographs from his trip here in 1954.

It's not going to be easy to find the exact location, but we think we made some progress.

Sunrise made the whole sky pink.

Scenery along the way.

Snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Guadix is a well known place for hot air ballooning.

We parked up by this old sugar factory and had breakfast.

Then we headed into the central area.

Guadix is only 18,000 people, but it feels bigger than that. They have a motorhome parking area, but it's really just a huge parking lot. However, it's convenient to walk to the central area, so that's where we went. It's a popular destination because of the cave houses here. Similar to the ones that are in Cappadocia, Turkiye.

Guadix does have a huge cathedral as well.

Unfortunately, they charge for entrance so we didn't go inside.

Entrance to the plaza.

Front of the cathedral.

Fancy stairs.

Old doors. Notice the date above the doors.

These two buildings have been nicely restored.

More old doors.

The central plaza.

We stopped in at the tourist office and showed the girl there my dad's photo from 1954. She hummed and hawed and said she thought it might be in a nearby town, but referred us to her co-worker who was located at the Interpretive Center. So we walked over there and spoke to her. She spent some time on it, and thought that it was a nearby village called Purullena. She then went and checked with an older woman next door who said the same thing. So we will go to Purullena today. When you see the photo, you'll understand why it's a bit difficult!

Interesting roof.

The Alcazaba (citadel), which is currently only open one day a week due to restoration work.

Guadix as seen from one of the viewpoints.

Those chimneys are from the cave houses that exist below us.

Cave houses in Guadix.

Some of them are quite fancy!

From another viewpoint.

And some are quite basic.

Ruth, enjoying the view.

Hmm. One of these pigeons is not like the others!

Narrow walkway.

Back at Max, we relaxed for a couple of hours and had some dinner. Then, because we were parked pretty much right in town, we went for a walk in the evening.

Lots of Christmas decorations.

Me, and an angel.

We walked by the cathedral, and the front entrance door was open! So we went inside. It was quite dark and there were hardly any people. It actually felt a bit spooky! And it felt like we shouldn't be there, but nobody stopped us so we wandered around a bit.

Lots of poinsettias.

Quite the statue.

There was some kind of service going on, but there were only about four of five people, and one guy sitting up at the top. Eventually, he started speaking, but we have no idea what it was about.

It was very dark.

The central plaza at night.

Feliz Navidad.

Out on the main street, we could hear some music and loudspeakers so we headed over there. There was some kind of fun run fundraiser going on. The still photos didn't turn out very well, but I took a video for you...

Today we are headed to nearby Purullena, then we're not sure. Somewhere quiet to spend New Years Eve. We even bought a bottle of bubbly to celebrate with. Not likely to make it to midnight, but we'll see!

Happy New Year and the best of 2023 to all of you!

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