PYRENEES ADVENTURE 2012 (Part 4)

Sunday 1 July 2012....continue

Even though Figols is just a hamlet, we became somewhat lost at first. We parked on a pretty steep slope between block of houses with locals peeking on us, from their windows. The tourist season, means one thing here.... time for local amusement show, and they really seem to enjoy it.

parts of the block of cottages at Figols

 To be quite frank, it felt a bit awkward, not sure as what to expect. Just hoped this wasn't going to be a European continue of a popular American horror, Hills have eyes! "Step out or not step out of the car"... asking myself . Eventualy, the scorching heat forced us out and then right back in, again. The sun was so hot, it was burning! It felt like 100 degree celsius! Of course, we came here for the sun, but this sun was painful! It was burning your skin like a flame burns charcoal, and slowly.

road leading to the cottage

Nero started to pant heavily and that meant, I yet again had no choice, but to get out of the car and give him some fluids. He finished two bottles of water and kept asking for more. As I turned to get few more from the cooler on the backseats, I have noticed a couple of people standing on the side of our vehicle, just staring at us. In next five minutes the doors on few houses started to open, and a small crowd surrounded us. Mostly old men, but also two middle aged woman and a bunch of domestic dogs. It was hard to determine the breeds of dogs, it was sort of a mix and match of any kind! One particular caught my eye, an older dog with huge white tasch and strangely curled up long gingery eyebrows. He looked like a baboon. From where I was standing I didn't get to see his arse, but guessing it must have been red. If not from being a half monkey, then surely from sitting on the hot burning tarmac for hours on end.

parking was a challange

For couple of minutes we all just stood there staring at each others. The uncomfortable silence was then broken up by my GPS saying...."make a quick u-turn if possible". They always come up with such great idea, gotta love the GPS. Kinda bit too late for it now, I grunted back at it. Then one of the older lady aproached me smiling and saying something in spanish, of which I understood next to nothing. What a great start of our holiday! During next half an hour, I tried to explain what we're looking for, a cottage named Casa Rafela. It takes time to communicate in hand signals! Show them map, that's the best, everyone can read map, even though not always right. Finally, one of the old man understood me and showed me the way to the cottage. It was just round the corner. Right now I felt so much hate for the GPS, wanted to grab and bitch slap it, couple of times for it to wake up! Anyway, don't bother they never do!

mediteranean garden

Jumped back in the car and drove slowly down the steep hill to the cottage of Casa Rafela. Here, the owner, a middle aged english lady, was waiting for us! Such a relieve!

P.S. Even though at first it looked scary here, the local people at Figols turned out to be very friendly and helpful. In few days, we learned how to drive in and out on the small roads without taking cornes of the houses with us..(just a joke)...and we perfected our reversed parking ..god that was a challenge and half! Also, I did not take a picture of the locals nor the baboon, I'm sure I don't need to explain why...:)


To be continued....