Tarifa

On Saturday Eli, Eli's friend, and I made the trip to the Tarifa, the southernmost point of continental Europe. When we first drove through on the bus it didn't look like much, but that could be because we arrived during the middle of siesta. (Southern Spain in general doesn't really seem all that exciting during siesta.)

The city is at the very tip of Spain, which sticks out into the Mediterranean sea, completely unprotected. It is also the meeting point of the easterly and westerly winds that blow through the Strait of Gibraltar. Read: it is insanely windy. For this reason it is known as the Wind Capital of the World and is a favorite haunt for windsurfers and kitesurfers.

The windiest spot in the world? Quite possibly.

We were there in November so obviously all the tourists were gone and there wasn't a whole lot happening. Somehow though, we still managed to fall in love with the empty boardwalk and the main street, which was filled with little surf shops and Tex-Mex restaurants. It was so refreshing to see Roxy brand sweatshirts again, or just any sweatshirts for that matter. One of the things I've missed most since being here is cuddling up in sweatpants and a giant sweatshirt on a cold night. All I have here with me are yoga pants and a hoodless sweatshirt. It's such a shame.

Eli reunited with Mexico. Kind of.

We found the beach (not hard when you're surrounded on 3 sides by the sea), walked through the old town, and checked out some of the surf shops. We also ran into two of our fellow teachers, one who lives in Tarifa and the other who...goes there to get drunk on the weekends I think. It was an interesting little run-in. "Estoy enfadado contigo" ("I am mad at you"). Umm...okay....nice to see you too?

Some things to keep in mind if you're thinking about visiting: 

Don't underestimate the wind. When the wind would whip up especially hard it took a little effort to keep moving forward. We had gone with grand ideas of sitting on the beach and having a picnic lunch...we quickly realized that wasn't going to happen.....

Leaning into the wind.

Also, DON'T FORGET SUNGLASSES. It is ridiculously bright, especially on the beach. Afterall, it is on the Costa de Luz (:

Don't let the clouds decieve you. My eyes hurt from how bright it was.

All in all it was a short trip, only a couple of hours, but long enough for us to decide that come springtime, every weekend will be spent at this beach town. 

So beautiful.

Eli and I

I wonder if there is anything special about frog statues spitting water? There's a fountain like this in Algeciras too.

Just chillin' at the end of the world :)

Ember and Eli being artsy :)

Such talent!