Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Vejer de la Frontera


Just a few kilometers inland from the vast Atlantic ocean is a small city called Vejer de la Frontera. This town is nearly all white! These 'white towns' are something this region of Andalucia, Spain is famous for, and Vejer is one of only a dozen or so towns that adhere to this socially enforced practice of yearly 'white-washing'. 



On Sundays there is a market in town, a sort of flea market, where vendors set up their tables with trinkets, clothing, plants, foods, records, antiques, etc. The narrow winding streets are lined with trash and treasure, and people from all the neighboring rural areas come to spend their cash and have a good time. Oh the simplicity of small-town living....



The church, situated near the top of this cliff-side town, stands out in it's lack of white, for it is the only stone structure. The bells chimed each hour and the sound echoed off the stone walls creative a festive 'market day' soundtrack.


Foreign architechtural practices are evident all around, from interesting sculptures, stone archways, alleyways and alcoves, to entire squares set around the palm trees. These are the common sights for the Spaniards from Vejer de la Frontera. These are exotic sights to us. 




And from below the view is stunning in an opposite way. The lush forests and valleys that surround the town give a nice contrast to the chalky visage of the town.


The cacti grow out of control here! There are many kinds and shapes and colors, but all are larger than I imagined!


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