Meanwhile in Malaga

As a trainee for a company that rents touristic apartments, my daily work includes meeting people from all over the world who come to Malaga to spend their vacations. I don't yet know Malaga that well myself, so I try to spend as much of my free time as possible getting to know the city and its main attractions, so that I would be better prepared to answer any questions the clients may have and maybe even give recommendations about what Malaga has to offer. This past Sunday started with a rain shower, so I decided it would be a good day to visit a few museums. Malaga is not only a nice place for a beach holiday, but also, among other things, an internationally renowned city of museums. Among the most important ones are those dedicated to the life and work Pablo Picasso, regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881. Even though he spent most of his adult life in France, he never forgot his Spanish roots, and it

Note to self, and to anybody planning to visit Malaga in August in the future: if possible, avoid trying to walk in the city center with a suitcase during the feria , especially in the evening . I tried it yesterday, so I know what I'm talking about. The streets are so packed full of people in a festive mood that getting anywhere even without a suitcase can be difficult. With a suitcase, it's close to impossible. It's not that I was completely unaware of what to expect. But my home away from home in Malaga is situated in the historical center of the city and not accessible by car, as far as I know. A taxi would not have done me much good, so I had to walk. Luckily I did finally reach my goal, with the help of some friendly malagueños (Malagan people). Now I'm surrounded by the sounds of the festivities outside, and mentally trying to prepare myself for my first day of on-the-job learning tomorrow. I already had the chance to visit the office yesterday evening, so

I'm at the final stages of packing now, and trying to prepare myself for heading off to Malaga tomorrow. There are so many butterflies in my stomach that I'm surprised there's room foor anything else there. Of course I'm also very much looking forward to the next two months, and to all the new things I will learn and all the new people I will meet. The Andalusian weather will be an added bonus, since the summer in Helsinki has so far been, well, not much of a summer at all. My arrival date to Malaga coincides with the start of this year's Feria de Málaga , the annual Malaga city fair. The fair commemorates the re-conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs  of the Crown of Castile, Fernando and Isabel , in 1487. Nowadays the feria is a week-long street party that fills the center of the city with happy (and loud) people and plenty of flamenco and other things andalusian. I have been to the Feria de Málaga once before, 11 years ago. I'm excited to be reu