Work is good, I am still painting, I don’t know if, or when I’ll ever stop painting. I dont know how there is so much painting to be done in such a small shop. I am covered in paint at all times despite my best efforts, I have it luckier than most so I won’t complain.

On Tuesday evening we did a tour of the Alcazaba and then a hike up to the top of the hill, there were lovely views from the top and it was absolutely worth the burn.

After work placement today we went on a walk through Alcazaba and learned the ancient history of the ruins. After we got up we then went on a hike up to Gibralfaro which was extremely difficult but 100% worth it as we got to see the sun begin to set. It was a beautiful day and it was nice being together for the experience.

Over the week, we visited La Manquita twice, once during a historical/cultural tour and when passing by towards the port. 

We learned the colloquial nickname “La Manquita” from the tour guide and much of the building history revolving around the ever present religious groups who are in charge of building and maintaining La Manquita.

Bit of a boring day in work , started of in English which the kids were trying to write stories so I could help in grammar which was actually good and they were also creating a topic of a conflict in there life for world peace day I think it was which is on Thursday but I was then doing pe for the rest of the day but there’s girls in who are teaching dancing so I’m really limited to what I can do so it drags a little but for the last hour the older classes came down so I got to play some football and basketball with them which was fun and some of the kids are brilliant when I got home I made bolognese with a few others then followed by a gym session and a group meeting , afterwards we went and done a bit of shopping in the centre and had a lovely dinner. Finished the day of relaxing at the accommodation

Day 2:

Today was officially my first day of placement. To begin the day we had a meeting with European Era and some guide. We were allocated into groups to be brought to our work placement. We also were brought on the bus for the first time and shown our route to work. First we brought Kyle to his, where we had to walk a very steep hill. Hannah, Katelyn and myself were then brought to ours. Each of us were allocated a certain room with different mentors and children. my mentors name is Olga. During nap time for the children, I was selected to go into the baby group each day to rock them to sleep instead of the toddlers. After work, we then successfully remembered our route home and got the bus.

Day 8:

Today I prepared the materials for the children to decorate a cardboard house, “una casa”. I cut various colours of paper mache, cut out stickers and thread and prepared the white paint, aswell as handing it all out to each child. After the children finished, my mentor asked me to paint the words “Villa Manzana” on the roof which translates to the “Apple Villa”.

I have looked forward to eating lovely food every night of my stay here. After work, in the day or into the night, the food is open and delicious.

I’ve spent some days going to different restaurants by myself as if on a pilgrimage searching for tasty snacks or I’ve also spent some days enjoying a nice meal with friends.

I don’t intend to stop right up until I leave to return home.

After we got the bus to the cave networks and had our walk through we found a small village frigilana and looked through some local shops and took in some pretty decent views.

It was really interesting to visit the nerja caves over the weekend and learn how they formed it was unique experience when compared to the sights back home in Ireland.