BSVDLP Almendralejoto Merida

Mérida, the capital of western Spain’s Extremadura region, was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. Remains of the ancient city include the still-used Teatro Romano, which has a double tier of columns rising onstage. The ancient Puente Romano, a 792m bridge spanning the Río Guadiana, adjoins the Alcazaba, a 9th-century Islamic fortress built over Roman walls. – Google

Great town and interesting walk in on good walking conditions.

Roma people on the path. About a dozen sleeping rough on mattresses, cooking fires on the path, with children running wild and continually asking, pushing, for money. First time we have seen this.

Falcon club. Four men with falcons and one live, soon not to be, rabbit. On the side of the road.

Nice discussion with Nuria, the young German girl, about life in Eastern Germany. She grew up in Munich but moved to the east. Among the usual and expected differences (as we saw on our bike trip through the DDR) is job hunting. In the West they are instructed how to do a job interview. Not so in the East.

Met two interesting men who retired early (late 50’s) to Valencia. Easy process, low cost, great medical and dental at low cost. Decided to live the good life. Significant ex-pat community but hard to integrate with locals who are insular. Biden dealt a very hard hand, great to be rid of Trump, agree with some of Biden but are more left leaning. Mentioned one can change residency to South Dakota with a one night stay in a motel and a receipt from same. Shades of the Paradise papers.

Much of Merida is well covered by Wikipedia and Google images so little will follow.

-Roman Bridge, 762 meters long – yes that long

Alcazaba, Arabic fortress built on Roman villa that was then a Visigoth defense.

Arc of Triumph. Trajan

Temple of Dianna

Left the highlight attraction, the Roman Amphitheater for tomorrow. Just snuck in a pic from outside the gate.