"Carmen" Filmed in Andalucia

I love the version of "Carmen" by the Director Francisco Rosi, which was filmed entirely in Andalucia. There are scenes in the streets and on the bridge at Ronda, and in the tobacco factory episodes, where Carmen traditionally rolls a cigar on her thigh. The Ronda bullring is used for the final part of the drama. Julia Migenes is a captivating, fiery Carmen, with Placido Domingo as her lover, Don Jose. There are a number of clips from the film on YouTube. (Sometimes they download, and sometimes they don't!)

The factory fight scene is on http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=kPa4-UMohL8

The sexy dance is on http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=LjwNsuy72PY

'Habanera' is on http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=uV9iGv4sKNI

Final Act 4 scenes on http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=mcGZMk4CCKs

There are more! Enjoy!

Super station food and passing trains

This wonderful cool drink isn't wine, and it isn't a cola! It's grappa (grape juice) with ice and lemon. It was served to us on shiny black glass tables on the platform of the little Station of San Pablo near Jimena de La Frontera.
Occasional trains pass by. They stop by request only. Now you see one - now you don't!



Adventure suggestion. Go to the station and have a nice drink before taking the train to Ronda. The route is through magnificent mountain scenery that you can see no other way. The historic town of Ronda is spectacular. Spend whatever time you can spare to explore it! (More about it later.)

When you return to San Pablo station have dinner at the restaurant on this very platform! The food is of superb quality! Nieves, the chef, serves lunches too. (Closed on Mondays.)

Film locations; Lawrence of Arabia and all that!

Recently I watched "Lawrence of Arabia" again; one of my favorite films. But this time, when I saw the scene of the entrance of the Officer's Club in 'Cairo', I realised it was in fact the Plaza de Espana in Seville! There are several more recognisable locations in the city! The Plaza des Las Americas provides the setting for the Civic buildings of 'Jeruselem'; El Casino is the 'Council Chamber'; and the courtyard of the Alfonso Xlll Hotel for the 'Officer's Club'.

Spain's varied geography and historic buildings offered the film industry an endless variety of locations! Mountains or plains; rural farmlands or city; seascapes or forests; Spain has them all! Some locations were built to make Westerns, and have remained as tourist attractions. There is one such mini-hollywood 45 minutes from Lubrin in Almeria. The Tabernas Desert Theme Park has all the classic Western attactions; a saloon (with a Can-Can show), boardwalks, hitching rails and horses, an oil rig, a Sherrif and guys in old timer costumes and big hats! Visitors can hire costumes and dress up for pictures of themselves as a gun-slinger or other Western characters! To be relaxed don't try to get there and back from my place in one day. It would be more enjoyable to include it in a tour of eastern Andalucia. Oh yes, and its very hot in that area, so don't go in high summer!