Glass, wine and sandwiches

Sitting at an outdoor cafe this morning, I was listening to all the lottery ticket vendors. I think they test them for the loudest voices -- they are everywhere, coming up to everyone. They aren't obnoxious, they move on if you don't buy, but, boy, are they LOUD!

On Trip Advisor, the most popular place to see in Malaga is the Museum of Glass and Crystal. I had to look on Google maps to find the place and, after I started the tour, I found out why. It is housed in 18th century home of an Italian ship builder, a huge 3 story building with a central patio with a skylight on the second level. It is privately owned by 2 Englishmen and a Spaniard and, besides the beautiful displays of glass from the Phoenician times until today, it is filled with the ancestral furniture, paintings and rugs from the 3 owners. Not very interesting, you think?? Think again. It is fascinating and, when you are given a tour by one of the owners, very intimate. The reason it's so difficult to find is, according to our tour guide, that it is privately owned and operated with no money or interference from the city government. In retribution, the city has not put any direction signs up, as it has for many other sites and museums.

After a delicious lunch of an Iberian ham and cheese sandwich with a glass of house white wine, I headed to the Museum of Wine. Malaga used to have quite the reputation for its wine -- not so much anymore. They are trying to rectify that, but, in the meanwhile, they have established this museum and wine store. It's very small, only 2 stories. The ground level has the wine store and displays of the many different wine labels used throughout the history of Malaga wine. From the Muslim times (they seemed to make an exception to alcohol here!) through the sacramental wine made for the church to the present, the labels are artwork. Upstairs is a history of the making of wine in Malaga and an illustrated
demonstration of how wine is made. The tickets included a tasting of two wines. The woman behind the counter was charming. Her name is Sara and, after talking a bit, told me she and her fiancé will be coming to Pasadena sometime in the next 2 years. Her boyfriend is studying car design and wants to go the Art Center. I gave her my email, so I'll see!

Back to the wine -- we got a glass of naturally sweet wine and a glass of fortified wine. Very tasty! It was pouring rain when I left, so I hustled back to the hotel. It is supposed to be clear tomorrow.