Ronda, Spain

For Mother’s Day my son Matt sent me a UTube video of a crazy person BASE jumping off the Ronda Bridge. Naturally I was horrified. I had been standing on that exact spot the day before. It made my stomach flip, thinking of the depth and straight drop down. In a later conversation I had with Matt I assured him he was never coming to Ronda. (Like he was listening). He said “Mom, hundreds of people jump that bridge.” I said “like ####”! He says kind of quiet; “well it’s not exactly legal”. Right.
Ronda seems to be in everyone’s conversation of those who visit Spain. Are you going to Ronda? Have you been to Ronda? How far is Ronda? There is a reason for that. Ronda is small, stunning, romantic and Malaga’s most spectacular town. The name Ronda means surrounded by mountains. The town kind of hangs off a cliff which is a fissure of El Tajo gorge.

Around 37,000 people live here. They are making a good living on tourism and handle it gracefully.

We stayed a few paces from the bridge at a place called Hotel Ronda. It’s has 7 little rooms in a really old but fine building. A lovely proprietor; making for a perfect visit.
Also top of the memory chart; The Ronda Bull Ring. I judge this museum and self-guided tour to be one of the best. Not too long, not too complicated. The tour takes you in as if you were a bull. Getting dropped off in the stock yard. Entering the stalls. Explaining the nuances of breeding order, selection, and historical significance of not only the matador but also the bull. Into the ring. I know a lot more about Bull Fights.
Our visit to Ronda is as it should be, the bridge, the cliffs, the walks around town, the gardens and parks. And The Bull Ring. Have you been to Ronda?