ON Saturday, 25th September, the mountain village of Montejaque hosted its second annual ‘Day of Tourism’. Visitors were encouraged to go on a ‘tapas route’ of 11 bars and two tourist attractions (the old fountain wash-house and the Speleological Interpretation Centre).

Each participant was given a ‘pasaporte’, listing the 13 establishments on the route. The goal was to collect a stamp/signature at each location; complete entries then went into a draw for a large hamper of typical Iberian products, and nine stamps got you into the draw for a mini-hamper.

So, with only two tourist attractions to visit, I knew from the start that I had to visit a minimum of seven bars to get a chance at the second prize. Hmmm ... this could be difficult, as I would have to buy a drink at each of the bars to get a free tapa and a stamp.

We started off at El Elefante Amarillo (no. 3) in the main square, where (under a tent) the band kicked off the festivities and the mayor and other dignitaries made welcoming speeches. I decided to start off slowly, with a beer; I had just about finished it, and turned back to my glass for the last mouthful, to find it had been replaced with a full one. (Crikey, this could be a long day).

On to Mesón El Altillo (no. 5) for a ‘salmorejo’ and a glass of white wine (it has less alcohol than red, right?) Then I went across to the interpretation centre (no. 13) to look at the caving pictures and to request a stamp. Bar La Cuesta (no. 2) was the next stop (up a very steep hill) for ‘panceto al horno’ and two glasses of white wine. (I can explain this; at 3:00 was the demonstration of pot-balancing at the wash-house, just up the road, so we had 45 minutes to kill). Collected my stamp at the Lavadero Fuente Vieja (no. 12) and had a go at washing a towel in a wooden trough (hard work; I prefer my Bosch).

On the way to Bar Las Campanitas (no. 1), I stuck my head in the door of Café Pub 31 (no. 10) and said my friends had all gone off to another bar, but could I please have a stamp, and I would be back later (didn’t make it, actually). At Las Campanitas, the tapa was fabulous: mussel, prawn and fried courgette, savoured with a couple of glasses of red (they’d run out of white, and who cares about the extra 1.5% alcohol content?) Both the Montejaque mayor and the band stopped in, too, and I had my photo taken with the mayor (were my eyes glazed?)

We headed back towards the main square, stopping at Bar Cafeteria La Reja (no. 8). “We’re about to close,” they said.

“No problem; can I have a stamp anyway?” (Drinks count was now at six, but I’d visited eight establishments, so was managing to keep on track).

The next stop, Bar Andri (no. 9), offered a tapa of ‘bizcocho de chocolate’. I decided this would not be good with a glass of wine, and was able to get a stamp without making a purchase. Bodega Don Adrian (no. 4) was offering black pudding and chorizo (not my favourites), so I quaffed a glass of red whilst my companions ordered plates of Iberian products.

Montexaque Oliva (no. 7) was closed when I went by, but I discovered the owner having a drink in Bar Armando (no. 6), so I got his signature on my ‘pasaporte’ there as well. All that remained, for a full card, was no. 11, Bar Caniche ... a bar that I had never heard of, and which, according to the map, looked like it was located in the Montejaque church. I wondered if I was going to get communion wine and a wafer. I found somebody in the town square, however, with pen in hand, and she happily signed off the last number on my card.

After depositing my completed entry form into the draw box, it was back to El Elefante Amarillo for a relaxing drink (or two ... or was it three?)

I don’t think I won either of the hampers of Iberian products (surely I would have heard by now if I did?) – but then, since I’m not that fond of chorizo or black pudding, should I care?

I also managed to interview a couple of tourists to the village: Dave and Lorna from Glasgow, who first visited Montejaque in May and liked it so much that they came back for another holiday. They said the band was good, but they would have liked the chance to buy some local products and crafts ... an idea for next year’s tourism day?

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Montejaque's Dia del Turismo - aka Bar-hopping!
Monday, 27 September 2010
ON Saturday, 25th September, the mountain village of Montejaque hosted its second annual ‘Day of Tourism’. Visitors were...

© 2012 - Secret Andalucia - Guadiaro Valley, near Ronda

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