Highlights-Valencia to Málaga

Travel days are frequently rich collections of interesting experiences. This day was no exception. At the airport, the security agent opened my bag after X-ray because I hadn’t removed *all* electronic devices. Seriously? When did they start enforcing *that*? I already had the iPad and MacBook out. I removed the 360-degree camera (forgot about that, honest!). Then she said I had a battery in the main bag. No, I didn’t (it was in a side bag, but she couldn’t see it and I wasn’t going to volunteer it). Perhaps I should have confessed because the “removal of internals” followed. She stopped looking for the non-existent battery in the main bag when she reached my clothes bundle. Have a nice day! The Starbucks line was longer than a ticket line for a Rolling Stones concert so I opted for Tim Hortons (the croissant was execrable). I was first in line for priority boarding this time. I saw a passenger run afoul of the carry-on sizing box test (his duffle bag wasn’t even close). Busted! At the Málaga Cercanías station, I was stuck behind two people using the machines who seemed to be re-planning the D-Day invasion. How long does it take to buy a single ticket to town? When it finally became my turn, I was cut off at the knees by the “Your card has the wrong core” error. What? The agent explained that my “Renfe & tú” (Renfe and you) card really should have been called “Renfe & tú, but only in Valencia.” She sold me a one trip ticket without making me get behind more invasion planners. The apartment in Málaga is in the historic area (not on the “edge” like Valencia). There are two bars in the tiny alley below the balcony. Why do drunk guys always sing so loudly? The management company that owns the apartment thoughtfully provided earplugs, but I didn’t need them. Maybe the drunken singers were asked to leave.