Took train to Sevilla. We love the train system and the trains. Got to our apartment with no problems. Have a great property manager (she may be the owner - young woman, very sharp). Got excellent briefing. After unpacking, went for a walk. Discovered a gem of a little restaurant. Run by a man and a woman. She from Salvador. He from Miami (originally from Seville). The were married. Learned they were better off divorced. Moved to Seville set up shop and have been here 25 years. Great meal of a couple of tapas. We will be back. At the supermercado we got some basics. Needed to wash clothes, so hoofed it back to apartment. Of course, realized we needed more stuff. I went out to get those. Did some exploring. Found some cool things close to the apartment. Seville closes up from 2:00 - 5:00. Will have to time our exploring arouond siesta.
Tomorrow we have a day pass on an on and off bus. We will plan our attack after taking the tour of the city. In addition to the touristy things, we are going to try and follow the path of the Destinos segment that was filmed in Seville. What is Destinos? Un Misterio. It will be fun. We have two interesting day trips planned. More tomorrow. I am being lazy today.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
9/29/2015: Córdoba Up Close
Last night was the best meal in Spain. We found a small restaurant in an elegant courtyard. Had the best service food and ambiance. Complementary wine with a cheese appetizer. Morecomplimentary wine with los postures. The bill was much less than the best meal in Madrid.
Córdoba was the capital of the Romans and Moors in Spain. The Visgoths appeared in between. The Catholics assumed control in the 1200s. We started the day at the Mezquita. This is the Moor Mosque built during the 8th and 11th centuries. This is a huge structure with intricate arches, columns and pathways. The Catholics left much of it intact. Some was used for worship. A large Cathedral was attached and did encroach upon some of the Mosque. The Mosque is a stunning monument of architecture creativity.
Next we visited the Casa de Sefarad. This is a small Museo set in a small house. It celebrates the culture of the Sepharadic Jews in Spain. It depicts aspects of daily life and much historical information. Hopefully, the pictures will be helpful.
Our last stop was the Alcazar de las Reyes Christiene. This is an old palace. The most important exhibit was several very large mosaics salvaged from excavation in the grounds of the palace. They were remarkable. Many covered entire walls. Ancient Roman baths were found here as well. The gardens were, by far, the most interesting and enjoyable part of our visit. Very intricate and colorful plots are viewed. Large, imposing evergreen trees line waterways. Sculptures dating back hundreds of years accent the gardens. Above all it was very peaceful. We took a long rest in the shade and just enjoyed the beauty. The historic area of Córdoba is in a relatively small area. Many of the important tourist areas are down the narrow streets. Huge tourist groups are herded through these streets. These groups are 50-60 + in numbers. They clog the streets and the small attractions. And, yes, they have to
take selfies and pose in front of the statutes, etc. I reiterate my reflection from Madrid on mobile
phone cameras. It would be better if the tour groups restricted the size of the groups and spread out the trips. I don't know if that is possible. But, I think it would be better for all involved.
Getting ready for Sevilla tomorrow. Will try and top last night for dinner, but doubt that is possible.
Pictures are: Mezquita (9-future painting, 10-some light reading), next are from the Casa de Sefarad (9&10 were two of four paintings of important Jewish women of the time,), next are the mosaics followed by the gardens of the Alcazar (10 is passion fruit, flower shots were me playing with the new camera - which broke - another story - got it together with duct tape) last an ancient mill. I will do a slide show with more photos when we return. Have millions, as can be imagined.
Córdoba was the capital of the Romans and Moors in Spain. The Visgoths appeared in between. The Catholics assumed control in the 1200s. We started the day at the Mezquita. This is the Moor Mosque built during the 8th and 11th centuries. This is a huge structure with intricate arches, columns and pathways. The Catholics left much of it intact. Some was used for worship. A large Cathedral was attached and did encroach upon some of the Mosque. The Mosque is a stunning monument of architecture creativity.
Next we visited the Casa de Sefarad. This is a small Museo set in a small house. It celebrates the culture of the Sepharadic Jews in Spain. It depicts aspects of daily life and much historical information. Hopefully, the pictures will be helpful.
Our last stop was the Alcazar de las Reyes Christiene. This is an old palace. The most important exhibit was several very large mosaics salvaged from excavation in the grounds of the palace. They were remarkable. Many covered entire walls. Ancient Roman baths were found here as well. The gardens were, by far, the most interesting and enjoyable part of our visit. Very intricate and colorful plots are viewed. Large, imposing evergreen trees line waterways. Sculptures dating back hundreds of years accent the gardens. Above all it was very peaceful. We took a long rest in the shade and just enjoyed the beauty. The historic area of Córdoba is in a relatively small area. Many of the important tourist areas are down the narrow streets. Huge tourist groups are herded through these streets. These groups are 50-60 + in numbers. They clog the streets and the small attractions. And, yes, they have to
take selfies and pose in front of the statutes, etc. I reiterate my reflection from Madrid on mobile
phone cameras. It would be better if the tour groups restricted the size of the groups and spread out the trips. I don't know if that is possible. But, I think it would be better for all involved.
Getting ready for Sevilla tomorrow. Will try and top last night for dinner, but doubt that is possible.
Pictures are: Mezquita (9-future painting, 10-some light reading), next are from the Casa de Sefarad (9&10 were two of four paintings of important Jewish women of the time,), next are the mosaics followed by the gardens of the Alcazar (10 is passion fruit, flower shots were me playing with the new camera - which broke - another story - got it together with duct tape) last an ancient mill. I will do a slide show with more photos when we return. Have millions, as can be imagined.
Monday, September 28, 2015
9/28/2015: Córdoba
Churros were'nt ready at our place this morning. So started out with a chocolate pastry. We were able to negotiate the security and boarding system at the Madrid train station. Renfe is train service in Spain. Must say we have had very good service from Internet booking in Athens to getting on board this morning. When we needed to ask for help, they had people available. Now that we have done it once, it should be easy after this. You take your luggage on board with you. Which is nice, however, the space to stow suitcases is small. Don't know what happens if they run out of room. Many business travelers on our trip. They only had carry on type bags, which are stowed overhead.
I spent about 15 euros extra for our seats called Preferncia. Man was it worth it. Enormous seats and seating area. I had more than I needed, which is saying something. We, first, got our choice of newspapers. Then coffee, water or juice. Then drinks, anything from cocktails to soda. I had a Vichey mineral agua con gas (carbonated water). Lunch, was two small sandwiches. One was a Spanish Omellete sandwich with peppers. The other a piminiento cheese sandwich. Sounds weird but they were incredibly good. Then coffee, hot towel and sanitizing towel. For me a nap. Awoke and we were in hills, then mountains. We passed fields of olive orchards.
We came to a stop. No one was getting off. We waited. Something rang a bell that this might be Córdoba. So I went to the door and asked a guy standing there. He says, yes, of course (you idiot - he didn't say that). I hopped off to look around. Becky comes flying to the door with a suit case saying did you forget something (you idiot - she didn't say that). So we made it to Córdoba with no problems. Actually, good team work.
Our hotel is verynice. Right in the very heart of the old town. We took a walk around and promptly got lost. This is like Toledo. Very small narrow alleyways for streets. Every turn is a cool restaurant, shop, etc. But you can't get anywhere. Even the maps make no sense. So we bought a bottle of wine and some snacks and headed to the hotel. Will regroup and try again at dinner.
I looked at a couple of previous posts. Spelling and grammar mistakes are plentiful. I apologize for that. I am trying to clean them up. Doing this blog on the iPad has been a challenge. I am not sure why. I will try to get it right before we are back in Athens.
I spent about 15 euros extra for our seats called Preferncia. Man was it worth it. Enormous seats and seating area. I had more than I needed, which is saying something. We, first, got our choice of newspapers. Then coffee, water or juice. Then drinks, anything from cocktails to soda. I had a Vichey mineral agua con gas (carbonated water). Lunch, was two small sandwiches. One was a Spanish Omellete sandwich with peppers. The other a piminiento cheese sandwich. Sounds weird but they were incredibly good. Then coffee, hot towel and sanitizing towel. For me a nap. Awoke and we were in hills, then mountains. We passed fields of olive orchards.
We came to a stop. No one was getting off. We waited. Something rang a bell that this might be Córdoba. So I went to the door and asked a guy standing there. He says, yes, of course (you idiot - he didn't say that). I hopped off to look around. Becky comes flying to the door with a suit case saying did you forget something (you idiot - she didn't say that). So we made it to Córdoba with no problems. Actually, good team work.
Our hotel is verynice. Right in the very heart of the old town. We took a walk around and promptly got lost. This is like Toledo. Very small narrow alleyways for streets. Every turn is a cool restaurant, shop, etc. But you can't get anywhere. Even the maps make no sense. So we bought a bottle of wine and some snacks and headed to the hotel. Will regroup and try again at dinner.
I looked at a couple of previous posts. Spelling and grammar mistakes are plentiful. I apologize for that. I am trying to clean them up. Doing this blog on the iPad has been a challenge. I am not sure why. I will try to get it right before we are back in Athens.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
9/27/2015: Palacio Real
Breakfast of Churros and Chocolate. Can't get any better start to the day. Got to the Palacio Real at opening time. Only to find a huge line. We persevered. It wasn't that bad once inside. We rented the guided tour phone. It really helped. Way to much detail to repeat here. This Palace is so huge, it cannot be described. The ornateness of everything was way beyond my taste or comprehension. The artwork was amazing. The ceiling art was so elaborate as to wonder if it was real. Of course, we had to wonder, how this compared to the life of the peasants that supported all of this. Everything, inside and out was grandiose, in the least.
We were looking forward to Sunday at Parwue del Retiro. The park itself is very nice. We were expecting a more lively scene. However, we enjoyed the park environs very much. Headed back for packing and, hopefully, an early night.
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