Southern Spain - so much to see in such a short time. I grouped these three together since I only stayed one night in each town.
I took the night bus from Lisbon to Sevilla (they didn't have a train). It didn't make for a very good night's sleep and I got into Sevilla at 5:30am. I had directions to the hostel (hoping to drop off the pack and get organized for the day), so I decided I could walk, even if it was early in the morning. I got about 1/2 block and reason set it (more like I heard mom freaking out because I walked that early in the morning in the dark). I turned around and got a taxi to the hostel. I was able to store my bag and crashed for about 2 hours on the couch in the common room. The best sleep I had all night.
Then it was off to lose myself in the neighborhoods for awhile. I spent the afternoon in the cathedral. It's in the Guiness Book of World Records for having the largest area. And that it does. The organ has 7,000 pipes (hence the random picture I found on my camera later). And I couldn't leave without a picture of Columbus's tomb. I mean, Columbus was a true hero - at least wasn't that what they taught us in our American schools? In the treasury I found a statue with a golden crown filled with jewels, including the world's largest pearl. It sounds to me like Sevilla is trying really hard to compete with more famous cities like Madrid and Barcelona by putting itself on the map somehow.
My next stop was Cordoba. With its orange tree lined streets, I couldn't help but think of Rick and I picking oranges from Grandmommie's orange tree in the backyard. Both of us climbing to the highest branches we could, to reach the oranges.
Cordoba's biggest attraction is the Mezquita, a mosque turned cathedral. The mosque survives on the outer portions of the building while smack in the middle is the cathedral. It was very interesting to walk through both parts comparing and contrasting the two styles. Light, dark, lively, reflective, loud, quiet, muted, colorful. Interesting.
Then it was off to Granada. You can really see the Moorish/Islamic influence in this town. The walkways to the hostel were lined with Islamic shops with incense burning and hookahs going. The first day I toured the town, saw the statue of Columbus and Queen Isabel, and spent some time people watching from Plaza Nueva. Then it was off to the Royal Chapel and the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel. Next was the cathedral (yes, another one). I think I am about cathedraled out.
The next day was the Alhambra, what brings most people to Granada. The greatest part about traveling in the off season - no ticket lines or reservations needed for the big sights. I just walked up, got my ticket (there was only one other person in line) and walked right onto the grounds. Amazing! Especially since this great Moorish palace is said to get 8,000 visitors a day.
There were four parts to the Alhambra. My favorite was the Palacios Nazaries - the Moorish palace. The Generalife Gardens were great, but it had started to drizzle. Not a good thing when you are walking outside through gardens.
I was on the night train to Barcelona, so I spent the rest of the late afternoon and evening chilling in the common room of the hostel. I met Gabe who lives in Berkely and is interested in moving to Colorado. He had been working for his uncle in Portugal in construction and had been traveling around. We had a great, long conversation about life. He was debating on going back to Morroco where he met and fell for a girl in the Peace Corp, or traveling to Colorado. I think by the end of the conversation I had him convinced to come to Colorado. And as much as it pained me, he had Boulder written all over him. I tried to sell him on the merits of Fort Collins, but I think he is just a Boulderite by heart.
And then I almost missed my train! Stupid 24 hour clock, it messes me up every time! Thanks Rick, for pushing me to check my departure time and do the math again. I sprang for the taxi instead of walking to the station and made it. Thank you, bro!
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