Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Seville








So in Seville we got a chance to tour a bullring, this was much appreciated because I had the bullfight that I had previously seen explained to me, so I now understand what it was I was seeing a few weeks ago. Also it was about 80 degrees outside with palm trees everywhere and absolutely beautiful! We spent a day and a half in the city. We went to the royal gardens where I proceeded to allow my camera to fall out of my hand onto the 100s of years old tile floor. So photos of Seville are limited do to a human (my) error. But I was able to snap a couple of good pictures of the cathedral before the fatal error. My favorite part of Seville was the minoret (the muslim tower, and only part left of the mosque). The Catholics tore down the mosque in Seville and replaced it with an impressive church, but they did leave in tact the outer courtyards where water runs through so worshippers could wash there feet before entering the mosque, and the minoret, the tower that would be used to call people to worship 5 times a day (its been converted into a bell tower). Another interesting tid-bit about Seville is that it is a center for Flamenco, I have yet to see a show but should be seeing one in Madrid soon, but walking through the streets of Seville the colorful dresses worn in Flamenco are in every shop window.

Cordoba


Ok faithful readers...after a briefish hiatus due to midterms I am back at the blogging. I left off my tales of travel way back in Paris since then I have ventured to 2 other Spanish cities: Cordoba and Seville. In Cordoba we visited a famous and old mosque. When the Catholics took back the city they actually did not destroy the mosque but built a cathedral up in the middle, so its a rather interesting building. Here's a photo of some of the arches in the mosque.

Also in Cordoba we visited the royal gardens, in my travels here I think I have seen some of the most beautiful and well taken care of gardens. Lots of roses, and hedges, and water incorporated together, a lot of which I believe is due to Muslim influences in the country.