Blogs from Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain, Europe - page 4

What a gem! I'm very glad that I did this trip, despite all the hassles that come with a VERY touristy part of Spain. I went with Julia Travel again (the same crew that took me to Gibraltar yesterday), and it was much better today. I was the last person to be picked up, which made the trip both there and back shorter and more enjoyable. We stopped at some random hotel/restaurant on the way there and back - I'm guessing the tour company has some kind of deal with them. Whatever. I didn't buy anything. I always bring my own snacks for these trips, because you just never know. I met a Cornish couple, Peter and Alice, in their 50s, who were taking 2 weeks in Portugal and Spain before heading back to work on ... read more

Córdoba - I werd narrisch!!! Und jetzt kann Sara sich noch einen aussichtslos scheinenden Ball einholen, Pass nach links herüber, es gibt Beifall für ihn, da kommt Krankl, vorbei diesmal an seinem Bewacher, ist im Strafraum – Schuss … Tooor, Tooor, Tooor, Tooor, Tooor, Tooor! I wer' narrisch! Krankl schießt ein – 3:2 für Österreich! Meine Damen und Herren, wir fallen uns um den Hals; der Kollege Rippel, der Diplom-Ingenieur Posch – wir busseln uns ab. 3:2 für Österreich durch ein großartiges Tor unseres Krankl. Er hat olles überspielt, meine Damen und Herren. Und warten S' noch a bisserl, warten S' no a bisserl; dann können wir uns vielleicht ein Vierterl genehmigen. Also das, das musst miterlebt haben. Jetz bin i aufgstanden, alle Südamerikaner mit ihren Toros(?). I glaub jetzt hammas gschlagn!die Fotos zeigen folgendes: url=http: ... read more

The lovely city of Cordaba is our gateway to Southern Spain, which still bears the influences of hundreds of years of Moorish rule in its arches, decorative style and, above all, delightful interior courtyards. Our first encounter with the beauty of Cordoba courtyards (or patios as the Spanish call them) was on arrival at our accomodation. We are staying in a lovely old house built around an airy interior courtyard filled with plants and with arches leading to an additional courtyard with a refreshing plunge pool, much enjoyed as the weather here is much hotter!Almost every building in Córdoba has a shady interior courtyard and it is often possible to get a glimpse of them if the gates are open to the street. It would be magnificent to be here in spring ... read more

Tuesday morning I woke in Seville and was moving pretty quick. Time to pack and move on. What a treat it had been to spend 4 nights in one place! Showered and packed, I headed out for my last Seville breakfast. I swear this is the best place in the World (at least the parts of the World that I’ve been to) for a fresh glass of orange juice. With my standard AM jump starter in front of me (OJ, Espresso, ham and tomato sandwich), I read and enjoyed the sweet morning. Today I was hoping on my first train in Spain and headed to Cordoba. I wasn’t planning much time in this small city, but was quite excited to get there. Back at the hotel, I gathered my things, thanked and said goodbye to the ... read more

I almost turned off the alarm this morning and went back to sleep. I'm so glad that I didn't. The mosque and cathedral are well worth an early start. At 8:30am the gates and doors are opened for visitors who do not want a tour. The entry is free and the information I had read said that you were supposed to make your visit in silence. The exterior wall of the mosque/cathedral is imposing and contains a large number of gates (most kept closed) and square turrets. There is a tower on the north side, called the Puerta del Perdon, where on feast days debtors were released from their obligations. Adjoining this is a small altar to the Virgin of the Lights, as it is illuminated at night. It's altar piece is a painting by the ... read more