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Published: February 6th 2006
Weekend was great. We left early Friday morning for our 6ish hours to Cordoba. There we saw the Mosque. It is absolutely breathtaking. The huger building is supported by double arches inside. What I also love about mosques is that they do not include any ridiculously expensive pieces nor put statues or symbols of people in their place of worship. I feel as if mosques, especially this one, showed to what levels architecture could be executed without spending an absurd amount of money or stealing gold from the Americas. It was simply a place of worship. You came in, sat on your mat and prayed. Later during the reconquista, the Christians took back over Spain. Granada was the last stronghold of the Muslims. So once this is taken back, they change the mosque into a church, adding a wing and putting up crosses through out the edifice. You have to remember, the Christians wanted the Muslims out, but loved their architecture. The small narrow streets of Cordoba reminded me a lot of Sevilla but lacked the personality of that city. Maybe that was due to the amount of begging gypsies. Later, we got back on the bus and were off to
Making our way to La Mesquita
La Mesquita or "the mosque", is huddled around narrow streets in Cordoba.Granada. I enjoyed this city a lot more. We stayed at a beautiful hotel. The city is in the mountains, so it is not easy to compare to Sevilla. A high point was when I hung out the entire night with only Spaniards, no Americans! It was really cool to do that, we talked about politics, music and other stuff! My friends and I saw la Catedral there, the Muslim quarter (which no longer is Arab), and the Alhambra (a Muslim Palace and later home to Christian Palaces). It is amazing that this cultural diversity existed in Europe. I know you guys are probably sick of me talking about food, but I had my best meal yet here. It was at this university that had their culinary restaurant in the Muslim quarter. Besides the views that were scene from the restaurant, the culinary experience was just delicious. Bread with Garlic (NOT like traditional garlic bread), fish with pineapple, chocolate tart, an amazing salad, and once again amazing coffee. By far my favorite region of Spain is Andalusia, which holds Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada. I think I might go again this weekend coming up. Maybe all the way down to Gibraltar
Walls in city
This city, like Sevilla has tons of palm trees and orange trees. Even saw a lemon tree! and then spend some more time in Sevilla. Hope all is well.
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al rosenthal
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PHOTO`S
We love hearing about your adventures with the cuisine and your travels. The pix are great and I am really getting a feeling of what it is like there. Thank you for saving me the expense of having to go and see for myself. Hope all these trips are not interfering with your studies.