Christopher Columbus, Plaza de Espana and the Barber of Seville

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Yesterday (Monday) was another warm one here in Sevilla, the temperature reached as high as 37 degrees and I´ve taken on the same pinkish glow of the city´s buildings courtesy of a trip on the Sevilla Tour, an open deck bus tour that takes you to the most dull areas of Seville.

Claims of this tour being airconditioned are farcical and if you ever visit Sevilla, don´t waste your money on catching this bus, no matter how charming the bus tour staff seem.

The most interesting parts of Seville are in the old town where there is very little traffic and most streets are pedestrian walkways. The bus skirts around the outside and is a waste of time and money.

Last night I had some fantastic tapas at a place called Bar Europa which sits just behind the plaza de Salvador, not too far away from Plaza Alfalfa. It was opened in 1925 and its one of the best bars in the area (by reputation) but seemed strangely quiet.

Unemployment is very high in Seville but I´m beginning to think its not because there is a shortage of jobs. How could anyone hold down a job when people are out six nights a week eating tapas and drinking cerveza and manzanilla (sherry)? Even more amazing is that many of the cities workers can be seen downing a glass of the stuff before work!

I visited the Plaza de Espana yesterday which to many may look very familar. The location was used in the Star Wars film Attack of the Clones. Its an incredible structure decorated in very bright tiles representing the 40 regions of Spain, its a great place to relax whilst watching the bus loads of tourists arriving and departing at regular intervals.

It was late afternoon so I took refuge from the heat in one of the local bars and enjoyed a cerveza before heading back for a siesta (when in Seville...). After a quick nap I wandered back out amongst the streets near my hotel and promptly got lost, however this was a blessing in disguise because I had been keen to get a haircut and I accidentally ended up in a narrow alleyway where I saw a barber (of Seville??) looking very bored, so I popped in and got un corte de pelo.

No sooner had I jumped into the chair that the Barber´s mate came in for a chat and despite the obvious language barrier we chatted about Kylie Minogue, sharks, Kangaroos, manzanilla, Sydney, Real Betis (the local football team) and the Bee Gees.

They had no idea what I was saying as I had told them no entiendo and hablo in poco espanol (I don´t understand, I speak a little Spanish) but it didn´t matter, this guy was enjoying the novelty of cutting the hair of an Australian tourist and what a great job he did - all for only 8 euros!

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Photos

Christopher Columbus´ tomb?
Over the years people have disputed the birth and resting places of Christopher Columbus. This monument inside the Catedral may or may not be his tomb...

The cool of a fountain
Looking very formal but feeling very hot for this shot at the Plaza de Espana

We are here seeking Queen Amidala
The Plaza de Espana or is it the planet Naboo??

Plaza de Espana
Such a massive and beautiful structure, shame its crumbling in places and in need of repair

Toros en Sevilla
A poster outside the bullring advertising next week´s big fight..my money is on the bull!

Plaza of Orange Trees
Another view from half way up the Giralda, looking on to a plaza of orange trees, Seville´s most famous product.

Comments

[chrisj]

Attention Theresa Jack
no this is not for emails and yes the whole world sees the comments! you can email me at [e-mail] or i think you click on contact chris j....i love spain its such a slow paced place, just what you want in a holiday destination!

[paul j]

hola!
yeah, like i read it paul