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Published: October 26th 2009
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Juxtaposition
On the right you can just see the cathedral plopped down right in the middle of an Arab mosque. Hello and welcome to another episode of FLASH TOURISM brought to you by ISA! That’s what I’ve nicknamed these trips we take, because if you blink you might miss something incredible. We left Friday morning for Córdoba, where our main destination was the Mezquita/ Catedral. Southern Spain had a history of changing hands… Romans, Moors, Christians… and this Mosque/ Cathedral is a clear example of palpable history. According to Fodor’s (because who are we kidding, I didn’t just remember this), construction was started in AD785, and the thing started out completely Arabic: arches, columns, Arabic inscriptions, the works. Then Charles V strolled up in 1523, decided he would do a great thing for God and Christianity, and knocked out the middle of it so a cathedral could be put in. It was quite a strange juxtaposition, and sort of sad. The cathedral section looked just like any other decadent display of Catholic wealth in that time period, while a similar mosque could hardly be found on the entire continent of Europe. However, it’s a marker of history and, like I said before, an example of tangible history- Christians conquering the Moors- that has merits in itself.
But that’s enough of
Ahluv the Alhambra
Me, and one of the most famous views of this monument. Córdoba! We literally only had time for lunch before it was time to hop back on the bus towards Granada. Cue driving/sleeping/looking out the window segment. Our arrival in Granada made me wonder why I hadn’t decided to study there. Montañas! If you’ve been following along, you know I have a strange love affair with mountains, and Granada is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. (I think. The Granada page has disappeared from my guidebook.) Oh great views! Oh wondrous vistas! One hotel room key and a falafel later and we were trekking up the cobbled streets of this hilly city to see the Alhambra at night. Ooh, ahh, onto a Flamenco show! Sorry, not as good as the one in Sevilla. Into one of the “teterías” or tea shops that are quite abundant throughout Granada, then sleep, then…. What you’ve all been waiting for… the Alhambra!
I believe it is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Spain, so this was one of the times when it was nice to have ISA work out the details. It sells out every day and you have to reserve the time you want to visit. Built by the
Gravity
One of the courtyards at the Alhambra, with a completely naturally powered fountain. Moors in the 14th century, it’s another example of Arabic architecture, only more expansive, with large gardens and courtyards, since it wasn’t a mosque it was a palace. Water was used as decoration, and all of the fountains on the property are powered by nothing more than gravity. They really knew what they were doing. At one point I forgot that I was in Spain, besides the whole Spanish tour guide speaking Spanish thing. It felt like we were in a different country, in a different time.
I have to admit, even though the weekend flew by, it was a very nice change to see some of the different types of sites that Spain has to offer, besides churches, plazas, and museums, though I would have liked to have spent a little more time exploring the other sites of Granada. It just seems like a shame to go all that way to only see one thing, though we did do a tiny bit of shopping and I bought… drum roll… a pair of Aladdin pants. Have I mentioned those? Really puffy pants with a low crotch that are reminiscent of the pants Aladdin wore in the Disney cartoon, hence
Granada
I just really liked this picture. the nickname? Probably to be only worn within the comfort of my own home, unless I’m feeling particularly bold. When in Rome…
In other news, I started reading the Alchemist again, and forgot how wonderful it was. I also forgot this, but it takes place in Andalusia (or the more Spanish Andalucía, if we’re being pretentious), which is actually the region of Spain that Sevilla is in, so it feels even closer to me now. I feel like proclaiming after every page “I LOVE this story!” -And I’m only on the page 16. It’s about following your dreams and finding your own “personal legend,” which follows the theme of this trip.
“One afternoon, on a visit to his family, he had summoned up the courage to tell his father that he didn’t want to become a priest. That he wanted to travel…
‘The people who come here have a lot of money to spend, so they can afford to travel,’ his father said, ‘Amongst us, the only ones who travel are the shepherds.’
‘Well, then I’ll be a shepherd!’
His father said no more. The next day, he gave his son a pouch that held three ancient Spanish gold coins.
‘I found these one day in the fields. I wanted them to be a part of your inheritance. But use them to buy your flock. Take to the fields, and someday you’ll learn that our countryside is the best, and our women the most beautiful.’” -Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Stay tuned, next time I’ll be talking about the soccer game I went to Saturday evening (WOOOHOOO!!) and my experiences attending Catholic mass yesterday at the largest cathedral in Spain, right here in Sevilla.
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Janelle
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I forgot that the Alchemist took place in Andalucia...I may have to read it again myself! I am also glad that we took the time for a day trip to Granada to see the Alhambra.... and that we actually made it in time for our scheduled 30 minute entry time. Amazing!