Despite customs and FedEx's threats it wouldn't arrive until tomorrow the magical box arrived this morning before I even woke up. Which admittedly was nowhere near the crack of dawn, as despite my best efforts I cannot seem to wake up at a reasonable time. Not much incentive anyway since they don't do breakfast in this country. Considering I come from a long line of bacon fanatics I believe this is grounds enough for not moving to Spain.
Anyway, I took my new toy out for a spin and took a few shots of the places I've been frequenting the past week. I don't leave until Friday so tomorrow will be another camera-tastic adventure here in Córdoba.
In other news:
Yesterday was Día de Reyes, which basically concludes the holidays here in Spain. They had a parade the night before, complete with kids on floats throwing candy at the masses. In the morning you get a gift if you've behaved yourself that year, and I don't know what (suspect) source they used to verify my good behavior but I did in fact receive a gift from the lovely folks that run the hostel so I now have a new journal. Which is fitting considering my journal was in my bag when the morally bankrupt jerks took it in Barcelona. Since yesterday was a holiday pretty much everything was closed so I used it as an excuse to do absolutely nothing all day, which was nice. I'm still shaking off the last remnants of the head cold so my body is enjoying the break.
Random observations:
1. When people speak to each other in Spanish they're very, very passionate. Two thirds of the time it sounds like they're yelling at each other.
2. Everyone's kids are as dressed up as they are and all strollers seem to be equipped with something that resembles a sleeping bag so the little darlings stay warm. Do they have this in the US? Maybe it's just because I'm from California but I've never seen such a thing.
3. The acceptable lunch time is between 2 and 4pm, and dinner is usually around 10. As one Spanish acquaintance explained to me, "if you go drinking after dinner you don't have to eat again later like you would if you ate earlier." Which is oddly logical, when you think about it.
4. Everyone speaks at least two or three languages, fluently. Take notes, America.
5. Being vegetarian, or more especially vegan, is pretty much next to impossible unless you cook for yourself or spend a lot of time exhaustively searching out specific restaurants. If you're on a diet, scrap it. Just saying.
6. You can drink alcohol pretty much anywhere. Stroll down the street with a beer? Nobody cares.
7. If you want to meet people, stay in hostels. Easiest way to make new friends, hands down. Pretty much everyone is in the same boat you are and you are definitely forced out of your shell when you share a bunk bed with a stranger.
Well, now the fun part: photos! Here are my adventures today.
The courtyard of the Mezquita. It was a church, then a mosque, then a church again. Why put up a new building when you can just hijack the one already there?
Bell tower.
Ps all the days in Córdoba are pretty much like this.
It seems criminal to buy oranges when they're everywhere.
That is indeed an orange tree held together by cement. I have no idea.
The outside wall of the Mezquita. I have no shots inside because I'm a cheapskate and don't want to pay another 8 euros to get in. Sorry folks.
The Roman Bridge, one of my favorite spots in the city.
The pigeons seem to like it too.
I love that they never developed the land by the river here. It's just gorgeous.
Windy little streets.
Cerveza!
Lunch today: tortilla de camarones (literal translation is shrimp omelette but really it was more like a little shrimp fritter) and flamenquín (pork stuffed with cured ham and then fried). Yeah, it was good.
Taking a walk around town.
If you are clumsy and trip easily, the sidewalks here are not for you.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
Mosaics always astound me. I can't imagine the level of patience you would need to make something like this.
On top of the wall at Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
Shadows of Palm trees.
That's all for now! Signing off.
~Swan
Just caught up since being on vacation our-self. Sorry about all the problems in Barcelona! I had something very close to your experience happen to me in Paris. It is what it is and I know you will bounce back, or already have.
ReplyDeleteI love the orange tree held together by cement!
ReplyDelete