When Miguel de Cervantes writes this part of the book, this is the exact place that he is writing about! Also, the movie was filmed in the spot as well!
As soon as we got to Córdoba, we took a tour of La Mezquita.
This was probably one of my favorite sites that we have seen so far. We spent a lot a time in my 345 history class learning about the architecture of this building. The top arch is called an "arco de medio punto", which is literally just a half circle. The one directly below it is called "la herradura", which is an arch in the shape of a horseshoe.
We also walked through a little neighborhood after La Mezquita. Right now in Córdoba, a festival called Concurso Popular de Patios. All of the little houses compete against each other to see who can have the best patio of flowers!
After La Mezquita, we drove three more hours into Sevilla.
On the drive, I noticed that there are fields and fields of sunflowers! It was incredible!
Once we got to our room...
...we dropped our stuff and we all went out to dinner. We went to a little restaurant where we had some appetizers and paella. They at least expected us so there was some organization which I appreciated :)
The next morning we had breakfast and hit the road! Before I went down to breakfast though, I took a couple shots of the view outside out window!
Beautiful, no?
First we went to the Real Alcázar- which is one of the last and best examples left of mudéjar architecture. It was like a Utopia.
Me and my friend, Claudia.
Yeah, that's a PEACOCK!
Me and my friend, Whitney.
We also went to the biggest cathedral in Spain, fourth biggest in Europe. No big deal. It also has the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Again, no big deal.
The tomb of Christopher Columbus:
After we walked through the cathedral, we were able to walk to the top of the highest tower. 34 levels. The view, however, was well worth it.
After that, we had free time after that and went shopping and walked around for a while. At nine o'clock we met back at the hotel and we went as a group to a Flamanco dance performance! It was so cool and one of the guys that was singing and dancing was quite beautiful. To put it lightly. Don't worry, Hermana Stallings (the program director's wife) got a picture with all of us girls and him! :)
The next morning, after breakfast, we headed out to our next destination, Granada. However, before we left Sevilla we had to stop here:
Here is a picture off of google that is a little better:
This is the Plaza de España. It was built for a world fair and is now used for different offices. It is also known as...
Naboo, in episode II of Star Wars! I am sure Nicholas could fill you in more but I think I have it right!
When we got to Granada. We dropped our stuff in the hotel...
And then we went to La Alhambra. La Alhambra is the only Musulman castle left. Beautiful, beautiful and beautiful.
Me and my friends Eli and Hope:
After we ate dinner, we went to an Arab market! You can only imagine how much I loved it! I got a little mirror from here. It was a little scary but very cool as well!
We went home after that and we all went to bed. In the morning we woke up and got all packed up, breakfast and headed home. We stopped at the birthplace of Federico Garcia Lorca. He was the most famous poet of Spain. We were only there for about thirty minutes.
Then, we headed home on the five hour bus ride! Good thing I can sleep easily on buses.
Dad, this one's for you :)
This shirt got me laughing SO hard!
I had a great weekend!
I love my family and I miss them more than I ever thought possible- I am such a lucky girl to have them in my life!
Love always,
Natalie Christine
