Weekend Trip #4- Andalucia Part 1

So this trip to the region of Andalucia was THE trip I've been waiting for this entire program! Not only is it in the south of Spain with tons of sun (even in the middle of winter), but it contains several cities full of rich history and beautiful architecture. Basically, all the places you've heard of in Spain are in Andalucia: Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, etc. This was one of our longest trips that we're taking: we left Tuesday morning and returned home Saturday night. As much as I love being near my friends on a bus for 6 hours, it still kills to sit in those bus seats for that long of a time.
Our first stop was in Consuegra, where the windmills are located. Yes, those are THE windmills immortalized by Cervantes in Don Quixote.

My favorite pic that I snapped

Michelle and I imitating what it's like to sit by one another on the bus for several hours (obviously it pains her). This is true bus buddy friendship.

Next up, Cordoba and La Mezquita! Cordoba is this beautiful little city in the heart of Andalucia that is home to La Mezquita, an Arabic mosque that was taken over by the Catholics after the Reconquest and made into one of their own cathedrals. La Mezquita is famous for the red and white double arches that are all throughout the temple. The double arches were used because the architects didn't think that the single arches would be able to support the mosque, so they used the double arch, over 856 of them. Yeah, I was in heaven.

It was interesting to see the mix of Arabic architecture alongside European architecture. I love both styles of architecture, but combining the two was a little much, especially when there's a huge altar with a crucifix in the middle of all of the Arabic mosque.

The garden patio surrounding La Mezquita--I love the tower, which totally reminds me of the varying missions in California.

I tried to be sneaky and take pics of the crazy group of Europeans, but after a couple shots, they realized what I was doing, and so decided to pose for me.

Cordoba, like all of Andalucia, is lined with orange trees.

Though the oranges are pretty, they taste like lemons. I like to compare these orange trees to trophy wives: they're only there to look pretty and smell good.

Outside the Alcazar de los Reyes Crisitanos--we were only able to go into a portion of the gardens, even though we were supposed to tour the castle, but unfortunately it was siesta time.

And who should I happen to run into while in the gardens in the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos? And by the way, they smelled BAD. The smell of damp cigarettes is not attractive.


Cordoba is a beautiful city, and one I would love to go back and get lost in.

V-Day Post

One of the perks about working at a library was finding random things that patrons had left in books. Although you find your traditional book markers or old envelopes, you'd be surprised at how many people use cash or bills and bank statements as book markers. My favorite, though, is a card that someone made for their friend that one of my coworkers found.

Inside the card it reads:

Darling J-Bird,
Your birthday is the perfect chance for me to tell you just how much I adore you. I know we have been friends for a long time, but lately we have grown especially close and I am so grateful. You keep me so grounded and sane, I don't know what I would do without your support. I love you so much. You are one of my favorite people I have ever known! I hope your birthday is as wonderful and full of joy as possible!

Love,
S

When I saw this little letter, my heart melted! For some reason I've been thinking about it all day today, and I couldn't help but share it with you. Wouldn't it be the best to get a letter like that for any occasion? Anyway, I'm thinking of all of you, miss all of you, and can't wait to see all of you when I return to the states! Happy V-day!

Week 6, OR, How My Dreams Come True, Andalucia Style

February 6
The train station where I take the train to Madrid, as well as where I have to cross over to get to our director's house. Every Sunday a group of us go over to her house and hang, which is where I was going while I snapped this. Sadly you can only see a little bit of the sunset.

February 7
This is our church building, and where I have my photo and religion classes every Monday.

February 8
This is an odd little statue we found as we left the Prado. What the little animal is, we're still not sure. Miniature dragon? Sea animal? Magical creature from Harry Potter? Yes.

February 9

La Mezquita is the one architectual phenomenon I've been waiting to see all semester. Arches? Check. Double arches? Double check. Over 800 red and white candy caned arches? Heaven!

February 10
This is the tomb of Christopher Columbus, found inside the cathedral in Sevilla. I had no idea that I'd get to see this little gem of history, but surprise! Columbus' tomb and remains have apparently been moved so many times, that it's said that he's traveled more dead than when he was alive. Skeptics have questioned whether he's really in there, and in 2004 they did a DNA test to prove that is was him, but the test results only proved that it's "probably" him, which is good enough for me.

February 11
One of the many reflecting pools within La Alhambra in Granada.

February 12
After frantically searching for the spice market in Granada in the Arabic area of town, we finally found it! The alleyways smelled so rich and aromatic and I was in love with all of the colors! And this is actually one of Becca's pics that she took on my camera because her camera died, but I claim it as half mine.

Michelle's Santiago Memories

When we went on our trip to Santiago de Compostela, our friend Michelle wasn't able to come along due to prior engagements in the Basque country of Spain. To keep her with us in spirit, she drew us a picture of what was supposed to be a panda riding a magnificent unicorn, but turned into a raccoon riding a pterodactyl to carry with us wherever we went:

Although she drew us a self portrait to remember her by, she didn't realize that we'd take the picture of her with us at every leg of our journey. Michelle, these memories are for you!

You were there with us when we bought our traditional tub of ice cream...

...and when we saw your likeness attached to a picture frame in a store!

You liked the odd naked woman sitting on a bull statue so much, that you INSISTED we get a picture of you (Becca felt a trifle awkward helping you, especially when you told us you wanted us to get a pic of you sitting on the nude's lap).

You marveled at the magnificence of Santiago's cathedral...

...and when we went to mass, you were so touched by the sermon that you decided to stop by the confessional box and have a talk with one of the priests, though the language barrier made things a little tricky.

You loved our lunch of artisan bread and local cheese, and I made sure to prove my point that you CAN find artisan bread in Spain, despite your doubts and nay-saying.

You loved relaxing in the Monte de Gozo park, and while the rest of us were artistic and pensive for an hour, you decided to take your pterodactyl for a ride.

This was your FAVORITE statue, though you're still not sure why it happens to be in a random Santiago park.

You just couldn't resist.

And when you saw these two little ladies you thought (as did I) that they were actual little street performers; we fantasized how this is going to be us when we grow old and shrink 2 feet.

Although you like men with mustaches the most, you befriended this cute little old bearded man.

All of us had to take a picture of our feet near the last shell on the Camino de Santiago after we finished our pilgrimage.

You LOVED the little octopi and cuttlefish we ate for dinner our last night!

Now, you and I both know that you're terrified by lawn gnomes, but we still made you get in the picture with the ones we found in the open air market, though you hid a little bit.

You found the cathedral to be impressive and a good representation of several different historical art styles.

Though we tried to stop your heathen practices, you thought it would be funny to pretend to jump inside the altar/goblet in the center of the cathedral's courtyard.

Each night when we went to bed in our little hostel, you were right there in Becca's bed, spooning (you did get a little frightened by the loud Spanish men who were partying in the living room until 6 am).

And when we rode the bus back to the airport, you had your own seat between Katy and I. Michelle, without you, this trip wouldn't have been the same.