Waking up in the dark Thursday morning I sort myself out & head for the train station. It was a flying visit to Granada, but I loved it and am determined to make it back there.
The train trip took 3 hours, and weaved through the hills and olive groves. It was beautiful to see the countryside instead of just flying over the top if it. It wasn’t so good being cooped up in my seat with my suitcase taking up all the leg room the whole time! (Oh well, first world problems!).
Just like Barcelona & Granada, Seville (pronounced ‘Sev-ey-a by the locals) has it’s own identity. Like the others, it has an ‘old’ centre if town, but it also has wide streets & a big river. Everything in the touristy part of town is about Flamenco dancers, matadors & bull fighting. Apparently you can still see bull fighting here, but rumour is that it will be outlawed from next year.
Sat on the street & watched the people go by over the edge of my red wine glass in the last of the day – bearing in mind the sun is still up till after 7pm. Seafood paella at 10pm in the old centre of town. People were having tapas, and the streets are so tiny that people put their drinks on tables on the sidewalk, then lean on parked cars to talk. I made a new friend in my waiter (Medi) so we proceede out to a local flamenco club when he knocked off at midnight. Was great to see a not too touristy show.
Friday morning I was a little dusty, so stopped in at Starbucks (yes, terrible I know! But when feeling fragile…) before venturing to the Alcazar. Like the Alhambra, this was once a fortress turned palace. The palace sits on huge grounds, with amazing gardens, ponds with waterfeatures & orange orchards. There are hedges that form mazes throughout, and then massive palm trees can be found amongst it all. It is a beautifully tranquil place and people were wandering around the gardens just gazing at the surrounds.
