Sevilla

Well we are at our last destination of the tour.  Sevilla is a beautiful city many of the streets and squares are lined with loaded bitter orange trees. They serve dual purpose as shade and beauty and the fruit is exported mostly to Britian for marmalade.  We started our time here at the church of the Macarena where we had a most informative guide who taught us all about how the fraternities in his city work.  One joins the fraternity of their local parish generally and they all celebrate in April which is Holy Week.  Members contribute financially to the fraternity and the larger ones such as the one at Macarena are very weathly. The people of Sevilla go to their churches and worship statutes, primarily ones of Mary as they feel as a mother she is much more understanding of their issues.  Money collected goes to keep the statutes well dressed and even well jeweled. The floats that they use during Holy Week also come from this money. These floats are nothing like what most of us think of when we go to parades and it is hard to even begin to imagine what they are worth. They are in display in the church museum and are used every year so was fascinating to see them up close.  

In the afternoon we visited the Aalcazar which was originally a 10th century palace built for the Moorish but was taken over by the Christians and is still the Royal palace but most is open to the public.  Like the Alhambra much of it is done in Muslim style with exquisite plaster designs everywhere. The difference is that here the colors in the plaster have been well preserved giving it a beauty of its own.  Some of the rooms in the palace are done in tile motifs which are fascinating. The Alcazar also has extensive gardens for all to enjoy.

In the evening we went to a small flamenco show which was quite enjoyable.  The dancers have amazing foot and hand motion which is amazing to watch.  Our last big tour was of the Santa Maria de la Sede which due to its high ceilings is the biggest volume cathedral in the world.  A mosque previously stood on the site which was torn down in 1401 and the cathedral built over the next 120 years.  The church itself is beautiful with one of the highlights being the tomb of Christopher Columbus right in front of the main entrance.  The art work and relics are amazing and they even claim to have one of the thorns from the crown of thorns worn at the crucifixion housed in a beautiful silver receptacle.  One can climb the bell tower and the views were the reward for the effort. Eric and I spent a fair bit of extra time wandering around and admiring all that this cathedral has to offer.  After a tapas lunch outside in the wonderful sunshine and a stroll through part of town it was time to return to the hotel to get ready for our farewell dinner with the group followed by horse carriage rides around town.

This oddysey has been amazing. I have loved every minute of my time on the Camino, in France and exploring this wonderful country of Spain but I am ready and excited to be going home.  I have missed our family and friends and cannot wait to see our precious grandchildren.  Now Eric and I will have the fun of deciding on and planning our next adventure.

The float to hold the Virgin Mary

The Virgins crown. All gems and gold are the real thing!

Beautifully decorated and coloured walls and ceilings in the Alcazar

Stunning tile work

Cathedral bell tower. Amazing views from the top

Part of the church organ

More of my favorite scallop shells. They are every where in Spain and have been for centuries 

Christopher Columbus's tomb with his remains being carried on the shoulders of four representing the four areas of Spain

Our chariot awaits!

Sahara to Arcos de la Frontera

Leaving Rhonda behind we set off to explore more of the Andalucian countryside. We first stopped off at a charming little hilltop village Zahara. It is no wonder that the citizens in this part of the world have a generous lifespan as there was hardly a flat spot to be found and most of the streets were steep and narrow. Even the elderly locals were happily walking up and down them which would help counter the wine and great food.  On the very top of the hill was an old tower with a spectacular  Jew in all directions.  Was beautiful to view the small white villages dotting the hills and the beautiful blue lake below. Enjoyed this little town as there were few tourists and the locals were all out going about their business.  On our way out of town we visited a local olive factory where they still cold press their olives producing wonderful virgin olive oil with great pride.  Was really interesting and the samples were very tasty. Passing through Grazalema National Park we arrived at the most picturesque town of Arcos de la Frontera.  Due to the steep and narrow streets we were dropped at the bottom of the old town and hiked up to the top of the hill where our accommodation was in an old convent turned hotel. The people of Arcos are very thankful to Rick Steves as he helped put their town on the tourist map thus infusing their poor economy.  The convent went as far as to name their best room after him and we were lucky enough to get that room.  Apart from the lovely room the large tiled balcony looking over the valley and right beside one of the churches was a real bonus.

The next day we had a couple of unique adventures.  We first went to visit the Andalucian horse breeding farm and training center.  The horses were beautiful and the guide gave us a very comprehensive tour of the whole facility. We visited the stallion stalls,the corrals where the mares are kept, this years offspring as well as the training center.  The farm is state owned and income is derived from selling horses as well as sperm. Was. Rey interesting to see the clinic area where this is collected and the mares are impregnated.  This facility even does embryo transfers so that they can produce more offspring from their best mares.  We even got to go into the operating room which certainly differs from any I have worked in as the patients are much larger.  After this most enlightening tou we were off to the Beam Sherry Bodega. This is a large facility in Jerez which produces both sherry and brandy. Most interesting to learn about the process but the best part was that this is where Harvey's Briatol Cream is made which was a great favorite of Grannies.  Eric and I toasted her with one of our samples.

It was then time to explore Arcos on our own. We visited the two largest and oldest churches which were both beautiful in their own individual ways but for us the highlight was Belen. This was the most amazing display that has been put together over three years by over two dozen of the local artists.  It completely fills the space of a small store and progressively tells the story of the nativity. Everything is handmade and it is stunning. As you try and take it all in the whole display turns from day to night giving one even more to look at. They have built it so you feel that you are in a cave and we did not want to leave. What made it even more amazing was that it was free.  There was one of the artists there to answer questions and watch over the display and their pride in the finished product was quite evident.

Our last night in Arcos Eric and I chose a local restaurant which was built in an old cellar. We arrived around 730 which is very early in Spain. We sat and enjoyed a bottle of wine and outstanding tapas.  Until 830 we were the only ones there and then it was like a flood.  The place was packed within minutes with locals and then a flamenco guitar player and singer played. The guitar was fantastic but I must admit that I find flamenco singing a bit like chalk scraping across the board.  All and all a wonderful local experience.

Tower from below. Great climb

Sunset from our balcony

Beautiful gentle Andalucian horse

An OR table for a horse

This one is for Grannie

A very small part of this wonderful display

Loved the camels faces

Charming local restaurant in Arcos