Saturday, 24 May
It was nice to sleep in this morning, I managed an extra half hour. Our tour was scheduled for noon so Dolora and I followed a route in our guidebook, Barrio Santa Cruz walk. The barrio was the Jewish ghetto before the Inquistion left the neighborhood to fall into disrepair, The area was first revitalized for a 1929 World’s Fair. We wandered through streets less than an arms length in width. There were a few small squares and parks. There are statues of Virgin Mary everywhere. Many streets are lined with orange trees. The orange trees never lose their leaves so they are valued for the shade even though the oranges are bitter and only used for vitamins and cat food. We also saw a statue of Pope John Paul II near the cathedral.
Really getting warm today, 86. The next couple of days will be about 95 and getting to 100 after we leave and it is only May! One of the advantages of the narrow streets is shade. The Royal Alcázar is the oldest royal family home in Europe that is still in use. Parts date from the 10th century but it was really rebuilt in the 14th century. The style is interesting. Moorish style directed by Catholic kings, Arabic writing, mixed with saints and the Holy Family. The Moors used lots of water and gardens which we appreciated in the heat. There was more color than in the Alhambra but the gardens were not as well tended. A fantastic piece of history.
It was time for lunch and hanging hams again this time at Casa Román. More gazpacho for Dolora and fried marinated dogfish for me. We shared a plate of Padron peppers. There are supposed to grow with random peppers that have a hot flavor. We have eaten our share and not found a spicy one yet. Maybe it is just a marketing gimmick to sell more? A stroll around the cathedral and the mandatory gelato stop before taking a long walk down a street with tarps up over the street to provide shade. It is siesta time. Some of the shops do close from about 2:30 until reopening at 6:00.
Our tour group farewell cocktail hour was at seven this evening with the tour officially ending tomorrow at noon. It was cava, Spanish champagne for cocktails. Farewells and wishes for happy travels back home were shared. Dolora and I are spending an extra couple days in Sevilla and will return home on Tuesday.
Dolora and I made plans to head out for dinner with Tom and Diane. It was a return to Las Teresas to share tapas. Outside seating was filled and we were ushered into the dining room across the street. Four or five shared tapas with good company made for a nice meal. We left room for some gelato and then took a little stroll back. Things are still bustling at 10:30 when we returned to the hotel.
Nothing specific on the agenda for tomorrow although we want to get visits to the park and cathedral in before we leave and maybe a little paella.