Day 85- Córdoba - October 7

Day 85- Córdoba - October 7

 

Got up this morning and after stretching and stuff I needed café. Once again there was none evident. So I went to the front desk and instead of a nice old man. I looked out the door and the guy from the market was talking to another guy I didn't recognize. There was another guy in the patio waiting for café. So through the front door comes the guy who had been across the street talking to the guy in the market. He goes into the office. So apparently he's the guy from the night shift. So I go ask him if there is café. He says to wait for five minutes and he was not nice. So I go back to the patio and the other guest says that's what he had told him ten minutes ago. So I make an executive decision and go out the front door, turn right, walk half a block or less, duck into a bar for café. 

I drank my café con leche, stopped at a market on the way back and get some yogurt. By this time the day crew has the café going so I go in and eat some tostada and my yogurt and have another café. Then I get ready to visit the Catedral Mesquite. It is an exquisite edifice! I spend an hour or do marveling at everything and taking pictures. The place, and it is a big place still smells of incense. I visualize all the Muslims praying in this huge place for centuries. I also go into the Chapel of adoration and say a gratitude prayer for all I have been given. And I say a prayer for my friend Erin. They had a guard on this place because it's only for prayer, you can't take pictures. But he didn't make me cover my tank top. 

After I was done there I went to look for another old building that is mudejar, but now Saint Bartholomew. However, they were doing restoration, so it was closed. I went back to my room to drop off some stuff before I went on the walking tour which came with my Hop On Hop Off ticket. I had to walk over the Old Roman Bridge to meet the walking tour group. The tour guide started explaining things in Spanish. I understood what she was saying, but wondered if I was the only non native speaker. Apparently I was, because when she asked if I needed it translated, I said "no necessito, entiendo español." And everybody applauded. I don't know if they were clapping because they would be spared the tedium of listening to or translation of everything she had already said in Spanish or because they were glad an English speaking person understood Spanish or both. One woman applauded when I answered that "soy de Estados Unidios" so maybe they just like clapping. It was a good tour through the narrow winding streets of the old city. The Visigoths were here, then the Romans, then the Moors, then the Spanish. So there was a lot of interest things to see, including an old Roman temple they are

restoring. The Guide kept asking me if I was ok, if I needed anything translated. I kept saying no, because I didn't understand every single word, but I understood most of it. 

Then I returned home and took a nap since I was going to be out late at the Flamenco show. It doesn't start until ten. Got up from my nap an took a bath in my cute little bath tub and figured out how to wash my hair. Then I puddled around for a while until it was time to go to dinner. Juan the evening guy at the hostal made me a reservation at a place he said was really good and had great prices. It was and it did. I had a cole slaw with roasted garlic, smoked salmon and tomatoes, lamb chops with pimientos Padron and French fries, with cheesecake and an aperitif (sin alcohol.) 

Then I went to the Flamenco show that Juan booked for me. It was fantastic and I had a seat right up at the stage. They had two singers, two guitar players and five dancers, one male, who danced in various combinations and styles. I love Flamenco dancing. After the show one of the singers was outside and he stopped me as I was passing and started talking to me. I thought he wanted to ask how I liked the show or something. Then he asked me if I wanted to have a drink with him. I was shocked. There's a couple of problems with that request, one is I don't drink and two is I am married to the tips of my toes to my soul mate. Besides the bears were with me and I don't think they would approve. lol so I said, "no, gracias" and went off to walk back to the hostal. 

Now I'm tucked in, ready to go to sleep. It is after 1:15am here.  Nite all.