Day 89 - Seville - October 11, 2013

Day 89 - Seville - October 11, 2013

 I really appreciate the effort of those of you who take the time to write a comment or send me a note.   It gets lonely out here sometimes. Especially now. On the Camino I had lots of people to talk to, but now I'm just a solo tourist eating alone, walking alone, doing everything alone. Good time for reflection and I'm having fun, but it's nice to hear from my friends. I'm going to an English speaking meeting tomorrow, so that should be nice. I'll get a chance to go to one in Madrid too. 

Today was a relaxed morning. I did get cornflakes for breakfast, all I had to do was ask. I sat by the window and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Then I walked over by the Cathedral and bought a ticket for tonight's Flamenco show. On the way I watched a protest march with police "protection." It was all very

peaceful. The Bears and I also had an encounter with a Roman soldier, but the Bears kicked a** and escaped. After all this excitement, I needed a nap. 

I got up, took a shower, and went out to wander. In my wanderings today I saw a Burger King, a KFC, and a Mickey Dees. I also saw some interesting things. I wandered over to Triana to check out the Mercado (fresh food,) but is was 3pm and most of the fresh food stalls were closed. But the bars and cafes were open and outside of one of them two guitar players and a young woman singer were creating Flamenco music. What a

treat. After I left there, I wandered along the river to Plaza España and the huge park that surrounds it. I made the mistake of wearing my flops without my injinji socks and almost immediately got a hot spot. I wanted to avoid getting a blister so I decided to explore Plaza España tomorrow or Sunday. I bought my Hop on Hop off bus ticket because I wanted to use it tomorrow and Sunday. And it got me closer to my hotel without more walking in my flops. 

One of the things I learned on the bus, about the Plaza España, was that the last big movie it was used in was Star Wars where it served as the Capitol of planet Nabu. Just a tidbit for all you Star Wars fans. 

Currently there is a gaggle of pre teen girls on the veranda across from me wearing various hats including Mickey Mouse ears. I think it must be a Friday night sleep over. They seem to be having a good time and just shouted "hola" to me. 

I stopped on my way to the flamenco show and I had one tapa tonight and one tapa (roasted lamb stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and with baked slices of potatoes) and ice cream. It was perfect. Sat at an out door cafe and two young guys came by and did a little flamenco performance for change. The problem with sitting out doors is the beggars, and there are lots of the, and the cigarette smokers, and there are lots of them. Oh well. 

The flamenco show was great. The bears and I enjoyed it. The woman who was the singer had been a dancer in another show I saw in Córdoba. I think the Flamenco circle moves around and interchange roles. It's very interesting. The artistic expression is unlimited, passionate, and beautiful. The bears and were a little disgruntled tonight. All of the shows ask you not to video tape or use flash during the shows. A majority of the shows ask you not to take photos until the end, when there is a short time when each of the performers do a little part of their performance so you can take pictures. There are always some who ignore this and take pictures. There was one guy the other night who video taped the whole thing. Not my pig not my farm. But tonight towards the end someone started taking flash pictures, and then a bunch of people joined in. I was in the front row and it was a dark theatre. All the flashes going off was really distracting and interfered with our enjoyment of the show. It also seemed to throw the performers off. We were only like two feet from the stage. Oh well. Some people are just a**holes. Sucks to be them. 

Meeting in the morning. Need to get to bed. Night, night.