To Cordoba

Car borrowed, early up and on the road, speed limit 100k to Cordoba... but first things first. Got to change the tire 'cause we popped a flat. Right out of the box, not 50 feet from jump. Although it was a Citroen, 15 minutes later we were on the road and a friendly garage down the road fixed it in a few minutes for 7 euros. The temp was cool as we got out early and it was only in the mid-80s by 10:30.

We passed many small towns on the way and finally made it to the exit for Cordoba. We had instructions on how to get to the Mesquita (mosque), and on point they were... had a bit of trouble at the roundabouts due to serious Spanish rule breakers. Finally parked west of Rio Guadalquivir and walked over the bridge to the Mesquita.

This was my and the boys' first view of an old European heritage site and it was crazy good. A mosque converted into a cathedral. The structure is Islamic architecture: columns and arches, intricate designs, beautiful design. The columns are stained from the millions of hands that have brushed by them, and the central temple (and all trappings) are extravagant, ornate Christian. Gold and over the top stone, metal and wood work... just draw dropping.

We navigated streets so small I could almost touch the width door to door to an archeological museum with caveman, Roman, Islamic and Christian artifacts. You could walk right through whole exhibits of statues and pottery and they even had a skeleton in a stone coffin.

We had lunch in the Plaza de Mesquita and witnessed a group of young Spanish men dressed as Roman warriors marching the streets singing Yankee Doodle Dandy in a marching cadence. What?!

Cordoba is insanely beautiful and well worth a look. Wish I could spend a week here. It is definitely the most pricey and by far more touristy city that we have visited so far, but incredible. The tile work, the horse carriages, the flamenco dancers lunching in the park, the ice cream, ah la vida.

The drive back was easy (save the roundabouts) which are total whirling dervish nightmares and the rest of the weekend was muy tranquilo.

El nino Luque (Cristobal) wanted me to tell you all that he is the big chief of all Andalucia and probably Spain as well. He sings, dances and is a young (18) 70 year old. We all like him very much and feel fortunate to have met him and Manuel his neighbor and friend.

Next weekend here is our last and I will always recommend Spain when talking of Europe... particularly Andalucia donde el sangre es caliente! (where the blood is hot!)

This week, the Alhambra, a biker rock concert down at the Nacimiento; next week off to Greece!