tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46128041598092448622024-03-05T22:50:49.246-06:00Frank TalkThoughts and ideas about travel, photography and other topics that interest me.Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-67085771846097528532024-02-02T23:12:00.003-06:002024-02-02T23:12:24.626-06:00Oceania: Day 1 or is it Day 3?<p> Well, I will admit that at times I can be conf<span style="font-family: inherit;">used, es</span>pecially after many hours of traveling in an airplane across a multitude of time zones. When we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand at 8:30 in the morning I was a bit dumbfounded to find out what day it actually was.</p><p>We began our trip to New Zealand from ABIA, <span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">Austin-Bergstrom International Airport or AUS as the aviation folks refer to it. From AUS, we flew to LAX, Los Angeles International Airport. We relaxed in the Delta Sky Lounge until boarding our </span><span style="color: #202124;">flight</span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">, DL65, for an 11:05 departure on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp8OOaKW9rJ6YP93VG9tzNnPHiCaqnrbgpUDduSJcwwMNTYBH0B3dw_n8ThwlfrwKMSAy9z884H6pkfx-l45rGnC-GSCGIx-ZzxLOIXuY3-YxQYjBsVHA_LyvYUId9b5Ut0BQTilfO4B-ZcONmc7WYkm9-k6T3jgpIa0LTQfsRWtvGAuTh4DCOZTjzmc/s1020/240130_164349_7392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1020" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp8OOaKW9rJ6YP93VG9tzNnPHiCaqnrbgpUDduSJcwwMNTYBH0B3dw_n8ThwlfrwKMSAy9z884H6pkfx-l45rGnC-GSCGIx-ZzxLOIXuY3-YxQYjBsVHA_LyvYUId9b5Ut0BQTilfO4B-ZcONmc7WYkm9-k6T3jgpIa0LTQfsRWtvGAuTh4DCOZTjzmc/s320/240130_164349_7392.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span><br /><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">We settled in for the long flight, 13+ hours. That's a long flight. As we were winging our way across the Pacific, we enjoyed a meal and an adult beverage or two. I positioned my seat in the full bed position and attempted to get some sleep. I don't think that I slept very much. We were flying west, the earth was rotating to the east and as usual, the sun rose in the East. Since I wasn't sleeping, I looked out the window to see the rising sun punch through a thick layer of clouds. The following photos were taken through a dirty airplane window.</span></span><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgjuYRe2hO6iR5X6kDSZKhcaPk8xb7UEVkvTiTVrDY1bLs1ZTNjKpTnSlGYFiFkNOmQ1IP1oK0LBv4q3OsBFgjXLlO82D8nOY4OvWypG2B6Nz-KYmVqyDUnSVq0AlXQkEyN0lpI7pM1KBh7gzYb5v3yCswA1G3M-kZKblGuKhSkxIYj7KF3b2LYHzz28/s1020/240131_084346_7405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="765" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgjuYRe2hO6iR5X6kDSZKhcaPk8xb7UEVkvTiTVrDY1bLs1ZTNjKpTnSlGYFiFkNOmQ1IP1oK0LBv4q3OsBFgjXLlO82D8nOY4OvWypG2B6Nz-KYmVqyDUnSVq0AlXQkEyN0lpI7pM1KBh7gzYb5v3yCswA1G3M-kZKblGuKhSkxIYj7KF3b2LYHzz28/s320/240131_084346_7405.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeTg5UBMHOqs_fqIWhoClNRQ-95856dj91rlZzXDrSoI7rUzBG7LeTVhfYMuu_UIvdfXClBujkv-2RvZQpySq2EH3hmuhzloJwew4XUFr5zjR0G-QaI5eRIHh3xiNTjwdFFWgn-u8BDBrL5qFOPGqsXGC607G-QYUD65RbL8_IwthU25tgFUdAidyRJM/s1020/240131_085105_7412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeTg5UBMHOqs_fqIWhoClNRQ-95856dj91rlZzXDrSoI7rUzBG7LeTVhfYMuu_UIvdfXClBujkv-2RvZQpySq2EH3hmuhzloJwew4XUFr5zjR0G-QaI5eRIHh3xiNTjwdFFWgn-u8BDBrL5qFOPGqsXGC607G-QYUD65RbL8_IwthU25tgFUdAidyRJM/s320/240131_085105_7412.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWwgGBEgcDDRV18SjSMQW7azZ_cUMO4B7s7v01rkaKDLB4M9xE1X3fT0aLS-a-JZFXD8Ub8o7tqLTRJi8EG3uFMDP4JGjQUuFiYFCCQzHfbrUmUPPUeLNSyW72nzmgPb2YR5Cc-rATznz9jirVoozItZCR2ceQv7v9eay5_3GdcZ9sLodvYvpz2pck2I/s1020/240131_085304_7414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWwgGBEgcDDRV18SjSMQW7azZ_cUMO4B7s7v01rkaKDLB4M9xE1X3fT0aLS-a-JZFXD8Ub8o7tqLTRJi8EG3uFMDP4JGjQUuFiYFCCQzHfbrUmUPPUeLNSyW72nzmgPb2YR5Cc-rATznz9jirVoozItZCR2ceQv7v9eay5_3GdcZ9sLodvYvpz2pck2I/s320/240131_085304_7414.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><br />I tried in vain to get some sleep, but it wasn't happening. We had a small breakfast before landing. After landing, I turned on my iPhone. It advised that it was Thursday, February 1, 2024. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">WHAT HAPPENED TO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024?</span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">Okay, when traveling across the International Dateline in a westerly direction, one is likely to hav a Rod Serling moment. That's why I am confused as to this being the first or third day of our trip.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;">I understand that the lost day will be recovered on the trip home. I hope so!<br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-53294806548655916072019-03-28T20:18:00.000-05:002019-03-28T20:18:16.302-05:00La Tortilla: Cooking in Antigua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decided to try our hand at cooking like Guatemalans. Of course, we turned to Google to check out our options. We settled on La Tortilla in Antigua. Reservations were made for Thursday morning at 10:30 for the full menu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Julio</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Julio met us at the door, and as soon as we handed over the cash, we met our teacher, Odilia, and our translator, Anoushka. Odilia, we discovered, is from the south coast of Guatemala. Anoushka, surprisingly, is from Tours, France and just working her way around Central and South America. We were pleased to find out that we were going to be the only students in the class.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC6W0zQupxZKFcjMr__DQe6vjBcRMFI4k8IkmrNKgW-LloT4dEPkgY7qeZPXWcO1rgOS_DXpZalzrhkzYYSovDBLVM3niUbVuduLc3X2FhYTSjHP3CHcC83k3IVgMAnpd1PaZkO_v9JA/s1600/190328_123403_4190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC6W0zQupxZKFcjMr__DQe6vjBcRMFI4k8IkmrNKgW-LloT4dEPkgY7qeZPXWcO1rgOS_DXpZalzrhkzYYSovDBLVM3niUbVuduLc3X2FhYTSjHP3CHcC83k3IVgMAnpd1PaZkO_v9JA/s640/190328_123403_4190.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Odilia and Anoushka</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our menu was: Atol Blanco, a water and cornflour based beverage; Beet Salad; Guatemalan Rice; Pepían, a traditional Guatemalan stew; Rellenitos, a mashed plantain fritter filled with chocolate and fried; and handmade tortillas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did all the prep and cooking under the watchful eye of Odilia. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not going to give a blow by blow account of the preparation. However, here are some photo moments captured during out time in the La Tortilla kitchen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNpzPVgkxvocFkPXo2Ugbqw51KsBGrhBiZ80VHyl61xjkATLADORG6WmECJOGADARsFt637wQfjnfueVw9tkjKjT_bkJLOr9LVBKD0olQlNYXmjIg7oyG-16D3YSUDJ3WkHNgAspC4C4/s1600/190328_123513_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNpzPVgkxvocFkPXo2Ugbqw51KsBGrhBiZ80VHyl61xjkATLADORG6WmECJOGADARsFt637wQfjnfueVw9tkjKjT_bkJLOr9LVBKD0olQlNYXmjIg7oyG-16D3YSUDJ3WkHNgAspC4C4/s640/190328_123513_1069.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">part of our pantry</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACVQQ9dRHES6z6saY3T_UfqgbkSJG-HA5MgQWojuIo-IerO6d7unrTOZfucV6OyEVY45YYoh-i8pMXhQeJUl7AIweHPdPWRTNpt54avVXH4u6vTCmO2Bl9TJ3QBD_8nUhYEUSQlr8Nf8/s1600/190328_192312_7194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACVQQ9dRHES6z6saY3T_UfqgbkSJG-HA5MgQWojuIo-IerO6d7unrTOZfucV6OyEVY45YYoh-i8pMXhQeJUl7AIweHPdPWRTNpt54avVXH4u6vTCmO2Bl9TJ3QBD_8nUhYEUSQlr8Nf8/s640/190328_192312_7194.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Odilia giving Randeen some pointers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">making the chocolate sauce for the Rellenitos</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir4yVJOcSLOkPfMVzeIyTmnUtJ-INLQWPTi6_FVSXywZEqIEa5BsqPNFX1PzQhBhnXgRTt3Z-LBQLtnF1jxbDV9WB9WrrHWiCZFsYiEdkZdqCSAcIarP541frvTVqeBSld8wgMA9EKCQ/s1600/190328_200248_7196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir4yVJOcSLOkPfMVzeIyTmnUtJ-INLQWPTi6_FVSXywZEqIEa5BsqPNFX1PzQhBhnXgRTt3Z-LBQLtnF1jxbDV9WB9WrrHWiCZFsYiEdkZdqCSAcIarP541frvTVqeBSld8wgMA9EKCQ/s640/190328_200248_7196.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> forming the Rellentitos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">frying the Rellenitos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Randeen and Odilia mixing the tortilla dough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Odilia handling the tortillas on the comal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">proud preparers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Rellenitos- filled with chocolate and dipped in chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a great time with Odilia and Anoushka. We even have some recipes that we can make at home. Except for the tortillas, they were slightly difficult to form into nice circles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another bonus was that I got to speak Spanish to Odilia and Anoushka, and Randeen got to speak French with Anoushka.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-52752248516250055732019-03-25T23:22:00.000-05:002019-03-25T23:22:23.020-05:00Business 101 with Fernando and Tomas<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I was down at the edge of Lago Atitlán in Panajachel, Guatamala watching Randeen get in some swimming in preparation for the Texas Senior Games. Even though we are on a short vacation, practice is a must. Mainly I was watching her stuff while she was in the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were a few vendors with the typical offerings, woven table runners, bags, key chains, etc. I was able to rebuff them with some ease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the beach, there was a steep bank behind the lifeguard stands. I think the stands were for lifeguards, but I never saw one. Anyway, the bank was steep and made of rocks held in place by a wire mesh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every few minutes a somewhat tired, worn, and partially deflated ball would roll down the hill. A couple of young boys were playing a sort of soccer game with the ball. I kicked the ball back up the hill a couple of times, but I fear I was not quick enough for their needs. So, one or the other of the boys would charge down the hill to retrieve the ball. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Randeen emerged from the water (she emerged slowly due to the rocky bottom), the boys came down to see what was going on. We exchange pleasantries in Spanish. They wanted me to take their picture. They were insistent. I took a photo of them. I asked their names, Fernando and Tomas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fernando (left) and Tomas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After viewing the image on the back of the camera, Fernando said, "Ahora, necesitamos un quetzal cada uno." So, what they really wanted was Q.1 each (a quetzal is worth about 12 cents). I had no coins; m</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">y smallest bill was a 20 quetzal note.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I explained that I had no money with me. This was not exactly true, but I had no coins. I did not ask if they could make change. I felt they deserved something; so, I left them with a suggestion for their infant business. I said, "Pida el dinero antes de tomar la foto."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They seemed disappointed, but I hope they got the importance of asking for the money up front. It is a Business 101 concept. If they understand and apply it, they can better capitalize on the scam while they are still young and cute.</span></div>
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-41248352993200846422019-03-21T11:03:00.003-05:002019-03-21T16:34:48.426-05:00Guatemala! Are You Crazy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlYd4YeuS3akf2i9LVDNsjftWFOuAcx-HTW4cjDTERKd8pSnkKmihi6gxMPuIinpAN0MxUCMybHaHUw2jKOF1LwVEdL76aNUo_e9J4iGGRpV5J7nSz1P05gFMflk6BxH0qC2qm3jBvpQ/s1600/guatemala_trans-2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1335" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlYd4YeuS3akf2i9LVDNsjftWFOuAcx-HTW4cjDTERKd8pSnkKmihi6gxMPuIinpAN0MxUCMybHaHUw2jKOF1LwVEdL76aNUo_e9J4iGGRpV5J7nSz1P05gFMflk6BxH0qC2qm3jBvpQ/s640/guatemala_trans-2001.jpg" width="531" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are heading to Guatemala tomorrow morning. We are departing at the ungodly hour of 5:58 AM. The cat/house sitter is organized, and the bags will be packed shortly. However, the question we continue to get from many of our friends who don't travel too much is...Why would you want to go to Guatemala? They say this while distorting their faces somewhat as if they have just smelled some rotting road kill on an August day in Texas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have been to lots of places that many people consider undesirable. For some a trip without a 5 star hotel is unthinkable; we've been on many trips where 5 star hotels were nowhere to be found - at least on our budget. For others, it is a fear of robbers and worse. We have traveled to many places in the good old USA as well as countries outside of the USA where crime exists. We generally don't like to put ourselves in harms way. We avoid dark alleys late at night or visit areas that the locals find questionable. Enough said about danger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, why go? For starters we have never been there, and more than a few acquaintances have recommended it highly. One couple has been traveling there, 2 or 3 times a year, for nearly 20 years. They are enamored with the place and the people. So far, they have not been robbed or killed. We've been told that the landscape is strikingly beautiful, lots of volcanos, some still active. The lakes are considered to be quite picturesque. We will stay at Lago Atitlán and Lago de Petén Itzá. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are extensive Mayan ruins; we have visited many ruins in Mexico and Belize and are anxious to see more. Tikal is one of the most famous Mayan sites. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And of course, there is the Spanish colonial architecture from the time of the conquistadores.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> These things are more that enough to lure us south to Guatemala. And besides, we didn't have any travel plans for this spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The red circles indicate where our time will be spent. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our reserved accommodations have advertised Wi-Fi availability, and we have international data on our T-Mobile 55+ plan. I hope to do some posting over the next dozen or so days. Stayed tuned.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-17689713650836803022018-11-27T14:30:00.000-06:002019-04-27T17:29:33.403-05:00Some observations from our month in Sevilla<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are some things that have become fixed in my memory as a result of our month in Sevilla. We stayed in the Triana barrio which is across the Guadalquivir River from Sevilla's central barrios, El Arenal, Santa Cruz, and La Macarena. Living in an apartment for this period of time changed my perspective of Sevilla. Previous visits lasted for just a few days. These are now some of my vivid memories.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Vale</b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You will hear this word every single day in Spain. Some Spaniards toss this word in between every breath and even say it several times in a row. What does it mean? It can mean many things depending on the context. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Its origins are from Latin, but a couple of centuries ago in Spain, it was used to say "good bye" to someone and maybe, to close a letter. Today, it generally means okay. It can mean all right, do you agree, or that's enough. It can be a question or an affirmation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's interesting to note that the last word of Don Quixote is "Vale".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Triana bridge</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nearly every day of our stay in Sevilla, we crossed the Triana Bridge multiple times. The bridge is officially known as la Puente de Isabel II, but for most, it's the Triana Bridge. The 10 minute walk from our apartment across the bridge brought us into the Arenal barrio of Sevilla connecting us to all of the historic barrios and their sites. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Plaza del Altozano</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I call it the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Triana plaza. It is always busy. The photo above is on Sunday just after noon. Plazas like this, and larger or smaller, are the places where people meet. It is clear that many are regulars at their favorite tapas bars.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where did Antonio go?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first week or so during our month in Sevilla, we would encounter Antonio at the cash register in the MAS store. We bought many things at MAS, mostly things that were not available at the Triana market. After the first week, Antonio was never to be seen again by us. Maybe, he was promoted. One can only hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Kleenex Man</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We would see the street vendor that we referred to as The Kleenex Man almost every day near the Triana plaza. He was a friendly guy and always said hello. I'm not sure how many packets of tissue that he sold, but he always seemed to be offering his wares with a broad smile..</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Animal prints are in vogue</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Animal prints were clearly the preferred pattern to adorn women's fashion in Sevilla, perhaps, all of Spain. From head to toe, animal, especially leopard, prints were everywhere. Since, I am no fashion expert, I'll end my comment on fashion.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">wedding at the cathedral</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">wedding at a small chapel on the Plaza del Altozano</i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Weddings</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Saturdays are wedding days all over Sevilla. Well dressed family and friends crowded large churches and small chapels to witness the nuptials. Almost without exception, the newly married couples were whisked away in a well decorated or vintage car. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Columbus, good guy or what?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the US these days, Columbus is not always seen in a positive light. He mistreated the natives, and he delivered European diseases to the Americas. Columbus Day is no longer a big deal in the US, but in Spain, Columbus Day still exists. The day commemorates the discovery of the New World more than the man. Columbus did not discover the route to the East Indies, but his discovery led to a great deal of wealth flowing into the Spanish coffers. Columbus had his ups and downs after discovering the New World, but in the end he was buried in a prominent tomb in the main cathedral in Sevilla. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Jubilado pricing</b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jubilado is the Spanish word for retired. Jubilado pricing is available for most entrance prices to museums and special events. Often it was as much as a 50% discount. I took advantage of this benefit and was disappointed when not available.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Cars stop for pedestrians</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cars stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. What is even more amazing is that cars stop for pedestrians who are just stepping off the curb into a crosswalk. Using a crosswalk without dodging a car or cars was a pleasant experience.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Roller bags, they're everywhere</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Roller bags are </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ubiquitous. Kids use them for their books and school needs. From kindergarten to high school, roller bags follow kids on their way to the classroom. People heading to the gym pull roller bags filled with their gear. People starting or returning from a trip were trailed by roller bags. Some people were pulling these bags for purposes we could not determine. Backpacks are still used by many, but roller bags seem to be preferred.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Night life</b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The night life of which I speak is the vibrant life that exists in the cafes and tapas bars lining many streets and plazas. People are out meeting friends, relatives, and neighbors. It is much nicer to be outside rather than be cooped up in one's apartment. The atmosphere is convivial and lasts past midnight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Narrow Streets</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, there are many narrow streets. Their masonry walls are not forgiving. Side mirrors, if not folded back, are scarred with their encounters with bricks and mortar. The cars' side panels fare no better as is demonstrated by the scratches and dents that reform their metal exterior. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Urban Gentrification</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I guess it is happening everywhere. Pushing out the old, the poor , and those who grew up in, what are now described as, declining neighborhoods. In Sevilla, the expansion into older, poorer neighborhoods is happening just like so many other cities in the world. It is certainly happening in Austin, and it happened while I was growing up in Philadelphia. In Sevilla, tourism is a key driver, especially with the advent of short term rentals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walking through a neighborhood in Sevilla, one that was about to be gentrified, I saw this poem in a window (photo above). Here is a rough translation:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this house lived I,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this neighborhood lived my people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">live only</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> cameras, suitcases and museums</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Am I not a work of art?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm just a postcard,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For your memory,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For your profit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tapas Bars Are Never Far Away</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is difficult to travel down a street in Sevilla without encountering tapas bars. Some are simply offering tapas and others are offering more extensive fare as well. We dined at many of these establishments. They were largely very good. Most had fairly fixed menus and often offered daily specials.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>example of a menu</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Menu translations were often interesting. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMLhUY4pDh8KA6wwH2srCS4BTDT0TtgW977STLbdb2VpLxTSt7zwaxA4286DMETCd_J3OdhEAFR78zaUa7_vJsDDo5ByU1YTa8uukPnagQo8JIvU2J_dSVd_d016uUXHwX0pMiOgbV9Q/s1600/180927_140436_9850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1020" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMLhUY4pDh8KA6wwH2srCS4BTDT0TtgW977STLbdb2VpLxTSt7zwaxA4286DMETCd_J3OdhEAFR78zaUa7_vJsDDo5ByU1YTa8uukPnagQo8JIvU2J_dSVd_d016uUXHwX0pMiOgbV9Q/s640/180927_140436_9850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>translations to English can be interesting</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bullfight or </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">corrida de toros</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, bullfighting is still alive and well in Spain - not so much for the bull. I did go to a bullfight on a Sunday afternoon in Sevilla. The arena was filled to capacity with men and women, as well as old and young. There is a grace and art in the ritual, and it is appreciated by the crowd. Only one of the 4 fights received oral bravos from the crowd and the waving of white handkerchiefs signaling an exceptional performance. I'm glad that I attended, but I do not see another bullfight in my future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Rental Bikes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sevilla is bike friendly. It is easy to find bike racks all around town. It was clear that many locals used bikes for transport to and from work as well as just getting around town. They were used rain or shine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Photos in El Mercado</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One knows that they are beginning to feel like a local when one feels inconvenienced by tourists taking photos of fruits and vegetables in the market. I wish they would take their photos and move out of the way. We've got shopping to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cruz Campo is there another brand of beer?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cruz Campo is the beer brand that dominates Sevilla and Madrid. Perhaps, it is the case in most of Spain. No complaints about Cruz Campo; I did indulge enough to give my approval. They make a very good NA beer which is available at every tapas bar or restaurant that we visited. The NA beer is often on tap. The USA should take note.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Choir Practice</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The photo above is the view that we had from our apartment window. The semi circular building is a school, and it is connected to a church. We assumed that it was a religious school. Each Thursday evening that we were in Sevilla, we could hear the choir practicing in the school building. It wasn't too loud. As a mater of fact, it was quite enjoyable.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qxLO5RJTcc4qlSmKEwYPUKHQclqPIbVo8R-YMYzrFv5Wi4OSx71hPaA2A3BvnXr-sCzNojh0b3JggG0UWQhQ1T-6wPaRiKLD6-MGPmikFkyPM-HBaZQh9AiqTgtYySDTc_qqkXj1YBU/s1600/180920_204555_6701_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qxLO5RJTcc4qlSmKEwYPUKHQclqPIbVo8R-YMYzrFv5Wi4OSx71hPaA2A3BvnXr-sCzNojh0b3JggG0UWQhQ1T-6wPaRiKLD6-MGPmikFkyPM-HBaZQh9AiqTgtYySDTc_qqkXj1YBU/s640/180920_204555_6701_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">good night Triana</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: One of the central barrios in Sevilla is Macarena. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, this Macarena is the one referenced in the song of the same name. It was one of the greatest one hit wonders by Los del Rio. The group of two, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruíz Perdigones are from the small town of Dos Hermanas just south of Sevilla.</span>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-19848375847676006462018-11-05T15:23:00.000-06:002018-11-05T15:23:30.073-06:00A Trip to Granada and Another Visit to La Alhambra and Generalife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H69hrtvUMAaoZbT3_HjyJGeEt1xFol9TLpgcuNqS6FTOkNuuV1ySSxEuqf5F7lGetyH7xlaDQzwLMzLdgzrOywZDvuOeeqB6kEcKlmOKJ-fWUY06CJw5a7hPDSX7nVVFWh-peC2AwQA/s1600/181007_164532_6544_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="640" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H69hrtvUMAaoZbT3_HjyJGeEt1xFol9TLpgcuNqS6FTOkNuuV1ySSxEuqf5F7lGetyH7xlaDQzwLMzLdgzrOywZDvuOeeqB6kEcKlmOKJ-fWUY06CJw5a7hPDSX7nVVFWh-peC2AwQA/s640/181007_164532_6544_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When one visits Andalusia, some consideration must be given to visiting Granada and the historic site of La Alhambra and Generalife. This was part of our plan long before we climbed aboard the plane to Madrid. So, in early September, we discussed renting a car and taking off from Sevilla for a visit. Thinking it might be a good idea to reserve tickets for our visit, I attempted to reserve them online on September 2nd. I soon discovered that they were sold out through October. Panic set in. We had been to La Alhambra on two occasions in the early 1990s. On both occasions, we just walked up to the ticket window, bought our tickets, and entered. Twenty five plus years later, this is not the case. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are clever enough to buy tickers well in advance, the price is 14€ per person. They sell out quickly and many are purchased by companies that offer guided tours. Since I was too late for the 14€ tickets, I started searching for a reasonable offer from a tour company. The best that I could do was to purchase tickets to La Alhambra and Generalife for about $50 each. This came with a tour led by an English speaking guide. With the tickets confirmed, a car was reserved for Sunday, October 7th. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When October 7th arrived, we headed to the train station to pick up our Dollar rental car. At the rental office, Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar are offered at the same desk. Hertz owns both Dollar and Thrifty. In Sevilla, all the rentals come from the same pool of cars. I'm not sure if we received a Dollar car, but we did get the Dollar price. The rental paperwork was in process when a man standing next to me found that he had reserved his car for the wrong month. His $35 per day rental was now going to be 85€ per day. I suggested he get online and re-rent via a US company like Orbitz or Kayak. He was doing that as I departed the office. Rental cars are much less expensive wen reserved from the US.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were in our rental car and on the road by 8:30 AM for the 2.5 hour drive to Granada. Our tour was at 2:00 PM; we had plenty of time to find our way. We found parking in the Alhambra parking lot and walked down the hill into Granada. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>passing the Justice Gate of la Alhambra on the way to town</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In town, we walked around a bit. The Cathedral was closed and would not reopen until we were on our tour. We did not get to see the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabela. I suppose they haven't changed since we last saw them in the 1990s. So, it was off to lunch, and then, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we hurried back up the hill to meet our tour group.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliKS0Sf9w5cYyZnKZ3hpcyIsJ_MAB3sKBoProyrquVDKq_o4zKBzvydk46kHnq-WwfxivbGdQzqUYA4JxiUCDN4ByqGq7SvZQK4sBsebcB_XHD8fW4WnuTG1QToOeKFEuV1RNjOEyNsM/s1600/181007_132542_6416_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliKS0Sf9w5cYyZnKZ3hpcyIsJ_MAB3sKBoProyrquVDKq_o4zKBzvydk46kHnq-WwfxivbGdQzqUYA4JxiUCDN4ByqGq7SvZQK4sBsebcB_XHD8fW4WnuTG1QToOeKFEuV1RNjOEyNsM/s640/181007_132542_6416_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>statue of Isabela and Christopher Columbus in Granada</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">La Alhambra, the Red One in the original Arabic, was started as a small fortress in 889 AD using the remains of a Roman fort as its foundation. In the middle of the 13th century, construction of the current structure was begun. After the Christian reconquest in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella and is where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition. At that same time, the palaces were partially modified in the Renaissance style. Over the years, the complex fell into disrepair. It was no longer used by Spain's royal family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Washington Irving, the American author, is attributed with the popularity of the Alhambra. In 1828, Irving completed a biography of Christopher Columbus and traveled to Spain to continue some research for </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a book called <i>A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada</i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. He went from Madrid to Granada. It was love at first sight. He was enamored by the city calling it "a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen." He gained permission to explore the Alhambra Palace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Irving was inspired by his experience to write a book entitled <i>Tales of the Alhambra</i>. Through his writings, Irving popularized the Alhambra.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Alhambra is a complex of several buildings, palaces and fortifications. Nearly adjacent to it is Generalife, also called the Palacio de Generalife (pronounced something like, hen-er-a-lee-fay) and translates from Arabic to mean the architect's garden. Generalife is the summer palace, and true to its name is filled with gardens.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0R0JmnOFxZ042xTZ7l2mb1nDMYzop2pqHm9LIJdW1VVTXpqM8oFvDtvI45-Qv7xMNijLtZgZe0exns8XTqqWsVj3rLx4NJqM5Ye2P_pxLFnPVZyEk9myisbV32KmRaIgtxD_KFAuOow/s1600/181007_143832_6422_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0R0JmnOFxZ042xTZ7l2mb1nDMYzop2pqHm9LIJdW1VVTXpqM8oFvDtvI45-Qv7xMNijLtZgZe0exns8XTqqWsVj3rLx4NJqM5Ye2P_pxLFnPVZyEk9myisbV32KmRaIgtxD_KFAuOow/s640/181007_143832_6422_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_5g0OVUwnXDxc6AAxYtzoj-XTLYm3zh7Bt5OIr0DKZ7PbxHN4CisVaoPNbRAKCy1O0rWhigthYnDXKWcnhq4CNl3VZ2Ya0U2TSriyuTQSizTLIRjbnMhrp6FvS8Z3MrwE_nCaq-rhnw/s1600/181007_143938_6424_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_5g0OVUwnXDxc6AAxYtzoj-XTLYm3zh7Bt5OIr0DKZ7PbxHN4CisVaoPNbRAKCy1O0rWhigthYnDXKWcnhq4CNl3VZ2Ya0U2TSriyuTQSizTLIRjbnMhrp6FvS8Z3MrwE_nCaq-rhnw/s640/181007_143938_6424_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1ctKkI_cH8LqF3T65OI59ggaiaPp62LuRr7TpWa0SaTVF1E-2QUiWz90qV2DGEQOww82NN78g1OmxilleGtFP0DXJERjy_5tixC9dHvWPo_9Vu5KS7IKnQA8v-Fr6P9fALb9cMDGQpw/s1600/181007_144044_6427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1ctKkI_cH8LqF3T65OI59ggaiaPp62LuRr7TpWa0SaTVF1E-2QUiWz90qV2DGEQOww82NN78g1OmxilleGtFP0DXJERjy_5tixC9dHvWPo_9Vu5KS7IKnQA8v-Fr6P9fALb9cMDGQpw/s640/181007_144044_6427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>a view from Generalife, Alhambra to the left and Granada in the valley below </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ePtz8XT_31y9Zzxpjz0wyXwVNkVwj2KGdrbcw01j8fQvnqeKJD93SUDGEKN8bVg1WX5UT1AsyRGjjpLrN-1QNwzH6jzVRpB-rG9uzR6C1YLNR7lARkUTSEwGtuA0XcwMyZhsqFUtah4/s1600/181007_144957_6431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ePtz8XT_31y9Zzxpjz0wyXwVNkVwj2KGdrbcw01j8fQvnqeKJD93SUDGEKN8bVg1WX5UT1AsyRGjjpLrN-1QNwzH6jzVRpB-rG9uzR6C1YLNR7lARkUTSEwGtuA0XcwMyZhsqFUtah4/s640/181007_144957_6431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSNTQAsaTY3G-iZ3-2kZkpnR7YUNZtCNvF3bt-LHOJBcaFelPy253pYGcU-pEO08ySl2xrSkazkSnjr_l_p4IQ5zkvbaaoyrBL9xuiWZ82BD7cgg9n3Rudky27wPzAPMnbdxe7xCtkiU/s1600/181007_145410_6442_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSNTQAsaTY3G-iZ3-2kZkpnR7YUNZtCNvF3bt-LHOJBcaFelPy253pYGcU-pEO08ySl2xrSkazkSnjr_l_p4IQ5zkvbaaoyrBL9xuiWZ82BD7cgg9n3Rudky27wPzAPMnbdxe7xCtkiU/s640/181007_145410_6442_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LuzwDG8Owm6UXIlxeAlKpk3nV_jqywZDXVVUctmtwgjqFFXCAwl69G9Cy86Zdv1MHd86DnEKDoWON8vtOL-jn9skWftxCvyGkDj_HeTKLPK5PiXGufcSl104bT2_ExJzoIyvSamFR2c/s1600/181007_145117_6434_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LuzwDG8Owm6UXIlxeAlKpk3nV_jqywZDXVVUctmtwgjqFFXCAwl69G9Cy86Zdv1MHd86DnEKDoWON8vtOL-jn9skWftxCvyGkDj_HeTKLPK5PiXGufcSl104bT2_ExJzoIyvSamFR2c/s640/181007_145117_6434_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>many of the gardens have water features popular Arabic design</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The palace design and structure is similar to the Alhambra in its arches and intricate plaster ornamentation. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH8mgptS7uULpEKINEtVackFm3vxX2holMd2PPKsoq1tmkkxjgnK_Uu4Krc1LAkYQdeT0nKDAz8fJrnHN5_1DWA6M2RkZsMpsE43joNKEp9ssh2C2YVOXibRsGPQWBHx5AM8nJQqCeK8/s1600/181007_145147_6438_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH8mgptS7uULpEKINEtVackFm3vxX2holMd2PPKsoq1tmkkxjgnK_Uu4Krc1LAkYQdeT0nKDAz8fJrnHN5_1DWA6M2RkZsMpsE43joNKEp9ssh2C2YVOXibRsGPQWBHx5AM8nJQqCeK8/s640/181007_145147_6438_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the intricate design is molded, not carved</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo3ZcxreTLzqfoGBOFgy9b5ee_x1WfANuV5wY3JxrZ6KW0fYTIO12of4fsPGH-Mv_g8hdxwt7os1sgMz28C1YzIAG_bh58sqa28AnZ_PQqxBLg0el3zARWLkzXcJgAFam5KatOAoKkVM/s1600/181007_145608_6444_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo3ZcxreTLzqfoGBOFgy9b5ee_x1WfANuV5wY3JxrZ6KW0fYTIO12of4fsPGH-Mv_g8hdxwt7os1sgMz28C1YzIAG_bh58sqa28AnZ_PQqxBLg0el3zARWLkzXcJgAFam5KatOAoKkVM/s640/181007_145608_6444_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgtPSMkIF8d1LyeWxEmgW2Ha1z1cj973Es7tpf3ap7FI1OCsSJ5qZmd4ErYKAT_f04Kjvp-cSXqqrcpi-K9KH2uOxrnfrJ0xOU1nTkDqyaYX-4eD-p7rglZjuD4NZpcEW3iyY7cAXHJE/s1600/181007_145701_6446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgtPSMkIF8d1LyeWxEmgW2Ha1z1cj973Es7tpf3ap7FI1OCsSJ5qZmd4ErYKAT_f04Kjvp-cSXqqrcpi-K9KH2uOxrnfrJ0xOU1nTkDqyaYX-4eD-p7rglZjuD4NZpcEW3iyY7cAXHJE/s640/181007_145701_6446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After visiting Generalife, we move on to the Alhambra. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcjTz8A7xSQqo7HxkRsbuJgnxgySFzGgOS9sFOY1wCFI5PDCceQptFLjD50qI3Lusr-QE8d6koId21nT0KQVaJP2akhDWmo6xIIV9O8EChhcS-cOE-wfzB2fZjXnVi7W-qotGBP2aVns/s1600/181007_114730_6415_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="640" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcjTz8A7xSQqo7HxkRsbuJgnxgySFzGgOS9sFOY1wCFI5PDCceQptFLjD50qI3Lusr-QE8d6koId21nT0KQVaJP2akhDWmo6xIIV9O8EChhcS-cOE-wfzB2fZjXnVi7W-qotGBP2aVns/s640/181007_114730_6415_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Tower of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia) is the original entrance gate to the Alhambra, 1348.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKDUVGbxwPPPxWypsH0p7g-zrmNceO4CpGt4pTwWL-UbcC4swuerLC0KzKcZLmmAjOdFYwzI1Ljx0iZq_X3LWidGF-XkVUFubyIc9pL0izg_qvcqX1YzMv729UwExkyrzlaUcRhXC6Q8/s1600/181007_151913_6452_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKDUVGbxwPPPxWypsH0p7g-zrmNceO4CpGt4pTwWL-UbcC4swuerLC0KzKcZLmmAjOdFYwzI1Ljx0iZq_X3LWidGF-XkVUFubyIc9pL0izg_qvcqX1YzMv729UwExkyrzlaUcRhXC6Q8/s640/181007_151913_6452_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Some of the architectural remains of the original fort</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG1MhQHHQuP5dPC9z0AqPoC8OIoHdp31VTLo6uwqlntKfGMJ06FE2E5kSQ3Y4Obd1snax_w9o59J3fzAZUaxUxL8GYDvvQRFqFL58PWHx-0akOTrtofXRq_RRJka6m472L6qQoH7GbXQ/s1600/181007_152631_6454_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG1MhQHHQuP5dPC9z0AqPoC8OIoHdp31VTLo6uwqlntKfGMJ06FE2E5kSQ3Y4Obd1snax_w9o59J3fzAZUaxUxL8GYDvvQRFqFL58PWHx-0akOTrtofXRq_RRJka6m472L6qQoH7GbXQ/s640/181007_152631_6454_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The structure above was ordered to be built by Charles V, who wished to establish his residence close to the Alhambra palaces. He never lived here and the roof was not completed until 1957.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GqSfkMpe_ZyZmx1WkgSRKo5Lwg5PQWQoadudZIZ3FGwV6i6gNwswtZzVr8kwbGP23nrKvQ65cmliXbvrQPCqAwUqjLlCVepQtiTZ39xgrlUw0eUEV5XMg4PgXW0ZVsxnOXXapTy_G8g/s1600/181007_153406_6463_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GqSfkMpe_ZyZmx1WkgSRKo5Lwg5PQWQoadudZIZ3FGwV6i6gNwswtZzVr8kwbGP23nrKvQ65cmliXbvrQPCqAwUqjLlCVepQtiTZ39xgrlUw0eUEV5XMg4PgXW0ZVsxnOXXapTy_G8g/s640/181007_153406_6463_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The central patio in the palace of Charles V</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs4dxsCacy-0wEWFiDU7iFFeDJMpsgJtLeqDjo9lbDVBxK_Ywc69DOlRyAFSsMfcw6ziNgcsG4phY3Byl-XP9WCdnJ30DLfTvDIOWRwVQ-lEb2dz6t64pfj34rbji6spEAfV2cIr7RJ0/s1600/181007_160503_6477_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs4dxsCacy-0wEWFiDU7iFFeDJMpsgJtLeqDjo9lbDVBxK_Ywc69DOlRyAFSsMfcw6ziNgcsG4phY3Byl-XP9WCdnJ30DLfTvDIOWRwVQ-lEb2dz6t64pfj34rbji6spEAfV2cIr7RJ0/s640/181007_160503_6477_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62mQQLh7bEKJ4PVSCCX7oeKs69sFOw-HgS3c9fFzw8g0pmVcuDORD04nmpRb-gfsnGRFPsEO4zMtwk0tAwVSJYkDuNmOUOXfDU-JkvrYKj2ItvXMzs_Wa9v73iRyO7kRZk9tD3h6Q-os/s1600/181007_160702_6482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62mQQLh7bEKJ4PVSCCX7oeKs69sFOw-HgS3c9fFzw8g0pmVcuDORD04nmpRb-gfsnGRFPsEO4zMtwk0tAwVSJYkDuNmOUOXfDU-JkvrYKj2ItvXMzs_Wa9v73iRyO7kRZk9tD3h6Q-os/s640/181007_160702_6482.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Mexuar Court detail </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKOdLEhZFDxVRiSATxeM_cl5Dgp5iq_bHuNNVuHstkNFLTdYfpqA4_vuxr8EqKG_fqZFDzyqjoMvyKwp9r9kXZPTR91oy6ziB27yu4pYeZyunmklCUGOUR2ClXIVDyk83kC8GJXdVNJI/s1600/181007_160855_6485_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKOdLEhZFDxVRiSATxeM_cl5Dgp5iq_bHuNNVuHstkNFLTdYfpqA4_vuxr8EqKG_fqZFDzyqjoMvyKwp9r9kXZPTR91oy6ziB27yu4pYeZyunmklCUGOUR2ClXIVDyk83kC8GJXdVNJI/s640/181007_160855_6485_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>interior detail </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5Xrkylk1atc1CKccDnhyuiOW4MS9FBjfrLHorVA46xmLAskL18btGZVpyGgsrPe105TnGrE6T9QGmFY9XmulVzCljUEuIN3UpW2gcRFcCyb2KQKESdOPJ-p76bbu4k-2cJr3yR8zdQ8/s1600/181007_160940_6486_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5Xrkylk1atc1CKccDnhyuiOW4MS9FBjfrLHorVA46xmLAskL18btGZVpyGgsrPe105TnGrE6T9QGmFY9XmulVzCljUEuIN3UpW2gcRFcCyb2KQKESdOPJ-p76bbu4k-2cJr3yR8zdQ8/s640/181007_160940_6486_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Serallo Court</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztt3WMOW7BcOiw_ZFgktc5NI3L0ueM8XJyVQ8VulPJ81fyIB6GtIYrPLMZ-q30VxuyHFntFVmKx4d-JaX9g2SLFHsvuBK9OZML6AFbcL3an5lncTW4_AEzz1TDap9W219lztv1nogqI4/s1600/181007_161131_6491_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztt3WMOW7BcOiw_ZFgktc5NI3L0ueM8XJyVQ8VulPJ81fyIB6GtIYrPLMZ-q30VxuyHFntFVmKx4d-JaX9g2SLFHsvuBK9OZML6AFbcL3an5lncTW4_AEzz1TDap9W219lztv1nogqI4/s640/181007_161131_6491_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Palace of the Myrtles </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuOhSfgMXsz0YchvwwcHbSG10OlQmGonJhKpYnkvPNqAUUEBHa4d9nwOnvsRjNlJjlJmQM_lmqV1ujWGLHQrOMOTcQeAKDTViSf-IFAjT3xMsiDxQZ_mVrp16VU474NoZrsGZNp1_Qig/s1600/181007_161650_6495_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuOhSfgMXsz0YchvwwcHbSG10OlQmGonJhKpYnkvPNqAUUEBHa4d9nwOnvsRjNlJjlJmQM_lmqV1ujWGLHQrOMOTcQeAKDTViSf-IFAjT3xMsiDxQZ_mVrp16VU474NoZrsGZNp1_Qig/s640/181007_161650_6495_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Court of the Myrtles</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q9GPBOejhLq4VbdXY4Kyc16yd5OHvQV43CMX6SSiNEV2ZuRPWmu-j_tv0xm_WiRALIl8mU9LZ-fpR48P0YxaRsu3yibcQajwnDRslqTRLdEMPaYZrZOByJT1rxtXTGGAdb71c3Hfp4I/s1600/181007_162349_6507_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q9GPBOejhLq4VbdXY4Kyc16yd5OHvQV43CMX6SSiNEV2ZuRPWmu-j_tv0xm_WiRALIl8mU9LZ-fpR48P0YxaRsu3yibcQajwnDRslqTRLdEMPaYZrZOByJT1rxtXTGGAdb71c3Hfp4I/s640/181007_162349_6507_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Palace of the Lions</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsadVhZTsLAT-gZ8ZEjtPC6tCu8qFOgrowps8md4bszFjmeiXpsOBVpFMgTDPEd0XPCRdy3WEB0tmV5_2DwmEqpZBZ2P5x2RphtYsfH-QNmulxr2lXtgg9iXZy-Nc9PjzWF9u3UaaK5U/s1600/181007_162607_6510_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsadVhZTsLAT-gZ8ZEjtPC6tCu8qFOgrowps8md4bszFjmeiXpsOBVpFMgTDPEd0XPCRdy3WEB0tmV5_2DwmEqpZBZ2P5x2RphtYsfH-QNmulxr2lXtgg9iXZy-Nc9PjzWF9u3UaaK5U/s640/181007_162607_6510_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Patio of the Lions</i></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnb8_0lpL9Uio9F7WKOJtqaGznLsE_TfENvupd0fjIwjKx7twPIxvraHEiTtOjQKPiMDJA_van9K7MsYRe_CChXXYG5nBBVoOtBOhuWL2qWbvsGbeHJcS58TJQir4Ie55e69jEOj5mRA/s1600/181007_162713_2148_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnb8_0lpL9Uio9F7WKOJtqaGznLsE_TfENvupd0fjIwjKx7twPIxvraHEiTtOjQKPiMDJA_van9K7MsYRe_CChXXYG5nBBVoOtBOhuWL2qWbvsGbeHJcS58TJQir4Ie55e69jEOj5mRA/s640/181007_162713_2148_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Palace of the Lions</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lcd1L3u_4_XaQuvG_eZ3w9UdT1uiYZmfgqb_GYpooIXaHr2kjUmLUlVzaNvpBOoFm_e31tWJy8IAqQfcNL4ig3azfDYCReOkWBbw2tzfKzKEKykN7p3T0_xNoSVVx2vrIlCQVT3tSiU/s1600/181007_162823_3357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lcd1L3u_4_XaQuvG_eZ3w9UdT1uiYZmfgqb_GYpooIXaHr2kjUmLUlVzaNvpBOoFm_e31tWJy8IAqQfcNL4ig3azfDYCReOkWBbw2tzfKzKEKykN7p3T0_xNoSVVx2vrIlCQVT3tSiU/s640/181007_162823_3357.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Patio of the Lions </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddmr3FzoDdBHk6mp9EbBhkOQZq3LKVNiRZvBydcJSzPyeFWa4HiuhikKM6dMIgOAzU2yAEGrzJkIsq0STtefCxzBY2sf1wvpdRRqEuIZpQOEJa2FFb7jpbEdvzP7jUHCAqATHl_TyuPA/s1600/181007_164033_6534_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddmr3FzoDdBHk6mp9EbBhkOQZq3LKVNiRZvBydcJSzPyeFWa4HiuhikKM6dMIgOAzU2yAEGrzJkIsq0STtefCxzBY2sf1wvpdRRqEuIZpQOEJa2FFb7jpbEdvzP7jUHCAqATHl_TyuPA/s640/181007_164033_6534_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Alhambra gardens </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHR6j3ARQM_wSmmqK1nzpTkUm93n_68Igz-rl7sn7127jSoQSULdtUd915grISqFoDZZ3VcEArNCy7bxZMv-9bTqRAEtKRCzNuMY5CaxzO5YCvPNn0LqEZfPDCSllu18t5kmn6M18NZs/s1600/181007_165139_6548_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHR6j3ARQM_wSmmqK1nzpTkUm93n_68Igz-rl7sn7127jSoQSULdtUd915grISqFoDZZ3VcEArNCy7bxZMv-9bTqRAEtKRCzNuMY5CaxzO5YCvPNn0LqEZfPDCSllu18t5kmn6M18NZs/s640/181007_165139_6548_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: small;">Alhambra gardens </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few photos cannot begin to show the grandeur of this incredible complex. One must visit it to truly enjoy its wonders. Granada is a wonderful city to visit, spend a few days to really enjoy it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: Buy your tickets well in advance of your trip. They sell out quickly is worth spending time wandering around this vast complex on your own.</span></div>
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-72868502238404383552018-10-19T09:51:00.000-05:002018-10-19T09:51:56.217-05:00Casa Anselma - late night and early morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are in our last days of a month long stay in Sevilla. On our list of to do things was flamenco at small, intimate venues. I had compiled a list and we had already had some serendipitous experiences. One venue on my list was a no frills, no advertising, and no entrance fee place called Casa Anselma. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mQkZgpCQkkjxzk7UHVQE0vt0CctwqriOSybXKu9hs_2vGslVEv4zEyi_9a3pUoaqDvtxrArJNw0YjWuKtKq7ZdgYUBn7VkgyPM_acVghdW0mo9rLeeX7hQMy8teruROaBrSwWSCgYxs/s1600/181016_124613_6582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mQkZgpCQkkjxzk7UHVQE0vt0CctwqriOSybXKu9hs_2vGslVEv4zEyi_9a3pUoaqDvtxrArJNw0YjWuKtKq7ZdgYUBn7VkgyPM_acVghdW0mo9rLeeX7hQMy8teruROaBrSwWSCgYxs/s640/181016_124613_6582.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Casa Anselma, Calle Pagés del Corro 49</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was a little concerned about going to Casa Anselma. From what I read, the opening time is somewhat variable, but always after 11:45 PM. There is often a line of people waiting for the doors to open; this forms before 11:30 PM. It is a small place; perhaps a capacity of 60 or 70 patrons. There is no schedule of performers, but the music will be generally flamenco style. The late night and waiting in a line with the possibility of not getting in weighed in on the negative side of our considerations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last night, we got a late start in finding a dinner place. We headed to an Italian spot we had passed several times. We arrived without a reservation and had to wait the standard 20 minutes which turns into 30 or more minutes. By the time we finished dining it was approaching 11:30 PM. We decided to check the line outside of Anselma's place. Only a hand full of people were standing outside of the venue.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru_1qn5uzua4vxW_hbW-isGPugMzTDUrUZiMsqIObOxoILJHEWlOFxsOtzSHYTle22E4GkuYfDUkc57Csvb8Wfj5r_un48Gz6w2mqVmzyA0_mx_NRR1RBscF8ix5BRoYIxDamB9RVjNM/s1600/181017_234449_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru_1qn5uzua4vxW_hbW-isGPugMzTDUrUZiMsqIObOxoILJHEWlOFxsOtzSHYTle22E4GkuYfDUkc57Csvb8Wfj5r_un48Gz6w2mqVmzyA0_mx_NRR1RBscF8ix5BRoYIxDamB9RVjNM/s640/181017_234449_0182.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>small group of people at 11:45 PM</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By 11:55 PM, a few more people joined in the wait. Just after midnight, a taxi pulled up and Anselma stepped onto the sidewalk. She blamed her lateness on the poor taxi driver. After a few minutes of discussion with the patrons on the sidewalk, we all moved inside.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mOv_9iG8aQktxZnhGtGOHRnkcsNNsBke0KokPyraWy6rjAEC44RGVXyGDkm4tv73xD6NZ7tgRKr6rM_OxVaV40EZD3tM9mk1LY76a-Vmeo4IJ5pbcm_8IE0YQHJw-2RQ71U_wORCLps/s1600/181018_000229_5901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mOv_9iG8aQktxZnhGtGOHRnkcsNNsBke0KokPyraWy6rjAEC44RGVXyGDkm4tv73xD6NZ7tgRKr6rM_OxVaV40EZD3tM9mk1LY76a-Vmeo4IJ5pbcm_8IE0YQHJw-2RQ71U_wORCLps/s640/181018_000229_5901.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>finding seats</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had befriended a young Columbian woman (or maybe she befriended us) who was on vacation in Sevilla with a couple of friends. She was living in Galicia in the northwest of Spain. She helped with some of the interpretation which slipped past us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside, Anselma directed the guest as to where to sit. After a while we all moved into seats we liked better. We bought the requisite drinks. No beer or wine was available but simple mixed drinks or water was the offering. Havana Club rum and Coke was a crowd favorite. I had one, too. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our Columbian amiga was near us and added a comment or two as the night wore on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The entertainment consisted of 2 guitar players, a percussionist, some singer/clappers, and Anselma. All of them sang at one time or another and a few danced. Things got going by 12:30 AM and we cleared out before 3 AM. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are a couple of videos from our night at Casa Anselma. By the way, Anselma is in a black dress and is wearing a black and white scarf.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a link to the first video on YouTube</span></div>
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<span id="goog_617097024"></span><span id="goog_617097025"></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaFbF-Vpx0&t=17s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaFbF-Vpx0&t=17s</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is one more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBnVLWYKNBU" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBnVLWYKNBU</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: Don't give up right away if no one is there by midnight. It might be another slow taxi driver.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-21418646375765258022018-10-18T09:06:00.000-05:002018-10-18T15:40:09.800-05:00Itálica - It's not the birthplace of italics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wemJHjidzmL2F7yqsIvqUAqK5Fe_k2-g2Y-LP2fR7pIVO4rXHfG0Iovxo1p5_3k5tZpydurqY1x6e7RjjgQqTwFMLveBU-8mirw5Y88t4kPAbpapHPMIvpl9WSUSYWiODpClZZ1xsBI/s1600/181017_135748_7050_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wemJHjidzmL2F7yqsIvqUAqK5Fe_k2-g2Y-LP2fR7pIVO4rXHfG0Iovxo1p5_3k5tZpydurqY1x6e7RjjgQqTwFMLveBU-8mirw5Y88t4kPAbpapHPMIvpl9WSUSYWiODpClZZ1xsBI/s640/181017_135748_7050_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>fake news</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No matter what you thought, heard or read, Itálica is not the birthplace of italics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Roman ruins of Italica have remarkable mosaics and an impressive amphitheater. It is located 9 kilometers to the north of Sevilla, just outside the village of Santiponce. It is a pretty easy trip on the 170A or 170B local bus that originates at the Plaza de Armes bus station. It's only 1.60€ per person each way. It is a nice bus as well; heed the warning not to eat on the bus if you wish to avoid unspecified sanctions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMm6Y6SzMQeMkpctXPt0sEhqKc0jlH50QU2MwKg7-qdeipnIF5T36H8EqeZ2ZOjf3uJUSfIsNqPsWt8oDObzE0lvgNSOK3oRJOa1cs0BOpWMP5PPWzhHkn8j4BU5UK-P0eFfijs0yPj0/s1600/181017_135640_7049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMm6Y6SzMQeMkpctXPt0sEhqKc0jlH50QU2MwKg7-qdeipnIF5T36H8EqeZ2ZOjf3uJUSfIsNqPsWt8oDObzE0lvgNSOK3oRJOa1cs0BOpWMP5PPWzhHkn8j4BU5UK-P0eFfijs0yPj0/s640/181017_135640_7049.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>just past the ticket window</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Roman emperors Trajan, Hadrian were born here, and there is some evidence that Theodosius started his life here as well. Itálica is one of the earliest Roman settlements in Spain. Founded in 206 BC by Publius Cornelius Scipius, it became an important Roman city in the west. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scipius</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> defeated the Carthaginians at the battle of Ilipa. The Carthaginians, if you don't recall, were those bad boys on elephants originally led by Hannibal in the First Punic Wars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Itálica gained social and military status in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when Trajan and his nephew Hadrian were in power. Hadrian named the town, which had a local population of around 10,000. The area became an important agricultural area exporting olive oil and grain back to Rome. This commercial activity led to some very wealthy citizens which is reflected in the remains of the houses they left behind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Starting in the 3rd century AD, the town lost its affluence; perhaps, due to a problem with shipping from the port on the Guadalquivir River. It has been speculated that the river's course shifted. Starting in the Middle Ages and lasting until the last century, the ruins were used as a source of building materials for the road from Merida to Sevilla in the 19th century, and for grand houses in Seville. The remains of the Roman city came under government protection in the early 20th century. Now, its preservation and restoration are important initiatives.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6GAU12mjvaq68S1Nyvc_3fHwietNAd739VPSHWZx7bPaBsfyh_oAKGxFdhysqocMZFRIOrIjUMQgnwFXiWEj3DZL67xC5kHA9qSfeoqoE3jPDpgRlenlEPkOD4bC84PhPmEftyJbec8/s1600/181017_134718_3440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6GAU12mjvaq68S1Nyvc_3fHwietNAd739VPSHWZx7bPaBsfyh_oAKGxFdhysqocMZFRIOrIjUMQgnwFXiWEj3DZL67xC5kHA9qSfeoqoE3jPDpgRlenlEPkOD4bC84PhPmEftyJbec8/s640/181017_134718_3440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> the theater could hold an estimated 25,000 spectators</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWANrIMf5M37IBhsUxsmkud1eJYrKKdQb8ydujFMQ0dL6STqLDwhcuoM5uDqh75TSIP-ywTdZjOqPK8TPYlkXosG6LYrk6om7WDqRL5NMGbZWSSeVcxuUDpPM8NX0UjXQDxphagBEDEI/s1600/181017_134752_7034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWANrIMf5M37IBhsUxsmkud1eJYrKKdQb8ydujFMQ0dL6STqLDwhcuoM5uDqh75TSIP-ywTdZjOqPK8TPYlkXosG6LYrk6om7WDqRL5NMGbZWSSeVcxuUDpPM8NX0UjXQDxphagBEDEI/s640/181017_134752_7034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>a below ground entrance for participants</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7w_kRbWN-OgV-VXqPNGSEdpoxEXMg4eoIKolQ_jy5r5RjWgED7yS4o77-SG9WEkjXCGFybudI8ToceMf8FSJhne89RDG_B0bo49LS2R4LA2twwN8oZUbKF-BSs7oDewsCvOtVkpuMz7o/s1600/181017_134313_7030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7w_kRbWN-OgV-VXqPNGSEdpoxEXMg4eoIKolQ_jy5r5RjWgED7yS4o77-SG9WEkjXCGFybudI8ToceMf8FSJhne89RDG_B0bo49LS2R4LA2twwN8oZUbKF-BSs7oDewsCvOtVkpuMz7o/s640/181017_134313_7030.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> entry tunnels under the theater seats</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_AGjqaWNjtSzU7Mdj0FoX_0i1Jxhdn3W0jR5u9MWZcf7Rdi5d9Z6rBZrh_gN3tOC10IaTmIM1rqsDOSXBnLB41iNaQDbpmMA7CToK6wG8bpuCtNcRHSybSBPJmw-iHeyNGGoTMNpGMQ/s1600/181017_135251_7047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_AGjqaWNjtSzU7Mdj0FoX_0i1Jxhdn3W0jR5u9MWZcf7Rdi5d9Z6rBZrh_gN3tOC10IaTmIM1rqsDOSXBnLB41iNaQDbpmMA7CToK6wG8bpuCtNcRHSybSBPJmw-iHeyNGGoTMNpGMQ/s640/181017_135251_7047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>architectural detail</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrE9heIg4NKioSSamlXzDDOc8qTJUOUyssBhqUGor8wlO0Q4qFbJXhlBqjtHDcfwHAe_hLiL9czEWdzH30qR2_HsWnlYkuqfPuKvx0Fy1w9-ImOaEsJYONbpqqR6r3seUNqTS6ELnSEE/s1600/181017_121611_7016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrE9heIg4NKioSSamlXzDDOc8qTJUOUyssBhqUGor8wlO0Q4qFbJXhlBqjtHDcfwHAe_hLiL9czEWdzH30qR2_HsWnlYkuqfPuKvx0Fy1w9-ImOaEsJYONbpqqR6r3seUNqTS6ELnSEE/s640/181017_121611_7016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">restored mosaic floor</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3t8wplvpqkWPhVsMuhJGCa73cEBWrsGhu2dhDVqWQVTrLyOY1mBHII0TU9Cy9nUvAJkdGN6uf50mDMyE2n7YNE7Yhry1zf_lfD_ah8mqMFzHV9p3wTDX85CN64hgKyGvSow0aI6Q3Ws/s1600/181017_125237_7022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="900" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3t8wplvpqkWPhVsMuhJGCa73cEBWrsGhu2dhDVqWQVTrLyOY1mBHII0TU9Cy9nUvAJkdGN6uf50mDMyE2n7YNE7Yhry1zf_lfD_ah8mqMFzHV9p3wTDX85CN64hgKyGvSow0aI6Q3Ws/s640/181017_125237_7022.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Neptune's floor with school kid shadows</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zgK3BAIJLeBinLTLpL1MyhKPy7pSj1GqNDuJS_fqMSAFfUkOa7mraK-D3h513fDuabbiMArDV33ZrNFmnE0K81mya11EUuVfGlI8Hb4eCKEJvoqg3jIgZzce2he1jpehmcfQFqzN_QY/s1600/181017_121718_7017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zgK3BAIJLeBinLTLpL1MyhKPy7pSj1GqNDuJS_fqMSAFfUkOa7mraK-D3h513fDuabbiMArDV33ZrNFmnE0K81mya11EUuVfGlI8Hb4eCKEJvoqg3jIgZzce2he1jpehmcfQFqzN_QY/s640/181017_121718_7017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">restored mosaic floor</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-9wxdYWwD7SR48YPJuX5hOuXuAa87M8Pcz-UQ3Bt4DQ_9xe09Le2U6B78Z_50aABM55XGWvDVRrNpINyTsBCgBQzGGhQ6QP0iizNKfuEfDt7AS9O9d56WN0SHta1Xm5SIHbAPJykw-E/s1600/181017_122015_7021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-9wxdYWwD7SR48YPJuX5hOuXuAa87M8Pcz-UQ3Bt4DQ_9xe09Le2U6B78Z_50aABM55XGWvDVRrNpINyTsBCgBQzGGhQ6QP0iizNKfuEfDt7AS9O9d56WN0SHta1Xm5SIHbAPJykw-E/s640/181017_122015_7021.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">restored mosaic floor and garden</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EaHEzIDwWeP7eMnqK1iAlkU8P2ZggVs6zktua7F_kNhlk90oe65iDOexmcOEaQ14yMB4gAaGMVWnqusiRNy0I3CfbiwaRrngzUzSLGBAtch3VYZSoKwyddigzrOlpsgQpBXO8qaB5yU/s1600/181017_121939_7019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EaHEzIDwWeP7eMnqK1iAlkU8P2ZggVs6zktua7F_kNhlk90oe65iDOexmcOEaQ14yMB4gAaGMVWnqusiRNy0I3CfbiwaRrngzUzSLGBAtch3VYZSoKwyddigzrOlpsgQpBXO8qaB5yU/s640/181017_121939_7019.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>restored mosaic floor</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWbLBrypfxWldXUMVr_-RhGvbaKVClnaSwy9wcBqsSrscyLmpeFafh-QrE01H7ambUSjrwfa1MsyKdKT__Kle7YF9Qfaiq-w6LY9wwD7nU9ao6MZp7WxXtYUaVHEFSfUxtsrLqM3jajs/s1600/181017_120617_7014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWbLBrypfxWldXUMVr_-RhGvbaKVClnaSwy9wcBqsSrscyLmpeFafh-QrE01H7ambUSjrwfa1MsyKdKT__Kle7YF9Qfaiq-w6LY9wwD7nU9ao6MZp7WxXtYUaVHEFSfUxtsrLqM3jajs/s640/181017_120617_7014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>restoration is slow, painstaking work</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGz7oJoTRRGJlyMg_E3UpGx4ohyphenhyphen9sHbNK1O7hQTQBF-fJByvbPWmnfuGTeWgAwyejuOpaxFueat3B5ceEX_Z7mLyHL6pSUcTeInJx4jFjOApL5j5vHMBKoWNb2BoyeVeO9qZNFoiWkJc/s1600/181017_115244_7012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGz7oJoTRRGJlyMg_E3UpGx4ohyphenhyphen9sHbNK1O7hQTQBF-fJByvbPWmnfuGTeWgAwyejuOpaxFueat3B5ceEX_Z7mLyHL6pSUcTeInJx4jFjOApL5j5vHMBKoWNb2BoyeVeO9qZNFoiWkJc/s640/181017_115244_7012.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>lots of exposed foundations throughout the area</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija in Sevilla is one of the best examples of the pilfering of artifacts from Itálica. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The house dates to the 16th century. Its original owners were the Paiba family. In 1901, the Condesa de Lebrija purchased the palace for her vast collections of antiquities including many removed from Itálica and other similar locations. She spent years and a small fortune to remodel the house to show off here possessions. Today, the family has turned the house into a museum that allows the public to visit. It is still owned by the family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2KD8uRxqB5-7MVayRNpIeKS0_c6V2zLm8ybWOY31gA346F85wqmOx7Zg_WL0FXq89nDSkUzrNGwIblkBdyljIVJDh0eYsROfREEJ_QbiUagZtYWx1eZVm6VwuguKc2M5wU03u3FqdPA/s1600/181013_130921_6994_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2KD8uRxqB5-7MVayRNpIeKS0_c6V2zLm8ybWOY31gA346F85wqmOx7Zg_WL0FXq89nDSkUzrNGwIblkBdyljIVJDh0eYsROfREEJ_QbiUagZtYWx1eZVm6VwuguKc2M5wU03u3FqdPA/s640/181013_130921_6994_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>entrance to the palacio</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtgqvnmAn_6Iuif9jRvQouEXYHxnKoIF2wCMfZQEdWWtDK3CRfLYAAmWbpIytAnkoV0O23ydiWkI9UFMWLHtGwVHizNuhDkYnmP7DNvPzTAiXRo2bklmn5FQtWctzL6LMJLlAnKFlOhg/s1600/181013_121232_6975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtgqvnmAn_6Iuif9jRvQouEXYHxnKoIF2wCMfZQEdWWtDK3CRfLYAAmWbpIytAnkoV0O23ydiWkI9UFMWLHtGwVHizNuhDkYnmP7DNvPzTAiXRo2bklmn5FQtWctzL6LMJLlAnKFlOhg/s640/181013_121232_6975.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>one of the floors from Itálica</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXwR6GOvR4i5zUHt-qtsz7LO5ZBFyuDT3fPu3k1ecN36mzfBUtjBioQLLUgdc1VNI8a9moQCiLwJ_-0eqFoAqbbPXL-jJWY5UA85-VnVqR0buDO_3kOG5C16xZf3NWVmR_kC1xP9junY/s1600/181013_122648_6991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXwR6GOvR4i5zUHt-qtsz7LO5ZBFyuDT3fPu3k1ecN36mzfBUtjBioQLLUgdc1VNI8a9moQCiLwJ_-0eqFoAqbbPXL-jJWY5UA85-VnVqR0buDO_3kOG5C16xZf3NWVmR_kC1xP9junY/s640/181013_122648_6991.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">detail of the floor above</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtSBiXLHic43w377BPf8f_HABICagUWXukAD0xsY1B5MZWp5x_ad14AJXOIlpEroK2NaFp1xvF0kXsy-DGDJhpF3Rwt7FfjqOM8fjVh3cqKz88pzY-ESO61vovAJ0YKf8DuYHKzAxALY/s1600/181013_121719_6979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtSBiXLHic43w377BPf8f_HABICagUWXukAD0xsY1B5MZWp5x_ad14AJXOIlpEroK2NaFp1xvF0kXsy-DGDJhpF3Rwt7FfjqOM8fjVh3cqKz88pzY-ESO61vovAJ0YKf8DuYHKzAxALY/s640/181013_121719_6979.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>another Itálica floor</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLcf9wMLTymcBBYjGPZWDLYmyvB8p5Awbec6L8iq7NPLQI9MpljX4SC-_BDgIKfryPRfJUyn8ftaMIub2yQAIQiNMrOtGh6NtYfSz9N6CM7HBHLXQeKDzt44DTRT9XZeqerH47lWNRnQ/s1600/181013_122303_6986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLcf9wMLTymcBBYjGPZWDLYmyvB8p5Awbec6L8iq7NPLQI9MpljX4SC-_BDgIKfryPRfJUyn8ftaMIub2yQAIQiNMrOtGh6NtYfSz9N6CM7HBHLXQeKDzt44DTRT9XZeqerH47lWNRnQ/s640/181013_122303_6986.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>another floor but in need of repair</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I find it very interesting that the mosaic floors from Itálica and other archeological sites are in this private home. There are lots of other artifacts in the house including statuary, columns, fragments of pottery, and even some very old coins. By today's standards, many of us would find it appalling that an individual could remove antiquities from ancient sites. In the Condesa's time, all it took was money and the right connections. She had both. I think that many of us know some people that think money and power defeats ethics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: As we stumbled around Itálica, we asked a security person, <i>vigilante</i>, a question, and within a minute or so, she was showing us around the site. There were guides for hire, but she took it upon herself to be our guide at no cost. Her English was almost nonexistent. She started by using Google translate, but soon it was her Spanish and my Spanish going head to head. After about 30 minutes we parted ways with each of us learning some new vocabulary words.</span><br />
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-27306748202445683212018-10-14T10:12:00.000-05:002018-10-14T10:13:55.142-05:00If you don't find what you are looking for, are you lost?<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay, maybe some explanation is required. This morning, we headed to the Sunday morning <i>Charco de la Pava</i> flea market. This market was formerly located in the <i>Alameda de Hércules</i>, but it moved to its new location in 2005. Our guide book clearly indicated the current location, about a 30 to 45 minute walk north of our apartment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we walked, we decided to search out the <i>Universidad de Sevilla</i> school of engineering. We have concert tickets for an event at the school tomorrow night. We decided to look for the school as we made our way to the flea market. The school eluded us. We were sure we knew its approximate location. Clearly, we did not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Abandoning the search for the school, we headed to the exact location of the flea market indicated in our guide. We found a large empty parking lot with grass growing through many cracks in its surface. This parking area was not actively used. We started to move along a path parallel to the parking lot hoping to find some trace of the flea market. We noticed a couple ahead speaking to a jogger. The jogger departed and the couple moved in our direction. I noticed a guide book like ours (ours was back in the apartment as we were sure of the location of the flea market). They asked, with a French accent, if we spoke English. It seems that they were in search of the same flea market. The one that was clearly indicated on the map in both of our guide books. We came to the conclusion that the market was not being held on this particular Sunday for reasons that eluded all of us. We parted ways abandoning all hope of exploring the flea market.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now our attention was refocused on the school of engineering. With the assistance of Google maps, we found ourselves crisscrossing the same streets over and over. Each time we passed a building we dutifully approached the main entrance in hopes that it was the school of engineering. We endured many disappointments. The blue dot on the Google map was never on the path indicated on the map. No matter which direction we headed, the blue dot would not approach the desired route. Finally, we asked for directions from a cafe worker who was setting up the outdoor tables and chairs. With confidence, he pointed straight ahead and then slightly to the left and said it was the round building just ahead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With our confidence restored, we followed his directions. After 15 minutes and no round building in sight, we were again following the blue dot on the Google map. We found ourselves in an industrial park and soon worried that a perimeter fence was going to block our passage through the park. The Google map blue dot indicated we needed to pass through this industrial area. Escaping the fenced area, we now felt confident that the school of engineering was only a mile ahead. We had no proof, but we were confident. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To avoid further frustration, we decided to abandon the search for the school of engineering and take a taxi to the concert tomorrow night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We turned east and crossed the bridge over the Guadalquivir River into what we believed to be the Macarena neighborhood. After walking a few blocks, we were in the plaza, Alameda de Hércules. This is the original home of the Charco de la Pava Flea Market; one might think this to be ironic. We had not ventured here before as it seemed too far north. Clearly, it wasn't as far north as the school of engineering.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9_1E8snqGvzltjiAYLeSe8TR1v0PBftMvKCu5AlrfuznZ16Vc2kq7UpzHSFeXDWn9pQf2cLA2QVB7k8Lp08g_aMO32z_t_gXFrICqvGOBJPiIZfv7tbE6XVDnfovLqePLB-FbIx9FMc/s1600/181014_121757_7001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9_1E8snqGvzltjiAYLeSe8TR1v0PBftMvKCu5AlrfuznZ16Vc2kq7UpzHSFeXDWn9pQf2cLA2QVB7k8Lp08g_aMO32z_t_gXFrICqvGOBJPiIZfv7tbE6XVDnfovLqePLB-FbIx9FMc/s640/181014_121757_7001.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> these columns were put in place in 1571 in the Alameda de Hércules</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJIDy83pfIcnOO03pZVxU9Adk9is53ygUsJiJy6-lzXcWXq-Ir4hRbrpKFZIaVjNjxxcCRWn9r5BLvKQcv2iL6jHC8iMz_dIxCAOfM6JxwcbLloH3-8_4Z4S5capC9h8weveQiq1nwZY/s1600/181014_121946_7003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="900" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJIDy83pfIcnOO03pZVxU9Adk9is53ygUsJiJy6-lzXcWXq-Ir4hRbrpKFZIaVjNjxxcCRWn9r5BLvKQcv2iL6jHC8iMz_dIxCAOfM6JxwcbLloH3-8_4Z4S5capC9h8weveQiq1nwZY/s640/181014_121946_7003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>atop the pillars are Hercules and Julius Caesar</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z1CMdVYHluK4oJw5BXw_cPcLX-Sv_1TAaFBkxQIbmeWQ7v5Kd901TbZdgP87LyphGFCmtYhDLYJx-Fz4_txjfIrCEsVxk6fZMRyNKtwtO4deXWIcpHwxlI6LSnF1CMt-FL906LFBuQg/s1600/181014_114601_6997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9z1CMdVYHluK4oJw5BXw_cPcLX-Sv_1TAaFBkxQIbmeWQ7v5Kd901TbZdgP87LyphGFCmtYhDLYJx-Fz4_txjfIrCEsVxk6fZMRyNKtwtO4deXWIcpHwxlI6LSnF1CMt-FL906LFBuQg/s640/181014_114601_6997.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>at the north end of the plaza are two pillars topped with lions</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was a small market in the plaza, which offered some distraction from our failure to find the flea market and the school of engineering.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSFWpTuyDscOwq_BrydItL019Ba5wj43L_bk2QxEwKrdpzUTd8Tir_5aCzarlm4_MnPXUApi8OPyaiVJ_gC8PSgumpjN7zltyOy1uNYqsh_fyAFXpujac5sZvhoaKIYPLts17jSvRhvg/s1600/181014_120438_7000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSFWpTuyDscOwq_BrydItL019Ba5wj43L_bk2QxEwKrdpzUTd8Tir_5aCzarlm4_MnPXUApi8OPyaiVJ_gC8PSgumpjN7zltyOy1uNYqsh_fyAFXpujac5sZvhoaKIYPLts17jSvRhvg/s640/181014_120438_7000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>walking through the plaza offered the opportunity for shopping</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXF55CUvwVMmN39_6iX_oRvBh70VthQQsxsNBAxU_jaCM7vMdTGh_XdV2-vJWAcq-QfLrscchUMyhdlH-8DmtD0FV7ur_fFbK7nvt5NW50SQ4GhWodMD6SdCKr6XWVnVFnf-WwD-J0dC4/s1600/181014_114902_6999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXF55CUvwVMmN39_6iX_oRvBh70VthQQsxsNBAxU_jaCM7vMdTGh_XdV2-vJWAcq-QfLrscchUMyhdlH-8DmtD0FV7ur_fFbK7nvt5NW50SQ4GhWodMD6SdCKr6XWVnVFnf-WwD-J0dC4/s640/181014_114902_6999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>we observed a better way to dry our clothes</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We headed south in the direction of the city's historic center. We passed the Iglesia San Perdo, and it was open. On two former occasions we found the doors to be locked. Another bonus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaYqCIVcHmqeH28HI7IxEZ3W0MpsyCq8TJrsHY2bc2Ow2p-xQ9Wian-ONRuYIKYQms2S-zezVeUb51-EyiBqv7CHICawmV2Q9c_8Uf2Iobu1ifrf0gb08VAwFrFnFXxqVoOqCpxHZNy0/s1600/181014_123736_7005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaYqCIVcHmqeH28HI7IxEZ3W0MpsyCq8TJrsHY2bc2Ow2p-xQ9Wian-ONRuYIKYQms2S-zezVeUb51-EyiBqv7CHICawmV2Q9c_8Uf2Iobu1ifrf0gb08VAwFrFnFXxqVoOqCpxHZNy0/s640/181014_123736_7005.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Iglesia San Pedro main altar</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We veered toward <i>El Rinconcillo</i> hoping to have some tapas, but they had not yet opened. It wasn't 13:30; no one eats before 13:30. <i>El Rinconcillo</i> claims to be the very place where tapas were invented; it dates back to 1670. We will try again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We headed in the direction of a restaurant recommended by an Austin friend and restaurateur, Emmet Fox, owner of Asti. We found ourselves seated in the R<i>estaurante Fargo</i>, an organic farm to table establishment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> our amuse-bouche or if you prefer, amuse-gueule</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqTv7rIPm-3FmWHd4F-fwMJX0GyMFpmwzsQTY4DGqT6I5Uuu2q7AWeRLJ_ww5JnwKPjzIjH_o9RtImiHqz053BgmRBL3PJJA4qlRhfGf0tt_afXdfIs5AY5wf87XVFRqVRMmDnMLXUVQ/s1600/181014_133200_2891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqTv7rIPm-3FmWHd4F-fwMJX0GyMFpmwzsQTY4DGqT6I5Uuu2q7AWeRLJ_ww5JnwKPjzIjH_o9RtImiHqz053BgmRBL3PJJA4qlRhfGf0tt_afXdfIs5AY5wf87XVFRqVRMmDnMLXUVQ/s640/181014_133200_2891.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>my main course</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Emmet's recommendation did not disappoint. Leaving Fargo, we now steered in the direction of our apartment. We knew the way from this part of Sevilla.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, were we lost or not? I'll leave that to you as I am seriously considering a siesta.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: The map in our guide book was incorrect about the location of the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Charco de la Pava</i> flea market. It was about another 1 mile north of the location indicated on the map in the guide book. Perhaps, it is near the school of engineering. </span></div>
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-66047120525533748922018-10-11T09:29:00.001-05:002018-10-11T09:30:40.990-05:00It's Córdoba, not Cordoba<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For me, the main reason to visit Córdoba is to see the mosque–cathedral of Córdoba or as it is known locally, the <i>Mezquita</i>. You may wonder if there is more. I would say yes, but the Roman bridge, the Jewish Quarter, and the Córdoba Synagogue all pale in comparison to the <i>Mezquita</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The history of the site is pretty interesting. Before the mosque was constructed, a small Visigoth church, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, occupied the site. Some of the remains of the church's foundation and floor can be seen through a plexiglass window in the floor of the mosque.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExt9TMaxf1KL85Cw9BZR5cp4uQ9E_oJDDyt7kV0553I72vI7RHDF2Whkv6I8CeZQTn7wcOgrplmF-T1W-6VwmuVb7HvRk-TtNSYhBWt0mEOyrqYPdlrlUOUCzVA57nO5lnH74Qi0DHtY/s1600/181005_112915_6390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExt9TMaxf1KL85Cw9BZR5cp4uQ9E_oJDDyt7kV0553I72vI7RHDF2Whkv6I8CeZQTn7wcOgrplmF-T1W-6VwmuVb7HvRk-TtNSYhBWt0mEOyrqYPdlrlUOUCzVA57nO5lnH74Qi0DHtY/s640/181005_112915_6390.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>remains of the Visigoth church</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Around 711, the Moors took control of the area and began sharing the church for Muslim worship alongside the Christians. Emir Abd al-Rahman I purchased the Christian half of the church, razed it, and constructed the first mosque in 786 to 788. There were several enlargements up until the reconquest by the Christian monarchs. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Abd al-Rahman II made an addition in 833 to 848, and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Abd al-Rahman III added a 40 meter tall</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> minaret in 951. At this time, Córdoba surpassed Damascus in importance in the Muslim world.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Al-Hakam II made the next enlargement in 962 to 966, and the final enlargements in 991 were made by Almanzor. The final size was 24,000 square meters or 258,334 square feet. It is really big and very difficult to capture in a photo; maybe, I need a drone.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3ukFGuXUxM2FFumhHqDonG-hf88XTSQ2jKf7UnJhKEWOqnrwl8e8IPQi9A5P4NVZ7UfaOQhRQpWXUnmaLKMht-itZvs4znVn59fT-_nbAxhBrMXSWXZKiJPmrb_MJNXNC-yVXNKi_YY/s1600/181005_115225_6402_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3ukFGuXUxM2FFumhHqDonG-hf88XTSQ2jKf7UnJhKEWOqnrwl8e8IPQi9A5P4NVZ7UfaOQhRQpWXUnmaLKMht-itZvs4znVn59fT-_nbAxhBrMXSWXZKiJPmrb_MJNXNC-yVXNKi_YY/s640/181005_115225_6402_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>too big to capture with my camera</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the reconquest of the area by the Christians in 1236, The mosque was consecrated as a Catholic church. The first altar was installed in the former skylight of Al-Hakam II. Further adaptions were made through the late 15th century. In 1607 the main chapel, Villaviciosa Chapel, was completed. The final structure is essentially a mosque with a cathedral built in its center. For me this is what makes this structure unique. The architecture is basically Islamic with Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine touches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Upon entering the structure, one finds that they are in an orange grove which acts like a receiving or welcoming space prior to entering the area of worship.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ0wMLsRBZ69hFN1PgaE-OQiCx_z4ecJgA8lX6x3pj3q4eSr_GTS6sUtlc5VzBPwutz5zvCcwJwCYzsOCwhuqyyM-ukBob-1S2xEs4xKMGsCh-YVrx3hjfZyIgwwkeeuKD2Kp3-iSjww/s1600/181005_114341_6395_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ0wMLsRBZ69hFN1PgaE-OQiCx_z4ecJgA8lX6x3pj3q4eSr_GTS6sUtlc5VzBPwutz5zvCcwJwCYzsOCwhuqyyM-ukBob-1S2xEs4xKMGsCh-YVrx3hjfZyIgwwkeeuKD2Kp3-iSjww/s640/181005_114341_6395_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the orange grove entrance way </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLA94LD3c-WPXalclEULgMAZQ0Sye8Wj9_3dyDXZy2tHL6uKmhXG6wgLGM4qsuaJJVsMmuPrCjJo-DDpzZNbpJdHMff9QnEE8FXwoxbA8VxsnMpHuYQULpvcJBS10Z57Wkz0ptA3Ofno/s1600/181005_114730_6398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLA94LD3c-WPXalclEULgMAZQ0Sye8Wj9_3dyDXZy2tHL6uKmhXG6wgLGM4qsuaJJVsMmuPrCjJo-DDpzZNbpJdHMff9QnEE8FXwoxbA8VxsnMpHuYQULpvcJBS10Z57Wkz0ptA3Ofno/s640/181005_114730_6398.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the former minaret, now a bell tower </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGafV8T7LsueOoaXdU2vDdULXBXXgk6Rn6AraoLZPxUDejUXWPZfECl2iytVrijhGY2bQGiTrpSGsCJoxvq7eRH-F6Yy8qgZlGA125LV-KmlUwOtgrMxV0zz0nrH1K1Jiu3fvBRLQ69k/s1600/181005_114740_6401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGafV8T7LsueOoaXdU2vDdULXBXXgk6Rn6AraoLZPxUDejUXWPZfECl2iytVrijhGY2bQGiTrpSGsCJoxvq7eRH-F6Yy8qgZlGA125LV-KmlUwOtgrMxV0zz0nrH1K1Jiu3fvBRLQ69k/s640/181005_114740_6401.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the main entrance to the area of worship</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Upon entering the mosque/cathedral, one enters a large hypostyle prayer hall (hypostyle means, filled with columns).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpferZ6zypW7-lnibmFXpP9E8hMfAVLkt770ShSIwFtereBUOOoK256pWbLNC0wSIXi3hDx7lGFAuFlAhg29zrxl0KOemX5kqWW-_hpbZtv0qy2i4t6OzJ_H_7p0azaL6ucp10JmUxl4/s1600/181005_105207_6374_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpferZ6zypW7-lnibmFXpP9E8hMfAVLkt770ShSIwFtereBUOOoK256pWbLNC0wSIXi3hDx7lGFAuFlAhg29zrxl0KOemX5kqWW-_hpbZtv0qy2i4t6OzJ_H_7p0azaL6ucp10JmUxl4/s640/181005_105207_6374_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">hypostyle prayer hall</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCR6_xyWbUcH94bE36KHlxc_x3rqfZTnsoB49cs7ySu0r9Xm1crvIi9INgElIfAUWfPj8P6dGFlxgc_tpHyLOldxQRBOLdhIRLVOo86_cnzZYrHjg27z7CNp1uhGnR_sq6OqdN09gx3Q/s1600/181005_105434_6377_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCR6_xyWbUcH94bE36KHlxc_x3rqfZTnsoB49cs7ySu0r9Xm1crvIi9INgElIfAUWfPj8P6dGFlxgc_tpHyLOldxQRBOLdhIRLVOo86_cnzZYrHjg27z7CNp1uhGnR_sq6OqdN09gx3Q/s640/181005_105434_6377_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> hypostyle prayer hall </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwEdZBuH2_pWHlDyOYeJW8NxAQTWTD76VqtYWLHhCqCJI4X5KTOIMyKxUdYx_oKzk0dHkEli2g665flVuw2wS791m1xJffOvY8LdETsHIoJoNrAh3aeJI-Iadr5IXU5esfzzpEEmjOic/s1600/181005_113144_6391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwEdZBuH2_pWHlDyOYeJW8NxAQTWTD76VqtYWLHhCqCJI4X5KTOIMyKxUdYx_oKzk0dHkEli2g665flVuw2wS791m1xJffOvY8LdETsHIoJoNrAh3aeJI-Iadr5IXU5esfzzpEEmjOic/s640/181005_113144_6391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>hypostyle prayer hall (small altar in the center area)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The original, horseshoe arched mihrab or prayer niche is still well maintained. A mihrab is used in a mosque to identify the wall that faces Mecca. Whoever was leading the prayers would stand in the mihrab and his voice would project into the mosque with greater volume and clarity.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDYxtqPSdQggR9TI0AKv58xesaq2KPiluf5V2xMRmnGrsBfnoTiVHuTEIFXrsFLBhjNoQ7ZmABa8xKEiXTywm6idMmjWLaBKo4al25OW4RDwyhGEFJ6-zw-iTYEWwN10fMYnJ_L5sc3I/s1600/181005_105745_6379_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDYxtqPSdQggR9TI0AKv58xesaq2KPiluf5V2xMRmnGrsBfnoTiVHuTEIFXrsFLBhjNoQ7ZmABa8xKEiXTywm6idMmjWLaBKo4al25OW4RDwyhGEFJ6-zw-iTYEWwN10fMYnJ_L5sc3I/s640/181005_105745_6379_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> the mihrab</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eQSUpmi_011Mf-_KrxYF7U4SaNJO6oYJU2tejPflDOdiktSJ9-SUJr-qMReJRJoc0lgEN-Ti3AL50EgUDIykpLgtDbn5R9J3C3Uo_5Nsy11PsiZRGraJixnRoO8_bqZuQPl6U4USmHw/s1600/181005_110003_6380_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eQSUpmi_011Mf-_KrxYF7U4SaNJO6oYJU2tejPflDOdiktSJ9-SUJr-qMReJRJoc0lgEN-Ti3AL50EgUDIykpLgtDbn5R9J3C3Uo_5Nsy11PsiZRGraJixnRoO8_bqZuQPl6U4USmHw/s640/181005_110003_6380_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> mihrab dome</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The main altar is heavy in ornamentation. There is a choir area (the part of the cathedral between the high altar and the nave, used by the choir and/or clergy).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gHN6ERGRgVc2TyTkEJ25HbgoGq73XDiYVdszEcgU95vfkCO-jGSvwMuhK8NFi6tppxw9VhusfLNqAdouHxrysjaEuCtuH2ROMqJoVSmdJGV1mLUsoNzr-HqsP24kllCiCvO8cSaVwzo/s1600/181005_112302_6385_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gHN6ERGRgVc2TyTkEJ25HbgoGq73XDiYVdszEcgU95vfkCO-jGSvwMuhK8NFi6tppxw9VhusfLNqAdouHxrysjaEuCtuH2ROMqJoVSmdJGV1mLUsoNzr-HqsP24kllCiCvO8cSaVwzo/s640/181005_112302_6385_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> main altar</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IR41bI5oDXAj7ybyvUm6M1UiDz0JZuvCPUE7LjB7FoZ7_U8un9aLWVDwF6xY9xP9b8bVGDNdt0IQycMmQRRGG7ISscdcn8FQh5Z4fvNJ7t8jjoD1iwc9Xck5cLy4E9XvfkrfirkYJ2U/s1600/181005_112539_6389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IR41bI5oDXAj7ybyvUm6M1UiDz0JZuvCPUE7LjB7FoZ7_U8un9aLWVDwF6xY9xP9b8bVGDNdt0IQycMmQRRGG7ISscdcn8FQh5Z4fvNJ7t8jjoD1iwc9Xck5cLy4E9XvfkrfirkYJ2U/s640/181005_112539_6389.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>choir</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ifs00nK9iCB6J7o7uI7CCo8V-RJlzIoVHboKr4qKOm7j99iX1tOTIdYchuQg-6jdoJ8ag-wct-6FEaU1th3dO6JhxhWU8qgAkgBzhMJ-XK8rIgw6T86DYu3YQiw1ziMOHYMxz_szw8/s1600/181005_112403_6386_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ifs00nK9iCB6J7o7uI7CCo8V-RJlzIoVHboKr4qKOm7j99iX1tOTIdYchuQg-6jdoJ8ag-wct-6FEaU1th3dO6JhxhWU8qgAkgBzhMJ-XK8rIgw6T86DYu3YQiw1ziMOHYMxz_szw8/s640/181005_112403_6386_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>dome in the area of the main altar</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are lots of small chapel areas throughout the building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>one of many small chapel areas</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was my third time to visit the </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Mezquita,</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and I am still awestruck when I enter this most unusual </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mosque–cathedral</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. If you have not had the chance to visit Córdoba, I hope you enjoy the photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: This was one of 2, rent-a-car, day trips. The other was to Granada where another one of my favorite Spanish landmarks is located. If you are interested in more info on the </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Mezquita, </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the world wide web is at your fingertips. Here are a couple of places to start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Great Mosque at Córdoba/Khan Academy: <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/early-europe-and-colonial-americas/ap-art-islamic-world-medieval/a/the-great-mosque-of-cordoba">https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/early-europe-and-colonial-americas/ap-art-islamic-world-medieval/a/the-great-mosque-of-cordoba</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba/Wikipedia:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque%E2%80%93Cathedral_of_C%C3%B3rdoba">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque%E2%80%93Cathedral_of_C%C3%B3rdoba</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PPS: Muslims have been petitioning for years to pray in the <i>Mezquita</i>, but they have been consistently denied by the Catholic Church in Spain and the</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Vatican</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-79242320407410014102018-10-09T11:42:00.000-05:002018-10-09T11:42:29.566-05:00My afternoon at the corrida de toros - WARNING: you may not wish to read this.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spanish-style bullfighting, also known as a <i>corrida de toros</i>, is something that I had attempted to observe on two occasions in the past, but for one reason or another, I was not able to attend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first time I held tickets in my hand was in 1990. We were living in Brussels, and I was attending a FEICA meeting in Sevilla. FEICA is the Association of the European Adhesive and Sealant Industry. I was working in the industrial adhesives business for 3M Company at the time. The <i>corrida</i> was to start at 6:00 PM, and the meetings were running a bit long. Meetings finally over, we dashed out to the street, hailed a taxi and headed to the <i>la plaza de toros</i>. We arrived about 15 minutes late. There was a crowd milling around the outside of the <i>plaza de toros</i>. A hand written note was attached to the main entry door. With some help from a local, I discovered that the veterinarian, <i>el veterinario</i>, had declared the bulls unfit for the fight. No refunds were available, only rain checks. I wasn't in a position to return from Brussels. I sold my rain checks at a great loss to one of the locals. My disappointment was bigger than the monetary loss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 1992, I had another chance to have my Ernest Hemingway moment at the <i>corrida de toros</i>. I was still living in Brussels. A stay in Sevilla was part of a 2 week vacation in Spain and Portugal. I had tickets for the <i>corrida de toros,</i> but<i> </i>I was called back to Brussels for a one day emergency meeting. I flew to Brussels on the eve of the <i>corrida de toros</i> and returned on day after the date on the tickets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year, we find ourselves in Sevilla once again. We rented an apartment for a month. To my amazement, the <i>corrida de toros</i> was to have its final event of the year during our stay. I was alone in my desire to have this Spanish experience. I purchased my single ticket 2 days in advance of the spectacle. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBH-Jq_sBEu3uUhyuRQwZBQESmORezqw49tMW_K9HfQ4hbhwh235i-v5M36SEcmWiU7Cr6JyGrBJ06-ziIjEi3LIMdsF_MRiv6NhPFAWRrb9LLeNnfYMPcWGXHLEpeR__XfKdCYjt2Z0/s1600/180922_111018_6707_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBH-Jq_sBEu3uUhyuRQwZBQESmORezqw49tMW_K9HfQ4hbhwh235i-v5M36SEcmWiU7Cr6JyGrBJ06-ziIjEi3LIMdsF_MRiv6NhPFAWRrb9LLeNnfYMPcWGXHLEpeR__XfKdCYjt2Z0/s640/180922_111018_6707_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay, so far not too disturbing. There is more to come, but first, a little info on the structure of the fight. The bullfight is not something that happens every week or every month, for that matter. In Sevilla, it happens about 4 times a year. The fight covers 3 days. Each day 3 matadors face 2 bulls each for a total of 6 bulls. The first of the 3 days is for the lesser matadors; the third day is for the most accomplished. My ticket was for Sunday, the third day. Ticket prices vary depending on distance from the ring and if the seat is in sun or shade. I chose the shade and row four. Row four is actually seven rows from the ring. There are three rows of box seats close to the ring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">corrida de toros </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">started at 6:30 PM; it actually started at 6:00 PM. One cannot be seated after the fight starts. One must wait until the <i>tercios</i> of a fight are complete. There is a brief time when the late patrons are allowed to go to their seats. If there are lots of late comers, all will not get to there seats before the second matador enters the ring. I missed the first two matches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I missed the first 2 fights while waiting in the tunnel</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I did enter the <i>plaza de toros</i>, I found that there are no aisles. You just ask to pass, people move and you step on the benches up to your row. Then find the seat number and everyone squeezes over to allow you to sit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>the surface is smoothed out after each fight</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The modern corrida is highly ritualized, with three distinct stages, <i>tercios,</i> or thirds. The start of each is announced by a bugle sound. The participants enter the arena in a parade, <i>paseíllo</i>, to salute the presiding dignitary, accompanied by band music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>If you don't like the idea of the bull being injured</i>, STOP READING NOW.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Tercio de Varas</i>: The bull enters the ring, where he is tested for ferocity by the <i>matador</i> and <i>banderilleros</i> using a large, magenta and gold cape, <i>capote</i>. The matador is assessing the bull at this stage. The <i>picador</i> enters the arena on horseback armed with a lance, <i>vara</i>. To protect the horse from the bull's horns, the animal wears a protective, padded covering called <i>peto</i>. The picador uses the <i>vara</i> to weaken the neck muscles of the bull. This helps keep his head down.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> using the capote</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the picador</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Tercio de Banderillas</i>:Three <i>banderilleros</i> each attempt to plant two <i>banderillas</i>, sharp barbed sticks, into the bull's shoulders. These anger, agitate, and further weaken the bull.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">banderillero</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Tercio de Muerte</i>: The <i>matador</i> takes center stage alone with a small red cape, <i>muleta</i>, and a sword, </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">estoque</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. The matador attracts the bull and performs a series of passes showing his skill in an interesting and graceful display, </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">faena</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. The </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">faena</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> refers to the entire performance with the cape, </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">muleta</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. The passes with the cape are broken down into </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">tandas</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">, a series of passes. A final series of passes where the matador, using the cape, maneuvers the bull into a position to stab it between the shoulder blades and through the aorta or heart. T</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">he act of thrusting the sword is called an </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">estocada</i><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The last matador started the fight from his knees. After a few passes, he was on his feet.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It never ends well for the bull. I decided not to include images of the final action of the matador.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>the matadors leave the ring in a final procession at the end</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few final thought on finally getting to witness a<i> </i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">corrida de toros. </i></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I had arrived on time. I missed the first 2 of the 6 matches. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a pageantry and grace about the entire performance that cannot be denied. Of the 4 matadors that I saw, only one received high accolades from the crowd. A superior performance is followed by the crowd vigorously waving white handkerchiefs. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The crowd was mixed from old to young, and nearly equal numbers of men and women. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can see why Hemingway and Picasso were drawn to this <i>man against beast</i> performance. It suited their personalities. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't think I need to see another <i>corrida de toros. </i>One was ample. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: I only had my phone to capture photos. I did not wish to take a camera. I wanted to try to take in the entire event without focusing on taking pictures. The phone stayed in my pocket most of the time.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-40736475809288637802018-10-04T11:18:00.000-05:002018-10-09T11:50:56.297-05:00Will the real Don Juan please stand up? <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Which Don Juan am I talking about? One of these?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Molière's play <i>Dom Juan ou le Festin de pierre</i> (1665); yes, it is with an m; it's French.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Byron's epic poem <i>Don Juan</i> (1821)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">José de Espronceda's poem El estudiante de Salamanca (1840); Don Juan is in it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">José Zorrilla's play <i>Don Juan Tenorio</i> (1844).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Don Giovanni</i>, an opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Errol Flynn stars as a swashbuckling lover of women in the film <i>The Adventures of Don Juan</i> (1948); I like movies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Johnny Depp and Marlon Brando starred in the film <i>Don Juan DeMarco</i> (1995).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's not confuse Don Juan with Casanova, that's a completely different story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My understanding is that Don Juan is a common metaphor for a womanizer. Don Juan is a fictional character, but there is some evidence that his persona is based on a real person who once lived in Sevilla.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first written version of the Don Juan legend was by the Spanish dramatist Tirso de Molina (AKA, Gabriel Téllez). He wrote the play, <i>El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra</i> (<i>The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest</i>), which was set in the 14th century and published in Spain around 1630. The basic story portrays Don Juan as a wealthy libertine who devotes his life to seducing women, taking great pride in his ability to seduce women of all ages and social status. In most cases, Don Juan repents and does good deeds in the last years of his life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's consider Miguel Manara Vicentelo Leca born in Sevilla in 1627. He was raised in a family of wealthy merchants and was given the best eduction possible and was a member of all the important social circles in Sevilla. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four months after the death of his father, at twenty-one, he married Doña Jerónima María Antonia Carrillo de Mendoza y Castrillo, born 1628. It was an arranged marriage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Manara was known to have a taste for drink and to be in the company of many women of both high and lower social status. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When his wife died in 1661, without having children, he entered a period of deep personal reflection, even considering entering a religious order. Miguel Mañara retired, for five months, to the Carmelite hermitage of the Desierto de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows) and dedicated himself to the pure contemplation of his life. There Mañara prayed and did penance for his past digressions. He came to the conclusion that he would direct his life towards the helping others less fortunate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The repentance of Mañara has been frequently compared with the final repentance of Don Juan, and the Sevillian character of Tirso de Molina (<i>El burlador de Sevilla</i>) and José Zorrilla (<i>Don Juan Tenorio</i>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In his quest to do good, Mañara purchased an old shipping warehouse, renovated it, and created </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Hospital de la Caridad in Sevilla in 1674. A church was added, and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mañara took up residence in a humble room in the hospital.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The facility was and is devoted to the care of </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the aged and infirm. The hospital's chapel is open to the public and contains some of Seville's best examples of baroque art.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are a few images from my visit to the Hospital </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">de la Caridad.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ71mFVP0-mVtS4DilOf6TtGOUqG5amNdgTkw9iEA5jl6X7noGuDUpCyTuX9CNyP6dIpOzIwrXfIFwkroXn-5xkbPAAXpoi0KYAujasM2cjlVSWpMYwIOwvqkvTdD7OPCyDlPu_MgP_4/s1600/hospital-de-la-caridad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ71mFVP0-mVtS4DilOf6TtGOUqG5amNdgTkw9iEA5jl6X7noGuDUpCyTuX9CNyP6dIpOzIwrXfIFwkroXn-5xkbPAAXpoi0KYAujasM2cjlVSWpMYwIOwvqkvTdD7OPCyDlPu_MgP_4/s400/hospital-de-la-caridad.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hospital </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">de la Caridad</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_Up-X10CLxa1-XGT_64CLBJXMFt9uGLydnvh-KlZ54fVShaCWUeMj6HzrwjNTNB2z2dPzreLUAQqO7rnaXGvDTIV9hT5JxrXZYwdeqxFoihQj8iKaK_fg5IzkpkAI36SHk7hHIuf65g/s1600/180926_170216_6862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_Up-X10CLxa1-XGT_64CLBJXMFt9uGLydnvh-KlZ54fVShaCWUeMj6HzrwjNTNB2z2dPzreLUAQqO7rnaXGvDTIV9hT5JxrXZYwdeqxFoihQj8iKaK_fg5IzkpkAI36SHk7hHIuf65g/s640/180926_170216_6862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hospital courtyard</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Main altar</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FbVtRma-6s4ZW-67LkXDxzf18GGBAcYtDaghR5yOFv09xeAefzvCbqzj7Rl6Hv6_rRgAvOZmNVq4c3GGzG7BLL473LFw7N_4uVaUgqlTC-Lq7IcT3bvYkc8gyXkBfJPlpfqwuob0cFQ/s1600/180926_165823_6859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="900" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FbVtRma-6s4ZW-67LkXDxzf18GGBAcYtDaghR5yOFv09xeAefzvCbqzj7Rl6Hv6_rRgAvOZmNVq4c3GGzG7BLL473LFw7N_4uVaUgqlTC-Lq7IcT3bvYkc8gyXkBfJPlpfqwuob0cFQ/s640/180926_165823_6859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>In ictu oculi by Juan de Valdés Leal</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Finis Gloriae Mundi by Valdés Leal</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Satan supporting the pulpit</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As to the Don Juan story, I'll leave the decision to you. There is lots of info on the web. For me, I'm not going to spend much time on it. I won't lose any sleep either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: There was a special exhibit at the Hospital de la Caridad regarding the restoration of 2 of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's paintings. Both were about 24 inches by 140 inches in size.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Moses and the water from the rock of Horeb by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Miracle of the loaves and fishes by Bartolomé Esteban Morillo</i></span></div>
<br />Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0Seville, Spain37.3890924 -5.98445889999993637.1871984 -6.3071823999999364 37.590986400000006 -5.6617353999999356tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-73104161775531938842018-09-29T05:19:00.002-05:002018-10-10T11:35:19.191-05:00In search of the Museo del Baile Flamenco<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had not been to a flamenco show since our last trip to Sevilla more than 25 years ago. When we arrived that was on our list as a must do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the past we found that the small venue shows were the most vibrant; perhaps, because you are so close to the performers. We went to a show at theater, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teatro Flamenco Triana,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> about a week ago. There was no photography allowed. This is the case in most, maybe all, of the flamenco venues. As I abide by the requests of the venue, I did not take any photos. The show was really good. The average show lasts about an hour. I'm sure that is all the foot stomping anyone can take at one time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of days later, we went in search of the Museo del Baile Flamenco, Flamenco Dance Museum. This museum houses a well displayed history of the art as well as an explanation of the various styles of flamenco. Even though we had a map, the <i>museo</i> proved difficult to locate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We wandered through a labyrinth of small streets in 100°F heat. There was a reasonable amount of shade. It was still hot. Finally in some degree of frustration, we asked a local for some direction. He led us to the museum which proved to be about three blocks away, or as they say in Sevilla <i>tres manzanas</i> (three apples?). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The museum offers an option for an show and the museum or simply the museum. We opted for the museum only. Of course, I took advantage of the senior citizen discount. It is interesting and maybe flattering that I need to present a government document to prove my eligibility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had to weave our way through the performance area to start our museum tour. While we meandered through the museum, we realized we could watch the performance from above. Cameras were readied, and the clicking began. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found the museum to be well worth the entry fee, even if you don't have the chance to see the show from above. I would recommend if itinerary allows. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: Remember it is easier to ask a stranger for directions that to wander in a maze of streets even when it is not 100°F. My wife reminded me to add this tip.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-3541493720744754332018-09-28T10:05:00.000-05:002018-10-04T11:22:40.187-05:00¡Vamos a ir a las iglesias! <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's go to see the churches!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To avoid the line at the cathedral in Sevilla, we purchased a combo ticket to see The Iglesia del Salvador and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as the Sevilla Cathedral. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Sevilla Cathedral (photo courtesy of Thomas Weyrauch)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once again, my best opportunity for a photo of the cathedral was prevented by scaffolding. I have added a photo by a fellow named Thomas Weyrauch. The cathedral was started in 1401 after the Moors were driven from Spain. The construction took more than 100 years, and the result is the world's largest Gothic cathedral.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course one cannot forget La Giralda.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> La Giralda</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvpEhCbO7tMEVb9g5P6lu_aZzL-xQi8puOt9ddxkAELOEUIjZ4lYJyYRmqkNZxCBw2l3qsku2YR39a-k1-YTZ3eLPVDs4cddQfe-GSr2qaSfa0w1UdXmWC8nh2PKiYpXSxAYSTPTEjhk/s1600/180922_141716_6725_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvpEhCbO7tMEVb9g5P6lu_aZzL-xQi8puOt9ddxkAELOEUIjZ4lYJyYRmqkNZxCBw2l3qsku2YR39a-k1-YTZ3eLPVDs4cddQfe-GSr2qaSfa0w1UdXmWC8nh2PKiYpXSxAYSTPTEjhk/s640/180922_141716_6725_der.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> La Giralda</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">La Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral. It was originally built as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Sevilla in Moorish Spain. A Renaissance-style top was added by the Catholics after the expulsion of the Muslims from the area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The main areas in the cathedral are without a doubt very impressive. I only wish that the crowds of tourists were smaller. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ldfBoYb1QmWT5cBJHp2Uk2fRqJhJxW_VSvhurQajBQt0hRpwirWtobLRCuAD4dO3-nmaIiVyuTjNifYRrWGeFk7WNWRBxYudTED_ri2jT-wiJxxHv0pBtyN0h56SPHVin0VWXVJ9A8E/s1600/180923_160417_6832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ldfBoYb1QmWT5cBJHp2Uk2fRqJhJxW_VSvhurQajBQt0hRpwirWtobLRCuAD4dO3-nmaIiVyuTjNifYRrWGeFk7WNWRBxYudTED_ri2jT-wiJxxHv0pBtyN0h56SPHVin0VWXVJ9A8E/s640/180923_160417_6832.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The high altar</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The high altar is protected by a wrought iron barrier. The altar piece, <i>retablo mayor</i>, is 65 feet tall with 44 scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary. It is carved from walnut and covered with a thick layer of gold leaf. The 44 scenes start with the birth of Christ and continue through his death and ascension.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ6nYvqp6xT0afxmI1KAKR_x6IksYRW2ZIhDiqcqKSGT-cEGl3fsnCNkaLyWZWGbnNkYlGY9OgP-jp5eYw7c2Z-dF_FIooSyl4bX8quBouOv1uhR7IR6maQRI2bNcrn0bs5dKE82u0XE/s1600/180923_160012_6830_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZ6nYvqp6xT0afxmI1KAKR_x6IksYRW2ZIhDiqcqKSGT-cEGl3fsnCNkaLyWZWGbnNkYlGY9OgP-jp5eYw7c2Z-dF_FIooSyl4bX8quBouOv1uhR7IR6maQRI2bNcrn0bs5dKE82u0XE/s640/180923_160012_6830_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Tomb of Columbus</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christopher Columbus, <i>Cristóbal Colón</i>, did get a lot of help from the Spanish monarchs. Without them he would not have sailed west in search of the east. It is uncertain as to the authenticity of the remains in the tomb. Columbus' remains were buried in a couple of places in Spain, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba before returning to Sevilla. You can choose to believe that the remains are here or not. The tomb is impressive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are a few images from the interior of the cathedral.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr07VmgK0OQUcxWdqI6zh8C8nD3PnMQXBD0ERMztDh0Y_549kQXL-RiljVqMOaCsf9eF24RgiCcg99a8PRVBSr__LD6-P6JyZS1Xkg-YtuqxfmOdB4ON7FGBl-BXOXNAHx6F7y9U0LL8/s1600/180923_155613_6829_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr07VmgK0OQUcxWdqI6zh8C8nD3PnMQXBD0ERMztDh0Y_549kQXL-RiljVqMOaCsf9eF24RgiCcg99a8PRVBSr__LD6-P6JyZS1Xkg-YtuqxfmOdB4ON7FGBl-BXOXNAHx6F7y9U0LL8/s640/180923_155613_6829_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>one of many domes</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPCWw0RzcA5J_mtaQN5igdE07xcTbmcvjZeNqw1IWrykfYgqIZ07EbraUyU5N-pRu5i96k1z2xTUllBLMKolLRM7UaKEobIIvHLu6IlXfTvJ9trXMYb1tU-8fcXCuhw1p7jYPCO-LjaI/s1600/180923_161214_6838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPCWw0RzcA5J_mtaQN5igdE07xcTbmcvjZeNqw1IWrykfYgqIZ07EbraUyU5N-pRu5i96k1z2xTUllBLMKolLRM7UaKEobIIvHLu6IlXfTvJ9trXMYb1tU-8fcXCuhw1p7jYPCO-LjaI/s640/180923_161214_6838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some paintings in the cathedral by Bartolomé Murillo. Some are originals and some are copies. More on Murillo in future postings. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwBb80qcvhDLMNGhw1jxZGBvBeHKaU8meRehaPQKbk2XpVEG4wH4eBLyY6V5eaPnI3pU4o2abO6oKAtl3EDMQ0eyunuVAcXuWtInforfYRKyMXkwLJb6vaRcKd5AUBgJfYe-sdyOR7a0/s1600/180923_160809_6836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwBb80qcvhDLMNGhw1jxZGBvBeHKaU8meRehaPQKbk2XpVEG4wH4eBLyY6V5eaPnI3pU4o2abO6oKAtl3EDMQ0eyunuVAcXuWtInforfYRKyMXkwLJb6vaRcKd5AUBgJfYe-sdyOR7a0/s640/180923_160809_6836.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk2eoErX_ACley0S3NT1Hkj_Y48au22qFlXvpgdFuds4lZmVJ1EuqXH0dUNRLHDjlKPknyVsin5-i8oZ7nbZGjAyzs5NlYyIDCQ-eCx8d5s35IXO_ckD-vFsn62J3wLnUKxsYyiEri58/s1600/180923_161538_6839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk2eoErX_ACley0S3NT1Hkj_Y48au22qFlXvpgdFuds4lZmVJ1EuqXH0dUNRLHDjlKPknyVsin5-i8oZ7nbZGjAyzs5NlYyIDCQ-eCx8d5s35IXO_ckD-vFsn62J3wLnUKxsYyiEri58/s640/180923_161538_6839.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We plan to visit the cathedral again. The next time, I will ascend La Giralda looking for photo ops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And last but not least, t</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he Iglesia del Salvador. The site on which this church stands was a mosque that was consecrated as a Catholic church when the Moors were driven from Spain. In the late 1600s the mosque/church fell into disrepair and a new church was constructed. It was completed in 1712. It is worth a visit if you find yourself in Sevilla.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaYN0g11G7eYxRcpZkZvT6sZS2Ja_ZlX513DFpYUjvIgjp4aCNyx0ZQDhwcobhrayk62u3jjxMkoLhvmlWXiqhBoHp64hl8-s_uc8Y2cyiziMrwVKhizn2oq16YY72qo47lXaqTkfcFo/s1600/180923_150330_6818_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaYN0g11G7eYxRcpZkZvT6sZS2Ja_ZlX513DFpYUjvIgjp4aCNyx0ZQDhwcobhrayk62u3jjxMkoLhvmlWXiqhBoHp64hl8-s_uc8Y2cyiziMrwVKhizn2oq16YY72qo47lXaqTkfcFo/s640/180923_150330_6818_der.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Iglesia del Salvador</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: Bartolomé Murillo was the son of a barber in Sevilla. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-82965037538678588992018-09-25T16:45:00.000-05:002018-10-04T11:23:02.197-05:00 ¿Qué ha estado el escritor?<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay, Where has the blogger been? We have been busy. Our good friends were visiting for five days, and we enrolled in an intensive Spanish class. Let me attempt to start to catch up, if you are interested. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the previous post, we headed home when we discovered we could not enter the cathedral or the Alcazar with out baking in a very long queue. To avoid the line at the cathedral, we purchased a combo ticket to see the Iglesia del Salvador and the cathedral. We purchased them online and avoided the queue. The only reserved time we could get was at 16:15 (4:15 PM). With the religious experience reserved, we focused on the Alcazar. No reserved tickets were available. We opted to head to the Alcazar early and brave the crowd. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkoOwBOjwdJehyNhzWcINBRy-zKq1cbawXOvAqlu0E1_FhQJKHrDaQGlmtgNoseE2RM7ZronSM6JvN1_JyFZAvUBFaxxdZrO2F6h1vO5JQeakdDA5YTiqbwH00vsnMLfyIBPa7QdqJjk/s1600/180923_094217_6751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkoOwBOjwdJehyNhzWcINBRy-zKq1cbawXOvAqlu0E1_FhQJKHrDaQGlmtgNoseE2RM7ZronSM6JvN1_JyFZAvUBFaxxdZrO2F6h1vO5JQeakdDA5YTiqbwH00vsnMLfyIBPa7QdqJjk/s400/180923_094217_6751.jpg" width="400" /></i></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> The queue was long, it turned at the far end and continued another 75 to 100 feet </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> We finally entered the Alcazar after about an hour or more wait in the queue. We did meet some interesting folks while we were waiting, but not interesting enough to include here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bEko_UVyvw4E9Lb4sw_fcBGfgGUA35I3QAnzZ2G8Z5RLbUTKHv6YZUuyjPj85ucgiC4l9WaNCoTfA7O-HCrdwAzeP1yf08ncrfizxq12Jqt0x0icbOS6jUYKmG32_8m22yZk-xQqXYc/s1600/180923_105623_6758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bEko_UVyvw4E9Lb4sw_fcBGfgGUA35I3QAnzZ2G8Z5RLbUTKHv6YZUuyjPj85ucgiC4l9WaNCoTfA7O-HCrdwAzeP1yf08ncrfizxq12Jqt0x0icbOS6jUYKmG32_8m22yZk-xQqXYc/s400/180923_105623_6758.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hunting Gate where the participants gathered prior to the hunt</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHmAA6UjktQULmXmioGeGYStjmMHSFI_jsJVzg1Sro7I8IFsqgn3cwsxtFGowXqttD5YkzEnvAkl7AMa_bSa_IaGhGmOChq3dq0Il8M81SCzXGQWG9bMoirUu5xmPrppTU7SueKRH-2o/s1600/180923_105654_6759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHmAA6UjktQULmXmioGeGYStjmMHSFI_jsJVzg1Sro7I8IFsqgn3cwsxtFGowXqttD5YkzEnvAkl7AMa_bSa_IaGhGmOChq3dq0Il8M81SCzXGQWG9bMoirUu5xmPrppTU7SueKRH-2o/s400/180923_105654_6759.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The entry courtyard</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Alcázar of Seville or Reales Alcázares de Sevilla is a royal palace in Sevilla, built for the Christian king Peter of Castile. It was built on the site of an Abbadid Muslim residential fortress partially destroyed after the Christian conquest of Sevilla. Many elements of the Moor structure are incorporated into this castle. The palace is a fine example of Mudéjar architecture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3EYcPMA-WUpi8jxfjI9ojO0kVkNSZBqZVBzRV7lO1kJ0mHLykDCd1NYRgnTqN5aZtCp9IWni717DixUgwXVlGBG0lKvCxq-Z7IMrtz3Z1nzjWfm6g0csu6Qc4FwmgdpZT4wOMhZgux4/s1600/180923_105440_6756_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="900" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3EYcPMA-WUpi8jxfjI9ojO0kVkNSZBqZVBzRV7lO1kJ0mHLykDCd1NYRgnTqN5aZtCp9IWni717DixUgwXVlGBG0lKvCxq-Z7IMrtz3Z1nzjWfm6g0csu6Qc4FwmgdpZT4wOMhZgux4/s400/180923_105440_6756_der.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> One of the many small water features in the Alcazar</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmxlIx3NeFrGf5Qwyh4qQR6Uq373tovAUuoK6dHrjENj0uWgAIWbIOwftaSsu32sry04rtqY3BUx1ZTs_VzDEYuNmAf8f6jiX_32KF4KuS3GJbBpMA97yGVSgGlpUx0J-3RNl56DCqeQ/s1600/180923_111717_6764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="577" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmxlIx3NeFrGf5Qwyh4qQR6Uq373tovAUuoK6dHrjENj0uWgAIWbIOwftaSsu32sry04rtqY3BUx1ZTs_VzDEYuNmAf8f6jiX_32KF4KuS3GJbBpMA97yGVSgGlpUx0J-3RNl56DCqeQ/s400/180923_111717_6764.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Entrance to the residence</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few more images from inside the Alcazar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Jv_vu2FVMwukuBng8FhVFElr4wbAwD1YSCmfEE-ry0nvB17S6O_jm1pp1VLDDHYQh4GSwZkuDmyQ28BaRLYOgMSH1U0gqnUdwe0qV2bZIqFLZCPP-b0eY75H-JPi0rwm9N2AUrHIDlU/s1600/180923_112230_6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Jv_vu2FVMwukuBng8FhVFElr4wbAwD1YSCmfEE-ry0nvB17S6O_jm1pp1VLDDHYQh4GSwZkuDmyQ28BaRLYOgMSH1U0gqnUdwe0qV2bZIqFLZCPP-b0eY75H-JPi0rwm9N2AUrHIDlU/s400/180923_112230_6767.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> A pano of the extensive gardens</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More on the cathedral later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: During our time in Sevilla, less than a week, the temperature has been 100°<span style="background-color: white;">F</span> or higher (max at 104°F). Just like back in Texas.</span></div>
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-3820434926798575902018-09-23T12:09:00.000-05:002018-10-04T11:23:34.231-05:00Walking around the old city<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today was the first day that we headed to the old city with a touristic purpose. We planed to walk around the Barrio Santa Cruz, the Jewish quarter prior to the Spanish Inquisition. Ferdinand and Isabella had a strong religious commitment which fueled the ferocity of the Inquisition. After Santa Cruz, our agenda included the Cathedral ( The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) and the Alcazar (Reales Alcázares de Sevilla).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We headed out of Triana and into Sevilla. We passed by the bullring The Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8PzcFuqED0hFvhjj2e_IIU2s3N8mN9bvQRq-QrqbOXNWYjz3G37o0-fqmMByF_e4hFCVsQn7Un-s-ZdangL2BlV8pssG_jhK9rDAKElhO2aLnvI8QG7XqKzdpSxdo6xIlFfIMbnaN5o/s1600/180922_111018_6707_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8PzcFuqED0hFvhjj2e_IIU2s3N8mN9bvQRq-QrqbOXNWYjz3G37o0-fqmMByF_e4hFCVsQn7Un-s-ZdangL2BlV8pssG_jhK9rDAKElhO2aLnvI8QG7XqKzdpSxdo6xIlFfIMbnaN5o/s640/180922_111018_6707_der.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope to attend a bullfight while in town. The last of the season in Sevilla will occur on September 28, 29, and 30. Novices on the first day moving to the best on the last day. The event starts at 18:30 (6:30 PM). There will be 3 bullfighters facing a total of 6 bulls, 2 bulls each. It normally takes a couple of hours for the entire spectacle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've had tickets to a bullfight in Sevilla on 2 other occasions when we lived in Brussels. The first was during a business association meeting. I finished the session and Randeen and I jumped in a taxi knowing we were a bit late for the start. We arrived at the <i>corrida</i> and the crowd was milling about outside. A hand written note on the main door indicated that the veterinarian had called off the fights as the bulls were not fit enough to meet the matadors. Since we were leaving town and no refunds were available, only rain checks, I sold my rain checks at a heavily discounted price. The second time, we were in Sevilla for the Seville Expo '92. I was called back to Brussels for an important meeting. I missed the event. Randeen went and she informed me that no more bullfights were in her future. She will not be joining me on September 30.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We passed the cathedral in the way to Santa Cruz. All things historic nearly meet in the area around the cathedral.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ojUL13s19is7abRE7_kZ7SaJxI2eF6GLFwzacxTsUvXA59ZfMglCGLRwXjkulcR2dnoHc-nkvucpzyN3JpXe0kdglm2W5667Ras0KRZVlIm1QYTPXZWupQ7S9k9SSs2ZeVqf3_o_11Q/s1600/180922_141716_6725_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ojUL13s19is7abRE7_kZ7SaJxI2eF6GLFwzacxTsUvXA59ZfMglCGLRwXjkulcR2dnoHc-nkvucpzyN3JpXe0kdglm2W5667Ras0KRZVlIm1QYTPXZWupQ7S9k9SSs2ZeVqf3_o_11Q/s320/180922_141716_6725_der.jpg" width="213" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Giralda, the bell tower</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We walked past the the Giralda, the bell tower and only remaining reminder of the mosque that was here before Ferdinand and Isabela reclaimed Spain from the Moors. The cathedral sits on the site of the mosque.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Barrio Sant Cruz</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The barrio Santa Cruz is a maze of small streets. Most of it is still residential with some shops and tapas bars sprinkled throughout. I'm not sure I would want to live in this area as it has tourists streaming through it on a regular basis.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltC1ZpfACYbPwjz5WxunwcaRwO9Q-0XT0N4jjQDUVDSRaONA5bmcBnMc3ki6M9Fzc4qHIZHx_cBgW_L3v_LBcsDdRaRsrN4BM6ggEyVILO7W94Cd_GSWzswM0jPSTfi-iMUDenv8yUw4/s1600/180922_125325_6722_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltC1ZpfACYbPwjz5WxunwcaRwO9Q-0XT0N4jjQDUVDSRaONA5bmcBnMc3ki6M9Fzc4qHIZHx_cBgW_L3v_LBcsDdRaRsrN4BM6ggEyVILO7W94Cd_GSWzswM0jPSTfi-iMUDenv8yUw4/s640/180922_125325_6722_der.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Casa de la Guitarra in Santa Cruz</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Don Juan</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don Juan is part of a Santa Cruz legend as well. There are lots of stories. Most of the stories link to a rich man who did good deeds for the poor but had a weakness for the ladies. The only thing that I know for sure is that there is a statue dedicated to him in Santa Cruz, and there is an opera of the same name. If interested, you can find your own truth about the legend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Pottery with typical Moorish patterns</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are several pottery stores in the barrio. Pottery is an important part of Sevilla's past. Much of the technical skill and the patterns used brought to Spain by the Moors. the patterns are used in decorated tiles all over the city. Triana is a center for ceramics and pottery as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before heading to the cathedral and the Alcazar, we needed lunch. We skipped tapas for this meal and had pizza with beverages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>sangria</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We headed to the cathedral with the intention of buying tickets. The line was very long and moving at a snails pace. The line was not shaded, and the temperature was at 38°C (101°F). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was a wedding in progress at the cathedral. Using a vintage car seems like the thing to do at weddings in Sevilla. This wedding had a Hurtan waiting outside for the couple. It isn't actually vintage but a retro looking automobile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> A Hurtan retro car made in Andalucia</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Here comes the bride</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We checked the Alcazar line, and it looked identical to the one for the cathedral. We headed back to the apartment with hopes of developing a plan for tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course we headed out for a meal at about 21:00 (9:00 PM). We decided to try a place recommended by an Austin friend who owns a restaurant.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorvxJRw8sFEihllFA9w19nQlqmrr6tL0AeDkaGnLuN8e0hUEHyplPEybFRz8zvicRfpV8kWar9-9opBXiZpfdn_TloZNTfakyZADmQxLRbYvXfTkvUZIUx7CbmZ618-rsmk2GRNcYeqo/s1600/180922_214240_6744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorvxJRw8sFEihllFA9w19nQlqmrr6tL0AeDkaGnLuN8e0hUEHyplPEybFRz8zvicRfpV8kWar9-9opBXiZpfdn_TloZNTfakyZADmQxLRbYvXfTkvUZIUx7CbmZ618-rsmk2GRNcYeqo/s640/180922_214240_6744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Bar Triana</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The restaurant is called Bar Triana. It had a very eclectic and totally enjoyable array of tapas. The place had 4 or 5 small tables on the sidewalk, and the owner was our waiter. He was everyone's waiter. We were the first to arrive and within 15 minutes all the tables were filled including an additional table which appeared from inside. We may go back again. It was quirky and really good. We headed home at about 23:30 (11:30 PM).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIZzx3UMdzHWUO6kCcuAXWrzrHKNYf2OyiL0_imqKK0czbbnGAXADsZsciWnDfzVPYL6z5S4UlKSRxNSsCHx1mm2Cqz-4eso40bvgh-OdMw7SZ8eDWisCjupEERNzQ4qQSxkJ-0V_j30/s1600/180922_211416_6741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIZzx3UMdzHWUO6kCcuAXWrzrHKNYf2OyiL0_imqKK0czbbnGAXADsZsciWnDfzVPYL6z5S4UlKSRxNSsCHx1mm2Cqz-4eso40bvgh-OdMw7SZ8eDWisCjupEERNzQ4qQSxkJ-0V_j30/s640/180922_211416_6741.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: Someone doing homework.</span><br />
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-33196067177686913002018-09-21T17:01:00.000-05:002018-10-04T11:23:55.922-05:00Adjusting to Sevilla Time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No alarm clock. No pets seeking food. No routine to drag us out of bed. We yielded to the lack of routine. We stayed in bed longer than we have in quite some time. We did stay out later last night and ate at a Spanish dinner time. So, we deserved to take a pass on an early morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first action of the day was to go to the phone store to buy a SIM card. I chose Orange, one of the top 3 companies in Spain. The small store in Triana had 2 customer service representatives. Both were nice, but neither spoke a word of English. I got through the process and now have a working Spanish SIM card. Additionally, I have a friend who thinks my Spanish is the best she had heard from an American today. It was before noon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We then headed to a couple of intensive Spanish immersion schools to check out their offerings. CLIC and Enforex look to be similar in offering. Both are walkable from our apartment. Randeen is interested in a beginner class, and I would like to improve. We won't be able to put language school on the agenda for at least a week, but we do plan to sign up for 1 to 2 weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Triana Mercado fruit vendor</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We headed to the Triana Mercado to check out the offering. We've been to lots of markets in Mexico and South America, but none as pristine and broad in offering as this one. We bought some fruit and looked for a snack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> I really like jamón ibérico </i></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_ib%C3%A9rico" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%25C3%25B3n_ib%25C3%25A9rico&ved=2ahUKEwjZp7mhh83dAhUNaBoKHV4IAxUQFjAAegQIBBAB" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Paper thin slices of ham done by hand</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really like this ham. The price range was from about 14€ (Euros) to 28€ (Euros) per 100 grams. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The expensive one is about $100+/pound. We had a cone of empanadas for 3</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">€ and a beer for another 1.5</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">€.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE0mZp8InvEQXvLM-JvN_MQFPDL8-4GtOugsrnZcVfpBcH4po3wf1r9LPfIoBOw4i8BGWgKKmOFnUZUqmTTikooiC3spgN6Z4eBYuwp5jGMKcI1NWDun1WEnVoUgQ1X1lmFtxaIQHO5g/s1600/180921_125105_8790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE0mZp8InvEQXvLM-JvN_MQFPDL8-4GtOugsrnZcVfpBcH4po3wf1r9LPfIoBOw4i8BGWgKKmOFnUZUqmTTikooiC3spgN6Z4eBYuwp5jGMKcI1NWDun1WEnVoUgQ1X1lmFtxaIQHO5g/s400/180921_125105_8790.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Beer and empanada cone</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tonight we went to a local flamenco show. I would give it a high rating. Then we went to the same tapas place we enjoyed last night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We took a stroll by the river which was coming to life at 22:30 (10:30 PM). After an ice cream we headed toward our Sevilla home arriving just before midnight. The alarm will not be set for an early wake up tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>On the walk home</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Before midnight</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS: I think <i>vale</i> is the most commonly used word in the Sevillian Spanish language.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-32554495715080631532018-09-20T16:54:00.000-05:002018-10-04T11:24:28.876-05:00 Adiós Madrid, Hola Sevilla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today was a train day. No early wake up call. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We felt so proud of ourselves that we made another pot of espresso</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">; w</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e managed to make the stove work in record time. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, it was pack the bags, wash the coffee cups, and send a text to Fernando to let him know that we were gone. It took about 15 minutes to walk to the Atocha Station, the principal station in Madrid. We climbed aboard at 11:45 and were traveling toward Sevilla at noon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq1btMC0ojLnq2L7CErjxg3lNS8HQ7kW0ySxKg85ZG_YLCwpZF-GyDZXC3_WvtEdPd-6K-KZjsoFXeemT2wVQGsEDdRhyphenhyphend98MhsuUw-Ai_fzxeiE8xQAwupmdzMRMW3DnxNkaZHrvUaM/s1600/180920_114420_2205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq1btMC0ojLnq2L7CErjxg3lNS8HQ7kW0ySxKg85ZG_YLCwpZF-GyDZXC3_WvtEdPd-6K-KZjsoFXeemT2wVQGsEDdRhyphenhyphend98MhsuUw-Ai_fzxeiE8xQAwupmdzMRMW3DnxNkaZHrvUaM/s320/180920_114420_2205.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>High speed trains started about 1992 in Spain</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRfHPWrGtUg6ECP8vUhcBrOu6ZNyUuuwy4GlTpDMu3AUUhSmexBJ30lhbzW5Q2F2N9Ko9jvbqSAqHnortCbDa9O2AS29FpfaXUv5sN0bNArlhYJmyTYfxR2xaBjH0U0_zq0c9EfYTwNE/s1600/180920_143617_5607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRfHPWrGtUg6ECP8vUhcBrOu6ZNyUuuwy4GlTpDMu3AUUhSmexBJ30lhbzW5Q2F2N9Ko9jvbqSAqHnortCbDa9O2AS29FpfaXUv5sN0bNArlhYJmyTYfxR2xaBjH0U0_zq0c9EfYTwNE/s320/180920_143617_5607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Sevilla at about 14:32</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tmShLa5ovoPzZrHfSjxriv5B4SxpUawU8bgS-fsU4aeDP0cF-6lTZ2e4Jln1wuTGOzaZj2aUkOB9SfOWp4ZeGKsEJnRle9WsPtX4ay8aopJnr9BN1iUAfmhBovuFOzwmOQoEiRMDFzw/s1600/180920_143902_5385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tmShLa5ovoPzZrHfSjxriv5B4SxpUawU8bgS-fsU4aeDP0cF-6lTZ2e4Jln1wuTGOzaZj2aUkOB9SfOWp4ZeGKsEJnRle9WsPtX4ay8aopJnr9BN1iUAfmhBovuFOzwmOQoEiRMDFzw/s320/180920_143902_5385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My clever idea of buying a SIM from our limo service proved to be a poor choice. After 1 phone call and 2 texts, we had run out of phone and SMS options. The data still works, but that is not the only reason we bought the card. I'll head to Orange, Movistar, or Vodaphone tomorrow to get a real SIM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not having a working SIM, I had to find a pay phone. After some skin glistening moments, I manage to get through to our rental agent. A short taxi ride delivered us to our home for the next month in Triana. A 2 bedroom, seventh floor, apartment in a residential building.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguVP72HTBV6bf9xcSqfy88OmzpUsbsnZkRUS-xwzOzYc5i76y71Mg3itSwmcK1e03pvqfrnx-ld5mS2px6fXaFatYEfXU5Olkk5flB_1c7dE7-6-j2OGZJaz8EIA13WIO37O4xMXgC-s/s1600/180920_191041_6686_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguVP72HTBV6bf9xcSqfy88OmzpUsbsnZkRUS-xwzOzYc5i76y71Mg3itSwmcK1e03pvqfrnx-ld5mS2px6fXaFatYEfXU5Olkk5flB_1c7dE7-6-j2OGZJaz8EIA13WIO37O4xMXgC-s/s400/180920_191041_6686_der.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>View from our apartment, not a bull ring</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ludo met us at the apartment. He is a Frenchman who finds Spain a pleasant relief from his faux cerebral countrymen. He says, the French are too uptight. He prefers the southern Spaniards. He has been here for 3 years and has no plans to return to France.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After Ludo left us, we headed for the streets to find some sustenance. It was 16:30 (4:30 PM). The first tapas place, about 50 meters from our building, advised that it stopped serving food at 16:00 and would not resume until 20:00. The next place, 2 doors down, had cold tapas, but the hot ones would not resume until about 20:00. We chose cold.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlAxrs_7zX0eOvzS19WQjgnfqR9KqpEuVoFk6DajaKirVGbqvP9FdAbBGjnzz7x1ypcs7Tg07MeJtRW5kkgY4JlSlFz6nwk137P4WEcYrBhU8435bi-rkbaDEIoh5ErlGvlsU0EU-vN8/s1600/180920_164150_5123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlAxrs_7zX0eOvzS19WQjgnfqR9KqpEuVoFk6DajaKirVGbqvP9FdAbBGjnzz7x1ypcs7Tg07MeJtRW5kkgY4JlSlFz6nwk137P4WEcYrBhU8435bi-rkbaDEIoh5ErlGvlsU0EU-vN8/s400/180920_164150_5123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>a small cold lunch with beverage</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We did a bit of grocery shopping (milk, fruit, TP, paper towels, etc.) and then a scouting of the neighborhood.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9oSQfDEfrcRhjpwL-ITpNZeYI2ijP7vIVxSb0Nckf4VoqmiAIBDKKMobzdy9wfFXyI5ZxL3BZkn0Nti82CXlzrhwhVEaNW2TyQwjHPC8axkhKhVCPi8QJyL3SCD3Dobt16lkkZcQVNA/s1600/180920_193610_6687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9oSQfDEfrcRhjpwL-ITpNZeYI2ijP7vIVxSb0Nckf4VoqmiAIBDKKMobzdy9wfFXyI5ZxL3BZkn0Nti82CXlzrhwhVEaNW2TyQwjHPC8axkhKhVCPi8QJyL3SCD3Dobt16lkkZcQVNA/s400/180920_193610_6687.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> near the Triana bridge</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgwZLCo-cbUszSjiqnABaALybBJqeLoyIKdRITzw43GQq6WrSgsel1Wodbnsxd_F9DzAlA4UVJA7qLabIawRRbzwoo3yfYLkl5h4vBDHQNhCyNyCKheNKR4Lde4hUR5iiMbIPewgNC7s/s1600/180920_194507_6694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgwZLCo-cbUszSjiqnABaALybBJqeLoyIKdRITzw43GQq6WrSgsel1Wodbnsxd_F9DzAlA4UVJA7qLabIawRRbzwoo3yfYLkl5h4vBDHQNhCyNyCKheNKR4Lde4hUR5iiMbIPewgNC7s/s400/180920_194507_6694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Guadalquivir river separating Sevilla from Triana</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwuQ-kg2oJW5gh5lVMbZVIVEPh5HCycLkX4kVtoE_rtG1MK2aFDIcqMfBP_rG90AGo4rE952b6dRj8CV0i1N9YDSSXUpomrgDTIyt8TF2SzmKOA9zkvP1PRCGuH9RRfA5R0UxcgjL300/s1600/180920_195614_6695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwuQ-kg2oJW5gh5lVMbZVIVEPh5HCycLkX4kVtoE_rtG1MK2aFDIcqMfBP_rG90AGo4rE952b6dRj8CV0i1N9YDSSXUpomrgDTIyt8TF2SzmKOA9zkvP1PRCGuH9RRfA5R0UxcgjL300/s400/180920_195614_6695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i> along Calle Betis in Triana</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSNk0BWnBxNqHot9hrP4_ICSheilOlmEfFYW6m9PAKP5DK34QCzny5gMg8NGtz5rMZ6kOZC9obQuFwtF9nPjpZDMzp2CvBA5z0tZ-C49BvBrYOYahUaKqSRKswkD6P2iXu5VJAQdQsHU/s1600/180920_200033_6696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSNk0BWnBxNqHot9hrP4_ICSheilOlmEfFYW6m9PAKP5DK34QCzny5gMg8NGtz5rMZ6kOZC9obQuFwtF9nPjpZDMzp2CvBA5z0tZ-C49BvBrYOYahUaKqSRKswkD6P2iXu5VJAQdQsHU/s400/180920_200033_6696.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Sevilla bull ring</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> along Calle Betis</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Torre del Oro</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We explored the neighborhood until just after 21:00 (9:00 PM). We chose the Antiqua for our evening repast. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvo36Ph8gS-CtQ-SHgThA4HjQfF1t6-en68HG5AJ7pFXMhH2QIJ-1Us_igT9qxuDzhTveI4v8oWqjz4Q41-iSevGoXmHNx5b4OUAvEHOLAIxUPrQm5-A07Few1kNX5YTtcx0xxBxRxLbA/s1600/180920_211744_0548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="900" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvo36Ph8gS-CtQ-SHgThA4HjQfF1t6-en68HG5AJ7pFXMhH2QIJ-1Us_igT9qxuDzhTveI4v8oWqjz4Q41-iSevGoXmHNx5b4OUAvEHOLAIxUPrQm5-A07Few1kNX5YTtcx0xxBxRxLbA/s400/180920_211744_0548.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>we forgot about photos until the sardines were gone</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the way to our Triana home, we peeked into a couple of flamenco places that were yet to open and a church for mariners.<span style="font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Kk2q3p8OfejEX6l_19gRvioyi0-WBkxkFb2M_qZMXzmWzRv2HaeO0pyuwc2lBBGCQ8rpIlUZ0sq0NqlChe3jeRm66ec93n-Haf6qDKAsYmEZ2O-DUuoX74ZZZ7_A3X1Sg9pqrYMYn8/s1600/180920_204400_6700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Kk2q3p8OfejEX6l_19gRvioyi0-WBkxkFb2M_qZMXzmWzRv2HaeO0pyuwc2lBBGCQ8rpIlUZ0sq0NqlChe3jeRm66ec93n-Haf6qDKAsYmEZ2O-DUuoX74ZZZ7_A3X1Sg9pqrYMYn8/s400/180920_204400_6700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjYLwUSD61XxVRBnqlJzIvuRVCi2jvw5jJORMLB0omM9TD6HIKW108N_6MF-Cm2mX6IrtaV1A4LJzmU3wJIv_ZPax21onrjJ_k0tqlz0rwei9oGcGLUsX__g8uqsCq1ZpdauAsj9osmI/s1600/180920_204602_7895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjYLwUSD61XxVRBnqlJzIvuRVCi2jvw5jJORMLB0omM9TD6HIKW108N_6MF-Cm2mX6IrtaV1A4LJzmU3wJIv_ZPax21onrjJ_k0tqlz0rwei9oGcGLUsX__g8uqsCq1ZpdauAsj9osmI/s400/180920_204602_7895.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>near Calle Betis in Triana</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our day came to an end before midnight. I did not feel like a local as yet. The tapas bars were just getting into high gear. The streets were full and we were exiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS - Why do people on cell phones feel that they can speak in their loudest tone when on a public conveyance?</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-88285009688905298292018-09-19T16:28:00.002-05:002018-10-04T11:24:57.357-05:00Starting at 11 AM limits the days options.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This morning started at 05:15 with us commenting to each other that we can't get back to sleep. At 08:45 we woke up and discussed getting out of bed again. This time we did. Randeen wanted to go for a run in Parque del Buen Retiro which is behind the Prado a couple of blocks away. I was committed to finishing yesterdays blog entry. I decided to remain at the keyboard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First, coffee had to be made. We have a stove top espresso maker which we knew how to use, but the problem we encountered was turning on the stove.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ4eysBvPvCOur7inp_saSDxa9e5yabEsR0iHFhUydhEgTZrVBcEwb5nnlNt1fjeSLsCqVyRpY7oFrHtQgwpwTYb1wiUm3u5ibhYb_L9U-XUkMN3Hm0VQolWYiaBg7OVU9hGnDTu_tFk/s1600/4AB6313F-FCF9-4845-8C4B-30981718F205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ4eysBvPvCOur7inp_saSDxa9e5yabEsR0iHFhUydhEgTZrVBcEwb5nnlNt1fjeSLsCqVyRpY7oFrHtQgwpwTYb1wiUm3u5ibhYb_L9U-XUkMN3Hm0VQolWYiaBg7OVU9hGnDTu_tFk/s320/4AB6313F-FCF9-4845-8C4B-30981718F205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We spent about 15 to 20 minutes trying various combinations of button pushing. I'm sure some of the sequences negated our attempts to apply heat to the bottom of the pot. Eventually the burner fired up and coffee was made. The second pot only took 10 minutes of button pushing. I'm confident we will only need 5 minutes of button pushing tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next morning issue was using the keys. Randeen was going out for a run. There are 2 keys needed to get into our apartment. Neither is completely simple to make work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLkYwzOakSonxF2hreKpofx5PmkpJ05R9kGbAWFLzjbHSv-gbIFyn-J7xwHnbfDveejLaI94PY45sxlvTkmUvKSA0Rqm3_iTkgrWq5QXt4hFPeuDzon03jKWRKxRAf-21XmLCRO8iI0I/s1600/180919_200503_5618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLkYwzOakSonxF2hreKpofx5PmkpJ05R9kGbAWFLzjbHSv-gbIFyn-J7xwHnbfDveejLaI94PY45sxlvTkmUvKSA0Rqm3_iTkgrWq5QXt4hFPeuDzon03jKWRKxRAf-21XmLCRO8iI0I/s320/180919_200503_5618.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One key (normal looking key) is to enter the building and the other (funny looking key) is to enter the apartment. Each key requirers the user to find the sweet spot in the locking mechanism before turning it. The key fob is actually a bottle opener which might come in handy if one wishes to enjoy a beverage while sitting on the front step waiting for someone to open the door from the inside. Randeen bravely took the keys and went on her run. She returned with successful openings and no lingering key phobias.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We finally got out of the apartment to enjoy Madrid at about 11:00. This was to be a museum day with the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza on our list. Both of these museums opened in 1992 after our last visit to Madrid. The Guernica moved from the Prado to the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reina Sofía; we wanted to see it again. The </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thyssen-Bornemisza private collection was the basis for this museum, a very amazing collection. It is always surprising what a lot of money can buy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKawnnnq2MImuzoLHoef0Gn_iy2LNug_1vFUnwC29OvtCIpKiy0rZOrTbz23w8SiibQH8lXwyCbnUxmtDwvFcHNvapr2_W-1mJFYNt_5QqJ87fy6nQRwiqicbdpEt5vLsGQrp04jUSNo/s1600/180919_141214_6682_der.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKawnnnq2MImuzoLHoef0Gn_iy2LNug_1vFUnwC29OvtCIpKiy0rZOrTbz23w8SiibQH8lXwyCbnUxmtDwvFcHNvapr2_W-1mJFYNt_5QqJ87fy6nQRwiqicbdpEt5vLsGQrp04jUSNo/s320/180919_141214_6682_der.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpA4jUkvISZbv15V5hAMP_8dpeI7diT-6BvSgxxjjjr2NYZ9H64RoA6JnXV_Vf9RNFD4H5tAAvJv2GbA8NuAVOjvVDa6hrT3lB2o5UmYWY6oCBosNhweG9VGN9YWOiJ8kqCNfuzEJJHw/s1600/180919_125742_6678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpA4jUkvISZbv15V5hAMP_8dpeI7diT-6BvSgxxjjjr2NYZ9H64RoA6JnXV_Vf9RNFD4H5tAAvJv2GbA8NuAVOjvVDa6hrT3lB2o5UmYWY6oCBosNhweG9VGN9YWOiJ8kqCNfuzEJJHw/s320/180919_125742_6678.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hallway in the Reina Sofía </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Guernica is a large mural size painting was completed in 1937; it measures </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.49 meters x 7.77 meters. Its subject is the bombing of Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. It was carried out, on behalf of Francisco Franco's nationalist government, by its allies, the Nazi German Luftwaffe's Condor Legion and the Fascist Italian Aviazione Legionaria. Picasso was commissioned to create a mural depicting the horrors of the massacre. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PBnKCv9ec5OviaLc7tUB7ywc3N_wy5e78g5vHtkwffQvTzIfLdImajkZkcAs7JmrGWq_EtCq3PqHp0nFxxMIRffWA3_RKkuAdoBPCm9m_TZX2HwU3rWyLMwObJ8bDQoIauKYu-nxibA/s1600/180919_204413_7593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="900" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PBnKCv9ec5OviaLc7tUB7ywc3N_wy5e78g5vHtkwffQvTzIfLdImajkZkcAs7JmrGWq_EtCq3PqHp0nFxxMIRffWA3_RKkuAdoBPCm9m_TZX2HwU3rWyLMwObJ8bDQoIauKYu-nxibA/s640/180919_204413_7593.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Guernica</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are lots of other paintings to see as well, for example...</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLXIz19Jv9eVffdt5GnP81y00hHG_Q7RvuL99kXIz8RMXmCaB2BUL3bRbQG5mxbUd3yo3yDd8V4LqwWgvFGQ1U2PRtRXLsPP7j14q8LDp9GcHv3_cegzBdaFkgm98nDpbtoTJCTxevmw/s320/180919_113830_6671.jpg" width="265" /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Femme assise accoudée (Seated Woman Resting on Elbows) </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Pablo Picasso</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIhWevxzwFtyUsRHmaJ8lSMNjg1cO4Jm7YFhkjsgV__cHza9lLJL8QF_GqAgjLrHKeetS9RkVyfOnfXvEahmRHlPT7RT2FazIxCijYMOVjPWlbocdBaNwd8IR-KBmSrzweMaDVCu1aX0/s1600/180919_125106_6676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIhWevxzwFtyUsRHmaJ8lSMNjg1cO4Jm7YFhkjsgV__cHza9lLJL8QF_GqAgjLrHKeetS9RkVyfOnfXvEahmRHlPT7RT2FazIxCijYMOVjPWlbocdBaNwd8IR-KBmSrzweMaDVCu1aX0/s320/180919_125106_6676.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Pintura (Hombre con pipa) (Painting [Man with a Pipe]) </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Joan Miró</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVqpru_T1VBh2IeQUu-a1i4ZR6pF_8r9xzOlAwaoJChXrsoyyFWO4COy1Bieht8FfaikLb8gcrzeGbmBQutfyTsYuR3JdQ3WZ8f-VOMPvAw4OXKyMQMlzIxEMb43D3_EAFqgcSweyv_Q/s1600/180919_130709_6680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="900" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVqpru_T1VBh2IeQUu-a1i4ZR6pF_8r9xzOlAwaoJChXrsoyyFWO4COy1Bieht8FfaikLb8gcrzeGbmBQutfyTsYuR3JdQ3WZ8f-VOMPvAw4OXKyMQMlzIxEMb43D3_EAFqgcSweyv_Q/s320/180919_130709_6680.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Visage du Grand Masturbateur (Face of the Great Masturbator)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Salvador Dalí</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We stayed at the Reina Sofía for about 3 1/2 hours then it was off to find a lunch place. We went back to our apartment to pick up another camera battery and decided to eat at a small place next door, a 3 course lunch menu for 9.50 euros. I had a beer; so, it blew the budget. Sorry, we usually forget about food pictures until we have made a mess of the plate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We went to the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thyssen-Bornemisza and stayed until 18:30 (or 6:30 PM). Then back to our place stopping for essentials at a small market, bananas, a pear, and a bottle of carbonated water. Healthy living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A little after 21:00 (9:00 PM), we went in search of a tapas bar called Los Gatos. This place was highly recommended by Fernando (if you don't remember who Fernando is, check the previous post). Los Gatos was packed. We squeezed through the crowd and found a spot in the back. I think the front of the bar is the cool place, the place to be seen. After a barrage of "too fast" Spanish, our wait person slowed to a less frantic pace and even threw in a few English words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We ordered a few things. They arrived and were delicious. We remembered to take a few pics after we devoured the first plate - smoked bacalao on a bed of ripe tomatoes, and topped with pimentos and sun dried tomatoes. We had a word exchange with our waitress explaining the words for sun-dried tomatoes in both languages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV83NpZEz5aBkjtoQ7rOSmReDbVgWEFgp4foroVCGd0tM7L-qscXB43PdvFY6yGR5MVqwBIDMX_EysF_15w2hwvFH968fDRiEo6bOuQ_MxlaToQeyU4wwuC4zeCVibys5N5XJLBn7E7_w/s1600/180919_214628_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV83NpZEz5aBkjtoQ7rOSmReDbVgWEFgp4foroVCGd0tM7L-qscXB43PdvFY6yGR5MVqwBIDMX_EysF_15w2hwvFH968fDRiEo6bOuQ_MxlaToQeyU4wwuC4zeCVibys5N5XJLBn7E7_w/s320/180919_214628_0778.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The last bite of the smoked bacalao </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKMZgqlU8u_KEsk6HZv-CDZR8Zc8RjYtsCos3SRc66JoVeYn1NUgKrs7WsFia4q2UJ3CWRM-Olc1_mvHsm4BdvvcFLdY1AICCvALRjmbRwJVXD1Fy3z9OPPkGrS3dsZgUTm-p7Gmo2uQ/s1600/180919_214743_5622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKMZgqlU8u_KEsk6HZv-CDZR8Zc8RjYtsCos3SRc66JoVeYn1NUgKrs7WsFia4q2UJ3CWRM-Olc1_mvHsm4BdvvcFLdY1AICCvALRjmbRwJVXD1Fy3z9OPPkGrS3dsZgUTm-p7Gmo2uQ/s320/180919_214743_5622.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beans with a Spanish ham jam (not sweet jam)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">and tomato bread with oil</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv6ONV88rZ9pQobubjQfl6MzozFGkt24ZGchmsJhF_L4xCjEcX3cfLCbgISOQCQKA_4F0vAtipQFNf6MaP2LaUTYzFXj0YlrNXxA1Fh7Uosgp0j5YM5iEyR9j_o57WfvvbbDKJj-B3Qw/s1600/180919_214752_8038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv6ONV88rZ9pQobubjQfl6MzozFGkt24ZGchmsJhF_L4xCjEcX3cfLCbgISOQCQKA_4F0vAtipQFNf6MaP2LaUTYzFXj0YlrNXxA1Fh7Uosgp0j5YM5iEyR9j_o57WfvvbbDKJj-B3Qw/s320/180919_214752_8038.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">an appropriate beverage to accompany the food</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVXW-vtj-L1x2NJdRS98FdoN9e75VeSnhpURHFUjI5DXP_IWk4wW4vn99PyRqXzMINz4S_CNtT7ZyJ8WnZIH15SjaQuS6nPY0AZzFvQs-vTTkOaRsZIzTCZfa3rbdFBUi_0hEnfV7VZ4/s1600/180919_214912_8567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVXW-vtj-L1x2NJdRS98FdoN9e75VeSnhpURHFUjI5DXP_IWk4wW4vn99PyRqXzMINz4S_CNtT7ZyJ8WnZIH15SjaQuS6nPY0AZzFvQs-vTTkOaRsZIzTCZfa3rbdFBUi_0hEnfV7VZ4/s320/180919_214912_8567.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>some canapés selected by our waitress</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Randeen to the rescue when some folks from France sat at the table behind us. They did not understand Spanish, and their English wasn't so hot either. Randeen translated Spanglish into French. Smiles from our waitress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back at our place by 23:00 (11:00 PM). Seems early, but we need to catch the train to Sevilla tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS for today: in the Thyssen-Bornemisza, Randeen overheard some women speaking French. One used the word <i>nonante; </i>the word for ninety in Belgium but not in France. She asked if they were from Belgium; they were Swiss. The Swiss use <i>nonante, </i>too. I don't think they were pleased to be thought of as Belgians, but that's how the Swiss are. Living in Belgium may give us a better understanding of this reaction.</span></div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-75205400621174725772018-09-19T03:29:00.000-05:002018-09-19T03:29:32.525-05:00Did we leave today or is it tomorrow<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Monday was our departure day. We were to be off to Spain for 5 weeks. Sunday night was devoid of a sound sleep. Randeen had clients to work with and needed to get in a last swim at Deep Eddy. I had not done any packing; it was accomplished in my mind again and again throughout what would normally be sleep time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Monday arrived. Randeen was out by 5:20 AM. I was still pondering packing. I cut the grass and had a few errands to run. I ended up at home by 10:30 AM when the packing commenced. By 12:10 PM, Lyft was at the door and we were on the way to the airport, well we did do a once around the block to retrieve Randeen's water bottle which was in a place where she would not forget it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The flight to Dallas and then to Madrid went like smoothly. The expected sleep did not come, but we did see 2 movies. In Madrid, we arrived 35 minutes early; we sped through customs and then waited for our bags at <i>cinta 2</i>. The screen advised that the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">últimas maletas</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> would arrive by 9:35. At 9:36 the agent called baggage handling and yes our bags were indeed in the cavernous belly of the airport, but not on the belt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By now I was concerned about our ride. Welcome Transfer is a transport service that is about 5 Euros more than a taxi to get to the center of Madrid, but the difference between Welcome and a taxi is that they are waiting for you. They only wait 45 minutes. We were about 1 hour and 15 minutes in baggage claim, but our driver, Sergio Hernandez, was waiting but not happy. He had a SIM card for one of our phones, also, a pretty good deal at 18 Euros (one does need an unlocked phone to use a local SIM). We were on our way to the small apartment, that we rented for 2 nights, from Fernando and Marina at Calle de la Alameda, 6, nearly across the street from the Prado.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next issue to be resolved, the phone number that I had for Marina would not accept my text advising her that we were on our way. I called the number and left a message. They still did not have confirmation of our arrival time. Perhaps, no one would be there to meet us. As we pulled up to Calle de la Alameda, 6, Fernando greeted us. He figured out we could not send a text to Mariana's land line. Fernando is smart, he is Marina's father. He speaks no English. He and I got along just fine. He apologized about not having much shampoo in the shower. All was well once I lifted my hat. We were now in our apartment 4 hours before normal check in time, and we had a new friend in Fernando.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2NELRcwPeB6uqhhaBM0D6uQFmd4wqqEHkGoXQkk2fQI_D1CQUPv1YwUde7h92h2HNHnXi6xMNwXknp6b8OTr606QB3O9ymnE7dxdecJBx3LbW4xYqgLi51G87f-_F_QrJP85NNTZAKM/s1600/180918_141220_6633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2NELRcwPeB6uqhhaBM0D6uQFmd4wqqEHkGoXQkk2fQI_D1CQUPv1YwUde7h92h2HNHnXi6xMNwXknp6b8OTr606QB3O9ymnE7dxdecJBx3LbW4xYqgLi51G87f-_F_QrJP85NNTZAKM/s320/180918_141220_6633.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Randeen in front of </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Calle de la Alameda, 6</span></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S2kMNCq3lc-Mxnobp3SF3UQcdqO23o3U30nbzPHb4qcha88yjbWSlWKEC6dzpoNpFxf3nE3I_JGyAQD94yL5jpVGyRSk8h1i_fQ6MlQLiHNUEclEW5SzpEMQRDTj__sNDBGb4HsLXqs/s1600/180918_141101_6632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S2kMNCq3lc-Mxnobp3SF3UQcdqO23o3U30nbzPHb4qcha88yjbWSlWKEC6dzpoNpFxf3nE3I_JGyAQD94yL5jpVGyRSk8h1i_fQ6MlQLiHNUEclEW5SzpEMQRDTj__sNDBGb4HsLXqs/s320/180918_141101_6632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hood</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We thought to go to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía to see Guernica, again. We saw it about 25 years ago on our last trip to Madrid. At that time it was in an annex of the Prado. Fernando let us know that the Reina Sofía was not open on Tuesdays. It was off to the Prado, which was only a couple hundred yards from our front door. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-jLEzNbL1GCfaoSK5fEvzBs94JrE56dx6ZLn7ZlnR-9OltOlTLnSvi_SeOO31W5TEmCgDdPK_Z9iSyCyifE7Nz9jx8Dg8dK08TTB40HO0spQ8dNAwuv9_pAKOhs-relko2PkVz__HF4/s1600/180918_114803_6626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="900" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-jLEzNbL1GCfaoSK5fEvzBs94JrE56dx6ZLn7ZlnR-9OltOlTLnSvi_SeOO31W5TEmCgDdPK_Z9iSyCyifE7Nz9jx8Dg8dK08TTB40HO0spQ8dNAwuv9_pAKOhs-relko2PkVz__HF4/s320/180918_114803_6626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Prado, scaffolding ensconced</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> A 20 to 30 minute wait in line delivered us to the ticket window. Fifteen euros for Randeen and only 7.50 euros for me with government proof of advanced age. My driver's license worked.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpB9vXwH98mLQc8ANEeG8uYnPIeoUxPD8Ssn1zqpr5dedCcvo0N9vv8PlxhwW4-kF39lfZNCruAqhO1L5cn8tOE0AjqeKJjZGPvoRsVoNr09ZS7opsULgGIJyZMRGgh4SlTrlbeKAXKFM/s1600/180918_121139_6627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpB9vXwH98mLQc8ANEeG8uYnPIeoUxPD8Ssn1zqpr5dedCcvo0N9vv8PlxhwW4-kF39lfZNCruAqhO1L5cn8tOE0AjqeKJjZGPvoRsVoNr09ZS7opsULgGIJyZMRGgh4SlTrlbeKAXKFM/s320/180918_121139_6627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Main entrance to the Prado</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The Prado was not a perfect choice for jet lagged travelers. We made it to Goya and then quickly checked out Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez and El Greco before heading home for a nap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EmVCVLZ4uoF2jH7vRBvkNurDBigf4tF9ZCaBsuWVE3A9YZuBD4OH-s31X8UJdE01TWNEjCY1K3U6pkA-wm8iNroSBMDrXc7UfFIGx1WDeCPBTllqJwCsBowgaggkO7eSBEUf0_yN6Y4/s1600/180919_094759_0653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EmVCVLZ4uoF2jH7vRBvkNurDBigf4tF9ZCaBsuWVE3A9YZuBD4OH-s31X8UJdE01TWNEjCY1K3U6pkA-wm8iNroSBMDrXc7UfFIGx1WDeCPBTllqJwCsBowgaggkO7eSBEUf0_yN6Y4/s320/180919_094759_0653.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prado master pieces (in case you don't get there yourself)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">After a well needed 2 hour nap, it was off to the Plaza Mayor. It was a 15 or 20 minute walk past tapas bars almost too numerous to count.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt6fl6CgtftsfMzVkxCwjlBVtVyda3B1N5r57KBpgB1c9J33A9z-JN2Pcf32di37MODHvxfVtQhLlfhN626vCkKdkahINylfBDPjEaXqVZvWgL_KGXMwsE-TzFo4VY93YJoJF8MEIctg/s1600/180918_183205_6635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt6fl6CgtftsfMzVkxCwjlBVtVyda3B1N5r57KBpgB1c9J33A9z-JN2Pcf32di37MODHvxfVtQhLlfhN626vCkKdkahINylfBDPjEaXqVZvWgL_KGXMwsE-TzFo4VY93YJoJF8MEIctg/s320/180918_183205_6635.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of many tapas bars</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn8resfiCvywFqzRjiAXeNl2suKUx3iN7J3sFwDx4fMT-HeiSlM7G5Fn7WGHDpUn-PZ12_DMr5K34QBKvonTXn5qUphFGq9fnrZKkhEXxIRZfgfShqqYGS9zDYxAnX-l_V5YjArkFjgU/s1600/180918_185801_6636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn8resfiCvywFqzRjiAXeNl2suKUx3iN7J3sFwDx4fMT-HeiSlM7G5Fn7WGHDpUn-PZ12_DMr5K34QBKvonTXn5qUphFGq9fnrZKkhEXxIRZfgfShqqYGS9zDYxAnX-l_V5YjArkFjgU/s320/180918_185801_6636.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Entering the Plaza Mayor from the southeast</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh130cm28VN8OHs46xL6LeeR6wVdNlAbmQo9QMcj8FczNzRP7HcYL6Q7OcyrgJfrxSpvuatt3KL_T8DE6HWwgQoMrwmBEE2Ya5Elpmp26zR41eNGDkfXhTufrJZ3fevFGu6obPXy6orXs/s1600/180918_190453_6645-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="900" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh130cm28VN8OHs46xL6LeeR6wVdNlAbmQo9QMcj8FczNzRP7HcYL6Q7OcyrgJfrxSpvuatt3KL_T8DE6HWwgQoMrwmBEE2Ya5Elpmp26zR41eNGDkfXhTufrJZ3fevFGu6obPXy6orXs/s320/180918_190453_6645-Pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Plaza Mayor is the work of the architect Juan de Villanueva </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">who was entrusted with its reconstruction in 1790</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIu6_g1kBqgXcVLpP_wYgZr2tCD7xg9Rtor9Ga8slPpTmcAqFNM4E4UVtYbptuST1D3PNVGocleqmfBveVH2gImvQtRRvaexCXtslrBchJPwwGOFJhB8T4INsEc6uQbjrTROT13x6i18/s1600/180918_190051_6638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIu6_g1kBqgXcVLpP_wYgZr2tCD7xg9Rtor9Ga8slPpTmcAqFNM4E4UVtYbptuST1D3PNVGocleqmfBveVH2gImvQtRRvaexCXtslrBchJPwwGOFJhB8T4INsEc6uQbjrTROT13x6i18/s320/180918_190051_6638.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>King Philips III, constructed in 1616 by Juan Cristóbal González, </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsdvba93CV_TNVNztHOFY2Sdj7kjo6NWAZMR26XQMZGuSAB0J7tRMEfUl8L1DS4jMBaysVw2dPVf6TRHsnNgp02bxrJX4061EGa1Sx4wlZLlAB1l4Zy9babMwA-_1YNgsosVFCkqDHgw/s1600/180918_195400_6658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsdvba93CV_TNVNztHOFY2Sdj7kjo6NWAZMR26XQMZGuSAB0J7tRMEfUl8L1DS4jMBaysVw2dPVf6TRHsnNgp02bxrJX4061EGa1Sx4wlZLlAB1l4Zy9babMwA-_1YNgsosVFCkqDHgw/s320/180918_195400_6658.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taking it all in</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0MRcXWC17NGlpCrkHz1XGmZow3A0swfGNaebn09FwS2WzE-Hh6vn68eRXwqvVvqRxzazjRatAUDghQyJI5WqNJAiZL_go840aU9ZcsEDgoSGH_scDYuOZEAgftV9eoFVPUoFuxzSyZA/s1600/180918_193257_6651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0MRcXWC17NGlpCrkHz1XGmZow3A0swfGNaebn09FwS2WzE-Hh6vn68eRXwqvVvqRxzazjRatAUDghQyJI5WqNJAiZL_go840aU9ZcsEDgoSGH_scDYuOZEAgftV9eoFVPUoFuxzSyZA/s320/180918_193257_6651.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sitting on benches surrounding the lamp posts</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGing0zI3Gvg1N2GMD24u32hnkjGE3wArpq0skP7YkzAZEayV4PQtZKStCmQMMgE0VvfLySTGqD_g_aObPO-VH9U-4OeHZpWEcnkKcM23hXNR42Pi0pDqPWNLmj67I8ygkkMTtY5T4hQ/s1600/180918_185927_6637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGing0zI3Gvg1N2GMD24u32hnkjGE3wArpq0skP7YkzAZEayV4PQtZKStCmQMMgE0VvfLySTGqD_g_aObPO-VH9U-4OeHZpWEcnkKcM23hXNR42Pi0pDqPWNLmj67I8ygkkMTtY5T4hQ/s320/180918_185927_6637.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Locks of amor around the lamp post edges</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR70kr8W4t4F0QIy0EJQDobOt069YJTjNyJ2EPBDwO1gvq6iQ479CGiEhGUJ02FeHuE5h3l0tIyk609LYGnOO3Z5ZHekGlR7SXLqsWOdVZaWZnJQeud3AkaQb5nLM4Puel39VpD6I5dV0/s1600/180918_195024_6653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR70kr8W4t4F0QIy0EJQDobOt069YJTjNyJ2EPBDwO1gvq6iQ479CGiEhGUJ02FeHuE5h3l0tIyk609LYGnOO3Z5ZHekGlR7SXLqsWOdVZaWZnJQeud3AkaQb5nLM4Puel39VpD6I5dV0/s320/180918_195024_6653.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dining is possible - you will pay for the view</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDn9F7wd7hzlLXqnPqy1ZlBFeWkmqP-Glx9bOiKyJXEbP8SbMR7CvOuBKpmrZLiV6JqLdHsjcR3xktTAaByRQ6kknCZfhDfdjlpvE5y4pRz2q4g7H80nurjUw2T5Rc8IaUVMO2vnEBS4/s1600/180918_191031_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDn9F7wd7hzlLXqnPqy1ZlBFeWkmqP-Glx9bOiKyJXEbP8SbMR7CvOuBKpmrZLiV6JqLdHsjcR3xktTAaByRQ6kknCZfhDfdjlpvE5y4pRz2q4g7H80nurjUw2T5Rc8IaUVMO2vnEBS4/s320/180918_191031_6649.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">And always, the cell phone</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tqyh6dEDiZOouITxc8ZObP1Sn6X8CgtHUv5AOi9oq_nT_KfZCnKBf2nFnk3a7hmw4qa3Mi8sVH4gvr_rxKOFMdO7GVsB9-AhSKnVs9Sc6RQ2wzVDJdPO7Z2Mth9VJdbsYbO78Vw14WQ/s1600/180918_195148_6655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tqyh6dEDiZOouITxc8ZObP1Sn6X8CgtHUv5AOi9oq_nT_KfZCnKBf2nFnk3a7hmw4qa3Mi8sVH4gvr_rxKOFMdO7GVsB9-AhSKnVs9Sc6RQ2wzVDJdPO7Z2Mth9VJdbsYbO78Vw14WQ/s320/180918_195148_6655.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBwDfpuX-vmvnxzgpcO4M_52-x0z6NggVAzhn2yNq_FpSWN0NSJD1XrdV6wQvzEb32M-xx0KLSypBt5oZgQuMxGEU68i_i3Wk_EJyXSS7ywGveUTmIbnKzFvsbXX08GKswBipl3iHocU/s1600/180918_195157_6656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBwDfpuX-vmvnxzgpcO4M_52-x0z6NggVAzhn2yNq_FpSWN0NSJD1XrdV6wQvzEb32M-xx0KLSypBt5oZgQuMxGEU68i_i3Wk_EJyXSS7ywGveUTmIbnKzFvsbXX08GKswBipl3iHocU/s320/180918_195157_6656.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple of future soccer stars </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We were in search of a place to eat after our visit to the plaza. We headed to a place recommended by Fernando, Queyendo. It was closed. We ended up at a tapas bar/restaurant run by women from Galicia, an autonomous community of northwestern Spain, Maceiras.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0t1J8nMJ5B8lSsj57utZXOXD1q2oz_mS0U0_4laVg1NNtTkhN6IqiUrd0HaJlFcqGbXOJZwePa_F0wkYvGlCTF74POOuT1Cl09buj5hGsaWyoMoYOBKfdPzXE9euAgy7-wcSnWsYvcQ/s1600/180918_213748_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0t1J8nMJ5B8lSsj57utZXOXD1q2oz_mS0U0_4laVg1NNtTkhN6IqiUrd0HaJlFcqGbXOJZwePa_F0wkYvGlCTF74POOuT1Cl09buj5hGsaWyoMoYOBKfdPzXE9euAgy7-wcSnWsYvcQ/s320/180918_213748_0248.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maceiras</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl2ba5I707SginU8LQlXTr3E3fLvfbsKxw5WHCUlxPzQlB56Ub1TUpO6Gl8VQalcBS-uMsXrFmgPbyenldi8wrENop4A7GrE8SUT2On_QvhHwriZwVBGraGWBy7lHGlhDRM8Yb-zJm-U/s1600/180918_204847_6667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl2ba5I707SginU8LQlXTr3E3fLvfbsKxw5WHCUlxPzQlB56Ub1TUpO6Gl8VQalcBS-uMsXrFmgPbyenldi8wrENop4A7GrE8SUT2On_QvhHwriZwVBGraGWBy7lHGlhDRM8Yb-zJm-U/s320/180918_204847_6667.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">the wine is served in a cunca, which means bowl in </span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Galician</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVcFe3OaPZ_GkGxBnnATU279Y1FT0AKBtvNojW45czltPZJ279xVisciSYQ5rv5rg_k8XcNP1ZizQhvu6GW8FGhyhq20L0LPgEbaMjrdObHvOs5qRkKkWLbXImLEczeJYxTPPjkcbpF0/s1600/180918_213113_6670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVcFe3OaPZ_GkGxBnnATU279Y1FT0AKBtvNojW45czltPZJ279xVisciSYQ5rv5rg_k8XcNP1ZizQhvu6GW8FGhyhq20L0LPgEbaMjrdObHvOs5qRkKkWLbXImLEczeJYxTPPjkcbpF0/s320/180918_213113_6670.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>customer service questionaire</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We headed back to the apartment only a couple of blocks away and attempted to stay up until 11 PM without success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">On to the Reina Sofía, tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">PS They have Lime scooters, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8mMmfWePIrr84_7_sS2qyWGI5d8JKvLt48sCiRE4MXJr0EuNHQRXeFscqribe5ud31LEHlcVnoy0WW_KogChBysdXMlS_SvzwRba8Yj_i3p58tvhVCySn3-t7ON1YAmvO5nOfroJeL4/s1600/180918_140830_6628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8mMmfWePIrr84_7_sS2qyWGI5d8JKvLt48sCiRE4MXJr0EuNHQRXeFscqribe5ud31LEHlcVnoy0WW_KogChBysdXMlS_SvzwRba8Yj_i3p58tvhVCySn3-t7ON1YAmvO5nOfroJeL4/s320/180918_140830_6628.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
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Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-20004614383438594672018-09-13T18:11:00.001-05:002018-09-13T18:11:59.688-05:00Yikes, we leave on Monday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetOIQmV0xkX-qRi8AML1vOnraAw7pChkA9f1ubSKfRYXM3Y1DJlRcnREXXy2FP7XAoRS3P6yONuQHtzssfUNpZAAiH9gOehp2R7TLk9Ty87Rj4-ZfHcRLPwS7DITDfrRmWRghfkvhnw4/s1600/Spain-Administrative-Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1200" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetOIQmV0xkX-qRi8AML1vOnraAw7pChkA9f1ubSKfRYXM3Y1DJlRcnREXXy2FP7XAoRS3P6yONuQHtzssfUNpZAAiH9gOehp2R7TLk9Ty87Rj4-ZfHcRLPwS7DITDfrRmWRghfkvhnw4/s640/Spain-Administrative-Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It always seems like a trip that was organized a year in advance will never arrive. The reality is that as the date comes closer time actually accelerates to an unbelievable speed. The same is true for a trip organized six months ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in March I began investigating a trip that would allow us to stay in one spot for at least a month. I had full agreement and support from my wife. She even gave me the choice of location. I thought about it a great deal. I felt like it should be a place where Spanish was spoken. Also, I wanted to go to a place we had been to before, but a place that would allow us to absorb more of the culture in a much more relaxed way. Kind of a vacation in a slow cooker rather than a microwave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I chose Sevilla. We had been there before, two times. I liked the vibe of the city; yet I knew there was more to discover. Our past visits had been for three days each. After much searching, we secured an apartment in Triana, a working class neighborhood across the Guadalquivir river from Sevilla proper. Triana is known as a place that produces bullfighters, flamenco artists and pottery. Our apartment is in a residential building, not many tourists, and it's only a 10 or 15 minute walk to the historic center of Sevilla. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will stay a couple of days in Madrid upon our arrival. I want to visit the Prado, again. Of course, Guernica at the Museo Reina Sofia is a must. Perhaps, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, too. There is no way that I can go to Madrid without setting foot in the Plaza Mayor. It is clear to me that visiting a place like Madrid cannot be done in hours; it must be days. Well, we will have lots of days in Sevilla. I hope 30 days is enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time is rushing forward. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have agreed to take only one suitcase each. Packing options are swirling in our heads. What to pack still eludes us. What will we forget? Oh well, we still have a few days to ponder the dilemma. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for more on our adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¡No te vayas!</span>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-12157368090060146532018-09-12T10:07:00.003-05:002018-09-14T17:04:22.349-05:00Why did my cat write a note in Japanese?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VMOC_XyT97mD7BhGjTCW6g5RWmTHZgOtwwNGRxXuxfEJViNQDc0SDWnBOuyZ2R5ypbC0xuZjNeYolJMEEdGrk3UkLVgFU-taUK-UBMWe7et_S_XGuZCzfDglW9tKCFlRZ1m_JuyvMlA/s1600/cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1479" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VMOC_XyT97mD7BhGjTCW6g5RWmTHZgOtwwNGRxXuxfEJViNQDc0SDWnBOuyZ2R5ypbC0xuZjNeYolJMEEdGrk3UkLVgFU-taUK-UBMWe7et_S_XGuZCzfDglW9tKCFlRZ1m_JuyvMlA/s320/cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is a question that arose when I started to use the program Duolingo to sharpen my meager Spanish speaking skills. There was one lesson that was focused on using words that referenced animals. Here are some of the actual sentences and their translations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>El gato escribió una nota en japonés.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The cat wrote a note in Japanese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Mi caballo aprendió francés hace un año.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My horse learned French a year ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>La vaca perezosa no limpió la casa.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lazy cow didn’t clean the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>El perro aprendió inglés en la universidad.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dog learned English at the university.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay, it was kind of fun and I won't forget about that cat writing in Japanese.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why this focus (I'm not yet prepared to call it an obsession) on learning Spanish. A very good question. I took 3 years of Spanish in high school. I performed without stellar results. I avoided languages in college. Many years later, I found myself traveling to Mexico for business. Later, I lived in Europe and often traveled to Spain. I felt like I needed to reclaim my past, albeit meager, skills. I had no real plan. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>No tenía un plan.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started by looking at travel books containing "essential" phrases and vocabulary. This didn't take me too far in my quest for knowledge. I purchased a set of 8 CDs by Michel Thomas. I used them on walks and in the car. I started to make some progress, but at my highest point I felt like I was speaking at the level of an average 4 or 5 year old. At this point in my life, I found myself teaching at a community college (a story for another time). I realized that I could take college level Spanish courses at no cost - space available, of course. Maybe, I could say, "<i>Aprendí español en la universidad de la comunidad</i>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taking college level Spanish courses was a little intimidating for a man in his sixties. I didn't want to be at the bottom of the class. I pushed my studying into high gear. I found that some students felt my performance was ruining the curve. I was undaunted. I ended up taking Spanish I through IV, all of the levels offered. I took Spanish III a second time as it covered the very difficult subjunctive form. I was an A student in Spanish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I felt very good about my intellectual knowledge of the Spanish language. My spoken Spanish was still very lacking. Last year I found an advanced Spanish group through an adult education program called LLI or Lifetime Learning Institute of Austin. I'm at the bottom of the class as far as speaking, but my comprehension is very good. This class has introduced me to the value of reading Spanish articles and books. <i>Me encanta esta clase</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a few days, my wife and I are off to Spain for 5 weeks, mainly Sevilla. My wife's cats, who do not write in Japanese, will remain at home with the house/cat sitter. I am as anxious, as I was when taking my first college Spanish class, but I have high hopes of improving my spoken Spanish. <i>¡Yo puedo hacerlo!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I don't get too lazy, I hope to blog about our time in Spain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">¡</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mantente vigilante! </span></span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">¡</span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mantén tus ojos en este blog!</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Note: Duolingo is the best of the free, on-line language programs that I have found. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-29731704704672217372018-09-11T18:19:00.000-05:002018-09-11T18:19:44.572-05:00Chronically Affected by the Travel Bug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71wXNLh7EmfA2wIxZ-Rw2o69lbeZCNnBvI7sQ5OjgLGJnlLAKaHuENpoU_e4HCo1UN-_OWgxkw8T8rqmdlU8gpTqugq03sIEqUHywGAGu5G52z0eXw0F8cVyzzU7HudDM5MY1dXXep2I/s1600/world_country.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71wXNLh7EmfA2wIxZ-Rw2o69lbeZCNnBvI7sQ5OjgLGJnlLAKaHuENpoU_e4HCo1UN-_OWgxkw8T8rqmdlU8gpTqugq03sIEqUHywGAGu5G52z0eXw0F8cVyzzU7HudDM5MY1dXXep2I/s640/world_country.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My wife and I love to travel. We like to experience different cultures, eat their food, meet the people, and be there in the middle of it all. We have been traveling for quite a few years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lots of people ask, "When was I bitten by the travel bug?" I reply, "It is all because I took a job at 3M Company."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why do I attribute my travel addiction to my employer? Let me try to condense the story. I started working for the 3M Company in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1971. Up until this point, I had not traveled more that a couple of hundred miles from my birthplace, Philadelphia. In 1972, I was given the opportunity to take a sales job in Ohio. I flew to Detroit for an interview. This was my first plane ride. I had a window seat on a Boeing 707, breakfast included, and 3M paid for the ticket. I got the job and moved to Toledo, Ohio. Life was good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I accepted jobs with more responsibility and more travel. This took me to much of the continental US and Canada. In 1989, I was offered a European assignment in Brussels, Belgium. This led to my first international flight, Dallas to Frankfurt to Brussels. I didn't have a window seat, but it was in business class. The job responsibility required that I travel to and work with subsidiaries of 3M in each western European country. In my business travels, I was with locals and got to experience their country through their eyes. With my colleagues, I ate local meals, I visited local sites, and I generally saw how they lived. When I was not working, my wife and I spent our weekends and vacation time visiting Europe on our own. Life continued to be good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the European assignment, I moved into a small business within 3M that was truly a global business. The business had 3 main focus areas, US, Europe and Asia. My travel continued in the US and Europe, but I now had the opportunity to travel in Asia. My first plane trip to Asia in 1993 departed Minnesota traveling to Japan followed by Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore. That first Asian trip was followed by many more taking me to Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and China. Life was good and now global.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's how it started. At least, that's my story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the Asia travel began, our personal travels expanded as well. We have done lots of traveling in the US, Europe and Asia. We have added quite a few trips to South America, too. In the last two years, we have visited both polar regions as well, Antarctica in the south and the Svalbard Archipelago in the north. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Depending on how one counts countries, I've been to 76 (per The Travelers' Century Club) or 55 (UN list of countries) and six of the seven continents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where to next? Too many choices.</span>Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-85808364382856533202017-07-14T14:58:00.002-05:002017-07-14T14:58:44.446-05:00Channeling My Driver's Education: Mr. Watson and Mr. YostIt seems like driving skills and driver etiquette have diminished since I first got behind the wheel of an automobile and began traveling the highways and byways of this earth. Maybe this is just the musings of someone in search of the good old days, but I don't think that's completely true. I'm not averse to traveling at a mile or two above the speed limit on a highway, and I am willing to suffer the consequences of receiving a traffic ticket. What does disturb me more and more is the disregard for a red traffic signal or coming to a stop at a stop sign.<br />
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Yes, I did learn to drive some time ago. It has been more than fifty years, but who's counting. I acquired my learner's permit in Pennsylvania when I was sixteen years old. I did most of my behind the wheel learning on two vehicles, a 1952 Plymouth and a 1951 Dodge pickup truck. Both had a three speed, manual transmission with shift lever on the steering column. Most of my learner's permit hours were in the Plymouth.<br />
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The truck was a high milage and far from pristine vehicle. Functional may be a suitable descriptive word, but additional adjectives elude me at the moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8uyTTR6fgpbBaRSAUxkqDq84EJmD3mZlj01_264RPstEHBvFQeKiuLa4aG4A7SlOxWt1yqhCh4OBKGA9-ex1SEmCyyUOQcO9mR80uoMaTdyWeYgU7XzpzTfchvDyWrHqaRzDSJumM4I/s1600/1952-plymouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8uyTTR6fgpbBaRSAUxkqDq84EJmD3mZlj01_264RPstEHBvFQeKiuLa4aG4A7SlOxWt1yqhCh4OBKGA9-ex1SEmCyyUOQcO9mR80uoMaTdyWeYgU7XzpzTfchvDyWrHqaRzDSJumM4I/s320/1952-plymouth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Plymouth was a 2-door Belvedere. This high mileage gem was to become my car after $50 made its way to my father from me. It had well worn upholstery (read full of rips and tears), and a rusted through floorpan that allowed easy viewing of the road below.<br />
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In addition to learning to drive while accompanied by a licensed driver, principally my father, I had driver training classes in high school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h6KyFn7llsD4nXvrOu8cJ1rX6aFeRCvL2qasqSPM42bvqYYW8NVa9NAZSFBaFK3qVNLun2xbirzXN6qlRVl70u5e1ijOz_7922B1OKsPqJ2Ss4XCJr-hLS4YQISOt3G9bfc23Td4UJA/s1600/education002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="738" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h6KyFn7llsD4nXvrOu8cJ1rX6aFeRCvL2qasqSPM42bvqYYW8NVa9NAZSFBaFK3qVNLun2xbirzXN6qlRVl70u5e1ijOz_7922B1OKsPqJ2Ss4XCJr-hLS4YQISOt3G9bfc23Td4UJA/s200/education002.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Mr. Watson was my instructor for the classroom portion of driver training. He was normally a physical education teacher, but he had a scare the bejesus out of you approach to explaining driving rules and the consequences one would face by breaking them.<br />
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Mr. Yost was the behind the wheel instructor. I don't recall that he had additional teaching responsibilities. I'm sure that his time in the car was a fair exchange for his salary. His only protection while driving with student drivers was an additional brake pedal on his side of the front seat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyQlQl_hq6rX6kUgsEO9z1ZuJjXk9RxlcGWn5oQdLC7oTqRzwW-mVXPEooYpVgSouETQvLCfp-vvaQYU1GUQymdZhE7l6Dxge7qJCpymD5hZfNZVP_z6miafBB5TbeqUwxgM1ER0Pseg/s1600/62+chevy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyQlQl_hq6rX6kUgsEO9z1ZuJjXk9RxlcGWn5oQdLC7oTqRzwW-mVXPEooYpVgSouETQvLCfp-vvaQYU1GUQymdZhE7l6Dxge7qJCpymD5hZfNZVP_z6miafBB5TbeqUwxgM1ER0Pseg/s1600/62+chevy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyQlQl_hq6rX6kUgsEO9z1ZuJjXk9RxlcGWn5oQdLC7oTqRzwW-mVXPEooYpVgSouETQvLCfp-vvaQYU1GUQymdZhE7l6Dxge7qJCpymD5hZfNZVP_z6miafBB5TbeqUwxgM1ER0Pseg/s320/62+chevy.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
My time with Mr Yost had a somewhat rocky start. The vehicle used for on the road driver education was a late model, full size Chevrolet (maybe 1962 or 1963 Biscayne). It had power brakes and power steering both were completely new experiences for me. Mr Yost did not get to use his brake pedal very often while I drove, but he may have wished for a helmet as the possibility of his head hitting the dashboard existed when I applied the brakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kryminc5r3k5nT350ZE-fRRhNupth9KwhUzjpI7AAGu9ZSf8wMLWE974wOAw_EmCzNO_ZYTufGpi4CrU7OKKRiMOroxPrHRHdpiHKFlgPCdrRmfwKoX4mnV9GGnBfG1F_GWaDP6WjEQ/s1600/1954+pontiac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="614" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kryminc5r3k5nT350ZE-fRRhNupth9KwhUzjpI7AAGu9ZSf8wMLWE974wOAw_EmCzNO_ZYTufGpi4CrU7OKKRiMOroxPrHRHdpiHKFlgPCdrRmfwKoX4mnV9GGnBfG1F_GWaDP6WjEQ/s320/1954+pontiac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On the morning that I was to take my driving test, my father decided that I should take the exam in the family car, a 1954 Pontiac station wagon. My heart became securely lodged in my throat. I had never driven the family truckster, and my father decided he would drive to the testing site. Failure was on the horizon. To my complete surprise, I passed the driving test on my first attempt. It was the first and only time that I drove the Pontiac wagon.<br />
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Mr Watson, and to some degree Mr. Yost, instilled in me a strong regard for the rules of the road both the written laws and common driver etiquette. For example, when approaching an intersection where a traffic signal was turning yellow, one was expected to stop. When one came to an intersection with a stop sign, one must come to a complete stop. I did as Mr. Watson instructed because I would remember the films he would show of people who did not obey these simple rules. The movies would visit the scene of accidents that resulted from someone failing to stop. The movies depicted smashed cars and lifeless bodies on the highway resting in large pools of blood. Mr. Watson's warning reverberated through my brain, "Steady yellow or amber lights signal that the light will turn red soon. So, you must come to a safe stop before the crosswalk, or, you will be splattered all over the road." Similar voices could be heard when approaching a stop sign.<br />
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Today, I instinctively apply my driver training. I no longer hear Mr. Watson's voice, but I do attempt to follow the rules of the road, speeding on highways may at times be another matter.<br />
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Here in Austin, things seem a little different. When I am stopped at a traffic light, and it turns green, the first thing I do is look left and right before entering the intersection. In a high number of instances, drivers seem to believe that the first second or two of red should be treated as green. About 4 years ago, I was hit by one of those who opted not to stop at red. The driver actually told the policeman that she thought she could get through before anyone started to move. That driver was wrong as two cars were struck by her failure to stop.<br />
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Failing to stop at stop signs is another irritant for me, especially when I need to do hard braking to avoid a collision. At times I feel like I am driving in a part of Europe where la priorité a droite is the rule. Priorité a droite or priority to the right existed when there was an absence of traffic signals or signs. It is/was common in France and Belgium. Basically it means when entering a street or intersection, the car to the right has la priorité a droite or right of way. In the illustration below, the green car always has right of way in the absence of traffic signs or signals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDKhutpK9LHBWuhzt3pizml8u6VAwWfQw7RJ8QQal4fqjRuY9NFaZa3coOcDGsWl-mL_zb22WTkhBTkR4dcHPkkexULB7bzWyaM7rvA_gJJh2r2chgXlc5tnPHMSz2tliOq_YkDFHAFM/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="624" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDKhutpK9LHBWuhzt3pizml8u6VAwWfQw7RJ8QQal4fqjRuY9NFaZa3coOcDGsWl-mL_zb22WTkhBTkR4dcHPkkexULB7bzWyaM7rvA_gJJh2r2chgXlc5tnPHMSz2tliOq_YkDFHAFM/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We lived in Belgium for about four years, and I drove in France, often. It took some time to get a grasp on la priorité a droite. While driving in neighborhoods in Austin, I am often reminded of living in Europe as drivers frequently enter a main street without heeding stop signs.<br />
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Perhaps, this is simply a rant inspired by musings of days gone by. I do wonder from time to time if subsequent generations of drivers have had their own Mr. Watson and Mr. Yost. Maybe political correctness and fear of lawsuits has ended the showing of gruesome movies depicting the results of breaking the law. Perhaps, today's drivers have a different set of priorities, neither right nor left.Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612804159809244862.post-45820817588569670792017-06-22T14:17:00.000-05:002017-06-22T14:17:33.087-05:00Inspiring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Inspiration comes in many forms. One may find it in the actions of people or in an experience. It often happens when one least expects it. </div>
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For more than 10 years, my wife, has participated in the <a href="http://nsga.com/">Senior Games</a>. I often find something very inspiring when I attend a state or national event. The Senior Games are sporting events for folks who have reached their fiftieth year on earth. There is no upper limit in age for the participants, but one may not start before fifty. The games are held annually at the state level and nationally every two years. The participants compete in five year age brackets, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64 and so on. The brackets are broken into men's and women's competitions for most sports. The National Senior Games move around the country to cities having venues that can handle the twenty four or more events ranging from archery to volleyball. More often than not, the events that I watch most closely are swimming and triathlon. Why these two events? My wife competes in these events. Enough said!</div>
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This year, at the nationals in Birmingham, Alabama, she competed in six swimming events where she won two silver medals, 3 bronze medals, and a fourth place ribbon. Quite an achievement that was a result of a lot of hard work and much practice. Yes, I find this inspirational.</div>
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<i>some of the swimming awards</i></div>
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There are other moving moments at the swimming venue. There is a woman that we've seen at the last few national games who swims the backstroke; she is blind. She competes and I find that inspiring. Others who require a cane or a walker out of the pool do just fine in the water, inspiring. Another is Ole, a gentleman from North Carolina, who is competing in several swimming events and is in his mid nineties. Quite a testimonial for exercise and competition. There is one more example that I would like to share with you from the triathlon venue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejh3A6TMJjhPL3TKFTADoZJZUuA9ISH50_pTBnz2L2DERC1Vdu2N7G5btIc7wd7gyfgt_712qzczleQRkKmzzgP2FSx9rlAsJXHr6SzBU4ynamSXOSxh_3XxkD2V2Hu6CLpKVfcCq_0U/s1600/170611_092602_3902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejh3A6TMJjhPL3TKFTADoZJZUuA9ISH50_pTBnz2L2DERC1Vdu2N7G5btIc7wd7gyfgt_712qzczleQRkKmzzgP2FSx9rlAsJXHr6SzBU4ynamSXOSxh_3XxkD2V2Hu6CLpKVfcCq_0U/s320/170611_092602_3902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>waiting to start the swim</i></div>
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At the Senior Games, the triathlon is not an Ironman, a Half Ironman, or even an Olympic length. It is a Sprint length, Swimming: 400M Freestyle (open water), Cycling: 20K, Road Race: 5K. This year, one hundred and thirty seven entrants made their way to the starting line. They were released in waves organized by age. As usual, I was very focused on my wife's position; I was attempting to capture photos of her performance as she moved through each leg of the event. Swimming is clearly her strength, and she emerged from the water 3 minutes ahead of the next competitor in her age group. She lost some time in the bike ride and a little more on the run. She managed to finish in second place which matched her performance in the previous national games. This was not the most inspirational moment of the day.</div>
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<i>podium position</i></div>
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Earlier, while I waited for my wife to return from the bike ride, I saw an older competitor get started on the bike. He had a bit a of a wobbly start on the slightly uphill beginning of the bike circuit, but he got underway. He was not the last to start the bike ride, but most of the competitors were ahead of him. While walking around the transition area with my wife after she finished the run, I saw the last rider return from the bike ride. It was the wobbly fellow. As he exited the transition area to start the run, he requested of an official that the awards ceremony start without waiting for him to finish. He told the official that he was going to finish, but he did not know how long it would be. He started the 5K run.</div>
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The awards ceremony started after 136 of the 137 participants crossed the finish line. All of the awards were nearly handed out and photos taken. Then the master of ceremonies announced that Frank Farrar from Britton, South Dakota was approaching the finish line. She added that the 88 year old would win the gold medal for his age group. Nearly everyone moved to the finish line to cheer his completion with a time of 2:11:57. There were lots of selfies with Frank and lots of handshakes.</div>
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<i>Frank Farrar and fans</i></div>
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The triathlon provided some inspirational moments for me. First, an 88 year old competitor chose to endure the rigors of a triathlon. The second thing was more inspiring. Frank did not want to have the other competitors be inconvenienced by waiting for him to finish. He wasn't just thinking about his race; he was thinking about his fellow competitors. I'm glad that I was there as he crossed the finish line. Truly a moving experience for me.</div>
Frank Raganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12579634359991839813noreply@blogger.com0Birmingham, AL, USA33.5206608 -86.80248999999997733.0971038 -87.447936999999982 33.944217800000004 -86.157042999999973