Rounding out Spain: Sevilla to Madrid

I was back behind the wheel again for our trip from Cordoba to Sevilla. I can´t express how much I have missed driving this year. It is a sense of control and freedom you just can´t get from any other mode of travel. Thankfully my travel companions were willing to indulge me, especially with a few stalls in intersections as I got used to a stick shift again.

The drive was great until we arrived in Sevilla near dust, under the threat of dark rain clouds, and with a map that didn´t list even half of the streets, let alone which ones were one way. We all did remarkably well and after almost two hours of circling our hotel we eventually got their. Thank goodness for Celia´s Spanish and the kindness of strangers.

As we turned in the car to the rental agency, I realized that although I love to drive, I take for granted that I generally do so in a country with wide roads, grid pattern streets and proper maps. I was glad to leave the car behind and head for the taxi stand.

Sevilla turned out to be an lovely surprise. Although I had not done much reading up on the place, I wasn´t sure if there was much to the city. Turns out there is tons.

We visited the Sevilla Cathedral (another over-the-top monument to the Catholic faith) and the Real Alcazar. The Real Alcazar was another Moor style palace and gardens situated right in the middle of the city. It always amazes me to experience such expansive grounds in the heart of a city. It is nice to see that the city values these landmarks and preserves them.

I have to admit, that by this time I was reaching my threshold of religious and architectural sites. I had to balance out my time with some other pastime... shopping.

On our last day there, Celia and I made our way to the Plaza de Espana which was wholly impressive too. It is a dedication to the entire country with lovely mosaic pictorials for every region of Spain. In the centre is a grand foundation. The Spanish never do anything in half measures.

Madrid has been a great city to end our tour in. We are staying in the heart of the city center so we can easily walk around. We did the Prado museum and generally chilled out.

One highlight of our time here has been a fantastic Flamenco show we saw last night. The musicians we expressive and guitarists kept us all entertained. However the three dancers (two women and one man) were definitely the stars. They threw down such unbelievable moves that even the musicians were picking their jaws up from the floor. We had gotten great seats right at the stage so the fast foot work was right up close and personal. I was awe struck several times at the speed and strength of their movements. It is definitively a passionate dance, but these dancers gave 200% of themselves and left everything they had on the stage.

As I leave Spain I am certain I will visit it again. It has so much to offer and in such a comfortable way. The people and places are genuinely worthy of more exploration.