Trip to Spain 2007 – Page 8 – The Bald Heretic – Short, bald dude with a goofy beard

Giger Tree

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There’s this tree in Seville we pass each day as we stroll through the park.
I have come to call it the Giger Tree or the Cthulhu Tree

It appears at times to be the face of Cthulhu and, at other times, I see a person or two being sucked up into it…

Córdoba – Addendum

When I say there’s not much else to see in Córdoba, that’s mostly correct. However, if you are fascinated by ongoing traditions and want a little more sense of history I recommend seeking out the statue of Moses Maimonides, the medieval Jewish philosopher sometimes called the “Jewish St. Thomas Aquinas“.

This statue sits next to the synagogue that was built in Córdoba in 1350.

They say that if you visit the statue and rub Moses Maimonides’ foot it will bring you good luck.

The foot of the statue is very shiny compared to the rest which is quite tarnished from age so it’s getting rubbed alot.

William The Sheep was not ashamed to rub the foot for luck!

Cordoba

Today we day-tripped to Córdoba to see the Mezquita which was, at one time, the second-largest mosque in the world. Construction of the mosque started in 784 A.D. and was reconsecrated a Christian church in 1236.

It’s a magnificent sight to see and well worth the 45 minutes it takes to ride the AVE train from Seville.

After wandering around outside for a bit we purchased our tickets for admission and went inside. You should see this place with the marble floors and the amazing arches…

It’s amazing that the Christian’s preserved so much of the original mosque. Of course they had to change it up a bit and put a Christian altar smack dab in the middle of it along with various other ornamentation, but they kept the original Mihrab which once contained an original copy of the Koran and relics of the prophet Mohammad (an arm bone)

It was indeed a wonderful place to visit. Sadly, there’s not much else to see in Córdoba. It’s kind of a one-trick-pony kind of town, but if you’re in the neighborhood (Seville) there’s really no excuse for not making the effort to get over there and see the Mezquita.

Spanish Doppelganger

I am experiencing an odd phenomenon. Anywhere from 2-6 times a day I am seeing someone on the street who looks just like someone I know back home.

And it runs the gamut from good friends to vaguely remembered acquaintances.

It’s very disconcerting. I’m not sure if there really is a resemblance or if it’s a result of being away from familiar faces for so long.

Hey Look, I Discovered Spain!

I just realized that today is Columbus day.

And here I am in Seville, the very city he set sail from on his third voyage to the new world in 1498…

…and I just saw his mausoleum/monument/tomb

Freaky….

Cathedral And Bell Tower

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The Cathedral in Seville is the third largest church in Europe (behind St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London) and the largest Gothic building in Europe.

Dimly lit and with flash photography not being allowed, it’s hard to shoot. Even then, it’s hard to capture the sheer immensity of this structure.

The cathedral houses one thing I was glad to be able to capture, the Tomb Of Christopher Columbus

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That thing is magnificent! Even if there’s no actual proof that the remains of Christopher Columbus actually reside in the monument…

Some parts of the cathedral are grim and gloomy

While others are a bit more bright and hopeful

There was one thing Cynthia kept going on and on about and that was climbing the The Giralda which is the bell tower of the cathedral. At 320 feet, it’s daunting to consider for old fogies like ourselves

Fortunately it a series of ramps leading to the top rather than many, many tiny little stone steps as I recall was the case in the York Minster when we climbed that years ago.

The climb is worth it, though. Just for the view

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We’re resting now. Tomorrow there is talk of taking the train to Cordoba

Toro!

Studebaker

Many advertising signs on the walls are done as paintings on tile. I have no idea if this is an original Studebaker ad or a reproduction. Based on the wear and tear it could easily be an original.

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