Saturday 11 May - Grenada to Seville

No idea what the festival was but it involved people on horseback and tractors towing highly decorated caravans.  Whatever it was about, we did end up walking to the train station which was not too bad, as only had 2 small overnight bags.  Good for us after all the food we have eaten.

Train this time did not break down so back in Seville around 4pm. Significantly warmer than Grenada so changed and ventured out for a drink in 'our' Plaza.  (You may notice a theme emerging here). Saturday night, so lots of people sitting around having fun.  Ended up at a restaurant called Casa Paco where we had eaten lunch on our first day.  We had a delicious meal.  Getting better at avoiding fried food.  Just so many croquettes we can eat.  Favourite was a burrata salad with spirals of zucchini, almonds and cherry tomatoes in a honey based sauce, think was also a sundried tomato element to it. Would happily reproduce at home.  Did some wandering in local back streets after dinner.  Great local area.  Packed with cafes/restaurants/bars.  Also found local market which plan to check out. (Later edit - drats, never got there).

Noticed 3 statues in the Plaza near our hotel.  Pastora Maria Pavon Cruz known as La Nina de los Peines and Manola Caracol who were both flaminco singers and Chicuelo who was a bullfighter.  We had no idea that flaminco also involved singers.  After hearing some singers on a later date, Stephen commented he could see why their statutes were hidden by the trees.  Very rude.

Sunday 12 May

Strange sad day.  Phone call late last night told us that one of my cousins had died.  Was very ill in hospital but still knocked us around, as both very close to her. Feels surreal too as so far away from home.  So went out for a walk in the sunny morning and visited Seville's main art gallery which was a very peaceful place.  Good pick. Few people around and stunning building along with some very interesting artwork.  Building was built in 1594 and originally a convent.  Saw artwork by a number of Spanish artists including our very own Susillo whose old house we are staying in.  His was a wooden relief.

Wandered further on to view the Setas de Sevilla or Metropol Parasol. It's a large wooden structure that has large mushroom shaped parasols.  We sat underneath enjoying a gelato and wandered up it a bit.  Interesting concept.

Then found a shop selling some delicious ham rolls for lunch.  Here is our homage to ham shot.

Ate that in another plaza under 'our' Susillo Velazquez statute.  Seemed appropriate.

 

Decided to have a look at nearby Department store which was open on a Sunday.  Unusual for Spain.  Some pretty nice stuff there. Generally cheaper than Sydney, but that's not saying much. Also a gathering of men wearing Middle Eastern type turbans who were standing underneath a wooden box-like structure that they were about to heave on their shoulders and carry.  Seemed to be some religious thing.  

Sunny afternoon enjoying a drink in our Plaza across from the hotel. Opted for a burrata salad and pizza for dinner in the Plaza.  Spied local grandma across the road sitting in her little glass balcony facing the street, keeping a track  of all the goings on.  Very pleasant ending to this sad day.