The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain~

Kevin, Nathan and I just returned from a fantastic trip to Seville, Spain.  We arrived Friday and began eating tapas and drinking large amounts of sangria immediately!  We befriended our adorable Brazilian waiter, Jean Franco, at a terrific little gem, Vina Deira.  Fortunately he spoke English and set us up with some of the chef's BEST dishes on the menu.  We had delicious meats (jamon serrano) and cheeses and the best olives I've ever had.  We had shrimp and marinated hake cheeks in a sizzling clay pot with tons of garlic, just to name a few. The food and fun were endless!  He finished us off with complimentary frozen carmel vodka!  Nothing wrong with that!  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and our first meal!

We slept like babies at Hotel Amadeus.  This old, quaint Spanish home had about 15 rooms each with a different music theme.  Throughout the home were instruments for anyone to play.  Very lovely~

                                   
Next morning, who says we can't have cerveza and paella for breakfast?
 Um,  NOBODY.

So we did!!!  When in Spain do like the Spaniards do.

*With full bellies, we began our Spanish journey.  We first took in the beautiful Seville Cathedral.  It dominates the city skyline and is the third largest in the world.  It has an incredible collection of spikes and buttresses.  The cathedral is built on the site of a 12th century mosque.

For most of the day we got lost along the city's old Jewish quarter in a maze of narrow passageways.  The homes were whitewashed, some pastel, all with lovely flower-filled window boxes.  There were artists, musicians, beautiful fountains and people enjoying the awesome 65 degree day!
We interrupt this blog with a news flash from London:
"Blue Monday":  Said to be the year's most depressing day.  So sorry we missed it, NOT!  The first Underground film festival is being launched, "Smile for London", in an attempt to uplift the mood of commuters.  They will begin showing short silent movies on video screens in tube stations.  Let's hope that gives Londoneers something to smile about.
*Now back to lovely Spain where the sun is shining~
The shops, restaurants and bars were plentiful.  We had a very relaxed wander and took in the beauty of it all.

Above is a short video and some of the sights of the Alcazar and gardens.  This romantic royal palace is so exotic and enticing.  Built in the 14 century, it is graced with the most beautiful carved ceilings and archways.  It also has the most gorgeous, intricate tilework I've ever seen.  This style of architecture is known as the Mudejar style.  A blend of Moorish and Christian influences.  The palace was also the birthplace of Maria Antonietta of Spain.  The music you hear is a fountain which produces musical notes in the organ pipes on the stroke of each hour when water rushes through!  Mesmerising!

~ornate golden alter

A variety of pictures in no particular order!

We continued until sundown when we took a rest at Hotel Dona Maria, Seville's most attractive roof terrace with the greatest floodlit views of the Cathedral.  We then went to a very lively flamenco show but much too tired to appreciate it to the fullest!

Best views from the rooftop~

I certainly wanted a quintessential Sevillian experience but was not really interested in a bloodthirsty spectacle of a bullfight.  I talked the boys into a relaxing horse-drawn carriage ride to the Plaza de Espana and the Parque Maria Luisa.  Two of the most beautiful places in the world.  They were not disappointed.

musical fountain~

This is where Nate lived for a month while studying in Seville.

Kevin is running from the imaginary bulls in the arena! HA HA!

Happy Me~Photo shoot of goofing on the Palace grounds:

Ready!!!

Set!!!!!

GO!!!!!!!!!!

A VERY happy Spanish horse! Ahem...

Nathan and Paco at Dos de Mayo~ another fav happening tapas bar!

more beautiful palace pictures

The wonderful smell of orange trees and rosemary EVERYWHERE!

One of many fountains with Neptune~God of the Sea

Nathan drinking from the Fountain of Youth

Nate looking rather studly at the Bar-Barge!

Perfect symmetry of the Alcazar landscape~

Nate found a book of Seville in the hotel.  It gave a day by day list of must do's.  We definitely put a dent in this list!

*******************************************************************

~Went to Parque Maria Luisa.  CHECK!

~Wander the Alcazar.  CHECK!

~Clip-clop through the old town in a horse drawn carriage. CHECK!

~Sip a cocktail on Hotel Dona Maria's roof terrace. CHECK!

~Get lost in Barrio Santa Cruz.  CHECK!

~Get caught up in the passion of flamenco.  CHECK!

~Munch tapas surrounded by noise at lunch time.  CHECK!  Actually EVERY DAY!

~Discover dazzling church interriors.  CHECK!

~Browse the shops in Calle Sierpes.  CHECK!

~Admire the romantic artworks.  CHECK!

~Sink an ice-cold beer at a busy street bar.  CHECK!  You guessed it, EVERY DAY!

~Discover the beauty of the Seville Cathedral.  CHECK.

So many great times and so many great pictures of our visit to Spain...far too many to share.  I would without question return and complete the list!  Beautiful Spain.  NO RAIN!