Hola from Cordoba

We arrived in the Andalusian city of Cordoba late yesterday, after a six-and-a-half hour train trip from Valencia. I’ve been going on about how fast and efficient the very fast trains are here in Spain, so I guess it's only fair that we eventually found something to rival the sheer inefficiency of trains back home. This train stopped many times, often in the middle of nowhere and not even at a station. To make matters even worse, and every VLine traveller will be all too familiar with this, we sat across from two Spanish equivalents of Aussie bogans, who spent the entire trip in and out of their seats, up and down the aisles and out of the train completely for a quick cigarette whenever it stopped for more than a few moments.  Needless to say they reeked of smoke upon their return. I guess it just goes to prove a bogan is a bogan no matter where they’re from.

I seem to have come down with something which has robbed me of any energy and left me feeling unwell, so Alison spent much of the morning exploring while I simply couldn’t seem to wake up. However, we did manage to visit the Mezquita, a World Heritage site, and perhaps one of the most important mosques in the Western world, although it is strictly speaking a mosque and a cathedral, since it’s been a Christian place of worship for the past nine centuries. As we were entering the cathedral, the morning mass was ending. To be privy to the majestic pipe organ and sung mass made the experience even more surreal.

We’ve seen many of Europe’s finest cathedrals during our travels over the past few years, but the Mezquita defies description – there are simply no words to adequately describe the beauty and majesty of this place. So, rather than try, I’m going to let my photos do the talking, and even they’re most inadequate.

The bell tower of the Mezquita

One of the incredible pipe organs in the cathedral; there are two.

One of the outside walls of the Mezquita

Corboda is an amazing place, the essence of the real Spain I would think. Madrid was great, but just like any other modern city, and Valencia was a real experience, but if you want to see traditional Spanish culture Andalusia is undoubtedly the place to see it. Cordoba is renowned for its patios (courtyards), and these can be found behind entrances to houses and restaurants. They are frequently adorned with beautiful mosaics, plants and water features.

One of the many patios you find all over the city. They look so inviting.

Some Roman columns, dating back a few thousand years (give or take a couple of centuries).

Outside the Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos (Fortress of the Kings).

Puente Romano

It is very hot here during day, so everyone takes a siesta for around three hours. Many of the shops close, so we've decided we to do as the locals do and stay indoors. However, we'll be out this evening to try some authentic Andalusian food. We can hardly wait.