Cordoba - Seville 🇪🇸

We set off early this morning from our apartment in the light rain to the train station.  Most europeans are not early risers and so at 7.15 am you mostly have the streets to yourself! 

The comfortable train left on time and 1.5hrs later we arrived into a rainy Seville.  We headed to the Hostel to drop off our backpacks and then to join our Free walking tour. A very enthusiastic guide did his best to show us the key features and also trying to find shelter from the rain. 

The architecture in Seville is very mixed with evidence of Islamic and Christian influences in the architecture.   Lots of barricades and seating in the streets for the parades which continue through Holy week.

After the tour we visited the Torre del Oro which is a former naval military watchtower.  This venue is free on Mondays and so joined a queue  and climbed the spiral staircase for views of the city.  Rain and fog preventing a long distance view, but still great to see the city and river.

The rain was teaming down and so we found a cafe with a spare table and sat for a while with a chair latte till the rain settled.

Then to the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, to famous Bull fighting ring.  This venue is free on Mondays from 3pm and so we joined the queue with fellow bargain hunters.  This is a stunning and interesting window into the Spanish culture.  The venue was built in the 1700's and is still used today with the season starting in April.  (I expect there are mixed views about the sport these days).  The Bull fight ring is the largest in Spain, seating 12000 people.

Back to the hostel to check in took a little longer as many roads closed as the crowds were gathering for the next Easter procession.  We are sharing a room with 3 French and 1 Dutch woman.. all nice and friendly.  We sat on the rooftop terrace and had some nibblies, as the sun had amazingly come out.

Tonight we are at a local restaurant/bar as recommended by the Tourguide.  It was built in the 1500's and we got the last standing table to order and eat our dinner.. the venue was very popular.