Today, the sun came out and we set out to view two contrasting examples of the cultural heart of Seville: Plaza de Toros in the morning and Seville Cathedral in the afternoon. Both of huge significance to the people of Spain.
Bull fights still occur in Seville and many other Spanish towns. They are not considered sports events but rather ritualized celebrations of beauty and courage. The matadors are heroes whose accomplishments are legendary. Even some bulls are renowned for their courage.
The afternoon we joined eight other English-speakers for a tour of the Seville Cathedral. Our guide gave us a forty-minute history of the world's largest Gothic Cathedral as he walked us through the labyrinth of structures. Like that of the Toledo Cathedral, it covers the footprint of the Mosque it replaced after the reconquista in the 1400's. Its Giralda tower. formerly a minaret, now has a renaissance-styled addition to the top transforming it into a bell tower. We climbed the 37 floors (using ramps rather than stairs - much easier to climb) then joined crowds of people stretching to take in the skyline of Seville.
It is the weekend in Seville and the streets and squares are full. Tourists line up for the highlights and then wander the main streets looking for tapas. The locals are found in the winding streets a bit further in - they crowd around the outside high tables standing with their drinks as they shout and laugh. The noise is unbelievable, the sheer enjoyment of the gatherings infectious. Here was our chance to see Spain!
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Off tomorrow through Castille-La Mancha, back to Madrid. Sad to leave but looking forward to getting back, we fly home Monday.
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