Two penguins tilt at windmills: The Heart of Spain

So we almost skipped this city thinking we'd seen enough cathedrals and Spanish streets but a wise friend encouraged us not to miss it and here we are. The weather changed a couple of days ago and there was nowhere to go to escape the rain. So we decided to head to Seville and spend time in the Cathedral and the Alcazar while the rain came down.
Bill managed to find us a hotel in the heart of the city and we're here for at least three nights. We're booked to see the Alcazar tomorrow and the Cathedral on Saturday. We are thrilled with our location - just couldn't be better - and with our decision to come.
So about the weather.... We had only just settled in our room and were heading out to check on tickets when the rain that had been stored for eight months of drought dumped on the city in two hours. We lasted long enough to walk a few blocks and arrange for tickets but came back to our hotel as soaked as if we had been standing in a shower. So while some things are still hanging from the shower rods and in doorways, we managed to dry Bill's shoes and my jacket with a hairdryer and changed everything else and we were were good to go. It was still sprinkling but the worst was over. At 5:00 we headed out to walk in Barrio Santa Cruz - the narrow lanes and squares that remain of the old Jewish Quarter.