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Seville, Spain

Last day in Seville and one more thing to check off the list. So far our planned schedule of doing one thing a day leaving time to ad-lib it is working well. Despite a day (albeit big day) in the car yesterday we were both a little low on energy today, but think that is in part to the unusual Spanish routine compared to a NZ or other western routine-time. Also not having a coffee as soon as we wake up puts us on the back foot 🙂

After breakfast which was about 11.30 by the time we woke, we did the washing and then went to the Triana markets which is at the end of our plaza by the river. We saw unusual mushrooms, abundant olive shops, fish stands with some very weird slug things that looked a bit rude ….they were still alive and protruded and retracted. There were quite a few different butchers with lines of tempting hams. One stand gave us a sample of ‘the best in the west’ Jamon (black hoof of course) – it was so tender and tasty. Pictured also are some heads of goat or sheep? Paul said they have more goats here, so think these must have been goat. Initial thought was eek, but then I have no problem with pigs head, ox cheek, etc so what’s the difference – perhaps its the eyes looking at me?

Over the river into old town and the Barrio Santa Cruz walk by Rick. On the way we heard barking and looked left in the typical narrow lane and saw this big St Bernard type dog in the back seat of a taxi telling the driver what for in no uncertain terms. Must have been a special fare I think because the driver did not seem to be interacting in response the way an owner might and the dog was the only passenger in the car. It was so hilarious.

Back to the Santa Cruz, lots of typical lanes as we had previously seen on our wanderings and the one photo of Vernon is of the ‘narrowest’ which they call kissing lanes as the houses lean into each other almost touching. It is essentially an old Jewish quarter and there were signs of the various sites for the Opera Carmen.

We found it so charming to discover that behind the typical large wooden doors often is another set of decorative doors leading to pretty tiled foyer entries and shared court yards. The courtyards are beautiful and inviting with potted plants, a sofa and maybe a small water feature and tile decorations. Surrounding the court yards are small groups of apartments or town houses. When walking along these streets you are unaware of the depth of these dwellings until you come across an open door and get a glimpse of these almost secret gardens. Then of course in the evening everyone gets dressed up to stroll, play and socialise around the shops and plaza. It is quaint and different but the kiwi 1/4 acre is still our preference to this sort of city living.

It was very warm today – not impossible but enough to make you want to stick to the shady lanes rather than the sunnier side! We made it back to the nice Tapa place – about 15mins from the Barrio SC, and enjoyed another excellent meal with refreshing light beer. Beer like coffee is cheap – only 1.20 euro each.

This time we actually restrained ourselves and did not over-eat. Total cost for lunch including our beers was 14.50 euro – NZ$23 approx. We got the spinach croquettes again as Vern is so partial to them, the almond chicken with bacon and cheese this time (inside the fillet), cheese balls with asparagus and capsicum jam. OMG – it was like a cream quark or smooth goat ricotta with asparagus and onion and then a light crunchy coating of something I have no idea and a sweet bright capsicum jam.) One of the most delightful tastes and textures which even Verrnon loved and he does not like asparagus. The other dish was a stuffed eggplant which was also very good, filled with shrimp, char grilled capsicum and topped with a light cheese sauce. It was more of a stack, with lovely thick sweet buttery tender rounds of eggplant top and bottom (clearly full of delicious olive oil mmmm).

We proceeded contentedly and leisurely back to hotel to rest, with a punctuation at a coffee shop close to home with some traditional Spanish pastries. Did I say we were not going to over eat?

We packed for our early 7am departure tomorrow by bullet train to Barcelona which will take about 5.5hrs. Our hotel in Barcelona is right above the train station so it should be an easy enough day! Weather forecast is for some rain and slightly cooler temps so that will be different.

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