Ian

It is hot. 36 C. And sunny all week.

We are in Rm 201 - the Jr Suite. Very funky.

Trip so far - Paradors in Almagro, Jaen and Granada. They were hot too. But Sevilla takes the cake.

We saw the Casa Memoria flamenco last night and it was great. 12 E. Buy your tickets earlier in the day and arrive 45 minutes early for front row seats. You will not be disappointed.

I HATE TOUR GROUPS!!!!!!

BTW did I mention that it is hot?

Off to Nerja on Monday and then we wrap it in Madrid on the weekend.

Full trip report to follow . . . .

Ian

Schildc1

Thanks for reporting! It brings back summer grad study in Madrid, living in a dorm with no AC and suffering through temps of 40-42 C. every day for two months. Then we teachers had an "excursion" south when Sevilla was 45! I swore I'd only return to those places when I retired and could go in enjoyable seasons(which means every season except summer!). This year, we are headed for Andalucía in December.
ĦQue lo pases bien!

kalikiana

Can't wait to be there this weekend! What times does Casa Memoria have shows?

Ian

Shows at 9 and 10:30. We bought tickets at 5 for the 10:30 show. They tell you to arrive a half hour early, but arrive 45 minutes and get in line.

Another hot day today but if you stay out of the sun you can survive nicely. Drink water constantly.

Off to dinner . . .

Ian

toni

Great to read about Seville. We will be at the Amadeus in 10 days! How was Granada?

Ian

Toni

We only stayed one night and spent all of it in Alhambra. We stayed at the Parador, ate there etc. We arrived at 11 AM, parked the car and left the next morning for Sevilla. The bonus was access to the grounds for a late night wander (although not into the Nasrid etc). The Generalife gardens were a real highlight.

Ian

Ian

Bar Estrella for tapas last night. As others had advised, we brought our translator book for the menu. Very good. 27 E for two with a nice bottle of Rioja. Took us two dishes to figure out that huevas are eggs (which I should know from my SW US travels - you know, huevas rancheros).

Overcast this morning and the church bells are going wild.

There is even a Starbucks across from the cathedral that I have been resisting, but it is calling . . .

Ian

Ian

Just strolled around the catherdral and the city is just waking up. Dueling church bells. The streets were partying last night. Yelling, banging and a lot of happy drunken people.

Clearing now with a light breeze but some humidity.

BTW I resisted Starbucks and had a cafe solo at a bar beside some men in tails on their way to church. They were drinking beer . . .

My comment about tour groups was venting about the Alcazar yesterday. The ticket wicket stalled for 15 minutes and a mob of angry older Spanish women were pushing (and I mean pushing) trying to get to the front. I pushed back while cursing in English at them and about them. My wife was not amused.

Ian

Ian

Siesta time. Nice breeze today which makes it almost bearable.

Quick note: Make sure to visit the Casa Pilato. A miniature Alcazar without people. Very, very pleasant. 5 E. North of the Plaza Nueva. Roman statues (with heads - haha), amazing tiles, gardens (just past their prime bloomimg now).

Bullfight tonight (no whining, now).

We leave for Paraiso del Mar in Nerja tomorrow.

Ian

kalikiana

Ian -
Counting the days till I'm there...

Have you seen Plaza de España yet? Defintiely worth a look as well as the Parque de Maria Luisa.

Ian

We walked thru the park Saturday on the way to the Archaeological Museum. The Plaza de España is looking pretty run down. The water is gone and some of the wonderful tiling is in need of repair. I guess the subway line is sucking all city monies at the moment.

We lasted for 2 bullfights before my wife had had enough (and she was the one that really wanted to go). We had a nice Mexican guy (from London) give us the play by play.

Off to the coast . . .

Ian

mamc

Thanks for your report, Ian. It brings back wonderful memories of our trip to Andalucia last September. We loved the Amadeus and appreciated the air conditioning - it was 36 C while we were there as well. I practically felt like you were retracing our path - all except for the bullfight, which we missed.