The End of Our Journey: Part 2 Madrid

     Back to the train station in Cordoba and on to Madrid. Once at Atocha (the train station) we were concerned about getting the back packs, the carry-ons, the wheeled suitcases, and the big pink bag onto the platform on time. They really want you off the train quickly. As we were staggering down the platform, a good Samaritan in the guise of a tall young man insisted on helping us to where we could see our exit to get a taxi. He was changing trains to go on to Valencia. It was such a sweet surprise.

We got in the que for the taxi and were soon on our way to Ana's apartment. She was already there after teaching all day. Though she doesn't drink, she had a bottle of vino blanco seco for us, an alvarino that was so tasty we finished it (are you surprised?) before leaving the apartment to go down to one of the neighborhood restaurants. There, we had a deliciously fresh salad and a fantastic pizza.

    The next day Ana had to be at work for one more day before starting her spring break. The day started with a wonderful gift from Raquel, her very own private label wine. Ana Sanchez came to take us to lunch at a delightful traditional restaurant in a small town near Madrid. There we sampled cocido which was so much food, it was impossible to finish. Really, we couldn't even finish the wine. 

After lunch we went into the town to see a church which a priest began building with his bare hands. After he died, his followers took on the task of upkeep and finishing the church. It is a work in progress for these dedicated people.

Quite a job for the workers and the congregation.

        

    From here we were back in the car and headed into Madrid to meet Ana at Retiro. While waiting there we also ran into Pablo who has grown into a very handsome young man. He says he may be coming to IU and that would be great! Ana joined us shortly and we even got a glimpse of Jorge. So a very wonderful day.

And we got to see Jorge but should have asked him to turn around.😄

    Saturday was another sunny day and we were off to the Prado. First lunch and then a date with Goya and Velasquez. I prefer Goya's paintings of life in Spain, the court, people during his lifetime. Dennis likes his religious paintings and always seeks out Satan Devouring his Son. This time he also saw Saturn devouring his son by Peter Paul Rubens. I skipped this feast for the eyes and sat on a bench in the hall. We followed the feast with manzanillo tea in the courtyard of the Pardo and a trip to the gift shop.   

    Sunday, Ana was off to her Italian class. We packed and I did a bit of work in my journal. Dennis was nervous about our online Covid tests that are required for entry into the USA. With the help of Google but mostly with the help of Ana Sanchez we found a clinic that would do the tests with results in 15 minutes. So we quickly went to the clinic, got the tests, got the results, and got back to the apartment before Ana came home.

Malaga

Frigiliana

    The evening found us walking toward the bullring to meet Estefania, Ruben, Yuriko, and Yael. Estefania had taught in Cicero for a number of years. She and Ruben both taught in Odessa, Texas where we visited them a few times on our way back home from New Mexico. The last time we saw them Yael was a baby, now he's in second grade. Which makes us? Old. Yep, afraid so. We met them in a small plaza and then walked down toward the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. On the way we stopped for coffee before continuing to the restaurant for tapas. 

    El Tendido was a treat. As usual I was so engrossed with all of the new tastes that I forgot to take a photos. We had at least eight tapas and good wine plus deserts. The kids ate well and it was fun to see them enjoy their food. We were among the first diners to arrive. We had to be at the airport by 8:00 so we knew we couldn't do a really late night. Actually, really late nights are behind us but we still think we can do it. It was a delightful evening filled with lively talk and laughter. Dennis got to tell his bullfighter joke. No, I won't retell it. That's totally up to him.

    The family walked the three of us all the way back to Ana's. There they could get the subway back to where they parked their car. What a lovely way to end our time in Spain!

The final word from the Dennis--

We had a fabulous time in Spain, red rain and all! The bullfighter joke will only be told in person and the cost of the telling is accompanied by hours (not saying how many) of DVDs. 😈

The End of Our Journey: Part 1 Cordoba

     Once packed, Sue, MaryEllen, Dennis and I headed out for breakfast. After eating we got two taxis to take us back to the apartment, get our bags, and head to our separate destinations. Sue and MaryEllen were off to the airport to spend time in Barcelona. Dennis and I headed to the train station loaded down with our luggage to visit Cordoba.  

    The taxi driver in Cordoba explained that he could only go so far because the streets get very narrow. We were less than a block from our new home in the old Jewish quarter of one of our favorite cities. Miguel greeted us and took us up to see our apartment. It was quite spacious and charming. 

         The Courtyard   

We quickly unpacked and went out exploring with our umbrellas tucked into the backpack, just in case.

    We had not eaten since breakfast and though it was time for coffee, we broke all the rules and found a place that serves tapas even at 4:30. Our new favorite restaurant was La Antigua Vidriera and our favorite waiter was Juan.

The next morning, Friday we found the tourist information office in the plaza and set off to find the Hop-on/Hop-off bus. In Cordoba there are two, a large double decker that goes all around the city and a small one that is able to get down some of the very narrow streets. This gave us an idea of where we wanted to go to see more. And boy! is there ever more to see!

We spent the day on the two buses, getting to know Cordoba and ended the day with another visit to Juan at La Antigua Vidriera. Juan told us where we could get some food supplies. Would you believe Aldi's was just around the corner! A very modern bright Aldi's. With the big pink bag off we went to Aldi's, stopping in the plaza for a moment just to appreciate so many people enjoying the pleasant evening. 

On Saturday we had tickets to the Mezquita and then hoped that we would be able to get into to see the Cristiano Del Rey gardens nearby. The Mezquita holds a cathedral. It is so immense. I'm not sure who, those many long years ago decided to keep what was there and simply adapt a mosque to serve as a church but I'm very glad it was left standing. It is such an impressive building.

And this is just the outside, the inside is even more incredible...

And then on we went to Cristiano Del Rey Gardens...

Cordoba is spectacular, with early history from the Romans to modern day Spain and the culture of the Moors and the Jewish peoples squeezed in-between. Around every corner there is an eye catching display, whether of architecture or flowers or patios. To end the day we went to the Flamenco Equestrian program. My only disappointment with it was that you couldn't take photos during the performance. I'm sure that it's because the horses could be distracted but I was itching to snap away.

    On Sunday we were back on the bus for our last ride. We got off on the other side of the old bridge, built originally by the Romans but rebuilt and strengthened many times since. It is now a pedestrian bridge. At this side of the bridge is a museum of Moorish history. It ends with the Spanish unification of the country. 

The day begins...

    Thanks to Raquel I got a message from Angela who asked if we had time to get together. And hurray! We got to see Angela on Monday evening. It was a highlight of Cordoba. 

    Raquel and Angela had been teachers in Cicero. It was a time when we were in need of Spanish speaking teachers for our bilingual programs. The Spanish Ministry of Education and the state of Illinois had an agreement that allowed districts to accept an invitation from the Ministry to go to Spain, interview teachers who passed our state English tests, and offer them positions. As the Director of the bilingual and ESL Program in Cicero, I along with two other staff members were sent to Spain each year to hire teachers. It was a wonderful opportunity and I had the chance to meet and work with many wonderful people.

    When we went to meet Angela, we turned left out of our door. This was a first and it was a wonderful discovery. Angela took us on a walk to see some of the hidden patios. A delight. We stopped for a glass of wine and then continued to our favorite restaurant to say good-bye to Juan. A wonderful last evening. 

We took a left...

Myself, Angela, Juan & Dennis

So ended our time in Cordoba. Tomorrow, Madrid!

Dennis's final word: "Couldn't have said it better myself."