Day 47

This morning I took the earliest bus into Madrid to get to the train station and head to Cordoba for the day. This city is pretty awesome. I went to the Mezquita Mosque/Cathedral which was amazing. It was also super-packed, this was the longest line I’ve had to wait in to get tickets, and once I got in, I could hardly move anywhere without getting in the way of someone’s picture, thankfully it thinned out and was easier to see. Again I had my mind blown by the enormity of intricate details of the chapels. I was walking by several chapels taking it all in, when I finally looked up (higher than I had been looking) and saw a huge archway over the chapel with all these sculptures, as I looked back I realized all the chapels had them, so I got to backtrack and have my mind re-blown as I made sure to look at the floor and the ceiling. So amazing.

I luckily made it to Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos a half hour before closing time, which is when they stop letting people in. There wasn’t much time, so I moved quickly through the interior exploring these caves, and ruins, and ran up these super steep, narrow, uneven staircases to the towers. This would have completely freaked Mom out, but it was some of the most fun I’ve had in Spain. Exploring this fortress is any kid’s dream. The gardens were gorgeous!

The rest of the day I wore myself out tackling the city on foot in 97 degree weather visiting palaces, churches, archaeological museums, famous bridges, towers and such monuments, eating typical stew of Cordoba, and finally getting back to the train station.

There was an elderly man sitting in the same area as me, so naturally I think, “you know SO much more than me, I would like to talk to you.” I asked him where he was headed, and apparently he wasn’t going anywhere, he just wanted to sit in the train station. I kind of love that. I was hoping to continue my good fortune with inspiring conversations with strangers, but not so much. He couldn’t believe that I was doing all my travelling alone. Translated/summed conversation in English:

Why don’t your parents come with you?

They’re busy in the States.

Well, don’t you have a boyfriend?

No.

Why not? What’s he doing?

Who?

Your boyfriend.

I don’t have one.

I bet he misses you. Does he call you a lot?

Sir, I’m single.

Why doesn’t he call you? Does he talk to you through the internet?

Um, I think I should go board my train now, it’s been lovely talking to you.

You’re leaving already? Take care then, Guapa.

Lol, he was cute, I guess I can’t always depend on strangers to uplift me, no matter how wise they may look. I survived the late-night metro/bus travelling with crazies on a Saturday night and at last am back at the flat, very ready for sleep.