Day 3 and 4: Peaceful Strolls and the 100 yard airport dash

Day 3

After a full day of city, Ellie and I decided to explore the nature side of Barcelona so we went to Montjuïc, a series of parks on this huge hill.

We started by going to the Castell de Montjuïc  There was an amazing view of Barcelona and the Mediteranian.

After the Castell, we tried to find the Jardí Botànic.  And by try, I mean we stood looking at streets with no names for 15 minutes.  Eventually, I gave in and found the nices looking Spanish woman I could.  She was so helpful and recommended that we go to this smaller garden before going to the Jardí.  It was well kept grounds and some fountains.  Really cute with amazing sunshine!

The Jardí Botanic itself was very cool, but not really in bloom.  Al the plants come from mediteranian-like climates (which also includes California, parts of Chile, and parts of Africa).  It was really nice to just wander and enjoy being out of the main city for a bit.




That night we couldn't find the resaurant we wanted to go to so we went back to the diner place from the first night because we were hungry and knew that tomorrow would be really early.

Day 4

Day 4 started at 3:55 am and a cab ride to the airport.  We walked quickly through the air port and just got to the gate when they started bording.  All was good.

Then we got to the front of the line.

The woman told us that we had to get our tickets stamped (policy of Ryan Air).  We didn't know this and the man at baggage check told us that if we didn't have baggage to check then we didn't need him.  But he failed to mention that we had to stamp our tickets.  So we SPRINTED down, past security, to a window NEXT to baggage check and then SPRINTED back up, through security (thank god no line!) and just barely made it back to the gate as they were closing the door.

But Sevilla was worth the heart attack.  Cute, twisty streets; rich history and culture; and orange trees and painted tiles everywhere!  (too bad they're not good to eat... they make marmalade out of it).

We manuvered our way from the airport to the hostel, dropped our stuff in the luggage store room, and had a pastry and really good coffee.  

Unfortunately there was a holiday so the lines for everything were huge.  So instead of wasting time in lines, we put off going into places and decided to do Rick Steve's walking tour of the Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter.

 

Rick had us star at the Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes and Plaza del Trifuno, the plazas with the main Catedral and Alcázar.  We then wiggled through the streets and plazas in the areas around the Catedral and Alcázar.  

We interrupt this program for a historical lesson: In 711ad, the Muslim Moors conqured the Catholics.  Then in 1248, King Ferdinand III (Catholic) reconquered Sevilla.  It wasn't until Ferdinand and Isabella conquered Grenada in 1492, thus expelling the Moors from Spain.  Sevilla also had a flourishing Jewish culture under the Moors, but after the conquest of King Ferdinand in 1248, the Jews were persecuted, culminating in a pogram in 1391.  

That night, we decided to go to a nicer restaurant.  I tried eggs with cod... which literally was scrambled eggs mixed with potato and cod.  So delicious!

Stay Tuned For: Holy Picture Taking Batman!

For more pictures from Day 3, click on the oranges:  (follow links on the side to Day 4)