Southern Spree Day 2 (Sevilla)

Once Tabitha finally made it to Sevilla (due to the transit strike she took a 5 hour train ride instead of flying, after flying from the US, to Frankfurt, to Barcelona) and we enjoyed a not so great bocadillo lunch, we went to the Alcázar of Sevilla, a royal Palace which was originally a Moorish fort.  We also had the pleasure of seeing and hearing some traditional Flamenco, which was pretty incredible, but did not allow photos, so you'll just have to trust us on that.  It was interesting to hear how much Moorish influence there was in the music, especially the vocals.  Some food highlights included salmorejo (a thick style of gazpacho that we got at every opportunity), and pisto (sort of like a ratatouille).

Huelga! (aka Strike!)

A replica of one of Christopher Columbus's ships inside the Alcáza.

Evidence of the Moorish architectural influences in the palace.

An incredibly detailed ceiling.

Wisteria in full bloom on an outside porch.

An impressive hallway.

A view from the palace walls, overlooking the gardens.

A view of the palace walls, from the gardens.

A shrubbery!

Don't swim in there...it's the Mercury pool.

Southern Spree Day 1 (Sevilla)

Hello there.  Long time no see.  We have been having a wonderfully busy time in Barcelona.  So wonderfully busy that we have not had time to write about the wonderful vacation we had with the Peck parents in March...but get ready for the blogopalypse, because they will hopefully be coming fast and furious now.

Our trip took us all over Andalucía in southern Spain, Gibraltar, Africa (barely), and finally to Portugal.  Our first stop was Sevilla.  Tabitha was returning from a trip to the US, so the plan was for David and the Peck parents to meet her, both parties arriving on the same day.  However, due to some scheduling...issues...and a general strike in Spain, Tabitha arrived a day late, so she missed out on all the pictures below...

The Catedral de Sevilla.  It is the largest Gothic cathedral
and third-largest church in the world.

The top of the cathedral tower, with Christian
imagery built on top of the older Muslim
tower, representing the defeat of the Moors
at the hands of the Catholics.
There is a lot of this in southern Spain.

Really beautiful ornamentation around the
rose window in the cathedral.

Shopping for some colorful Spanish tile-work.

Sunset on the river.

A Scottish pub!  With Irish beer advertised outside?!?

A massive tree near the palace gardens.