Monday, November 19th, was our last full day in Sevilla. We didn’t really have any plans. It was a cool, cloudy day with a high of about 17C. There was a 10 minute shower in the afternoon but otherwise the day was dry.
After our usual breakfast in our room, we decided to follow the self-guided tour of the Barrio Santa Cruz as described in the Rick Steves guide. We had been along some of the streets before but some were new to us. “Streets” is a generous term. Some were so narrow that it was easy to touch the walls on both sides with outstretched arms.
On our tour, we saw lots of little plazas where people could sit outside. Many had orange trees for shade because orange trees never lose all their leaves at once. Sevilla is all about shade since it is the hottest city in Europe in the summer. That’s the reason for all the courtyards, narrow streets and plazas with orange trees.
Following the guide, we noticed many little sights that are easily missed. In one plaza there’s a statue of Don Juan, the famous lover (or sex addict, depending on your point of view). In another, the famous painter Murillo is buried. His house was on a local side street.
After our tour, we walked up Constitution Avenue to the end of the pedestrian section and back down to a little park near the old Tobacco Factory. At one point, we came upon a man who was followed by a pack of photographers as he stopped along the way to shake hands with well wishers. We surmised that he must be some famous politician.
At different times, we sat in various plazas and parks, just enjoying the ambiance. As we passed the Cathedral, we noticed a side door open so we walked in. It turned out to be a big church that is not open to the crowds touring the Cathedral. It’s only open for Mass several times a day. we just happened to get there about 1/2 hour before Mass was about to start so we had a good opportunity to see it. This church, for the local parish, is probably bigger than most churches in Canada and it’s just one small part of the Cathedral.
After a drink in our room while we packed, we wandered back down to Bodega Santa Cruz for a meal of tapas, for the 6th day in a row. We’re getting better at picking what we want off the chalkboard menu. Other tourists are asking our advice. It must be time to leave town. While we were there we talked with a couple from Florida and another couple from Vietnam who are currently living in London while working for Amazon. It’s only a 2 hour flight for Brits to come to Spain so for some it’s a weekend getaway.
Through the night we could hear the rain again.
After our usual breakfast in our room, we decided to follow the self-guided tour of the Barrio Santa Cruz as described in the Rick Steves guide. We had been along some of the streets before but some were new to us. “Streets” is a generous term. Some were so narrow that it was easy to touch the walls on both sides with outstretched arms.
On our tour, we saw lots of little plazas where people could sit outside. Many had orange trees for shade because orange trees never lose all their leaves at once. Sevilla is all about shade since it is the hottest city in Europe in the summer. That’s the reason for all the courtyards, narrow streets and plazas with orange trees.
Following the guide, we noticed many little sights that are easily missed. In one plaza there’s a statue of Don Juan, the famous lover (or sex addict, depending on your point of view). In another, the famous painter Murillo is buried. His house was on a local side street.
After our tour, we walked up Constitution Avenue to the end of the pedestrian section and back down to a little park near the old Tobacco Factory. At one point, we came upon a man who was followed by a pack of photographers as he stopped along the way to shake hands with well wishers. We surmised that he must be some famous politician.
At different times, we sat in various plazas and parks, just enjoying the ambiance. As we passed the Cathedral, we noticed a side door open so we walked in. It turned out to be a big church that is not open to the crowds touring the Cathedral. It’s only open for Mass several times a day. we just happened to get there about 1/2 hour before Mass was about to start so we had a good opportunity to see it. This church, for the local parish, is probably bigger than most churches in Canada and it’s just one small part of the Cathedral.
After a drink in our room while we packed, we wandered back down to Bodega Santa Cruz for a meal of tapas, for the 6th day in a row. We’re getting better at picking what we want off the chalkboard menu. Other tourists are asking our advice. It must be time to leave town. While we were there we talked with a couple from Florida and another couple from Vietnam who are currently living in London while working for Amazon. It’s only a 2 hour flight for Brits to come to Spain so for some it’s a weekend getaway.
Through the night we could hear the rain again.
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