This morning the phone rang at 7, and I woke Allyson up since she wanted to take a shower. I slammed down the phone and went back to sleep until about 7:40, since it doesn't take me very long at all to get dressed. We had breakfast and after packing our last things, piled into the bus for a couple hour ride to Cordoba. Our plan for the morning was to tour the Cathedral of Cordoba, have lunch and then board the Ave train to Madrid.
The Cathedral of Cordoba was pretty cool. It was constructed originally as a mosque, but once the Christians captured the city back from the Muslims, an Islamic place of worship was obsolete. As a result, the king gave the order to build a cathedral in it's place. The construction workers didn't completely demolish the mosque, they just made a few changes in the structure. You can still see the original arches and whatnots today. Naturally, since it was noon by the time we walked out of there, mass was going on.
the 10th century part of the former mosque 
the cathedral part Next, we took a walking tour throughout the town of Cordoba. It's whitewashed narrow streets with cobblestone paths were gorgeous. Our tour ended at an Italian-Spanish fusion restaurant for lunch. I ordered a tapa size espinacas y garbanzo, or spinach and chickpeas. It was incredibly greasy, that's my only comment. At least I was eating vegetables, I guess. I wasn't impressed. It started pouring down rain during the hour it took for everyone to get lunch-- uh oh, since I left my umbrella on the bus.
streets of Cordoba  |
| my greasy espinacas y garbanzo |
The ave train was lightning fast, but honestly didn't feel like it except when I was trying to take pictures or when we passed another train. It only took an hour and thirty some minutes to get from Cordoba to Madrid. Arden and I played speed for most of the train ride.
We checked into our hotel, which is pretty close to downtown Madrid and right on the Gran Via (prime location). The room is uber nice, definitely the nicest so far. This one actually has a gym, but I intend to run outside instead of on a treadmill. When is the next time I'd have the opportunity to run through the streets/pedestrian "cyclist roads" of Madrid?
Before leaving for dinner, Allyson and I did a little tacky souvenir shopping. Finally purchased some nicknacks to bring back home! Dinner was merely okay as well; the taters were good but the pasta was just average. I believe tonight will be better; we're going "bar hopping for tapas" don't worry, alcohol isn't always involved in tapas, but it is usually the only place they're served. The purpose of small dishes is to help absorb the alcohol, but it's also become a means of obtaining a light dinner in Spain. You can get small servings of traditional Spanish cuisine such as paella, or you can get something along the lines of hamburger sliders (and anything in between).
Walking out of the restaurant, I was immediately hit with a gust of cold, cold air. It seems like the rain made it a good twenty degrees cooler, as we went back to the hotel to bundle up before exploring the plaza mayor? of Madrid in our quest for churros and chocolate. Our expedition was pretty fun; we found a market that sold just about any food imaginable besides fruit and vegetables and I took tons of pictures. After walking to the Royal Palace, we decided to call it quits. So here I am, laying in bed about to fall asleep. Prado museum later in the morning and shopping/running in the afternoon if the weather isn't completely miserable.
churros y chocolate |
| the Gran Via at night |
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