We Don't Go To Cordoba

4 April 2015

Today is Easter Sunday. We decide to stay another day in Sevilla rather than finding our way to the train station and going somewhere new on a sacred Spanish holiday.

We walk to the Triana district on the other side of the Triana Bridge and the Guadalquivir River. By the way, this river is the second longest river with its entire length in Spain. It begins in the Cazoria Mountain range and ends at Gulf of Cadiz and the Atlantic Ocean.

Triana is very quiet this morning with only a few tourists in the street. We wander down the streets of the neighborhood that is home to bullfighters, fisherman and potters, and was once home to area gypsies. We notice shops selling tiles this area is noted for and explore the options. Nothing is as interesting as the tiles cemented into a wall surrounding the local schoolyard.

So we walk on and come across the Triana Mercado which is pretty desolate since it is a holiday. We notice a sign inviting us to see an art show along the banks of the River. Not much is interesting, but I am intrigued by the leather goods and remember a shop in the Santa Cruz selling lovely leather bags.

We stop for a cortado and rest. Then we continue back over the Triana Bridge

to the Arenal, which is guarded by the Torre del Oro, so named because gold was once stored there. We wander along the River and stop for lunch at an outdoor tapas bar which is mediocre at best but is in the sunshine. A definite plus...

We find our way south of the city center to the beautiful Parque Maria Luisa, Sevilla's primary leafy spot.  Fountains, ponds, flower garden and large shady trees abound as do families celebrating a beautiful Easter Sunday.

We sit for a time in the shadow of the Universidad de Sevilla, a compelling collection of red bricked buildings once the Royal Tobacco Factory.

We slowly wend our way back to the Torre Del Oro for a river cruise, reminiscent of the Paris Bateau Mouche, on the Guadalquivir River.

We pass seven bridges, seeing the city from a different point of view. It is not thrilling but it is a pleasant way to see the city and rest at the same time.

For our last night in Sevilla, we go to Burladero, a more upscale tapas bar located at Calle Canalejas No1 near our hotel. We hope to sit outside but all the tables are reserved so we agree to eat inside. We join other tourists eating early,  served by a waiter speaking English and enjoying it immensely.

We walk back to our hotel and prepare for our departure to Ronda the next morning.