Cordoba

We leave Madrid bright and early the next morning, first by metro then by bus.
It seems Intrepid Trips are a bit more basic than we expected, not even having our own mini bus. We are using local transport the whole way. Riccardo and I are ok, as this is how we will be travelling when we leave the group, but some of the others have large bags on wheels that are a struggle to lift when necessary.
The bus trip to Cordoba is fascinating. So many Spanish style houses... I try to take photos of fields of sunflowers, wheat fields sprinkled with red poppies, wind turbines, rolling farm land and hill top pueblos but it is tricky on a moving bus.

At leas this donket stood still for me.

Our Hotel in Cordoba is a delightful surprise after the functionality of Madrid.
Our room is the door on the right.

Our orientation walk around Cordoba seemed to be in the full heat of the day. The shops were shut but the streets were beautiful.

A private garden glimpsed through the gates.
The trees espaliered against the building are oranges.

Beautiful cascades of petunias. This is a florest´s so maybe they should be stunning.

Even the litter is beautiful. Confetti outside a church.

Of course the high light of Cordoba is the Mesquita or Mosque. In the centre of the mosque the catholic church have built a magnificent cathedral, incorporating the original Mosque structure. Like the other cathedrals this had little private chapels surronding the main church

If you look closely at this painting you will see that he has painted his body with wode, which is blue, because it is easier to hide from the enemy. Somehow I think this has something to do with ¨woe betide you¨

One of the chapels here showing the original red and white striped arches painted over with christian motifs and lots of ornate decorative touches.

Some of the original moorish arches... of course the Spanish have excavated under the mosque to the remains of the original christian church to prove that the moors had built over their church first.