Visit Cordoba and Sevilla

Two weeks ago - during the puente of Pilar - we went to Andalucia, the south of Spain and visited two cities: Cordoba and Sevilla. Both were totally different to what we had seen before here in Spain. So different that it is hard to imagine that Spain is one country. This is a political statement which I will avoid explaining for the moment but will certainly come back to in the weeks to come.

Anyway.

Cordoba is rich in history and played a key role in the Muslim occupation of Spain before the arrival of the Catholic Kings (lead primarily by Fernando and Isabel). You can still find impressive Mudejar architecture throughout this small town. Highlights were without doubt the Mosque (which was conferted into a Cathedral) and our small walk to the other side of the river which gave us great views of the town.
Sevilla is bigger and grander city than Cordoba. We stayed at a Backpackers hostel. For me this was the first time I had done this since my backpackers life in New Zealand. It reminded me how odd and strange their lifestyle actually is. Sevilla itself is beautiful and I think it is my favorite city I have visited in Spain (although Santiago and Salamanca come very close). The colours are simply everywhere and the mix of cultures impressive. The gardens of the Alcazar were my favorites, together with Plaza España with its ceramics (it had been a dream of mine to visit this site eversince seeing it on the cover of my first Spanish student book). The feel to Sevilla is just very relaxing and I can recommend everybody to visit. The fact that we also watched Jonny Wilkinson kicking the French out of the World Cup Rugby also helped.