5:45 wake up call. Out the door to the bus station for Ciuad Real 120+- k’s. Nice drive. Nancy got talking to a teacher of English on the bus. Not so good English, I don’t think she was going to pass her finals and we now we understand the lack of English! She did help us find a city bus to the train station in Ciuad Real where we caught a train for historic Cordoba, a little over an hour away. Nice countryside, many, many olive trees. We got to our hotel and I was a little down after the spot we had in Toledo next to the Cathedral I guess that is why they say “Holy Toledo”!
This is a photo taken from the bus on the way
to Ciuad Real. Very early in the morning.We arrived around noon and discovered our hotel was a little away from the old city but easily reached on foot. We set off to explore and to see the Mezquita. We walked around the perimeter and could not believe the size. We crossed the ancient Roman Bridge to get a better view and it was easier to see how the Christian church fits into the huge Muslim Mosque. Really amazing!
We had a lunch of tapas and vino in a little bar just beside the wall of the Mezquita. Very charming but a bit touristy.
Here I am standing across the river with the Mosque behind. The street in front of me is lined with orange trees. Caution: DO NOT EAT THE ORANGES!!! They are more sour than lemons.
We toured the Juderia, Jewish quarters and visited one of three surviving synagogues from the 14th century. It was small and very lovely to see. Nearby is the Casa Andalucia, a typical Spanish Arabic house from that era. It would have housed one family per room around an indoor patio. I really loved this museum.
We got caught in the rain and had to buy very tacky umbrellas! Got soaked getting back to the hotel anyway. Just like home :
4 March
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