Last day in Cordoba, and another visit to the Mezquita
Last day in Cordoba old town. We heard the owl again last night. Up and as now traditional, made our way to Salon du Té for our Andalusian Breakfast and good cups of vanilla tea. However not entirely idyllic this morning as there was persistent drilling from workmen who are expanding the place.
Back and straight back to the Mezquita and to the wall with the mihrab on the qibla wall. These are new words I've learned, mihrab is the semicircular niche in the wall (the qibla wall) that faces Mecca. I feel overawed by the this mihrab, which has exercised a strong fascination on me since I first saw it with Lorraine on Tuesday. Having drunk in this and the gorgeous arches either side of it, we wandered about again. I wanted to look more at the Cathedral part. The effect of all the light it contains is incredibly dramatic, and it goes up several stories. The contrast between the facelessness of Islam and the depictions of Jesus, God, Mary, various saints and angels is stark. To me it feels curiously vulgar in comparison, even though it is a beautiful place. I suppose it is imposing a new Cathedral which literally goes through the roof of the old mosque seems somewhat insensitive, although as an expression of the overthrow of the Caliphate and the reconquest of Spain it is a dramatic one -- although it was built some centuries later.
Lorraine and I then drifted homeward, both needing to sit down for an agua con gas and a café con leche. Sat outside in one of the little squares near the hotel and it was nice to people watch, although Lorraine said she couldn't have stood being in one of those big guided parties that went along in grey-haired crocodiles down the street.
Back to the hotel. Weather nicer today, and another afternoon by the pool. I swam twice, and listened to my audiobook, which is Jordan B Petersen reading his own 12 Rules for Life, An Antidote to Chaos. It is a hectoring book in several ways, but undeniably has moments of insight.
So back to our rooms, after I left Lorraine soaking up a few last rays, as I had a fortifying beer from the honesty bar, and a read of the poet Eleni Vakalo and a think about the Mesquita. Lots of noisy Australians there for some reason tonight. Joined by Lorraine for a cold beer before we went up to our room and packed. This done, we wandered out into the streets again. Nosed here and there, and walked down by the side of the Mosque, and over the Río Guadalquivir again. We stopped at the Bodegas Mezquita we tried earlier in the week, and had some good wine and tapas, and were given another glass of half and half PX and Fino sherries, which was delicious.
Wandered back to the hotel, fairly early as there was a plane to catch tomorrow morning.
Below inside the catholic cathedral. Arches of the mosque, and the gorgeous mihrab.
Back and straight back to the Mezquita and to the wall with the mihrab on the qibla wall. These are new words I've learned, mihrab is the semicircular niche in the wall (the qibla wall) that faces Mecca. I feel overawed by the this mihrab, which has exercised a strong fascination on me since I first saw it with Lorraine on Tuesday. Having drunk in this and the gorgeous arches either side of it, we wandered about again. I wanted to look more at the Cathedral part. The effect of all the light it contains is incredibly dramatic, and it goes up several stories. The contrast between the facelessness of Islam and the depictions of Jesus, God, Mary, various saints and angels is stark. To me it feels curiously vulgar in comparison, even though it is a beautiful place. I suppose it is imposing a new Cathedral which literally goes through the roof of the old mosque seems somewhat insensitive, although as an expression of the overthrow of the Caliphate and the reconquest of Spain it is a dramatic one -- although it was built some centuries later.
Lorraine and I then drifted homeward, both needing to sit down for an agua con gas and a café con leche. Sat outside in one of the little squares near the hotel and it was nice to people watch, although Lorraine said she couldn't have stood being in one of those big guided parties that went along in grey-haired crocodiles down the street.
Back to the hotel. Weather nicer today, and another afternoon by the pool. I swam twice, and listened to my audiobook, which is Jordan B Petersen reading his own 12 Rules for Life, An Antidote to Chaos. It is a hectoring book in several ways, but undeniably has moments of insight.
So back to our rooms, after I left Lorraine soaking up a few last rays, as I had a fortifying beer from the honesty bar, and a read of the poet Eleni Vakalo and a think about the Mesquita. Lots of noisy Australians there for some reason tonight. Joined by Lorraine for a cold beer before we went up to our room and packed. This done, we wandered out into the streets again. Nosed here and there, and walked down by the side of the Mosque, and over the Río Guadalquivir again. We stopped at the Bodegas Mezquita we tried earlier in the week, and had some good wine and tapas, and were given another glass of half and half PX and Fino sherries, which was delicious.
Wandered back to the hotel, fairly early as there was a plane to catch tomorrow morning.
Below inside the catholic cathedral. Arches of the mosque, and the gorgeous mihrab.
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