Half way through my travels on my own - currently writing to you from the lounge of the Mayflower Hostel in Cordoba, Spain. 7 days into my stint of solo traveling, Each time I change cities/location, I have a brief moments of fear/doubt - but I have met some incredible people along the way.
I updated last on arrival in Porto. In all honesty, Porto was my favorite in Portugal. Smaller, but so incredibly beautiful. I only had a few days there - but enough to get a feel for the city and taste Port wine.
I flew to Seville after and treated myself to a hotel in Triana. Triana - I found out shortly after was the birth place of Flamenco. I saw three different Flamenco shows upon discovery of this amazing, passionate, incredible genre of music and dance. And now? Well now I am hoping to have some form of Flamenco in my life every day until I leave Spain. I'm absolutely hooked.
The next day brought me on a walking tour where I explored the University, the Plaza de Espana (where Game of Thrones is filmed.. along with 5,000,002 locations around Europe), the Golden Tower, the Cathedral and more.
My last day in Seville I entered the Alcazar. This is a must if you ever travel to Seville. So insanely beautiful, and an active royal palace to this day. The tiles/mosaics/architecture are breathtaking (the first pic of this blog).
Originally I thought this trip was going to be all about me writing, and I realised pretty shortly on that I need to take a step back and just be. Just focus on the present moment and enjoy whatever I end up being exposed to. There have been a few magical moments so far, like
During our walking tour of Porto - we had an 81-year-old and an 83-year-old couple come out and insist on telling us all about their area (even though we didn't speak Portuguese and they didn't speak English). What I could understand at the end though was the blessings and kisses that she blew to us when we eventually parted ways. She wished we all live as long as she does
My hostel in Cordoba is literally one block away from the Royal Equestrian Stables. Before arrival, I didn't know the Andalusian/Spanish purebred horse originated here in Cordoba. So it was incredible to be so close by and see an equestrian show. The horses literally danced Flamenco.
I have discovered a love for the Spanish guitar and the Flamenco genre. It is beautiful - and really pulls at the heart strings.
My Cordoba a pie tour guide this morning - conducted one of her first tours in English. She was amazing. The tour was amazing. And her passion and love for "her city" and joy to share it with us was overflowing.
The Mezquita (which somewhat reminded me of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul) and the reminder its provides that it is possible for the different religions to co-exist.
Today is my last day in Cordoba before heading to the beach in Cadiz - slowly making my way to the Alhambra in Granada. I'll begin and end it at the Alcazar of the Christian Kings - Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
The best part of it all though, has not just been the incredible sites and things I have had a chance to experience so far, but the people that I have met along the way.
<3
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I'll love you forever... well I will probably do that anyway but still <3