Seville, Córdoba and Granada.

23^rd to 28^th of November, 2017.

               To take the plane at Barcelona Airport is easy. Why did I choose to take a flight? It would cost me less than thirty Euros and I would increase my chances of getting in Algeciras to grab my Ferry at time. The travel and everything is OK. At the airport of Seville, first I get crazy because I could not find my bag, but when I am told that I am actually in the bag collected from Paris (ops!), I breath relived. I notice that the rain cover has been removed and, trying to put all the things together, people from the airport tied all of it with tape. At least everything is there. And it is kind of my fault: since I never had dispatched a bag before, I did not realized that I should’ve tied up everything, I  simply put the cover as usual when I travel.
              I am sleeping very well in a completely far away part of the airport, without lights or sounds, when a security woman came to me and gently ask me to move to the second floor. There, of course, with some other people, there are too many lights and a warn saying basically “Do not sleep!” each 20 minutes, so no more sleeping for me.
              I take the 6.20 a.m. bus to the city centre. It is still dark when I reach the Plaza España, so after take a look around, I sit down and wait for the sunrise, so I can take a picture. It is an amazing place! Definitely the most beautiful square I’ve ever seen! All the details and colors together make the place a wonderful piece of art. I wish I had spend more time here.
             But I keep moving! I basically walk around some monuments: the Cathedral is amazing from outside and part of inside, but I could not see everything because there is a service taking place; the “Monument” to Cervantes is just a statue; the orange trees all over the place is kind of cool; and the biggest piece of art made of wood, Metropol Parasol, is kind of nothing. I really wish there were more small squares or parks for people and tourist to sit down, eat and take a rest. At the end, I finish my tour even before midday so I go to the train station. I ask to exchange my ticket from 7 p.m to 5 p.m. Of course it is a stupid mistake because if I had taken the 1.30 p.m. as the woman from the train company suggested, I would not get late at Katka and Jeff’s house. Of course I just realize that too late.

              After eating the second half of my homemade noodles, I decide to look for a place outside, in the sun, to take a nap. Not too far there was a park and I could nap for over an hour.
              In the train, after I finish watching (again) the first episode of Sonic Highways, we reach Cordoba.
              Everything should be OK. The location of the house is easy and I am planning just to pass by Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba before, to take a picture at night. I also have to pass in the supermarket to buy some food and a wine, since they invite me to join them in a party. But of course, I make a stupid decision of not going to the Cathedral and try another way, supposedly faster, to get in their house. Of course I get lost, and also the house is further than I imagined. To help me more, the streets were full of people because of the fucking Black Friday.
              Anyway, when I get there, for my luck, Katka is still getting ready. So I talk a little bit with Jeff and one of their friends. In the beginning, I get excited because they are very communicative and we have a good connection.
              Katka is pretty kind and cool, which take away my wrong interpretation of her by the messages. Now thinking better, I believe that probably was Jeff who sent some messages, those ones that sound a little weird.
              We take a taxi but the address is wrong! So we have to take another one. At least this driver is funny and everybody laugh when at the end of the way I offered him the wine bottle I had in my hands as payment.
              The owner of the house is Miguel, this typical character of movies who has a nice apartment, cats, love art and movies and books, and who is pretty smart, kind and polite. There is also another couple, Adriana and Matty. All of them are pretty cool and easy going so I have a very pleasant night. We eat a dish that is basically potato and melted cheese, which later I would figure being for Switzerland and be called Raclette. We leave about 2 a.m. and decide go back walking.
              My morning around Cordoba starts disappointed because Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, that supposed to be for free from 8.30 to 9.30 a.m. “supposedly” has some activities, which invalidate the free tour. And we have to hear that from a very rude guard.
              So I just start to walk around, get a little lost, of course, walk through the parks, some churches and monuments, and that is it. Cordoba is pretty small and everything turns around the Cathedral.

              Back to the apartment, we to talk about languages, travels, people… so it is when I realize that Jeff is a kind of prat. Many times he makes stupid jokes and many times I realize that Katka gets uncomfortable with his words.
              I leave later that I plan and I had to go to Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba to take a picture at sunset, and also pass by a supermarket to buy some food. Nothing works very well. I do not know how but I end up running to not miss the bus. I take the picture but it sucks! Laugh. But I have no food.
              In Granada, I pass by a supermarket one minute before its closing time. I buy a tortilla for my dinner and a wine for Fiorella. This time I find the house easily but it is late, almost 11 p.m. Her and her boyfriend, Dimitri, are a little sick so she just gives me a copy of the keys and go back to the bed. But she is sweet and kind! She also quickly shows me the house and says I could do whatever I want.
              After eating my tortilla de batata with a glass of wine, I go to sleep.
              When I get up around 7.30 a.m., a few men are just arriving from ‘the night’ and are making a lot of noise, talking very loud. Horrible!
              It is pretty easy, Granada. And I walk less than I thought. The Caves are a little disappointing as the same for the view of Alhambra from Mirador San Nicola. But I think it is just because of the morning lights. Everything is too much white. There is this beautiful park (at least this time of the year) with a beautiful rock door, Puerta de las Granadas. Unfortunately I just walk a little bit on the entrance and take my way back to the city centre and the Cathedral.
              There is a long line to get inside the Cathedral, which is also pretty beautiful from outside. I buy some mandarinas and take my way back home.
           Oh! I just forgot to say that the Real Hospital it is amazing! And it is probably  beautiful inside too but unfortunately is closed on Saturdays. The entrance is free. Unlucky me.

              Talking with Fiorella and her boyfriend is nice. They are pretty humble. We speak a little in Portuguese and talk about a lot of stuff. Fiorella prepares some lentils with rice for us.
              I leave the house around 3.30 p.m. to not have to run this time. I have to find my Blablacar ride.
              I buy some biscuits, bread, tomato and cheese. I am waiting in front of the Supermarket Maria Isabel told me. So for my lucky I decide to ask somebody’s phone and call her. A handsome grey bear man with a style girl save me. The thing is I had to go at the back of the place, where all the Blablacars stop, like a bus stop. I had no idea how much this thing is widespread in Spain. After everything that Maria Isabel told me about her husband (he was coming instead of her), the only thing that actually help me was the licence number. I get to the place and find him. The other two girls are with all their families and bla bla bla (no intentional joke) and I think it is kind of silly.
              Jose Miguel, the driver, it is too friendly in my opinion. He is not just nice, you know? There is something more on him that bothered me a little bit. But the travel is OK and quickly, so no problems.
              In Algeciras I am dropped in Corte Ingles and get completely lost in finding Josh place. Fucking Google Maps!
              Josh is very nice and I liked him very much. Apart of the same concerned thoughts about me in Africa as everybody else, we have a short but nice conversation. He is the kind of guy I would stay around for a long time without any problem. Unfortunately we talk for less than two hours because we both have to sleep and get up early next morning.
              The Port is quite far, over 1.5 Km. Luckily, I leave the house before 6.30 a.m., so I take the Ferry without an problem.
              And the best new is that they stamp my departure of Spain in my passport!