For More Context: The Iberian Voyage
Previous Part – Iberian Voyage: A Tour of Madrid
Day 3: Sunday, February 18
After leaving their hotel at 8:20 am, students and staff continued their trip to Córdoba on an AVE (Alta Velocidad Española / “Spanish High Speed”), which is a type of train in Spain that is able to move at around 185 mph! After their experience on the AVE, the group stopped in Córdoba for lunch, shopping, and a quick sightseeing tour!
First walking down the Puente Romano de Córdoba (Roman Bridge of Córdoba) and looking at the statue of San Rafael, then going on a sightseeing tour to look at the different architecture styles and building of Córdoba. Afterwards, the group grabbed lunch at local stores and walked to the Cathedral of Córdoba (a former mosque) for a quick visit before taking a bus to Seville.
After the long bus ride to Seville, the group settled in at their hotel named Hotel Corregidor, freshened up, and left to get dinner at Levies Cafe Bar, which is a tapas bar. Students and staff were able to try new foods such as tuna salad and paella. (We were also able to eat familiar desserts, such as cheesecake too!) After dinner, the group walked back to the hotel to rest for the night.
Day 4: Monday, February 19
After breakfast, the group embarked on a panoramic bus tour where they were able to view the streets, famous statues, and buildings of Sevilla. Later, students and staff visited the Plaza de España where they took photos and gazed at the detailed designs of the landmark.
Afterwards, the group walked to the Catedral de Sevilla (Cathedral of Seville) where they saw the different Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture, and various statues and monuments. (Fun Fact: Christopher Columbus and his son Diego are buried at this Cathedral).
After their sightseeing tour of the Cathedral of Seville, the group embarked on an adventure to La Giralda, which is a bell tower whose entrance is located near the Cathedral of Seville. La Giralda has a total of 35 floors which can be “climbed” by walking up 34 series of ramps and a flight of stairs. The view of La Giralda stretches across the vast buildings of Seville and provides the group a good opportunity to take pictures and videos.
After their adventures which required an abundance of walking, the group stopped nearby to get food and go shopping! Then they went back to their hotel, and prepared for the Flamenco.
Students and staff arrived at the Museo del Baile Flamenco (Flamenco Dance Museum) where they split into two groups and learned a simplified version of a type of Flamenco Dance. Professional Flamenco teachers walked us through the steps and showed demonstrations along the way.
After their flamenco lessons, both groups met up and watched professional Flamenco Dancers perform on stage with singers and a guitarist. Those present were asked not to take pictures nor videos to respect the privacy of the performers. The Flamenco show was one that was completely unexpected to many of the students that attended. The dancers would stomp and tap their feet against the floors of the stage, and spin at incredibly rapid paces where their sweat and the rims of their dresses could be seen flying towards the crowds.
After the Flamenco show, the group went on another shopping spree before heading to dinner at El 3 de Oro. They were served a variety of dishes including bread, potato salad, fried chicken cutlets with potato, and cake for dessert.
After their dinner, students and staff walked back to their hotel, prepared for the night, and awaited their trip to Portugal tomorrow.
