Alone in Andalucia

After Eva left, I was left alone to wander around Andalucía. In order to keep my budget under control I first couch surfed in the town of Úbeda in the Provence of Jaén.

Architecting me some limestone castles.

Dreams

The Cathedral of Jaen, the inspiration for a lot of Latin America.

Afterwards I head to Cordoba to see the former capital of Al Andaluz. 

The mosque/Cathedral of Cordoba. Come for one and get two.

You buy the fish in the market and they grill it up.

Julio Romero de Torres watching his lady watch herself.

From Cordoba I head back down towards Malaga and did a small trek along the Caminito del Rey

Alhambra

The last stop before Eva had to head back to Vienna was Granada. Granada is the former head of the Nasrid Caliphate and was the last place where the Moors ruled before the end of the Reconquista in 1492. What they left, the amazing fortresses and palaces of the Alhambra are a site to see and a true World Heritage site.

Some very rare artwork of people during the Muslim era. Ladies playing chess in the garden.

The royal palace at night.

A lady in the garden.

Siesta time.

Cheers to those tapas.

Hiking in the pueblo of Quentar after my poor Eva had to leave.

Olives as far as the eye can see.

El Flemenco Sevillano

For the next three weeks, I spent time in Andalucia. The south of Spain has a rich history from pre-Roman times, to the Roman Empire, the conquest of the Moors, the Reconquista, the flowing in of money from the Americas, and into the present day. It is a land of art, food, and culuture. Nothing more symbolized the time than Sevilla and Flamenco. We were luck to visit a late night peña to see the music performed in its true settings. Sevilla was a particularly amazing town. We also went to the National Park Doñana and Ronda.

The tower of Sevilla.

The oven of Sevilla. La Plaza de España

La Casa Ansemla.

El Rocio, a site of one of Spain's most important pilgrimages.

In the wilds of Parque Doñana. The mares roam wild until the collecting season comes.

Something sweet and savory!

The famous bridge of Ronda.

Eva's sugar papito.

Lisboa

With the semester in break I needed to leave Vienna. Somewhere warmer and with way more Vinho Tinto. We flew to Lisbon to catch up with our friends Vicky and Reece making their own new life in the Portuguese Capitol.

Pensive as hell.

Picking between dreams.

Eva learning to love again at the age of 38 with a Pasteis de Nata.

He's wearing flip-flops here.

The good ol' Torsh do Belang.

Looking out at the Atlantic.

Staying up until 4 in the morning to watch a grand total of 1 touchdown and too much Levine.