Sevilla

Driving to Sevilla (Seville) and turning in the rental car was a breeze, thankfully.

After a late lunch, we ventured to the Plaza de Espana, the site of the 1929 World Fair. A grand semi-circular structure blends Moorish, Renaissance, and Baroque styles with 48 mosaic tiled alcoves/benches representing each province. The alcoves are a ceramic encyclopedia with map, coat of arms, history, and art. Two towers flank the central building and there is a canal with bridges. Since the plaza is so large, photos really can't capture it. Charlie and I enjoyed browsing the visual feast of each of the 48 mosaic alcoves.

We ended our day with a Flaminco Dance show of 2 singers, a guitarist, and 2 dancers. Enchanting. Riveting. Bewitching. Words can't really capture the experience. Each dance alternated provocative slow with fast, all while tapping rhythms with feet, finger snaps, thigh slaps, clapping, and castanedas. Dance movements had slow stalking/walking, and explosive frenetic action. While standing still, dancers could create a beat while their feet seemed still. When the male and female danced together, it was synchonized sensuality. Her castenedas beat a suspenseful rhythm while her wrists, hands, and arms twisted and beckoned. Like a bull and matador, both stalked, retreated, circled, attacked, retreated.

The singers (to me) sounded like a cross between a Muslim call to prayer and yodeling. Clearly, I can't appreciate the singing, if you could call it that. Meanwhile, the guitarist's fingers blurred with motion for the entire hour with intricate, dynamic, lively Spanish guitar music. No photos or videos were allowed, except for a very short (and not representative) sample demo at the end.Read more