Cordoba

I have found that with every new excursion comes a new adventure very different from the one before. Cordoba started off with some laughs when I decided I had to try and orange. It took some help from my teacher and friend Loren, who cheer- leader lifted me up near the tree. Check it out.

I will get that orange!

GOT IT!

Just a warning for those who love oranges these DON'T taste like oranges. They taste like orange lemons, which for me is great, but if you don't you will hate them. But it is still worth the fun of trying to reach them.

Beautiful arches

Our time in Cordoba was made even more interesting by our British tour guide. He was by far my favorite tour guide, not just because he knew English, but also because of his sense of humor. He made what might have just seems like another cathedral  interesting with how knowledgeable he was. He first took us on a tour through La Mezquita Catedral de Cordoba. We learned that this has originally been a church and then it was a Mosque and then eventually became a cathedral. It was stunning in the building. The arches of were used to give the building a greater perception of depth, but it didn't need it because it was so massive. I am always taken aback by how much religious history each building seems to have. I love observing the differing styles used to design the building which include some very obvious Muslims designs as well as Christian ones. Our tour guide said that there was a time when Muslims, Christians,  and Jews worked together, even building each others religious buildings. I feel like that has been a very important part remark that nearly all of our tour guides have made. That at one point other religions coincided with peace and how there is a strong hope for that in the future. Be warned though, it is freezing in this building in winter. So remember to wear your jacket if you ever visit!

The beautiful Patios

Amanda and I attempting to stay warm

We also got to visit the patios which are beautiful white houses that have flowers all on the walls. We learned about them in class prior to our trip and I was really excited to get to see them. Even in winter families still displayed their flowers. The man that taught use about the patios told us that families often take pride in these flowers so in the warmer months they are flattered by you attempting to peak into their house. They will even invite you in! This is of course very different from an American response. I would love to come back one day during the spring to get to see the patios in all their glory.