First Day in Andalusía

Just arrived in Sevilla. I wanted to take my mom on a trip this year. Initially I considered Greece as being an easy choice, but since a few months ago, it was uncertain if the locals would be coming after us with pitchforks and torches, it seemed like Spain might make a better and perhaps at least temporarily more economically and culturally stable destination.

My muddled but humorous theological ideas from my childhood came into play on the way over, as my sister Mary - also joining us - related a silly story from the dinner table where I threw out the idea of reincarnation to the amusement apparently of all my older siblings. Then apparently I got in trouble with the nuns when I told them that I didn't need to go to confession since I didn't have any sins. Fortunately, that's still true today. Ha

This of course translated well into our brief tour of the cathedral here in Sevilla today, which is a jumble of Muslim and Christian architecture, with some excellent North African and Roman influences thrown in as well. I must say though, the splendid fountain area in the Courtyard of the Orange Trees (with clear Islamic influence) seemed to convey the most natural beauty and peace - softly whispering fountains, ornate miniature irrigation canals set into the brick, perfectly spaced orange trees, dappled sunlight, cool breezes, and a splendid view of La Giralda - the icon of Sevilla, the cathedral's bell tower and former minaret.

Andalusía as a region of Spain in general was always a hodgepodge of cultural interplay from the Carthaginians to the Romans to the Visigoths and more. And from it's tremendous Jewish, Muslim, and Christian heritages as well, it has developed into a wild mix of flamenco, curious yet simple food combinations, wonderfully friendly people, and amazing architecture. It is also a long tale of deep sadness as well, as each new group of people seemed to try as hard as it could to eradicate its predessors, most notably the last triumphant Christians. And of course that's just the tip of this cultural iceberg. The wrong metaphor to use, as this place is steamy hot, even today in mid-October.

Off to take a stroll along the Guadalquivir river.