Although their celebrations of Halloween leave something to be desired, the Spanish never fail to give you a day off of school for an obscure Catholic holiday that is no longer celebrated. This last Thursday was Dia de Todos Los Santos, or All Saint’s Day. For this reason it is expected that all good Spanish students return to their hometowns to contemplate the mysteries of life and death. Where do we foreigners go? CORDOBA!!!!
Six K students went to Granada, and six to Gallecia. Nick and I, realizing that it would be completely unacceptable to stay in Caceres, made last- minute plans to go to Cordoba. Incredible city, very good decision.
After a bit of a hostal mishap (the mishap being that Nick forgot to call the hostal…) we went out on the town to experience the amazing nightlife for which Cordoba is known. We got lost. Still, we found a small bar with really friendly people and had an awesome time. The next day we went to the Mezquita, which is the most impressive building I have ever seen in my life.
Seriously, this building is more beautiful that Notre Dame, the Alhambra, and the Vatican all rolled together. It’s also ridiculously difficult to do justice with a camera, especially since it’s dimly lit and forbids flash photography. It will also make you very angry with the Catholic church.
So the Muslims go ahead and build this beautiful mosque, and then the post- inquisition Catholics turn it into a cathedral. Now, they hold mass there every Sunday morning. The Muslims of Cordoba asked permission to have religious services there on Saturdays in the south corner, which is very spacious and hardly used. The church said no.
Anyways, Nick and I had an amazing time in Cordoba. Very beautiful city, I would post more pictures but I forgot to charge my camera before we left. It’s charged now… so if you want me to take a picture of my room or something… let me know.
