Next morning

The next morning while we were eating breakfast we ran into Christina & Fernando again. This time the talk is all about the Euro Cup which took place Sunday night between Spain & Germany. Elizabeth says she wants to get a flag. The next news we knew Fernando goes to his car and brings Elizabeth this Spanish flag. Spain did win the Euro Cup.....1-0.....We did watch and cheered for Spain. I think I blogged through it.

They were so fun to be with. We hated to say good bye. But, she and Elizabeth did exchange email addresses and Elizabeth says when she comes over for her semester abroad she is going to look Christina up. We all hope to hear from them both again. Christina is going to be in CT in the fall.

Elizabeth is wearing her Barcelona soccer shirt. Fernando told her not to wear that shirt in Madrid.

Christina

Did I tell you we rarely hear English? We have not seen one English speaking group. And believe me when we are in the Museums or Cathederals I listen for them to maybe pick up on what they are saying.

Well, Saturday afternoon we were in the courtyard talking and reading our books when this cute young lady came up to us and ask if we were American. We said yes and thus began a conversation. It was about 7pm and they were on their way to a classical play about an hour and a half away. Their play started at 11pm.......can you believe these people? Anyway her name was Christina and she was living here in Madrid......but, her father lived in New Haven, (I think) CT. And she knew where Hamden was (which is where Regina lives). It was fun to talk to her.

2:30am

At 2:30am I heard what sounded like congregational singing aca pella. So, I went to the window grabbed my camera and took this picture. I hate it is not better but, maybe you can get the jest of it. They had paraded through town and ended up in our little square. Then I checked to see if I got an image on the camera and looked out again and they were all gone. It was really kinda sweet. Then the men started cleaning up.

street art

This was some of the street art for the festival. I do not know what the colored stuff is. It kinda looked like colored cat litter. But, I am pretty sure the white is rock salt. After 3am the men got out and cleaned everything up. So, when we woke up ther was no sign of a festival.

Fiesta time

It is my belief that if you stay in Mexico, South America or Spain long enough there is going to be a fiesta. There is no one who likes a celebration more than the Spainards. We woke up Saturday morning and took a 30 min. tour of the city (Ubeda) and when we got back to our parador we noticed all this fabric going up all over the city and suns being stenciled on the streets. So, we ask the hotel clerk what was going on. He said there would be a BIG celebration going on tonight. It was the celebration of the "wheat harvest". We thought FUN FUN. We were thinking a gala good time. Well, it didn't start until 10:30pm (you know how these Spainish are!!). And the clerk said it would go on until 2am and it was all going to end just under our window. Well, there was alot of work that went into decorating the city and the MEN did it ALL. But, the celebration was a little subdued. I guess it is a serious, and very religious celebration.

scenes in the parador

When I couldn't get Elizabeth & Ray out and about they were in the courtyard with liquid refreshment and reading their book. We all have wonderful books we are reading. Darlene, I just finished Snow Flower & the secret fan. Loved it and now want to read more of her books. Elizabeth is reading it now. Be interesting to see if she gets through it.

Ubeda

Ubeda is just the sweetest places you could ever hope to see in Spain. So many fun things happened to us while there.
But, first let me tell you that Ubeda was inscribed in the World Heritage List on July 3, 2003. It is one the the select cities in the world where the human hand has constructed a unique and everlasting work. It is UNESCO's claim that Ubeda more than any other place in the world, exemplifies the humanist Spanish Renaissance. For the most past, the art and monuments bequeathed the city were produced in the 16th and 17th centries. The statue is of Andres de Vandelvira, the author of the most magnificent buildings in the city.

The parador is the straight building on the left. It is the second oldest parador in Spain.

goat shepherd

When Rays check us out of the parador the desk clerk ask him if he is ready for the heat in Ubeda? I thought you have got to be kidding! Just step outside and feel the heat here. As we were driving out of town still in the shadow of the parador we come across this goat shepherd.

go shopping

Did I mention that the day we went into Sevilla that the temperature was 43*C? That is about 120* When we finished with the cathedral (did I also mention that the inside of the cathedral is the size of a football field?) we had a bite of lunch then everything was closed except the shops so we went shopping! Elizabeth bought this cute little dress. She has worn it for 3 days. Even Ray has told her if she will change clothes we will look for another dress. We just missed the bus back to Carmona and had to wait 45 minutes for the next bus. Elizabeth busied herself crossing the street buying Fantas and ice cream. We got back to the parador @ 8pm and had to CLIMB up the hill about a mile to the parador (did I mention that it was 120*). Never saw a taxi but, we were so proud of ourselves that we had found our way home all by ourselves. That night at dinner we could not drink enough liquids.

Up the stairs?

Towards the end of the cathedral tour you come to this hall that says you can go to the top of the bell tower. It is only 34 steps. I'm thinking their idea of steps and my idea of steps are probably two different ideas. So, I tell Elizabeth I didn't think I would go to the top. So, she says she is going for it. I tell her to go for it and I make myself comfortable on a bench and people watch. Then I get to feeling bad that for heaven sake can I not make it up 34 steps? So, I start up...........Well, they are not steps............It is 34 ramps.......probably about about 20 steps per ramp. With windows along the way. Well, when I get to 14 I run into Elizabeth on the way down. She is feeling guilty that I might be worried about her. She has been to the top and offers to go again with me. How about that for the sweet grandaughter?

View from the top

Once you get to the top the view is spectacular. You can see the Sevilla bull ring and the beautirul court yard with the orange trees in the center of the cathedral.