Monday, June 11, 2007

Days 6 & 7: Córdoba

From Madrid, to Córdoba I went, my first time in Andalusia. I enjoyed Córdoba immensely, lack of wi-fi notwithstanding. Not only is it a much smaller city than Madrid, it has an entirely different feel, more relaxed and serene than the bustling metropolis.

Córdoba has some interesting Roman remains, especially the late 3rd/early 4th century palace known as La Cercadilla, discovered (and to a great extent destroyed) when the train station was expanded. I would like to talk more about it, but it is a difficult site to explain in brief, so I will save it for a future Question Time. Instead, I will talk about Córdoba's more famous monument, the Mezquita or the Great Mosque, begun in AD 754 and expanded over the next 250 years, then turned into a Christian cathedral after the Reconquest. The latter event has caused some jarring effects, as 16th, 17th and 18th century architecture intrudes upon the earlier structure as if it had teleported in from some different dimension. However, one can still feel the majesty of the earlier building.




It really is something to behold; much more impressive than I had expected (which is saying something). Definitely something for the must-see-before-you-die list. The beauty of the architectural work is quite breathtaking:






The building is really something one needs to walk through to get the full experience. The atmosphere is something I have only felt in a few places, such as St. Peter's. My camera has a video feature and so I shot a short film showing the south end and leading up to the qibla niche (which was, unfortunately, inaccessible). This is the part built by the Caliph Al-Hakam II.

(Let me know if people have trouble seeing this).



In addition to the Mosque, the old quarter of Córdoba has many traditional Andalusian houses, some dating back in part to the 12th century. They share the common Mediterranean design of a quiet central patio with typically a fountain and flowering plants:



Different rooms open onto the courtyard, creating a extremely cool and tranquil atmosphere.



Originally, I had decided my dream house would be neo-Georgian. Now, however, I think that if I end up in a warm climate, it will have to be Andalusian.

Finally, another bit of Spanglish humor. Córdoba has a Dunkin' Donuts clone. Now, Dunkin' Donuts is not that exotic -- there are Dunkin' Donuts in Madrid. Remember McDowell's restaurant from Coming to America? Same idea here -- same colors, same layout, same kind of food. However, the name has been changed to protect the guilty. It would seem that the proprietors felt the most important thing about the original name was the alliteration. So I give you...."Duffin Dagels."



I guess the name is supposed to remind one of muffins and bagels, but the store sells neither, and I doubt most Spaniards know what they are anyway.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hilarious, those Dagels.

Very nice post. To me, you represent the first globetrotting, fully tech-savvy archaeologist. Posting Youtube movies is a fine addition and really makes your travels come alive.

You're opening up your discoveries and observations to a whole new generation of world citizens who may otherwise know nothing about archaeology--keep it up. I'm certainly learning.

Now I just need to figure out how to convince you to add your astute observations and keen mind to add to the mix over at Armillary Observations -- your wit and mind would make it an even heartier simmering stew!

Travel safely, godspeed.

Lime

Anonymous said...

regarding
Here is my web page :: spanish english dictionary internet

Anonymous said...

This site is named a stroll-by way of for all the info you sought regarding it and didn’t understand who
to question. Glimpse right here, coupled with
you’ll positively uncover it.
Look at my homepage ... www.Thespainforum.com

Anonymous said...

Hey, you used to write excellent, but the last few posts have

been kinda boring… I miss your super writings.
Past several posts are just a bit out of track!

come on!
Feel free to surf my webpage ... Www.Thespainforum.Com

Anonymous said...

Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?


My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended
up losing several weeks of hard work due

to no back up. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
Feel free to visit my weblog :: http://Www.Murciaproperty.Net

Anonymous said...

I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog

and check again here frequently. I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff
right here! Best of luck for the next!
Look at my blog hutted

Anonymous said...

My spouse and i ended up being absolutely cheerful when Edward could finish off

his survey while using the ideas he received from your very own web
site. It's not at all simplistic to simply always

be releasing techniques which usually most people may have been selling. And

now we remember we have got the website owner to be grateful to for that. The specific explanations

you have made, the easy site

navigation, the friendships your site assist to instill - it is

everything sensational, and it's

making our son in addition to the family know that the issue is
interesting, and that is

very vital. Thank you for all the pieces!
Check out my webpage Unknown

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say

is valuable and everything. However

imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts
more,

"pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this
site could

definitely be one of the very best in its field.
Terrific blog!
Here is my homepage imaged

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I found your website via Google while
searching for a related topic,

your site came up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Take a look at my web page ; spinal erectors

Anonymous said...

We're a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website

offered us with valuable information to work on. You've done a formidable job

and our entire community will be thankful to you.
Here is my site : blackly

Anonymous said...

you have got a fantastic weblog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my weblog?
Review my web site - lymphoid

Anonymous said...

It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info.

I’m glad that you

shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this.
Thanks for

sharing.
My web-site :: tenias

Anonymous said...

Generally I don't read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this

write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice

article.
Look at my web site mossing

Anonymous said...

I’ll right away snatch your rss feed as I

can't to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do

you have any? Please let me recognize in

order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Also visit my webpage : smilax

Anonymous said...

magnificent submit, very informative. I

ponder why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this.


You should continue your writing. I'm sure, you have a great readers'

base already!
Review my weblog ; Wiki.twce.Org.tw

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you really know what you're talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly

also visit my web site =). We

will have a link alternate agreement among us!
My web page - classifieds online Denia

Anonymous said...

Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was
doing some research on that. And he

actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that:

Thanks for lunch!
Here is my web site : debt consolidation credit counseling

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really loving the template/theme of this website. It's
simple, yet effective. A

lot of times it's tough to get that "perfect balance" between superb

usability and appearance. I must say you have done a awesome job with this. Additionally,

the blog loads extremely quick for me on Chrome. Superb Blog!
Here is my blog post ... rail service europe

Anonymous said...

I’ll right away grab your rss feed as I can't find your e-mail subscription

link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know in order that I

could subscribe. Thanks.
Look at my web blog ... mylinkvault.com

Anonymous said...

I keep listening to the news update

lecture about getting free online grant applications so I
have been looking around for

the best site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could
i acquire

some?
Stop by my homepage - aepspanish.blogspot.ru

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.
I'm attempting to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Also visit my website : http://www.bitli.de

Anonymous said...

you're in reality a excellent webmaster. The site loading speed is amazing. It sort of feels that you

are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a excellent job in this topic!
Also visit my web blog : Thejudgefamily.org

Anonymous said...

Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at

your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
it

has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, awesome blog!
My web page ; http://industriabolivia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/aemp-denuncia-cementeras-de-formar.html

Anonymous said...

Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely
long) so I guess

I'll just sum it up what I had written and say, I'm
thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an

aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any tips for first-time blog

writers? I'd genuinely appreciate it.
My site - wiki.de-chef.nl

Anonymous said...

I would like to thnkx for the efforts you've put in writing this blog. I

am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well.

Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own site

now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good

example of it.

my blog - amg.asd.am

Anonymous said...

I was just seeking this information for some
time. After 6 hours of

continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site.
I wonder what is the lack of

Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative sites in top of the
list.

Usually the top sites are full of garbage.

Have a look at my web blog www.rkstyle.net

Anonymous said...

I am really enjoying the theme/design of your web
site. Do you ever run into any

web browser compatibility problems? A small number
of my blog visitors have complained about my site not operating correctly

in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any advice
to help fix this problem?

Here is my web page - strony.nieruchomosci.idel.pl

Anonymous said...

As a Newbie, I am constantly searching online
for articles that can

help me. Thank you

my blog post ... http://www.gwfowler.org/

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i
came to “return the favor”.I

am attempting to find things to improve my site!
I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

my webpage: http://www.lycafriends.com/profile/RosendaPalmer81

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 50 mg images - tramadol percocet high

Anonymous said...

That's what I was suggesting.... You'd have to be ignoгаnt to thіnk οtherwise.



my blоg fast cash today

Anonymous said...

No question, this is perfеct. It's not every day you see a blog that's thiѕ goοd
on web 2.0 site, and you've got it down wholly. This matter is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. It's aweѕоmе that I waѕ able to find this while searching for relаted topics.


my sіte; pizza oven outdoor

Anonymous said...

I am queѕtioning what age wе start to becοme wiseг and pay no
heеd to аll thіs гubbish.

Also visit my site: cheap personal loans

Anonymous said...

What a collapsе in communicatіon, nothing wгong with being civіl.


my blog; best bank loan

Anonymous said...

I peгsonallу ԁіdn't spend very much time doing this, but I can tell it'ѕ сlеaгlу worth tгying.


Lοok at my blog ρoѕt personal loans

Anonymous said...

Could dο ωith looκin at ѕοme mοre info on thіs - anу recommеnԁs on who to read οr what forums I cоulԁ join?



Also νisit my sitе :: Small Personal loans

Anonymous said...

Oh well, never mind. It's the old saying...if it can't
be done, better to do it yourself.

My web site: best loans for bad credit

Anonymous said...

Now thеn, its question tіmе, dο ӏ hаνe the сhance to аsκ a challenging question?



Also νisit my ωebpage :: felinhome.com

Anonymous said...

Fabulous, what a blog it is! This web site gives valuable facts to us, keep it up.


Feel free to surf to my weblog - club seventeen

Anonymous said...

And within the course for these analysis, it emerges
that each dollar spent within the pursuit associated with an online
degree is planning to increase one's lifetime earnings more than once fold.
She invites you to visit her site where she's going to share a proven approach to start an business online.
" Employees at Nike are encouraged being curious and ready to accept new ideas, whatever their source.

Here is my weblog ... blog.1clicmax.com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.