España 2011: Córdoba

Yesterday, our group went to the city of Córdoba for the day. We left Granada around 8:30, and returned a little before 10 at night. It took three hours to arrive in Córdoba by bus and when we got there we had bout 2 ½ hours of free time. Our host moms packed us sandwiches and fruit so we spent the majority of our time exploring and visiting museums. The first museum that we went to was “el museo arqueológico” aka the archeological museum. Some of the interesting items in the museum include an old chess set, ancient coins, jewelry, statues and pottery. Probably the most interesting part was that the museum is located on top of what used to be the theater dating back to when the Catholic Kings and Queens lived in the city. Next, we visited the castle in which the Catholic Kings and Queens lived when Córdoba was the grand power of the Spanish emperor. The gardens were beautiful and we were able to climb to the top of a tower to get a view of the city. I am finding it hard to believe how much history there is in Spain. Spain was the major world power for centuries; therefore, there is a very rick culture and endless information to soak in.

After we completed our free time we broke off into two groups. My group went to “el mezquita” first. It is the Catholic Church in Córdoba but was originally built as a mosque. Inside there are more than 1000 columns and they are all connected with double arches that are made of red and white bricks. The inside is incredible because at first glance the arches and columns seem to create a huge sense of unity and symmetry. However, once you look closer you notice that the columns are made of different materals and have different decorations at the top. No two are exactly alike. This is because when the mosque was being build they had so many artists making the columns that each one ended up unique. I am going to post pictures but you should also use google to look up the Mosque in Córdoba because my camera died half way through our visit.

After visiting the Mosque we went to “los Baños Arabes” de Córdoba. They are the Spanish equivalent of an American spa. Through our program we actually got to go through the steps of the Baños Arabes. The way they are set up is that they have three different pools with water at different temperatures. The one that you spend the most time in is the warm water. However, there is also one that is about hot tub temperature and then another that is colder than Puget Sound. Also, at the baños, there is a steam room. Finally, to top it all off, everyone in our group got a massage. It is all part of the package deal. We were in the Baños Arabes for about and hour and a half and I didn’t know it was possible to be that relaxed. I was not able to take pictures but I went searching on Google and have attached some below so you can get a better ideal of the Baños. Supposedly, there are also Baños Arabes in Granada J
Shortly after finishing the Baños Arabes we boarded the bus to head back to Granada. It was quite an amazing day and I would be interested in returning to Cordoba to have more time to explore the city. It is hard for me to believe that today is Friday already. I have almost been here for three weeks. The time had absolutely flown by. This weekend we are exploring one of the other neighborhoods of Granada with our culture teacher and just staying around the city. I actually have quite a bit of homework that I need to get done; sometimes I forget that I am here to study Spanish. In school, I only have two weeks left of my intensive class then I am going to London and Dublin for six days. After I return to Granada I will begin my next classes that will last for the next three months. I will continue my culture class, then add a grammar class, a pronunciation and writing course and a course about the history of Spanish art. I am getting excited. Hope everything is well in the states!