SEPTEMBER 23RD BLOG#13

SEPTEMBER 23^RD BLOG#13

So after four refreshing days we wrapped up things at the Hotel Palicio Garvey and checked out for our short trek up to Seville. Unfortunately as we rolled the bags up to our car in their outside parking area I noticed that there was a pretty good scrap on the left rear corner/bumper of our Skoda. Our hertz rental had only 10,000 Kilometers on the clock and had NO visible scraps which is very unusual in Spain. We loaded up but returned to the gal and asked to document what we had found because I had checked the car throughout our stay it had been moved at least 3 times by the hotel staff as they rearranged vehicles in a very confined space. Oh well that’s what the insurance is for, I guess. In no time we were on the road heading north to Seville great modern new highway all the way. In just 75 minutes we were in light Sunday morning traffic entering the big city and crossing the Guadalquivir river in the center of town; then Carmen Garmin decided to show off instead of routing us along the banks of river she had turn into the back streets of town and then up this lane and back down this street each time in concert to the old one way system, needless to say there was a lot of cussing and swear words when three point turns were needed to navigate several of the tight turns but by 1:00PM we arrived at the front door of the Eurostars Regina our new 3 star home. We could not check in until 2:00 PM so we off loaded the bags into luggage storage and put the garage in the basement garage ourselves so that no new scratches were added to bumpers. We asked the chica at reception where she would eat the best tapas and she outlined a route to the nearest Plaza and a bar named Casa Paco. 

Alameda de Hercules (Mall) Seville

 After four short blocks in the old town we wandered out into the Plaza and found the Paco place on the left. Drinkies and tapas ordered we shifted seats to those under an umbrella as the sun had poked thru the few low hanging clouds. Then we headed back to check in.
We stopped at a tiny little store to buy some water and wine (the essentials of life) and met a man who had spent some time in Miami when he was a boy. The store had nearly everything but was no bigger than our walk-in closet! The old gentleman and his wife told us that the business had been in the family for 80 years! We do meet some lovely people.

No bigger than a walk in closet this 

store had it all.

My husband is not allowed to take me to a 3 star hotel after spoiling me with the Palacio Garvey mansion in Jerez! The room here is at best adequate but there will be no swinging of cats going on! We took a siesta and sallied forth for the next adventure…….tackling the Sevilla bus system! We took a bus a few stops and got off at the Plaza de Toros which was teeming with people heading in for the last bullfight of the season. Dang I wish we had tickets! We mingled with the crowds and absorbed the excitement for a while and headed down to the  Plaza de Jerez intending to visit the Plaza de Espana which is a gorgeous place. Then we spotted the new Metro. On previous visits a lot of dust and dirt was all we saw, but now, here it is, finished. How exciting! We decided to investigate and entered an elevator and down we went. There were lots of ticket machines, turnstiles and escalators and it looked so clean and modern. We tried to figure out the machines, we thought we would take a little ride, but we knew not where, until  a very helpful official type suggested we buy a ticket, go to the end of the line, stay on the Metro and come straight back! So we did! We are such rubes I am not ashamed to say. Here we are in the big city. We eventually emerged at the Puerta de San Sebastian just one stop and 40 minutes later!! Plaza de Espaňa was still on the agenda so we crossed the park and ran right in to a Rastro with food and drinks and all sorts of super stuff, so we stopped to enjoy. Empanadas and beer help pass the time and we eventually reached our destination and enjoyed one of our favorite Plazas. Right! Now what? Obviously a taxi is called for as we are now a long way for where we want to eat and the feet are a bit tired. We went  back to a favorite area  to re-explore. We were just at the back of the bullring and we could hear the Oles and clapping and cheers. Intoxicating,!  So we stopped for a glass of wine. It was getting on for 8.30 by now and it occurred to us that when the corrida let out, every bar and restaurant would be packed so we hoofed  hastily to El Buzo to grab a table. Just in the nick of time! We sat at a sidewalk table and watched as the crowds started pouring by.

El Buzo Bar & Resturante Arenal section of Seville 500 mtrs  to bull ring.

We had a fabulous meal and the entertainment was just as good! (People watching, remember?) Everyone dresses so well, very elegant except for the woman sitting across from us who did not realize that her pants were half way down her butt, by cracky!  It was mesmerizing. Our eyes were drawn back again and again and it was not pretty let me tell you!

It was, to say the least, a fabulous day, 3 star hotel not withstanding! A taxi back to the hotel and a fairly early night for us. Sigh! What shall we do tomorrow?