Saturday (Sabado) 25 Julio

Friday was my last full day in Seville and I spent most of it taking sensory photos of the Andalucian cuidad.
Oh, I know I have a multitude of photos already of this ornamental azulejos inspired city, but you almost want to take a snap shot with your other senses too - the taste of jamon iberico (cured pork) sprinkled over cool gazpacho with a tasty tortilla to follow; the earworm infection of the flamenco pop hit worked on in my dance class; the day to day easy friendship from my hostess Senora Gordillo and her ever alert dog, Scooby.

I got a chance to catch up with model pretty Alice at the CLIC library too (yes, I still studied Spanish in the morning!), she´s so easy to tease and admire, we and 4 others had been sweating it out in the flamenco classes at Museo de Baile Flamenco with our lean and snake hipped instructor Victor (pronounced "Bic-tor" thanks to the Spanish dialect´s easy interchange of the letters "v" and "b").
She had always tried valiantly to survive the hand clapping and foot stamping rhythm warm ups Victor mostly opened the lessons with, though she was mostly convinced that she was always a beat off. (You were fine Alice - just have fun!:)

In the afternoon I had planned to visit the Museo de Bellas Artes, an easy and obvious choice as it was just up the road from my Redes calle (street) home stay and also recommended by my DK Spain book.

A converted convent now housing some of the works of Spain´s premier painters and sculptors, the museum itself was a architectural showcase with the magnificent chapel a glorious jewel box of quiet gilt and religious iconography. Though not as head-rushingly sublime as the Sistine (you´re convinced Michaelangelo´s figures are coming towards you the longer you stare at them), it nevertheless impressed with it´s craftsmanship and execution.

Wandering through the well placed salas (rooms), I remembered again how much I enjoy looking at art; I never seem to get much of a chance to go to galleries back in Perth (okay, WA Art Gallery - we have a date when I get back!) and I seem to save it all for my holidays and then almost OD.

I was also lucky enough to get into Bellas Arte for free, it´s normally only gratis for EU passport holders (despite Australia and New Zealand´s United Nations standing as part of "Greater Europe"!) but the cheery female ticket seller cut me a complimentary ticket anyway when I sounded downcast at being Yo vivo Australia (I live in Australia) and passed it to me with a knowing wink.

And now I´m on my way to Granada, travelling by train (a mode of transport I´m hoping to utilize for most of my travel - both for the buena vista [good view] and to keep track of my luggage!)

So, it was a fond farewell to the Senora this morning and a parting gift of a stylishly simple wooden photo frame to add to her collection (she fills them with lovely snaps of her extended family both near and far) and a box of what else? Scooby snacks for my perro (dog) pal :)