25Feb2019: The drive to Cordoba was dotted with vineyards and orchards. Our day trip itinerary featured La Mesquita Catedral de Cordoba. Its grandeur did not disappoint. When the Christians conquered the Moorish regions they didn’t smash this religious space- rather they added onto the Mosque creating a church-mosque combination.
We lost count of the arches but kept trying to get pictures without many tourists being in the way. Though it was dark inside, we were able to get some pretty good shots of the light coming in making it seem very spiritual.
After my experience in Venice, I’m keen to eat lunch with octogenarians. My thought is that they must visit the same spots each week in their neighborhood so wherever they eat lunch has got to be a sure shot. Bodega Guzman was just this type of space. It’s a place you might walk by if you were touring the Jewish quarter for Sefardi restaurants (that was my original plan). It turns out that Bodega Guzman was listed in tour books as well, but I felt tracking senior citizens worked just as well.
You’ve got to try Salmorejo because it’s Cordoba’s invention. We also had albondigas and a less than interesting salami. Get whatever drink comes out of the three large barrels–likely Manzanilla– and take the suggestions of the waiter. It was the best meal of the day and fueled us for our walk through the old town.
We didn’t have anywhere to particularly navigate to but I can see how the ferias in April must be lovely with courtyards of flowers. I also can’t wait to try the recipe below that was tiled on one of the city walls.
I must check in with friends who studied abroad in Cordoba to find out what secrets and adventures we would have had if we stayed for another day, but it was time to head out to Sevilla.
l o n d o n f o r r e s t 