Hello everyone!
I went on an amazing trip yesterday to Córdoba, Spain with a group call Málaga South Experiences, which is a group who creates and hosts trips like Córdoba to places and sites in Andalusia. My friend Lisa and I were fortunate to be able to go on the trip for 36 euros!
The trip included a bus ride to and from Córdoba, the entrance fees to the Alcázar de los Reyes Christianos and the Mezquita. As well as free time to explore the city and a two hour guided walking tour. I also won a trip to Gibralter for Lisa and I from MSE through beating an entire bus of kids in rock paper scissors!
I went on an amazing trip yesterday to Córdoba, Spain with a group call Málaga South Experiences, which is a group who creates and hosts trips like Córdoba to places and sites in Andalusia. My friend Lisa and I were fortunate to be able to go on the trip for 36 euros!
The trip included a bus ride to and from Córdoba, the entrance fees to the Alcázar de los Reyes Christianos and the Mezquita. As well as free time to explore the city and a two hour guided walking tour. I also won a trip to Gibralter for Lisa and I from MSE through beating an entire bus of kids in rock paper scissors!
Córdoba is one of the closer cities to Málaga and is a huge historical and cultural center. I really enjoyed the bus ride there. The countryside went like looking from El Paso, Texas with rocky mountains and cacti to looking like Iowa with rolling hills and farmland. Córdoba is situated right at the beginning of the plateau of Spain. Inland Spain is much higher above sea level then where I live, meaning, there’s a steep drop in elevation right before Córdoba and it keeps getting lower until you hit sea level.
First we went to the Alcázar de los Reyes Christianos, which was the summer home (castle?) of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Although not built by these monarchs, the fortress has a long history of being taken over by multiple groups: Visigoths, Umayyads (Moors), and finally the Christian forces during the Rerconquista. The Alcázar was lush and beautiful. It was full of reflecting pools with koi, groomed flowerbeds, and whole areas just for orange and lemon trees. Once inside the old fortress, many staircases led to the ramparts that looked out over the countryside. The old fortress also displayed ancient roman mosaics which had been found when excavating under parts of the dilapidated fortress.
First we went to the Alcázar de los Reyes Christianos, which was the summer home (castle?) of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Although not built by these monarchs, the fortress has a long history of being taken over by multiple groups: Visigoths, Umayyads (Moors), and finally the Christian forces during the Rerconquista. The Alcázar was lush and beautiful. It was full of reflecting pools with koi, groomed flowerbeds, and whole areas just for orange and lemon trees. Once inside the old fortress, many staircases led to the ramparts that looked out over the countryside. The old fortress also displayed ancient roman mosaics which had been found when excavating under parts of the dilapidated fortress.
Second we went to the Cathedral of Córdoba (Mezquita). This place was massive and all covered in gold leaf. At first a Moorish mosque with only geometric and floral designs, during the Reconquista, the Christian church added magnificent catholic paintings, alters, and shrines. I was in awe during the entire visit. Just the ceilings were almost too intricate to comprehend. I have problems truly appreciating the grandeur of such places because there’s just so much to take in. I find it funny that although the site was once half Muslim-half Christian, during the Reconquista the Moors where thrown out. Ever since then, Muslims have lobbied to be able to pray in a building which is known as a Muslim house of prayer.
Next, Lisa and I went for some lunch. After that, the two-hour walking tour started. We visited the old walls of the ancient Roman city, saw the reconstructions of a Roman temple, and walked a lot. We also learned that Córdoba has lots of small streets with no signage so pray for help if you get lost!
Next, Lisa and I went for some lunch. After that, the two-hour walking tour started. We visited the old walls of the ancient Roman city, saw the reconstructions of a Roman temple, and walked a lot. We also learned that Córdoba has lots of small streets with no signage so pray for help if you get lost!
Yesterday was a very full day. I walked about 8 miles, which made me think a lot about fitness and the gym life.
At home, I used to be a swimmer, and once I quit swimming, I was an avid gym goer and lifter. I lifted probably 4 times a week and I really enjoyed it. However, here, I don’t have that luxery. There is no free university gym like in the US, the UMA gym costs money just like any other. And I cannot allow myself the 20-35 euro a month gym fee. It’s just not cost effective for me here.
And I realize that it’s okay. In the US I was very self-conscious about my gym habits and I felt unsatisfied with myself if I didn’t go at least four days a week. Here, however, I am averaging walking 3-5 miles DAILY, not including trips like Córdoba which is much more. I know it’s not like doing squats, but I sure do walk a lot of stairs. I mean, my apartment is on the third floor and I walk those stairs at least four times a day. I realized here that there is so much more to life then working out. I would much rather go to a tapas bar with my friends, meet new people, talk about cultural issues and differences then be doing bench presses. Living in Spain is a one-time deal, and I’m not squandering my time in a gym. I know that when I am home I will have to work a lot harder to return to where I was in my lifting before I left, but I will be returning home with knowledge of the world that cannot be obtained in a gym.
Yesterday was a very full day. I walked about 8 miles, which made me think a lot about fitness and the gym life.
At home, I used to be a swimmer, and once I quit swimming, I was an avid gym goer and lifter. I lifted probably 4 times a week and I really enjoyed it. However, here, I don’t have that luxery. There is no free university gym like in the US, the UMA gym costs money just like any other. And I cannot allow myself the 20-35 euro a month gym fee. It’s just not cost effective for me here.
And I realize that it’s okay. In the US I was very self-conscious about my gym habits and I felt unsatisfied with myself if I didn’t go at least four days a week. Here, however, I am averaging walking 3-5 miles DAILY, not including trips like Córdoba which is much more. I know it’s not like doing squats, but I sure do walk a lot of stairs. I mean, my apartment is on the third floor and I walk those stairs at least four times a day. I realized here that there is so much more to life then working out. I would much rather go to a tapas bar with my friends, meet new people, talk about cultural issues and differences then be doing bench presses. Living in Spain is a one-time deal, and I’m not squandering my time in a gym. I know that when I am home I will have to work a lot harder to return to where I was in my lifting before I left, but I will be returning home with knowledge of the world that cannot be obtained in a gym.
Also, for all you R-MC people out there, you know Estes isn’t that great for you. Here, I have been eating so much better: home cooked meals every day ranging from seafood stir-fry to the good old hamburger. I have cleaned my eating up considerably since being here. Without the option of limitless Estes food coupled with a very active lifestyle, my weight has already dropped several pounds. I don’t have a scale to tell you exactly, but I can look in the mirror and see a noticeable difference. Let me tell you, dorm life will be so limiting when I return to RMC. I will miss my independent apartment life here in Málaga.
I also dyed my hair purple this morning!
Un saludo,
Natalie
Some further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Andalusia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque–Cathedral_of_Córdoba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcázar_de_los_Reyes_Cristianos