Cordoba is a nice city. We left to see the city in the afternoon yesterday. Everything was closed so we didn't go into the different monuments but we did spend some time taking a peek from the outside. We caught the second half of Spain versus Switzerland and South Africa versus Uruguay. I'm somewhat disappointed with the World Cup atmosphere here, though. It seems like people in Andalucia (or in Cordoba at least) aren't interested in the World Cup, per se. They're just worried about Spain. And, they way they were playing yesterday, they won't be worrying about Spain for very long!
We went to go watch Argentina and Korea play today. Do not read this paragraph if you haven't watched the game. I really like the way the Argentinian team maneuvers itself as well as how its players handle the ball. Considering the one goal Korea acquired was because Argentina's defense was chicken couping, I don't know what that says about that team. I do think that Argentina will be a hard team to beat. I need to sit down and watch other teams play, primarily the Netherlands, Brazil, France, and Germany. I don't feel like any of the games I've watched thus far (apart from Argentina's performance today) have impressed me very much at all. Then again, I haven't watchd them all.
In my life apart from soccer, I went to La Mezquita this morning as well as El Torre de Callehorro and La Sinagoga. La Mezquita was pretty and simple. I do not understand all the fighting that occurs because of religion. La Mezquita was originally a little cathedral. When the Muslims came into Spain, the cathedral was in poor shape and not used much. They decided to build a huge mosque where it stood. Then, when the Muslims were being persecuted, the Christians gave the people two options: either we tear down the mosque or we build a cathedral in it. So, now, La Mezquita is this place where you can see architecture from different parts of the world / cultures based in a more Muslim foundation. I'm glad they had audioguides because there were absolutely no directions or signs inside the mosque.
When we walked by El Alcazar yesterday, I felt like I was in an Arab country. There were palm trees, sand the color of dull crayon yellow, and lots of people lounging around in the heat. It felt like how Morocco is supposed to feel or how Egypt appears in movies. We also went to the zoo here yesterday. I know it's a silly thing to do in a foreign country but I suppose I'd never been to a foreign zoo before. What a sad experience. My God. I had this moral reawakening and these feelings of resurgence about how all zoos should be shut down and we should just leave animals the hell alone. One day. Or, if we want to leave zoos open, there should be a cage for humans. Just my two cents.
My bus for Granada leaves in an hour so I must be going now. Plus, all I can think about is Argentinian futbol right now. Off to my last Andalucian city!
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omg. hanna. i have to tell you. since the 2002 games my heart's been shattered and I really couldn't get my self to trust any team enough to root for them. Because I was in love with Turkey's team..but I had to come to terms with the fact that they were a bunch of cheaters lol. This year though. My heart's set on Argentina. I don't think they'll win. but love the team :)
ReplyDeleteHira, you're such a cheeseball.
ReplyDeletehahahaha Cheese-ball haven't heard that one in a long time lol. you've entered into a fubol country lol. did they have a bazaar and small store in alleys? Dang what animals did you see there? for the mosque/ cathedral, where you able to pray there? how big was its? same size as the one in Toronto?
ReplyDeletehahaha, that cage for humans sounds like a swell idea my friend. it's interesting how you say "when the Muslims came into Spain..."--I really wish that's how it was written in every Spanish history book. it's so disappointing and sad to me. i was actually reading an old nytimes article from 1923 on uninhabited castles in Spain and there was this quote that turned me red: "the little town of white and brown houses near by is no detriment to the passive life of Marycelle (a town/village of Catalonia)and for that, though inhabited by new generations, whose racial instincts descend from those of their precursors, mostly swarthy Moors, the neighboring townlet is an attraction rather than a detriment." what a way of discrediting a people that brought so much culture to Spain. es mas, me cago en ellos! bueno chama, can't wait to read about granada!
ReplyDeletehira, i agree with steph.
ReplyDeletesteph, she has ALWAYS been one.
moe, toronto is the size of like a bed, comparatively speaking. you should do some googling. these structure are HUGE and worldwide famous. muslims are not allowed to pray in la catedral or la mezquita. it's a weird rule. they actually just arrested a guy last week or something (Jacqueline was telling me) who tried to pray in La Mezquita. it was the same animals you always see in a zoo. nothing out of the ordinary.
caro, la historia es asi en todos los paises. es una lastima, de verdad. i'm telling you, some people here see it that way, too. i called one of the moroccans i met a "moro," and he went ballistic on me. "es que no soy un moro, coño! los moros fueron como .. como animales! sin saber las reglas de la sociedad y de la gente!" it was so intense. then, i had to go and explain myself. ay. pero lo que dijiste tu es la verdad. en este pais, hay una diferencia - gran diferencia - entre los moros, los musulmanes, y los arabes. it is very interesting. i can't wait to see you, mujer!