Sevilla

Some oddbits first and an update at the bottom.

I have been collecting tidbits that I keep forgetting to put into posts – partly because they're juvenile (like Ufuk hostel, where we didn't stay) and partly because I'm generally forgetful.

One long-running joke in Turkey was about the bus company Kamilcok... We never ended up riding Kamilcok, but often saw it around Turkey. I also laughed at the Lecheria in Tangier. If your French is up to scratch then you'll know it served milkshakes, but the name seemed to suit most of Morocco. They could rename it Lecheria, or Lechopolis, Lecherton...

Last giggle is courtesy of a man in Tangier who clearly has no idea where NZ is...

Him: Where are you from?

Peggy: New Zealand.

Him: Aaah, Irish.

Me: Um. No. New Zealand? Kiwi? Near Australia.

Him: Aaah. I like Scottish Whisky.

Peggy: Okay... Good.

So Seville is pretty. We walked around a lot yesterday (three hours) and this morning (five hours) and were generally pleased with the openness and colours. Made it to a flamenco show – very passionate! The dancer looked like she was in pain most of the performance, but I think that was on purpose. They sell a lot of dresses and combs and fans here, I'm tempted to bring home a flamenco costume but they cost upwards of 150 euros so I guess no.

Today we saw the cathedral and the Real Alcazar, the palace here which was first built in the 9^th century and then added to and adapted for another 800 years. It's huge with a beautiful garden. A highlight was the musical fountain. I haven't had much luck googling it but basically as water runs behind it a drum spins and makes an organ play – it was really fun! We spent about two hours there altogether, it was another beautiful palace that made me think maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be a princess.

We had seen postcards of a really neat plaza so we made our way slowly through alleyways and across squares to Plaza de Espana. It was more recent than the cathedral or palace – built in 1929 for some international expo – but in an older style that was reminiscent of the tile work we saw in Morocco. It was a lovely space with a canal running around the outside. Now we're back in the hostel for siesta (actually it's because no one else is using the shower at the moment. There's one shower for 14 people so mornings and evenings are too busy.) Lots of things close from 2.30 to 4.30 (very civilised) so we figure we'll head out around 5pm and maybe do some shopping :)