Lisbon to Seville ….. a long travel day & our 1st full day in Seville

October 15, 2017

Morning to organize ourselves for our journey to Seville later today. Unfortunately, we could not go and see the end of the Lisbon Marathon (timing is everything)…

In any event handed off our keys to the host and trundled off to the metro station…..with the cobbled streets there is a distinct clippedy clop as tourists pass by with their wheeled luggage so we added to the cacophony as we headed to the bus station…There being no trains to Seville (other than via Madrid) so we have opted for the bus, a longish trip but should be ok as the buses look good and have facilities on board…

Checked in at the ALSA international departure wicket and waited for our bus which departs at 13:30, enjoying a last Portuguese pastry….bus stations are such jolly places !! Big mix-up of bus platforms > there are 2 (at least) bus lines leaving at the same time for Seville, our ticket said platform #15, the bus arrived on #16 …..you can see where this is going. Pointed this out to the bus driver (as did some others) > he could care less….then a big conference between drivers and the wicket guy …off the bus, no stay, no off > finally stay on…

….in any event arrived in Seville about 30 minutes late at 22:00. Called the rental agency advising we would be arriving later than anticipated (of course our new SIM card did not work) had to borrow a phone > from the station it was about a 15 minute walk to the apartment, no one there >>> but just as panic was setting in, she arrived and all was well… WHEW !!!…..the apartment is very nice (although internet seems slowish) and we are off to sleep …finally!

 

October 16, 2017

We are situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, very close to the Puente Triana (Bridge) in the Triana neighborhood (light blue building, ground floor in pic below)…..

….well situated to visit the main sights of Seville. A rather sluggish morning after the late night and being cheated of an hour’s sleep due to a time change. In any event we got some breakfast fixings and went out to get oriented and visit the area around us including the Mercado Triana (very close to us) which has lots of nice foodie stuff:

….then crossed the bridge to scope out the main sights including our apartment, making our way along the broad avenues to the old town passing enroute some interesting buildings and sights…including the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla bull (bad timing: the bullfight season ended September 30th):

…..the Torre del Oro a dodecagonal military watchtower erected by the Almohad Caliphate in order to control access to Seville via the Guadalquivir river >>> the Moorish influence is instantly felt looking at the architecture of both monuments and normal buildings…

… as for the main sights, The Seville Cathedral and the Alcazar both had huge lines queuing for tickets so we dedicated the time to simply soak up the atmosphere of the Barrio Santa Cruz. This is a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys dating back to the old Judería (Jewish quarter). These narrow streets also provide protection from the oppressive sun of the Sevillian summer, so do also the often shaded plazas or squares, scattered throughout the neighborhood. While very touristy it is fun to wander around this area….

Late lunch near our place ok, nothing great and then siesta time.

Next up was the Vodafone store to sort out the phone problem > what a mess, the Portuguese Vodafone people ripped us off saying we were buying a Euroland SIM card, which would work in Spain >>> LIARS, another 10 euros down the toilet >>> get our money back > you be kidding >>>apparently we need another SIM card but then you cannot text with it, just like in Canada this industry is a scam business, on top of this you need your passport to buy the freaking card which of course was at the apartment > suffice to say I was pissed.

BTW, after our pickpocket incident we are being very careful and in fact I have invented a new and improved safeguard which I just may patent or sell on the internet….all you need is a small zippered pocket (preferably with a slight flap) where you hide your cash/card for the day and then prevent sneaky, slimy, thieving fingers from entering with this clever device:

A bit fed up ….no supper, in bed early…..tomorrow is another day.