Holy Toledo, Sevilla maravilla and Gibraltor rocks! part I

Starbucks is not only expensive, it can be a dangerous habit!

At the Starbucks where I had my accident.

Well as most of you know, my father and I went on a tour of Spain a couple weeks ago. I had never been to Europe, though my dad had many times, and I was very excited. The flight proved not to be the ordeal I imagined, and I definitely prefer 767's to 737's or MD80's.

The tour started off with a bang, or should I say, thud. While waiting for the Welcome Dinner, and while my dad was taking a nap, I thought I would step into the Starbuck's on the corner.

Well, it was a wrong step. I lost my balance. And rather than the humiliating fall that we all have had from time to time, the kind that we hope no one notices. It was quite public and resulted in the calling of an ambulance.

I knew at the moment I fell that I had broken a bone. I could feel it break. And never had I felt so much pain. It is interesting to note, dear nursing friends, that in Spain they use the 1-10 pain scale just like in the U.S.A. I told them it was an 8 to 9! (It was a 10 actually, but I have always thought that 10 was an exaggeration, now I know better.)

My poor dad, he was awakened by a phone call and the words "hija" and "hospital". He was surprised by how well his "little Spanish" served him. He spoke and understood enough to get into a taxi and find me. I am sure that he was relieved that it was just a broken bone.

For my part I discovered that the Spaniards of Madrid are very easy to understand, much easier that most Mexicans I know. I got good care and was seen by a traumatologist, who set my broken bone. They were so kind and empathetic. Of course afterwards, not having a discharge planner, they told me to leave the wheelchair I was using when I got in the taxi, and literally put me out with no crutches or means of getting around.

I got my "Welcome dinner" by room service at 11:00 at night. But good, but good!

Sparing the pitiful details, let it be said that office chairs with wheels can prove useful in a pinch, and a simple chair can be used as a crutch and offers a place to sit when you get tired, which happens quickly when one is hopping around on one foot.

Our tour guide, Marie Luz, bent over backward to obtain a wheelchair and crutches for me to use, and in the end I saw Spain as best as one could in that situation.

Dad and I at Plaza España in Madrid, with Don Quixote and Sancho....before my fall.

We also toured the royal palace in Madrid, and I was amazed by what we saw, mostly on the ceilings. My dad took this picture and a guard quickly pointed out that there were signs everywhere prohibiting the taking of photos. Fortunately, she didn't smash his camera and I have this reminder of the palace's beauty.

Holy Toledo!

The tour of Toledo was a fast walking tour over cobblestones so instead my father and I toured the town square. While enjoying thick hot chocolate, best eaten with a spoon, and churros, I began to make a list of the places I want to visit with Eddie one day.

Toledo was the Visigoth capital prior to the 8th century. Wikipedia says that under the Moors it came into its Golden Age and Jews, Moors and Christians lived together harmoniously. It was taken by El Cid, famously played by Charlton Heston in the movie! It is encircled by the Tagus River as well as an ancient wall. And is very cool.

To Cordoba, and a bit of history

We enjoyed first class dining on the AVE train. By the way, if you wonder how Spaniards eat...less food, more wine!

The AVE high-speed train took us to another great city reconquered from the Moors. It too had winding streets, and a fast walking tour, so I went by taxi to meet the group outside of the Cathedral of Cordoba.

Enjoying my first taste of independence in a wheelchair, I did some window shopping in Cordoba.

Cathedral of Cordoba

Wikipedia tells me that the site had been a Roman temple, then in the 600's a Christian Visigoth church was under construction when the Moors took over. It was completed in 784 A.D. and was at one time the second largest mosque in the world. It was reconsecrated as a Catholic church/cathedral in 1236 by King Ferdinand III.

hard to get good photos due to the lighting

When I entered this mosque turned cathedral, I felt the wonder of being in Spain fall in on me. I was always being encouraged to keep up with the tour, I tried to avoid being pushed in the wheelchair. I knew I could get the info on Wikipedia, I just wanted to be there, and take it in. LOTR fans...it was like being in the Mines of Moria, the halls of Khazad-dum. The pillars of marble, onyx, jasper and granite went on and on in such an eerie light.

There were many kind members of our group that were eager to help me keep up. I discovered how nicely wheelchairs move on marble, as opposed to cobblestone!

The tour guides and other Spaniards have no qualms about discriminating against the gyspies, and warning you to stay clear of them. Something about being quite adept with sticky fingers. This gypsy hounded Dad until he gave her something, (she said she was hungry, but wouldn't take the food I offered). I had to teach Dad to say "Acabo de regalarle" (I just gave you something), as she and her companions kept coming back to him.

Sevilla maravilla

We spent the next 3 days in Sevilla. I was set free from the tour guide and got to enjoy the marble floors and amazing sights of the cathedral, third largest in the world. The sights included Columbus' tomb and well...too many to describe.

I love the ceilings!

Hard to see, hard to photograph, but this tomb, with 4 kings carrying the casket of Columbus is impressive, and severe. Apparently Columbus has graves all over the Caribbean...seems they kept digging him up and moving him, possibly leaving parts as they went. They say he traveled more dead than he did alive!

One of many views of the cathedral

The cathedral was built on the site of a mosque which was torn down, and inside the tower is a minaret with a ramp that circles round so a horse could be ridden to the top. Of course I only heard about it, but Angie and her mother, Mary Ellen, from Calgary, made the climb!

Mary Ellen and Angie from our tour group, I really appreciated their company! Angie learned her Spanish in Oaxaca, down the coast from where we work.

more cool photos

outside yet another royal residence

inside the same royal residence, the Alcazar

I also admire floors and walls...

I had fun taking these pics. I was on my own, no one pushing my wheelchair, I was able to mount the ramps and that gave me such satisfaction. Of course, when you need help, you need help and you are very grateful for it! Thank you so much Dad!

but wait, there's more....

obviously there was more to the tour, but this is longer than I wanted to go today.

Coming Soon, Flamenco dancers, Gibraltor rock...and Granada!