3rd day June 15th
Biking and Bullfighting in Sevilla
Sevilla is an extremely bike-friendly city with many designated
bike lanes. In fact, in the downtown area there are no cars other than taxis
and a fast moving streetcar. We remark on how the lack of cars makes everything
seem so much more relaxing and quiet. There is also a public bike-sharing
program that John decides to utilize.
We leave in the cool of the morning for one of these
bike-sharing places and find only one bike left on the stand. John spends 45
minutes trying to figure out the bike system map and where we can find other
bike parking lots. Eventually we walk to another lot that has more bikes and spend
another 20 minutes trying to register. John is finally rewarded by getting the first bike and putting in a deposit of 150 euros. However, we are unsuccessful in
getting access to another bike as our credit cards are denied. Perhaps someone
is trying to give me a message? In the
end, John takes off for a bike ride. I am disappointed and walk back to the hotel wondering if John planned this on purpose.
Searching Rick Steve's travel guide I find I can rent a bike from BiciBike and they offer to bring the bike to the hotel. I am so excited and
soon I am on a simple black bike feeling like Mary Poppins. This bike has a
basket for my camera and purse and no gears. I am unshackled and free to go at
my own pace. I bike down along the river which is full of Sunday morning
joggers and promenade walkers as well as kayak rowers and fishermen who look like they have had courses in mindfulness.
There is even an exercise
program going on with great music and I am tempted to join the group.
It is very peaceful and I ride so far that I
have gone beyond my map. It is an easy ride even in the 100 degrees heat because there are no
hills and it is straightforward.
No I don’t have a helmet on because when the man brought me
the bike he said I needed to order that first.
Bike helmets can be rented but I notice most people don’t wear them and
the bike trails are free from problems with traffic ~ even walkers have their
own walking lanes. I love it!
A few hours later I meet John at the hotel and we compare notes about our adventures. The man in
the hotel tells me I should stop biking until 9 pm because it is dangerously
hot to bike. Nevertheless we set out on our bikes for Old Town.
We find a lovely restaurant
on a side street known for its tuna. Our delightful young waiter from Brazil explains the particular tastiness of tuna meat taken from the area just behind the fish head. Before long we are talking about the World Cup. I would give this restaurant high marks
except that the music is Christmas melodies and I long for Spanish music.
Plaza de Espana ~
John
and I bike to this park and pavilion because John had seen it on his ride in
the morning. This square and buildings
are the remains of the 1929 international expo.
It has a huge fountain and its
tiles, the trademark of Sevilla, have historic scenes from all over Spain. There
is even a river circling the fountain where you can rent boats. Reminds me of a bit of Venice.
John convinces me to bike back with him to the bull-fighting arena in order for him to get his ticket for the event. As you may recall from my earlier blog of the bull fighting museum I have refused to go to this event. I wait 20 minutes guarding our bikes while John negotiates
with the ticket man showing him his I-pad to prove he has purchased the tickets
on-line. Somehow technology did not show him as paid. Back at the hotel we sit
in the restaurant for a snack before he leaves for the bullfight. Luckily we get the same Dutch waiter we had the night before and talk more
soccer-talk about
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| Beautiful Fountain Near Hotel |
My evening is relaxed in the hotel room with the windows
open to the courtyard so I can listen to the pianist that John doesn’t like
because he doesn’t play Spanish music but rather American style elevator fare.
I think I am in heaven when the song Moon River is played several times and am
very content getting caught up on my blogging and reflection of my time in
Sevilla.
John gets back from the bull-fighting
event at 10:30 and we go out in the now 80+ coolness for an ice cream. The city
has become wonderfully alive again with the cooler weather and we think this is
our favorite city. I wish I could stay to do more bike riding and am reluctant
to leave in the morning. Although John was glad he went to the bullfight, I am
glad I didn’t go.
John plans on his I-pad our next day's speed train ride to Madrid.
I am glad I am married to a tour guide, even though I don't agree with everything he plans.
I am glad I am married to a tour guide, even though I don't agree with everything he plans.
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| John Planning the Next Day to Madrid |
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