Valentines in Córdoba

Today we went to Córdoba. Just like in our old choir song. I had an unfortunate experience with the buses this morning, involving chasing down the wrong bus, getting off at the next stop, and chasing down the right bus at the original stop. But I eventually made it to the train station (different from the train station I went to the first week), and it was smooth sailing from there. We looked at an old mosque/church (it transitioned from Muslim to Christian during the Christian Reconquista of Muslim land). We walked around a lot through adorable little streets with semi-touristy shops. On the train ride home, I spent about an hour talking with Nuria (our teacher/tourguide) in Spanish about random subjects, which was very good language practice.

I don't have much more to say about Córdoba. My day got a lot more exciting after I got home, to be honest. Marc sent me a very sweet email and a mysterious file. Now I know it's not always the best idea to open mysterious files, but I trust Marc, so I opened it. Apparently about a week ago, Marc set off to compile pictures and drawings and letters from people at home (school) who miss me. He sent emails to some of my friends asking if they wanted to donate anything to the cause. So I now have a folder in my computer filled with photos, drawings, notes, and even a video from 11 friends from school. Yay! It made my day. And now I have 12 thank-you's I need to send out to people. I'm looking forward to it.

Pictures:
1) this is one of many fabulous recycling bins scattered throughout the city
2) an average Sevillan just lazing about on a Friday afternoon in the Centro
3) one of my favorite advertisements
4) a pair of nuns
5) one of the three stray dogs I saw begging for food in Carmona
6) gorgeous ivy-covered patio in Carmona
7) al Giraldilla (little Giralda, similar to la Giralda in Sevilla) in Carmona, taken from the top of a castle
8) a closer view of la Giraldilla
9) ancient tombs in Carmona