Jo’s Monday walk : Sunny Seville, on a mission

Metropol Parassol

This is probably not the image that first comes to mind when someone mentions Seville, but it’s an image that grabbed my attention when I first saw it, back in 2011.  Metropol Parasol is familiarly known as Las Setas (the mushrooms) but it reminds me of a giant waffle.  Maybe I had breakfast on the brain, for the sun was just cresting the surrounding buildings as I walked all around the perimeter.  I settled myself at a convenient table in Grupo Sala to devour an avocado torrada, my eyes moving appreciatively from my plate to this surreal vision.

During mundane excavations in the Plaza de la Encarnación, Roman ruins were discovered.  Work came to a halt, but the finds can be seen in a museum beneath Metropol Parasol.  Sadly I did not manage to see these, nor to ascend to the walkway to look down upon the city.  I was much too early, and my wandering footsteps had far to roam that day.

A maze of calles weave Seville together, and at every second corner there appears an image of a saint, or a church.  I counted San Pedro and Santa Inés, Santa Catalina and San Andrés, San Nicholas and Santa Magdalena, San José and Santa Marta, all looking down on life with gravity.

Slow progress is made through these narrow streets.  The light and shade captivate, each alley and doorway cloaking in mystery the life within.  At a busy crossroads I hear the smart-stepping click of horses hooves, and am just in time to capture the smiling bride and groom.

Seville literally hums with life, an invitation to flamenco or a bodega awaiting everywhere in the heart of this city.  In Plaza de San Salvador the buzz of excitable Spanish conversation stops me in my tracks.  That and the sheer beauty of the square, glowing rosy pink in the sunlight.

But I have an appointment to keep, and must press on.  It’s Halloween and, forsooth, there’s a witch or two about.  It’s courtyards that entrance me, and the spellbinding rhythm of tapping feet.  A city of saints and sinners.

Ahead lies the prize.  The Giralda Tower, beckoning, from a distance.  Soon I am within touching distance, a little sad to see it swathed in scaffolding, but no matter.  I am here on a mission.

In a rooftop bar, overlooking the mighty cathedral, me and Sue (Words Visual) finally get to have that long conversation.

We watch the men at work on the scaffolding, and later there’s a passionate performance of flamenco.  An evening meal, with cake, of course!

You were worth every step of the journey, Sue.  Thank you so much for your lovely company.

walking logo

And thanks to everyone who’s walked with me this week.  It’s always a pleasure to walk with you.  Join me any time, here on Jo’s Monday walk.

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I was quite excited to see where Drake was taking me this week, because I’ve actually been there before :

Eight hundred year old icon

The challenge?  To make a power station look good in the rain.  Debbie’s up for it!

Not my usual south bank walk

When it rains, Jackie cooks or reads a book :

Morning Coffee

Meet Geanie, all the way from Utah!  I’m sure you’ll have fun together :

The Best Travel Destination Might be in Your Own Backyard

Irene always finds beauty close to home too :

Morning on the Marsh

I may be just a Stroller/sometimes Strider, but I love a little ambition in a walker.  Go Mel!

Camino Madrid 2020 – the nuts and bolts of walking in Spain

And Cathy, of course, with the challenge now behind her :

(Camino day 42) Sarria to Portomarín & ruminations (week 6)

Jude has been trying to tempt me with an English autumn.  Thanks for the memories, hon :

The Lanes in November

While Sandra was high up in Lisbon- great vantage points!

Miradouros in Lisbon, #Portugal

Finding a little magic in the Welsh hills, let’s finish with a lovely joyful walk with Becky :

Time travel in Wales

Next week I shall be continuing to walk through Seville.  Hope to see you then.  Meanwhile, take care.  Wishing you all a great week!

144 comments

  3. I’ve never visited Jo but you have given me a great incentive !
    A lovely wander round the city with you .. I think the Metropol Parasol sculpture was a much better idea than allocating a car park to that that space 🙂 Amazing .
    You met up with Sue , how lovely … I’m now imagining great chatter and laughter up at the rooftop bar 😉

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  4. That first mushroom/waffle building is certainly not reminiscent of the Seville I saw long ago! I love how you caught it with the sun hitting it, and as always, I appreciate the juxtaposition of the new and modern with all the older architecture and design.

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    1. I leapt out of the hotel with 6 hours to go, Lexie- determined not to waste any. 🙂 🙂 I did, in fact, linger over breakfast, but the location was surreal. Another aspect to a wonderful city.

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  5. A great walk, Jo! Gotta love those mushrooms/waffles. I visited Seville in 1997 (OMG, 22 years ago!!) so missed them. But the photos of more traditional architecture, oh yes I recognise that. 🙂
    I have a walk for you, it’s been a while I know but I have one this week and one next. This week’s will pop up on Friday and link to this post.

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  7. How fabulous to connect with Sue and it looks like you had a scrumptious treat! As to the architecture it looks like a waffle to me as well. We had our gang over for
    Brunch this morning so perhaps I too am on a breakfast theme. 😊

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  8. Wonderful opening shot of the Las Setas. It is such a dramatic structure, especially in it’s ultra modern design contrasting to all that is around it. I remember finding that rather unusual when we were there. I do love Sevilla, it’s a very special city with such wonderful architecture and charm. We spent about three weeks there a couple of years ago.

    Peta

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  16. I think my favourite city, Lisboa close. Glad you had a wonderful walk there and those mushroom pictures are really great. A bizarre place and well worth a visit. Miserable rainy day here, just like it’s been when in U.K. But boy we still need the rain.

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  18. Such beautiful photos here Jo, lovely light and you had a nice sunny day for the meet-up with Sue. I particularly enjoyed the first set of images of the parasol and the avocado on toast. Not to mention the cakes. Yes, let’s not mention those!! Do you have a recommendation for a place to stay there?

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    1. I think that very much depends what you want to pay, Jude. I was quite happy with my little hotel, 65 euros, no breakfast but a kettle in the room. I’ll send you the details if you want. Sue’s was much grander 🙂 🙂 There is no doubting it’s a beautiful place, hon. Some of the back streets are a bit suspect, but you get that anywhere. I did want to go on the roof of the Metropol, and see a bit more of Triana. Next time, hey?

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  19. Now I finally came to Seville, Jo 🙂 I was once near by, but we were in a hurry and drove past the city. A scandal after seeing your post ❤ 🙂
    A wonderful presentation of the city.

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  20. Ooo, I’m jealous that you and Sue got to meet. How nice! The mushrooms are quite a contrast to the beautiful, traditional parts of the city. I think I like them, although things that blatantly modern often leave me unsure of my feelings. I’m not ambivalent about the avocado toast, however. I’m all in! I’m also all in about the sunshine. We’re having our first snow today. Happy Monday, Jo, and here’s my entry:

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/jos-monday-walk-a-break-in-the-rain/

    janet

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    1. It’s a strange sight altogether, Janet, surrounded as it is by older buildings. I spotted it peeping out from behind them and was fascinated. I quite like a juxtaposition of both. Snow, not so much! Still around 20C here, although we’re eating roast chestnuts from the brazier today, in aid of Sáo Martinho. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon!

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