El Real Alcázar

            Hola! I realized that a post each day here isn’t quite realistic because of how different the schedule here is. Living la vida tranquila means an hour for breakfast, an hour and a half for lunch, and an hour and a half for dinner followed by chatting and watching some television. That makes at least 4 hours each day dedicated to spending time at the table, which I love, but means that there just isn’t enough time to write each day when you’re also walking 2 miles too and from el centro a minimum of twice a day.

            Any who, my grammar class began on Monday, and thusfar it is going well. My teacher challenges us by asking many questions in different verb forms about ourselves and other people so that we need to think on our feet. We’ve also been RAPIDLY going through lots of grammar points that we will be tested on next Friday. I hope there is enough room in my brain for everything!

           

            One opportunity the grammar class gives is three different culture activities. Today I visited El Real Alcázar (The Royal Alcázar). This is an architecturally intricate palace with acres of gardens and too much beauty to even imagine. I had a hard time even grasping the delicate ceramic work in the tiles and ceilings. Alcázar began as a Moorish fort, meaning much of the architecture is Arabic, but during the Crusades, it was converted to a Catholic church, and since, has changed hands a few hands. I couldn’t help but to be enthralled by the expanses of gardens, kept perfectly trimmed. There are both Muslim style gardens and English style gardens. Muslim gardens are enclosed, private, and precise, while English gardens are open, plants grow more freely, and there is room to roam. Both of these styles of garden are very spiritual places and I found them to be amazingly tranquil despite the many other visitors.

            It was so interesting to roam the grounds of Alcázar wondering what it would be like to live in a time of Moors and Catholic kings, the time of the Crusades and of La Guerra Civil. I was definitely thankful to have a reading from class by Blanco White (jaja) to think back to about the history and emotion of this beautiful place. I will definitely be visiting again throughout the spring to spend a day reading a book or just watching the peacocks wander around. I am constantly in awe of the depth and breadth of culture that this city has, it is unlike anything I could have ever imagined it being.

Saludos,

Kelsey