El Torro, Ole....

Day 3: Rain in Spain

 

Say your prayers, we're on the way to the bullring...

We had plans of pedalling around the city for a few hours to visit attractive parks and attractions too far out to walk.  Bike hire proved to be difficult (and expensive) so we walked to the Plaza de Torros (via a little craft centre and a souvenir shop or two), the oldest bull ring in Spain (1749).  We enjoyed our wanderings, momentarily getting lost in narrow streets along the way.   We could not believe how camouflaged this huge bull ring was, set discretely amongst inner city apartments and shops.  Grand statements are after all, made inside the ring not outside!  Yes, we took a tour – how could you not?  Despite being impressed by all the pomp, performance and ceremony, we were very glad to have not seen a bull fight, the season having just finished. 



The stadium perfectly frames the action within

 

Interestingly, we discovered our hero Hercules again (now didn’t he just get around!).  As we passed through the Alameda de Hercules, there high on an ancient Roman pillar was our man.  Hercules is considered the mythical founder of Seville.

On Roman pillars - Seville's mythical founder

 

After refreshing ourselves at a chocolateria (coffee, chocolate, cake; you know the drill), we had to dash across the street to buy red & black spotted umbrellas.  Yes, by now it was raining and heavily.  It didn’t take long before we all voted WJ3 was the place to be, but not before stopping at one or two more shops.  Of course we had to stop off at the nearest ALDI for a bottle or two of French champagne (yes, real champagne) – a perfect accompaniment to a home cooked roast chicken.  We really needed the oven on to keep us warm - of course!

No bikes, so let's take a buggy ride later?   Only later it rained.   

Seville - the last word in Bull Fighting