Flamenco in Cordoba...

My second (and last) full day in Cordoba I visited the little Jewish museum, housed in a 14^th C Jewish home - Casa Seferad. It was charming and very informative. A young man also told me, with much enthusiasm that there was to be a flamenco performance in the courtyard at the museum at 7.00pm. This was very attractive, because all the flamenco I had seen advertised began at 10.30pm and was accompanied by dinner and therefore very expensive. This was to be a small gathering, part of a cultural programme, in an intimate space, not a big tourist show – perfect.

There was a singer (female), guitarist (male) and dancer (female). They were superb. Although I know nothing about flamenco I think it’s possible to recognise a good performance in any art form. I didn’t understand the stories that were being performed but at one stage the dancer brought me to tears. They played, sang and danced with such passion and commitment – in a space that was not air-conditioned and therefore, for them, very hot indeed. Mum was very fond of, and interested in, flamenco so I felt I was seeing it for her too.

I was sitting next to a young woman from Chicago. She is studying the Muslim/Christian nexus in Spain and its influence, if any, on Spaniards today. I said I would like to read her work when she has finished.

Because everyone rushed forward to take photos of the flamenco performers at the end I couldn't get decent photos - have to make do with these...

Cordoba evening...

The first evening in Cordoba I crossed this very handsome Roman bridge for lovely views from the other side. 

It was a very sociable area. Locals walking their dogs, tourists snapping photos, families feeding the ducks, everyone enjoying the evening - not 'cool' but the absence of sun at least... 

Below me, near the bridge, was clearly a popular area for having professional photos taken. I piggy-backed on the professional photographers for the next two 'posed' photos.

Then I watched the following sequence which I recognise so well. An elderly lady, her daughter and another gentleman making their way up onto the bridge. It took considerable effort...

...but they made it to a seat...

...to enjoy the evening air and the passing parade.

Tight corners in Cordoba...

Animals in Cordoba...

More about the highlights of Cordoba to come but here some animal observations...

I've never liked the horses and carriages that ply their trade in many tourist areas (think Central Park, New York for example). My concern is for the horses who stand in harness for long periods and have to cope with sometimes unpredictable traffic. In Cordoba there are a number of horse and carriage teams waiting around La Mezquita (the mosque). In the heat (38C yesterday) the horses just stand there on the cobblestones. One I got close to had nasty harness chafing. It distresses me.

Animals are also used frequently in the begging process. This dog and owner were on the steps of a church. At least the dog was being fed.

In the Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos yesterday I heard this insistent yeowling. I came down the steps from a tower to be confronted by a painfully thin cat that was just crying in the way that a baby might. It was clearly very hungry. I called to it but it took off at speed up the tower stairs and I just caught this shot as it disappeared. As Marion said, lots of cats at the Alhambra in Granada. I suspect lots of feral cats on the brink of survival everywhere.