Last weekend Meike and I visited Córdoba, the city in which she studied abroad for a year! Meike being one of my closest friends, I was excited to finally see the place she had spent so much time in and enjoyed so thoroughly.
Just a short 20 minute train ride from Villanueva, Córdoba is very different. Instead of short, white houses lining the streets, there are tall shops and chains like Llaollao and Bershka. Despite the immediate visual differences, there is a certain sense of similarity in the beautiful rustic architecture and the abundance of vibrant flowers hanging over balconies and growing freely among the paths. Although I do not like to make generalizations, I feel I can say that the South of Spain shares a wealth of natural beauty, manifesting particularly in the scorching sun and clear blue sky.
I loved my visit to Córdoba. After going to Meike’s favorite cafe, Omundo de Alicia, we went to the famous Mezquita. I had wanted to see it since my time abroad a year ago and I was not disappointed. Although it reminded me of a painful period in history, it was fascinating to see both the marriage and contrast between the Catholic artwork and the Islamic structure. The mosque is a living representation of many questions we ask today regarding religions and their intersections, as well as their impact on our lives.
Besides the mosque, I also experienced a little bit of the “hipster” culture of Córdoba at La Bicicleta, a small restaurant with phenomenal hummus and fresh fruits. All in all, it was gratifying to see the city through Meike’s eyes and get further insight into her recent life, while simultaneously deepening my understanding of this province of Spain.