Seville 4th day

Today it's definitely difficult to get up. We slept late last night, and when the alarm goes for Oswaldo to get ready for the last conference day, we both groan and burrow back under the covers. But he has to get up and manages to do so after a while. I take longer, entertaining thoughts of not going down for breakfast, but when the expresso machine refuses to produce anything but steam, I throw something on and go for my coffee and juice (and, shhh, toast and croissant…). Then I hurry back to the room and work for a while on my computer waiting to see what will happen with Oswaldo. He comes back earlier than expected and after a while we get ready to go out. The plan is for him to see the Real Alcázar, but first a little lunch. In the old Santa Cruz area we find a cozy little restaurant and share, yes,  some tapas, and a beer. Then we turn a couple of more corners in those ancient, and always confusing, streets and eventually find the Alcázar. Today it's a little cloudy and there's not the striking contrast between the spice colored buildings and the bright blue sky, which I experienced, but the rooms and garden are still fabulous, and we even discover a whole set of magnificently tiled halls, which I missed on my first visit

We go see the Mercury pond, into which the water is splashing like before, but this time, when we stand by the edge of the water, huge carps swim swiftly to the edge and open their big mouths, hoping for food.

I want Oswaldo to see the gardens, and as we venture further out than I had gone by myself, we come across several peacocks pecking for food, feathers folded modestly along their backs.

One is walking along with a duck and Oswaldo urges the duck, "Come on, man, bite him," hoping that the peacock will spread his feathers

We're very surprised when the duck waddles over to Oswaldo and tries to bite his ankles.

Then we take in the last sights of the castle and leave, admiring a cute little dachshound on our way out, with a nod to Strudel :)

as well as a last look at the Giralda, the amazing cathedral tower.

I want to go to nearby Fnac to find Spanish music similar to what we heard last night, but after listening to several cd's I admit I am unsuccessful in my quest, and we hurry home amidst the splatters of threatening rain. When we reach the hotel entrance, Sergio and Frank happen to pass by from their outing to have hot chocolate and churros. That sounds  like a very good idea and we follow their advice to go get some also, with a borrowed umbrella from the hotel. The chocolate is excellent, but the churros are a little greasy - the fantasy was better than the reality…. Then I spot an equestrian shop where they sell hats and we find one for Oswaldo, like Abel's, which we have admired - and then we go home to rest up a bit.

8.30pm we are out again, on our way to dinner with our friends. We return to the place we went the first night and share wine and various goodies, including a Tortilla de Papas. Thanksgiving is not mentioned. We say our goodbyes, for tomorrow Oswaldo and I go alone to Cordoba for two nights, after which we'll meet Abel and Carlota in Granada.