Andalucian horses

Andalucia is also famous for it's horses. Also known as the Pure Spanish Horse, they are beautiful animals often used in movies and show jumping. There are regular horse shows here, held in the former royal stables.

Flamenco Fire

It's impossible not to go to a flamenco performance at least once while living in Andalucia, the home of flamenco.
A dance of emotional passion, a traditional flamenco is impromptu and improvised. It is serious and the music is just as passionate as the dance.

Feria Begins!

The biggest event on the Cordobese calendar kicked off tonight at exactly 00:00 with the turning on of the lights and fireworks.
Lots of people crowded in celebrate the much anticipated Feria!
I had candy floss and went on the biggest ride in the park.
Now I feel a bit ill. Haha, what's wrong with me??

Something Old, Something New

One of the things I love about Córdoba is the lack of the influence of globalisation.
The clothes shops are mainly Spanish, although we have H&M and Benetton, all the others, such as Zara, Bershka, Pull & Bear are Spanish.

McDonald's is now international cuisine. With only two that I know of and both out of the city centre, a "McPollo" wrapper on the street in Madrid was novel. I couldn't even tell you what is on the menu in a Spanish McDonald's, but I imagine there would be a McPaella, with a side of McSalmorejo, and if you go for the meal, you'd also get a Sangria.
The bonus toy with your Happy Meal, if you're interested, in my hypothetical Spanish stereotype, is a chorizo. Because there's no better toy than the one you can eat.

Starbucks, the face of the anti-globalisation movement, who even managed to open a store in the Forbidden City in Beijing, has not managed to open it's doors here. Not a single Starbucks here.

But yet, next to the city's pride and joy, our 1500 (or so) year old Mesquita, is a Burger King.

Cruces in Cordoba!

As I mentioned before, Cruces is a 5 day long party that starts on the 1st May which is also a public holiday.
The city is filled with floral crosses and marquees serving food and drinks pop up all over the place. People dance Sevillanas to traditional music and everyone is happy.

At night, it turns in to a party where the plazas (or squares) are filled with students and other people forming what is known as a botellón. Essentially what teenagers do in the park in England with cheap cider, here it's a massive cultural event without the negative connotations. A technically illegal street party where the police are nearby to confiscate alcohol that isn't bought at a stand. But they're not exactly strict.
What happens is an energetic party with music blaring out, drinking Rebujito - a refreshing cocktail of the region's fino (a type of white wine sherry) topped with lemonade, or sprite.

Muy divertido!

Feria de Los Patios

Welcome to May in Córdoba! 

This is truly the month Córdoba shines and shows off. It began with Cruces, which is when the town decorates with floral crosses and the whole city turns in to a Sevillana dancing botellón. 

Now, it's time for the Festival of the Courtyards.

Part of UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage List, patios, or the inner courtyards from which the apartments and houses lead on to, are decorated ornately with terracotta pots filled with brightly coloured flowers. Some have wine and barbecues while others have guitar players and traditional singers. 

Patios which are usually kept private are opened to the public for a city wide competition to see who can decorate the most beautiful courtyard. The whole atmosphere is energetic with people from all over the world flooding to Córdoba to witness the scenes that end up as paintings. So picturesque and perfect you'd think it was some Hollywood director's idealised dream, you can't help but feel privileged to partake.

This is the best of Córdoba.