The Slower Road

How did we get to the end of the third day of our trip already??

And … I think I missed another day posting here on the blog, didn’t I? Sorry about that.

Since I last wrote, we’ve taken a lovely long walk around the old parts of Seville, visited a private collection, ridden in carriages, toured a restoration/conservation shop and a harness maker’s shop, seen the vehicles in a small private carriage museum, and been entertained by the friendliest, most hospitable people you’d ever want to meet.

As it’s (once again) late, and I think I’d like to eat some dinner tonight, so I’m just going to post a bunch of photos that will make you jealous. If they make you curious, be sure to post your questions in the comments.

Captions, stories, and additional photos will be added to the blog after I return home, thereby saving me some time now, and giving me good fodder for daily blog posts later. As always, stay tuned!

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… but quite a fabulous one, actually.

On this first day of our CAA trip to Spain, we started out bright and early with a short walk to our bus, and then an hour-long bus ride through the beautiful countryside south of Sevilla to the city of Jerez de la Frontera. After a very full day, we ended up back at our hotel in time for a late (for Americans) dinner, or a hot shower and bed.

In between, we toured the Royal School of Andalusian Equestrian Art and its museum, watched the special show featuring the school’s magnificent horses, ate a quick lunch, and visited the school’s carriage museum. Next, we toured the sherry bodega where Terry sherries, Harvey’s Bristol Cream, and Fundador brandy are all made. This was, of course, followed by a tasting! mmmmm

Then we meandered back to our bus and drove back out into the (beautiful!) countryside to visit the carriage collection of Santiago Domecq. He and his wife, Anna, greeted our group and chatted with everyone while we viewed Santiago’s lovely collection of (mostly) restored vehicles. Also there to chat with us and answer any questions was the man who had restored the vehicles and whose restoration shop we will visit on Saturday, CAA member Luis Alba. After a nice visit and a tour of the carriage house and harness room, we were able to meet the exquisite horses: rare bay (instead of the more common gray) Spanish horses, all stallions. And, then, as if all that weren’t enough, we were invited into Santiago and Anna’s home and offered drinks, delicious snacks, and more conversation.

It’s quite late now, and tomorrow’s schedule is not quite as full, so I hope you’ll check back for photos from today’s adventures as I’m able to post them around midday tomorrow, just a little after the fact.

Today’s post doesn’t have anything to do with horses or carriages, or even with our CAA trip to Spain, which starts tomorrow. 

Instead of playing tourist today, I’ve spent most of the day getting ready for our trip: putting packets together, buying snacks and water for our bus trips, etc., etc.

As a result, I don’t have any photos to share from today. Well, except for this one, which I snapped in the cereal section of the grocery store.

Sorry, but I couldn’t resist sharing the limited-edition Hello Kitty Loops:

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Yesterday afternoon, I took out the “real” camera for the first time during this visit, and took it with me to tour the Real Alcazar. This gorgeous labyrinth of rooms, courtyards, and gardens is one of Europe’s oldest palaces.

Without further ado, a few images:

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