Diary+Entry+1



5/8/07 Dear Diary

I can't believe that I'm actually here, Cordoba the place where my Mum was born and grew up in! She told me many stories about this place how beautiful it is i was never really interested but now that I'm here all I can say is that its absolutely goregous.

My Mum always spoke about the cathedrals in Cordoba one that was one of her favourites to talk about was the [|Mezquita Catedral]. It was built in the the 8th century, this Mezquita (Great Mosque) became the crowning glory of Muslim architecture in the West. With its fantastic labyrinth of red-and-white candy-striped Moorish horseshoe arches, it remains one of the grandest attractions in Europe.

I couldn't wait to arrive at the cathdral. We got there around 12pm it was quite hot about 31 degrees. At our hotel that we were staying at in Cordoba, we did do some research on how to get there but it was very confusing because we were not familiar with the area so before we left we asked the receptionist at our hotel how to get there. She greeted us very politely but she didn't speak much english but thank God that Spanish is my second language and i was able to comunicate with her. She said that we had to catch 3 buses to the location Calles Torrijos and Cardenal Herrero s/n (south of the train station, just north of the Roman bridge). The ride was boring but i was so excited to see this attraction.

Once we got there we were greeted very respectably. The staff at the cathedral were very experienced with differerent tourist coming from all around the world to visit this attraction. We decided to go on a tour of the cathedral the gentlemen spoke english so it was easy for my friends to understand.

He described the importance of the Islamic features including the Minaret, now enclosed and reformed into a Baroque bell tower, the Orange Tree Courtyard, the Mihrab and the forest of columns and arches. Everything was so beautiful and unique. I didn't want to leave!

Once the tour had ended it was time to leave. We got a photo taken infront of the arches and I bought a photo album from the gift shop the lady at the counter was very nice and helped me pick it out. Our tour office was so kind and funny it was kinder sad to leave him but it was time to go. We said our goodbyes and thank you's and then caught the bus home.

Overall it was one of the most beautifullest cathedrals I've ever seen it was definately a must see on my list!!!

Rachael Verdejo

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cordoba/A26945.html

[|www.infocordoba.com/spain/ andalusia/cordoba/cordoba_mosque.htm]