Blogging Whilst Being a Nomad Disclaimer and Lesson Learned: If I’m ever going to chronicle this entire journey, I’ve got to quit being such a glutton for detail and begin to be a bit more brief :). Therefore, I’ll now relay each city in one single post and provide an overview, highlights, and moments. 
My hostel, Córdoba Bed and Be, was sandwiched between a Claire’s and a bikini shop along a pedestrian only shopping street. Walking from the train station to my hostel I rapidly discovered the commercial and modern aspect of Córdoba. It nearly reminded me of Miami. However, once you walk to the main plaza where the tourism information station is located, and walk in the opposite direction of the street my hostel was on, you’ll find that Córdoba is half old city and half new city. It’s quite an interestingly stark contrast that occurs when stepping from one street below the TI station, through the main plaza, and then back into consumer-friendly streets above the TI station. It’s the type of time travel that is truly unique to Europe. The jewel of Córdoba is The Mezquita, which was originally a cathedral, then turned into a highly impressive mosque in the late 700’s when the Moors conquered Spain, then turned back into a cathedral during The Reconquest. It is very unique and interesting, however, that The Mezquita was very surprisingly not torn down during The Reconquest, and that even more surprisingly, was “turned into” a cathedral. I use quotation marks because when you enter The Mesquita, you will find that the cathedral was constructed within the center of the mosque and surrounding all sides of the cathedral altar, adorned with crucifixes and other catholic decor, is Arabic architecture. It’s remarkable, and I highly recommend a visit. It’s closed on Sunday’s, but try a visit between 8:00 and 9:20 on weekdays, as entry is free. Be sure to cover your shoulders, I found out the hard way and had to rush back to the hostel to grab a button down. In addition to The Mesquita, I recommend walking the narrow, white washed side streets decorated in flowers, and walking the Roman bridge at sunset or even after sunset when the sun is finally too tired to torture Cordobans any longer. 

   
    
 
Highlights and moments:

-Meeting incredibly kind, interesting, and unique people of all ages and walks of life in my hostel. Namely, Maida from Chile who allowed me to enjoy her good company nearly all day as we melted in the heat and shared stories of love and travel :). Maida has been traveling for the past 5 months and will be completing a total of 7 months. She is a funny, genuine, whirlwind of personality and I wish her the happiest of travels and all the best in life and love. Additionally, I want to mention a very cool cat named Jason from Colorado who will be traveling a total of 14 months and was in his 12th month when we met in Córdoba. He had recently completed a vast portion of the El Camino de Santiago, and boy did he have a wealth of tales to regale. I want to thank him for his kindness, and for his generous spirit. His friend he met in Laos was from Córdoba and recommended a dinner spot he invited me to try with him. We took her recommendations not knowing what we were ordering, and were pleasantly surprised, albeit smothered in grease as everything she recommended came fried! Haha, as I’ve said before, often times when dining abroad, one engages in a mystery game. 

   
    
    
 -My “free” walking tour with my amazing and energetic little tour guide who taught me so much about her hometown that she clearly loved whole heartedly. I use quotation marks because the free walking tour guides rely on tips and ask you to “donate” as much as you feel the tour was worth in the end. I have sadly forgotten my guide’s name, but she was a tiny little Córdoba beauty who engaged her pupils by asking poignant questions and taught about her city’s history as all good teachers do, through stories. One of my favorite surprises on this tour was walking through Plaza del Potro to discover that Cervantes lived in this plaza for a brief period and that the plaza actually debuts in a part of Don Quixote. 

   
    
 -Attending a live concert in the basement of a local Córdoba bar with hostel friends. The band was Colombian, and they were incredible! The entire speakeasy-esque basement was jumping up and down, singing along, and salsa dancing. It was a circus and a people watching, body swaying paradise. Funny enough, the entire band was staying in my hostel. I was sure to compliment them the following morning… after the drummer accidentally walked in on me in the bathroom. You’ve got to love hostel living ;)! 
Córdoba forced me to embrace siesta culture. I didn’t get through both my days in Córdoba without taking a 2-3 hour nap midday. It was too hot to do anything between the hours of 1 and 4. Lucky for me, my hostel was air conditioned! I would recommend my hostel as the staff were very friendly and helpful and the place is clean, but beware if you have lots of luggage because it’s a very narrow building with 5-6 floors and no elevator… just winding staircases. All in all, I’m very glad I included Córdoba on my itinerary. It was a great place to be solo, I never felt fearful or in danger and it was just the right size for a developing navigator ;). The Mesquita is definitely worth visiting, and I strongly suggest a walking tour to learn about the rich history. I would maybe consider a biking tour if going because that might even be a cooler (temperature wise I mean) way to experience the tour.