Córdoba (part 2)

Ah, I see you've stuck with me! Here's the second part of my fantastic weekend...

Friday morning, the Berlin team presented our panel Islam as a Religious Minority in Germany: 50 Years after the Labor Recruitment Deal between the BDR and Turkey, followed by presentations from the Paris, Florence, and Moscow centers. The panels were completely interesting and engaging and it was such an incredible feeling to be amongst such talented peers. After the sessions, we had lunch in the Jewish quarter and began our tour of the city. We began with the Mezquita - the Great Mosque turned Cathedral. From there, we meandered through the streets to the Jewish quarter and saw the house where Maimonides might have lived and went to the Casa de Safrad; the Jewish museum and Syngagogue.

Courtyard at La Mezquita (Great Mosque/Cathedral)

Team Córdoba: Berlin!

My new friend, Moshe ben Maimonides. You may call him Rambam.

Friday evening, I went with my good friend Amy and my JaM (Jewish and Muslim Berlin) Professor to the syngagogue for Shabbat. We were greeted in the streets, as the sounds of the gitarra and tamblas floated over us welcoming us into the building. The synagogue is in an upstairs room of a house that has been occupied by Jewish residents since the 13th century. Our Shabbat family was a small one, we didn't have a minyan, but it was one that was beyond welcoming. The president of the synagogue taught us a beautiful Sephardic melody to L'cha Dodi and a London-based, Spanish-speaking Rabbi delivered his drash in English as to make us feel comfortable. The service concluded in the courtyard of the house, with an open ceiling so that we could see the stars. We blessed our wine and bread with melodies old and new, and thanked our new friends for an unforgettable experience. I later joined up with my Stanford friends for dinner and nighttime explorations around the city.

Saturday, we again had our morning sessions (this time from Oxford and Washington) and then, after a closing ceremony, headed to Seville. We toured the Santa Maria Cathedral, which interestingly enough, was also a Mosque. It was insanely beautiful and looked something like this:

The minnaret turned bell tower

View from the Bell Tower

After the tour, we got some free time in Seville. As I mentioned, all the European Centers were there, so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to be with some of my great friends from Stanford who are at other campuses. We did some shopping and sight-seeing with time for more tapas and churros con chocolate - which were actually the best things I've ever had. If you are taking anything away from this trip, let it be food and good friends :) - before heading back to Cordoba.

Sunday, we said goodbye to our friends who had early flights, and headed to Grenada to see La Alhambra. La Alhambra is an unbelievably gorgeous palace and fortress, originally built by Moorish rulers and then was occupied by Christian Kings until the 16th century (but don't quote me on that). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason! Here is a peek, but my photos really don't do it any justice. Seriously. I also don't have pictures of the gardens, which are the most beautiful and romantic gardens I've ever seen.

The fortress from afar.

King Suleiman's symbol adorning the walls.

One of the many courtyards in the Palace.

View of the Sierra Nevadas (not Tahoe) from the top of the fortress.

After the conclusion of our tour in Grenada, we made our way back to Berlin via Madrid. The weekend was spectacular on so many levels - intellectually stimulating, professionally interesting, socially wonderful, culturally explorative and gastronomically delicious. I am so beyond thankful to have had this and every opportunity that I've been given these past few months.

Wishing you all love and joy as we enter into this holiday season,

Doria