h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'll go have a wee chat with her...

B

Had another idea of something we could do for the 'official meet' day in the morning - the sightseeing bit.

Well, the two most obvious things will be to visit the Alcazar - the Royal Palace and surrounding gardens, and later the cathedral (including a walk up the 11th century Giralda tower).

But I was also thinking it might be fun to book a woman here who does a special 'Carmen' tour. It's not your typical tour as it is a bit of street theatre - the tour includes musicians and other street players. The basis of the tour is this woman (who claims to be the reincarnation of Carmen, from the opera) taking you around *her* Sevilla and explaining her life and experiences at that time. And it's all done in English.

'Carmen' does daily afternoon tours here, there's a meeting point next to the Alcazar at 5pm every day (unless it's raining). And she has no set fee, she just asks people to contribute whatever they like. So we could either take her daily tour or I could ask her if she would do a special one for us in the morning. It would probably cost us 2 or 3 euros each. Sound interesting?


az

I'm not much of an Opera fan, I'm a bit allergic to sopranos But I'd go along with it, sounds interesting! (But I prolly won't make it anyway, I was just offered a third job)

Well, it wouldn't actually have anything to do with opera, just that the character Carmen is from an opera by Bizet, and a very famous one about a woman working in the tobacco factory in Seville making cigars who falls in love with a gypsy (I think!). Or else she's a gypsy and her lover isn't. Whatever. And since the old tobacco factory - where the opera is set - is just around the corner (now university buildings) the present day 'Carmen' does a tour with music and a bit of street theatre stuff.

Well, it was just an idea.

az

I'm definitely up for it, Az.

Carmen's sung by an alto anyway, (let's here it for the contraltos, please!) and who can resist a story about sex, handsome men and their beautiful mistresses, wasting diseases and doomed love? (Has anyone recast any of these stories as being about gay men and AIDS? - Very 1980s I know, but it is so obvious - all that casual sex and coughing up blood).

So I'm up for the Carmen-tour, but you knew that already didn't you?

Ben

Carmen, yes, but the musicians mentioned struck an alarm gong somewhere

B-doing-ng-ng-ng-ng!!! ! ! !

Well, it's yet another option, and I can organise it for those who are interested.

I've never done the Carmen tour myself and think I might enjoy checking it out.

I have done the horse-carriage ride in the park (once on my birthday) and it's lovely for those who don't visit the park on a regular basis.

I've also climbed the Giralda tower more times than I care to remember - but it *is* worth it. The view from the tower is quite breathtaking.

Well gee, only seven months to work out the details . . .


az

How will you ever do it?

By not worrying too much about it . . . anyhow, I'll just be providing a bit of framework for people who want to join in if and when they want to.

Just trying to come up with a few options that some of you might be interested in.


az

I'm up for the Carmen experience

,erm> There may be a wobble here in Casa Strange Shark. Nothing definite as yet, but we'll keep you posted.

*Lurking*

Carmen, views from towers, horse and carriage rides....all sounds luvverly!

What a you are, Az!

Lucky!

Come to think of it, Malabarista may be right that the street musicians might play selections from the opera. But as operas go, Carmen has some pretty catchy tunes.

I find entire operas a bit tedious myself, but I often find there are one or two pieces that I really enjoy.



Blues, I shall keep my fingers crossed that you and SLG will be able to make it! You could show everyone where to get the best sangria and also do the Irish Pub tour.


az

*waves to tartaronne*

Shall I put you on the 'interested list'?


az

Best sangria? Well, I'd suggest you work out a commision rate with M-P before I do that and let this lot drink her bar dry!

Well, not sure about a commission, but it occurs to me that I should probably warn Maria Paz so she can get in some extra sangria ingredients . . .


az

And I've just put you and SLG back on the 'possibles list'.


az the optimist

I'm always interested in meeting salonistas and travelling .

And this is so far out in the future that may happen.

Yes, put me down as interested. Sounds much better than downright curious