I Wanna Go to Miami

The title is the punchline to a very old and very bad joke:  "What is the favorite wine of a certain ethnic-American princess?"  (Wine... whine... get it?)  The only reason I thought of it, was because we were in Triana last night (one of the neighborhoods across the river) and we had dinner at Taberna Miami, a great restaurant and Tapas bar.

TABERNA MIAMI.  THE SHRIMP WAS DELICIOUS, BUT WAY TOO MUCH WORK!

The Vela de Santa Ana is an annual Triana festival that has its origins in an ancient pilgrimage made to the Parish of Santa Ana for, I believe, around 700 years.  We had a first look Friday night with Manolo, our January-vacation landlord and now valued friend.

AFTER TAPAS.  STROLLING OVER TO THE ENTERTAINMENT.

Jerry and I went back across the river Saturday night to take in some more.  We took the bus there and walked home.  It's about a 20-minute leisurely walk from our hotel — 30 minutes if you stop for three scoops of ice cream on the way back.  But, it's only about 10 minutes away from our new apartment!

FOOD AND DRINKS AND BEAUTIFUL VIEWS.

After dinner, we walked back to the plaza where a large stage and seating area is set up for live performances.  Friday night, we got to hear a bit of Flamenco singing from some of the best and brightest, and most famous.  Saturday night, Jerry and I watched some of the children's Flamenco dance competition.  The pairs we saw ranged in age from about 8 to 13.  And there was some amazing talent. 

THE FLAMENCO COMPETITION.

SENSATIONAL TALENT.  THE AUDIENCE WAS FILLED WITH PEOPLE OF EVERY AGE.

I posted about Triana, famous for its tile workshops and potteries, back in January.  It's also famous for providing almost the entire crews for Columbus's voyages to America.  

AWFUL TO IMAGINE.

HEADING THROUGH THE CALLEJON TO THE PASEO DE ARTE.

In addition to those distinctions, Triana, has another:  The public market is built on the site of the former prison, Castilla San Jorge, home of the Spanish Inquisition.  Jerry and I walked down Callejon de la Inquisicion.  It's a charming little alley that leads to a beautiful spot on the river.  But, during the Inquisition, if you were taken down the "callejon," you were probably about to be burned alive for being a heretic (unless you repented and were lucky enough to be garroted first).  Now, when you walk through the arch and arrive at the river, you'll find the Paseo de Arte, an ongoing venue for local artists.  It's a nice change.

BACK OVER THE BRIDGE FOR ICE CREAM.