Jerez, Sendero and Sevilla

From Jerez we went to have a picnic where other Spanish people often enjoy the trees and landscape, 59km from the city. The trees were familiar. Were they the Syringa berry tree? Their leaves had mostly fallen but their yellow berries like beads clung on against the blue sky. They were! The tree has several different names: Melia azedarach, Chinaberry tree, pride of India, bead tree. The tree grows from 20 to 40 feet with its round crown and attractive leaves green above and lighter underneath. They now have berries and their leaves have mostly fallen. This is quite different from the Evergreen oaks thick with foliage.

The syringa berry tree. A memory from childhood.

The Evergreen oak which I identified for myself for the first time has thick grey tinged leaves and felt soft but strong. Good shade all year round.

This pleasant walk stretched far into the distance from a place where people left flowers and prayed in front of the virgin.

I was interested to read and compare the Catholic Ten Commandments and then to read them in the Bible.

One difference was this:

Commandment 2 the Bible Exodus 20:4,5

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to thousands of generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Commandment 2 in the Catholic ten commandments.

2 ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.’

Number 1 is more similar to the Bible:

‘I am the LORD thy God, Thou shalt have no strange gods before me.’

The Bible number 1

‘I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’

This was a difference I was interested to read.

It was a beautiful interesting place with views over a countryside rich in shades of browns, yellows, earthy colours with green here and there.

We then drove the 50km to Seville. The Christmas lights were now all on. They were a fine display and families were enjoying them in a quiet pleasant way. I think parties start much later. A giant nativity scene with bells and the shapes of trees emphasized in lights were well placed. Pinks and golds, a dazzling joyful experience of light with a natural full moon. I noticed the moon because others were looking at it and taking photographs and so did I.

The nativity scene. Large and well proportioned to the architecture of the building behind.

Golden bells with blue bows and swathes of light draped between poles. So much to see and enjoy.

This arrangement of trees and golden orbs went on repetitively for a long way making darkness glow.

It is special to see the church spire lit up just below the moon. I am so pleased I saw others taking in this view.

A lovely day.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂

‘ Empathy is choosing to see ourselves in another despite our differences. It is recognising that the same humanity – the same desire for meaning, fulfillment and security – exists in each of us, even if it’s expressed uniquely.’

Viveck Murthy