Arriving in Seville

I just posted Wednesday's activities during our last full day in Portugal. Last night we went to a Portuguese dinner with Fado-style entertainment.  By now you know that we had wine, olives, good crusty bread, a fish course, a chicken course, and fruit.  I would explain the food in more detail, but once the entertainment started the lights went down and I could not see what I was eating!  The Fado-style dancing was folk dancing:  four couples in ethnic costume (men with black pants, red cumberbuns, white shirts, and hats and women with dirdle skirts, peasant blouses, laced up vests, etc.) were accompanied by accordion and drum.  There were also several singers who entertained accompanied by string instruments.  It was very LOUD.  I think it was a combination of low ceilings and too much wine.  The guide reminded us that we had come for the entertainment, not the food. 
This morning we left Lisbon and drove 275 miles to Seville.  Left Lisbon by the Vasa ga Dama bridge which is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world - also one of the longest --10 miles.  We drove through more high dessert.  In fact, it reminded us of the terrain around Jerusalem, hilly with sheep on the hillsides, dry, scrub trees.  Also cows.  Saw many cork trees - an important crop in Portugal.  Later we saw orange trees.  The land in Portugal is not rich.  About a third of the people are employed in farming.  Yields are lower than in most of Europe.  We stopped in a seaside town for lunch - very near the Spanish border.  Enjoyed local pizza with mushrooms, shrimp, and tuna on it.  Delicious. 
When we arrived in Seville, we quickly toured the Spanish Pavilion from the 1929 Exposition.  We were gathered around the guide as he was pointing our features of the large pavilion.  I had just purchased postcards and castanets from a street vendor.  All of a sudden the guide said, "watch than man in the middle of the group."  There was a clean cut guy walking through our group.  The guide identified him as a pickpocket.  He had not cleaned any of our pockets, but it was a lesson that thieves don't always look like you expect. 
Tonight is a quiet night with dinner in the hotel