Southern Spain, in Sevilla

Hi everyone!

Phew, I am beat! I just got back from a long weekend in Sevilla, which is 6 hours away by bus. And I mean you can feel the energy drain from you immediately on the bus. As I said in the previous blog, we had a long weekend to celebrate the All Saints Day and since it happens on a Thursday, rather than going to work for one day, on Friday, we have a "Puente" or Bridge to make it so we dont have to go back til tomorrow. Cool huh?

I took advantage and booked a trip for myself! And I had a wonderful time. It was amazing weather for November, its was still in the 70s and I think even on Sat it hit close to 78 or 80. Who would've thought that it could be that hot in November, unless you live in CA, hahaha.


So I had booked a room at the hostal, Nuevo Suizo, which was a great choice. I had only been to one other hostal in London, and this one beat it by a mile. As I have told some of you it felt more like a hotel than a hostel. The building is more like a hotel with different floors, a beautiful rooftop terrace and one bathroom per floor. Having your own bathroom was great! I didnt have to pull the college route and shower with a bunch of people and I could have privacy. I had no conflicts either. Well I guess thats not exactly true...

When I checked in to the hostal on Thursday and they gave me the key, I just dumped my stuff and ran out to see what the city was like. Well no one specifically TOLD me that I was supposed to leave the key with the reception so that the other people could get into the room. Well returning that evening the reception lady said, Oh we've been looking for you for the key! You didnt leave it here and the other guests could not get into the room. Of course I was mortified, but the lady was nice about it. Next when I tried to open the door with "my" key, I could not open the door. No I'm not a wimp either I tried and tried but couldnt get the key to turn and open the door. So the solution?? Jimmie the door open with a knife. THe funniest part was that the lady, said I've seen this done in the movies, it has to work. I held in my laughter to spare her feelings, but it worked. However though then we couldnt extract the key from the door, and so I was left for the night with the door open a jar so the other guests could come in!

Thursday afternoon I hopped on a guided tour bus to check out the city and map out what I would do over the course of the weekend. It was gorgeous, and right at sunset. The tour lasted about an hour and we went all through the city.

So Friday morning, my first full day in Sevilla I decided to check out the famous Cathedral and Bell Tower. Wow it was amazing. The Cathedral was very dark but beautiful. There were gorgeous stained glass windows. I decided then to make the treck up the thirty two flights to the top of the Bell Tower, and it was sooo worth it. I got stuck behind some extremely slow people but I had to grunt through it because there wasn't room to go around them. From the top was a wonderful view of the city. I tried to get all the angles with my camera, but through the fences and trying to shift through the crowd was difficult. I am really glad I was able to go up this time. I feel like last time I was there we weren't able to go up.
From the Cathedral and Bell Tower I decided to head east, I think towards the Maria Luisa Park which holds all the buildings from the 92 World Expo, and the Plaza Espana. I couldn't stay on the main road and took a chance with the side streets. What an adventure! I thought that I had a handle on general direction skills, but they have dwindled since I arrived in Spain. Anyway I tried the side streets and found another nice park that I walked through, the Murillo Gardens. I was surprised by the large, winding trees that you can see through the pictures. I told myself while I was walking, that I wasnt lost and that I would end up where I end up. Boy was it nice risking the streets on Sevilla. I know I probably sound a bit cheesy but hey, I was by myself, and all the people in the city were really nice. I was proud that I was even asked for directions at one point. It would have been cool if I were able to tell them where to go, but I hadn't gotten to that point in my trip yet. Eventually I made it to the Plaza Espana and took a nice break around the circular plaza. There were a ton of tour groups passing around the plaza, but I enjoyed the people watching. I imagined that I was in the Common or near the Waterfront on a nice day just sitting around. You all will probably hate me for saying this but I am not a post card gal, but I make a promise that next weekend when I got to Toledo I will get a bunch of cards to send you.
Friday night I was brave and went to a Tapas bar for a cana and a bite to eat. For those who don't know a cana is a small beer, with foam! I've decided honestly I prefer the can or bottle, I don't enjoy the foam I must say. But over the course of the evening it grew on me. I had a nice little montadito, or sandwhich, of roast beef. It was quite tasty. Then I headed back for the hostal to check out a soccer match. Much to my surprise there was finally someone in my room! I met a nice boy from CA, although he didn't sound like it. I never even got his name though, It sooo bad of me!! He told me that Real Madrid was in Sevilla for a game and I flipped. I am a total fanatic for soccer now, only Spanish futbol though. On Saturday I had lunch at an Irish bar and sat next to a British guy who was a fan of Arsenal. I guess Arsenal and Manchester United (where Beckam used to play before Madrid and then Galaxy) are huge rivals and Arsenal is considered the underdog. Well it was for good reason, honestly. The team could barely make it to the goal, and when they did aim for a goal, they were totally off! But I felt funny that my first British football match was in Sevilla Spain, huh? I had a good laugh.

Then Saturday I went to the Royal Palace, or Alcazar. As in the pics it has a large Moorish atmosphere and architecture. It was really nice. Sorry that I lack on description. I can't do it. Even my friend Meghan says that I can't describe worth a dime. But I had a nice time and had my English Audio Guide to keep me company. I was surprised at all the French I heard over the trip and saw plenty of Swedish kids on a group. It was funny though because they had shirts that said that they were a sailing club... what are they doing in Spain I wondered?
From the Alcazar I headed back towards the river to catch a tour of the Plaza de Toros, or Bullring. Now I realize different people have different opinions about the topic but I really enjoyed myself. The tour guide showed us all the entrances for the different people that come out in a fight. NExt we moved to the museum within the plaza. This was neat because she went through the stages of popularity and history of a fight. I finally learned about all the instruments they use in the fights and got to see some prized bulls too. I enjoyed it , and hope that come the spring time I can see another fight here in Madrid. I think its quite artsy if you don't think about what they are doing to the bull. But I'll leave it at that and progress to the next topic.
Viva Flamenco!!!
I had the opportunity to see two Flamenco shows while in Sevilla. One I paid top dollar or Euro for, but it was totally worth it. It was held at the Flamenco museum and I had a prime seat, minus the rather large gentleman in front of me, but it always happens that you sit at a performance to have some type of obstruction. Anyway, it was totally AWeSOME!! There were two singers, two dancers and a guitarist. All of them were real artists. I wish that I could have shared it with someone just to have another person who can say they've witnessed the art in its true form. The expression and passion these people have is incredible. All of the notes played were incredible that someone could move that fast!! Really really quite amazing. THe other show I saw was free, but wasn't as good. Except that I finally found people to hang out with. Of course, it was on my last night in the town, but hey I can't complain. The two Canadians I met invited me to the show with them. We had a blast. Although I felt a bit silly when Kevin asked me about Iran and some type of missile problem or something and I had NO IDEA what he was talking about! I am soo ashamed, but probably now that I think about it I would have said the same thing if I still were in the states.

Ultimately I had a wonderful time in Sevilla and can't wait to go back to Andalucia to see Cordoba and Granada. But until then I will be working hard and trying to save up for the next big trip.

This weekend, I am off to Toledo, FINALLY. Gina and i have this joke when she asks me what I am doing each weekend that I am going to Toledo, since the last long weekend we had I told her each day that I was going to go. SO finally I am going with Gina and her friend, Carlos, Montse, and Hugo. The great thing is that Carlos has a car so I can save the bus fare and plus I get to share it with someone too.
Sorry for such a long entry, but I wanted to tell all. Have a great week and I'll be in touch over the weekend. Don't forget to send Holiday gift ideas to me too!!
Hugs and kisses