Bellisima

Mas antigua

One thing I have noticed and do truly appreciate about Spain is how old it is. I saw Roman ruins that were from 208 B.C. this week. I’m not even sure I can register how old that is! That being said, there are nearly 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain and I’ve been lucky enough to see these:

Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede - the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest church in the world. I’ve posted some photos of this cathedral - it is absolutely HUGE and gorgeous with both Moorish and Gothic design. This is also the home of our buddy Christopher Columbus.

Alcazar - this houses the royal palace of Seville and is surrounded by a breathtaking park. Alcazar was originally a Moorish fort. They really know how to do parks here in Spain, probably because strolling with no particular direction (which makes me crazy) is a serious past time here. I need to get here and take better pictures during the day.

Archivos de Indias - is basically just a great piece of architecture as far as a tourist is concerned. This is where Emily does all of her research. Not being interested in research (right now at least), it doesn’t really do much for me. I walk past it daily and probably don’t give it the credit it deserves.

There are three sites that I hope to see while in Madrid this up-coming week: the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape, University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares, and Monastery and Site of Escorial. Wish me luck!

Long time no read…

Okay so I realize I’ve been completely slacking on this whole blogging thing - my apologies completely. The fact of the matter is, a majority of the people I’m writing this blog for - I’ve been talking to near every day. I think that technology has definitely robbed me of having a completely genuine experience here as well as my unwillingness to just be here and experience it all. I think had I come here with people I knew - a school trip, friends, family, etc. - I would have been able to enjoy myself much more and branch out. Being alone makes it really difficult because you’re constantly stuck in your own head all day and night which makes it so much easier for your mind to wander back to those people and things you actually know and care about back home.

That being said, I have been trying to see and do things that I wouldn’t normally do. I’ve eaten some of the craziest (well, crazy for me at least) foods since I’ve been here! I’ve officially had foie gras (fatten duck bladder) and I’m sorry for all you animal activists out there but Spain is one of the five countries that haven’t made it illegal so you better believe I had some. Besides looking eerily similar to Fancy Feast cat food, it was absolutely delicious - seasoned with an array of spices including lavender and full of pistachios; it was a great experience. I’ve also had rabo de toro (bull’s tail) and it was the most tender beef I’ve ever had in my life. It’s a fairly normal thing to eat here so when in Rome…

Besides filling up on Spanish cuisine, I’ve just been meandering through the streets trying to soak up the atmosphere as much as possible - who know when I’ll be able to return! In Seville, there’s actually a large amount of American students studying at the University (lucky them!). Every once in a while, it’s music to my ears to hear someone talking about Obama, the play-offs, and Kanye West - all three of which are painfully American.

I’ll hopefully be adding some more photos tonight - I’m feeling a bit under the weather and have some time on my hands.

Tomorrow: Italica

This week is looking to be veeerrrryyy promising! Tomorrow, we’re taking a little trip toItalica(ya see what I did there? :P) to see Roman ruins.Italicawas:

“founded in 206 BC by the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus in order to settle Roman soldiers wounded in the Battle of Ilipa, where the Carthaginian army was defeated during the Second Punic War. The name Italica bound the colonia to their Italian origins” according to Wikipedia :).

This looks to be a pretty promising afternoon! 

Regalos

Besides food, I’ve not bought myself a single thing while I’ve been here! I’ve gotten so many awesome gifts for friends and family - not kitschy knick knacks either; really unique stuff. I don’t mean to brag but I’m a preeeettty good gift picker-outter :)
Apparently, Seville is known for its pottery. The city is kind of divided into its newer and older parts by a large river. Tomorrow I want to venture across the bridge to the older side and see if I can’t find some great pottery para mí madre - it’s that or a flamenco inspired kitchen apron - I’m going for the aforementioned :)

Viva la Americana

When I was in high school, I was voted “least likely to be seen in Delphi after graduation…” and they could not have been more right. I had/have my sights set incredibly high but only because I’ve always been expected to succeed and to accomplish things that had to be accomplished. Sitting here in Seville, Spain and reflecting on why I’m here and how I feel about the experience as a whole doesn’t really turn up the reaction you would expect. I’m not necessarily homesick but I’ve just come to realize where my heart truly lies - and that is never going to be on the other side of the world from those that I love.

While I completely and absolutely appreciate this opportunity and am doing all I can do see and do all that I can, time and financially permitting, my head and heart will always be at home with those that I love. It’s so easy to sit at home and tell me “I’d kill for that experience” or “Don’t waste it” or a number of other things people have to quintessentially guilt me to enjoying myself more but, that doesn’t change a thing. I do appreciate it. I do see this is the opportunity of a life time. I do love the time I am having. I have just realized that while my sights were always set abroad, after being here, my sights were on the wrong place for the wrong reasons. 

All in all, I’ve realized how much I truly am the stereotypical American with my bad eating habits, my gas guzzling car, my all-American family, my meat eating, tap water drinking, NON-MOPED riding self and that’s okay. I’ve learned a lot here, tried new things, ate really suspicious food and I can say I benefited from the experience but America, Indiana is my home and home is where my heart is.

Seville

This place is absolutely beautiful :). It’s much older and less modern than the places I’ve been so far… Going from Madrid to Barcelona was kind of a culture shock then Barcelona to here was another change of pace. Overall, the city is very “mature” if I were to be politically correct but to frank - its like the Ft. Myers Beach of Spain. The region, Andalusia is known for oranges (so cool because the trees that line the streets are actually orange trees), flamenco dancing, and bullfighting - all very old country and traditional.
Seville is also known for being incredibly, almost unbearably HOT. We’re very lucky and this week will only be in the mid-eighties where as last week, 99 was the average. If you know me, you understand that I do not do heat of that level. Thank God our apartment has A/C!
I’m hoping to get out and about in the night scene this weekend. I’d really love to see a traditional flamenco performance. The dance is so passionate and emotional - very poetic. I’ve not decided how I feel about the bullfighting yet… Some have told me its a must, others have me nearly convinced that it’s in humane. We will have to see. Stay tuned para más mís amigos. Until next time…
-C