Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated you in awhile.. Madrid has become familiar to me and I finally feel I am settled. Yet it is almost 4 am and I'm wide awake... seems I will never get into a regular sleeping pattern because transitioning from weekends to school weeks my body barely has time to adjust! Madrid is still cold, the night before last it actually snowed.. But it's okay. Let me tell you about heading south for some sunshine...It was actually two weeks ago but I can't leave out my orientation visit to Seville! Such a beautiful place, the weekend trip was designed for us students to bond while at the same time enjoying a beautiful and historical city in the heart of Andalusian culture. Where Caballeros (Masters of bullfighting) and Flamenco Music are staples of this Spanish city it is also a popular and frequently visited spot by tourists and Spaniards in search of a holiday. Since it was an orientation trip we were spoiled with great food, a quaint (but very nice) hotel, and excellent tours.
During the weekend we had lunch at various places around the city, and dinner was at the same restaurant every night around the corner from our hotel. Both lunch and dinner usually consisted of bread, two courses, dessert, and of course vino tinto (on our own tab) at the bar...
Immediately upon arriving - after lunch obviously - on Friday we took a tour of the city. I was most impressed by both the Royal Alcazar and the Cathedral De Santa Maria (the largest church in the world, third largest gothic cathedral in the world). It was built to demonstrate Seville's wealth as you can see the enormous gold alter which is considered to be one of the finest ever built (above). Our hotel was just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral.
Inside the Cathedral we climbed to the top of La Giralda - the Moorish summit and minaret of the mosque - to see a thrilling 360 degree view of the city. The top of La Giralda is a bell tower and the four copper spheres could be seen for miles away anywhere in the city of Seville (a perfect landmark to help us find the hotel at night). Inside the tower leading to the top weren't stairs, but 35 slightly inclined ramps, wide enough for two guards on horseback to pass through. The origins of the Cathedral are Islamic but it now belongs to the Christian church.
The Royal Alcazar was even more incredible... I was blown away by its size and obviously the beautiful and detailed architecture. The rooms, patios, halls, artwork, gardens and fountains were all stunning. Peacocks roamed the Royal Garden behind the Alcazar - nice colors, maybe the coolest bird I've ever seen...
We made our way across the city to El Rio. On the opposite bank was a strip of bars and restaurants - which we visited later that night looking for trouble in the form of some drinks followed by dancing (early into the morning as Spaniards often do) - it was a good time.
An authentic Flamenco show complete with music and dancing was magical.
So were the Roman ruins and architecture of Italica, an ancient Roman city outside Seville. We also visited Ranch el Rocio where we were greeted with apetivos (appetizers), bebidas (beer, fine wine, and punch), music and CABALLEROS! But these caballeros weren't your average "cowboys", they were the most famous and well-known in all of Spain. I had a beer, some figs with almonds and fried patatas, watched my brave professors salsa, and took a carriage ride around the ranch with Alicia, Chrissy, and a few other new friends. After our pre-lunch "happy hour" we were given a show by the Senoras (singers) and caballeros. They danced together - including the horses - which was pretty hilarious. The show was long with more horse/senora/caballero dancing, tricks, and music. Lastly at Rancho el Rocio we had a leisurely lunch around 2:30 before heading home around 4:00 pm.
Basically all weekend we were spoiled. We had some free time in which Alicia Chrissy and I explored on our own. We shopped (why not?), got gelato, watched street performers, and mingled with other students. I forgot to mention the orange trees...
like palm trees in Cali, they were everywhere! Sour to eat but they were very pretty and obviously colorful to match the Andalusian architecture. Plus it made me think of everyone back in
ORANGE... sorry that's cheesy. But it is true. Missing you all (not just in Orange)! Next time I won't take so long to post again... because you still need to hear more about Madrid! Ciao.
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