Home

After 30+ hours of traveling, I'm finally home.

It's a very surreal feeling that I can't fully comprehend right now. It's a little mix of nostalgia and exhaustion.

I'm trying to do things in steps to keep my sanity;
1. Get out of my pajamas. (Ha, we'll see if that happens.)
2. Unpack...
3. DRIVE! done
4. Cheesy bean and rice burrito from Taco Bell (I know, awful) and done
5. Target (How miss thee)
6. Haircut

So far 6 steps seem reasonable. We'll see how today goes.

Anyway, since my journey has ended and Sevilla la Maravilla is a beautiful memory of mine, it is time to close the doors to this blog. I will, however, be starting another blog! I really enjoyed reflecting on my adventures in Sevilla and don't think it should stop now. Grand Rapids is worthy of blogging about. Here's the link: lifegivesyoulemonskp.blogspot.com

So, here's to Sevilla. A time in my life I'll never forget. A time of freedom and liberation. A time of carefree, no pasa nada living and to adventures I'll always treasure. It's been a treat Sevilla, a real treat. Thanks for reading!

Stay curious my friends, stay curious

There is quote on one of the bathroom stalls at the Universidad de Sevilla that says,

"Stay curious and you will travel to the ends of the earth."

I know bathroom stalls aren't the best places to receive advice, but I don't care because I agree 100% with this statement.

Curiosity is my drive. It's my motor, my energy. It moves me to wander down Sevilla's tiny streets mapless, to get on janky RyanAir flights (oh RyanAir) to see timeless places, and to try food I never thought I would try. I thrive on curiosity. I always have to know how things look, feel, taste, and hear with my own senses.

I never want to loose the curiosity I have for people or places. I want to keep myself open to the big, big world we live in. Therefore, I want to travel more. I want to wander more. I want to learn more. I'm not done just because this adventure of mine is ending. I'm actually just beginning. Traveling is not a dream for me anymore, it's a reality and I'm so thankful for this experience to teach me that. That I can do anything. That I can wander. That I can drift... for awhile. Not forever, but for awhile.

So, thank you Sevilla for igniting my curiosity again. Thank you for the many lessons you've taught me. I'll never forget you.

Feria

Ok, as promised here is your post about the biggest party in Spain: Feria. 

Feria is basically a week of partying, dancing, catching up with family and frends, and dressing up. This craziness has been going on since 1847 (!!!). It is usually in April but because Holy Week was so late this year it was the first week of May.

So, there is this HUGE (I mean HUGE) space set up 2 blocks from my house in the Los Remedios neighborhood. It is all packed sand and looks like crap when Feria isn't here (just sayin'). On that land fit over 1000 "casetas" or small tents and a carnival area. Most of the casetas are private and you can enter by invite only. There are a few large public tents sponsored by various political parties and neighborhoods where you can get the same atomosphere. There are even individual street names to help you navigate your way around crazy town. So helpful, especially when you've had a few too many "rebujitos". Rebujitos are the official drink of Feria. A rebujito is a concoction of vino fino/manzanilla (sherry) and 7up. Yummm. 

La Portada (entrance) by day

and by night

a typical caseta

Rebujito

Are we still tracking? Good. So, when you go to Feria it is almost obligatory to wear a flamenco dress if you are a gal and a nice suit if you are a guy. Observe:

Sorry, it's just the backs but I couldn't be a complete creeper and just stand in front of them and get a foto. Moving on, anyone whose anyone wears some form of Feria dress. Weather your 3 months old or 80 years old. They cost a pretty penny ranging from 100-700 euro. The guys wear some form of European suit (yes, it's different than a US suit) with snazzy ties and colorful shirts. The men also ride horses around the Feria. I don't really know what they do, but they do it. 

Sometimes they even parade around with chicas

So when do people start heading down to paarr-taay, you ask? ANYTIME and I mean anytime. I saw people walking home from Feria at 8:30am, I've also seen people walking to Feria at 3am. Whenever you feel like going or get invited to a caseta then you go!

If you got nothing out of this, know that Spaniards know how to party!

Oh, a few more pictures sobre Feria. Enjoy!

Shenanigans

I apologize for being absent from the blogging world again, but I've been on-the-go for the past week and a half. Hence the fact that I no longer have a voice and slept until noon today.

Recap on what's been going on; 

1. April 27-May 6 Kates dad and gramps where here in lovely Sevilla

Aren't they the cutest?!

2. April 29-30: We rented a car and ventured to Jerez for some wine tasting, Cádiz to see the ocean, Tarifa to stay in the cutest hotel ever, and Gibraltar to see some monkeys!

Tio Pepe Bodega in Jerez

After wine tasting... sleeeeeppyyy

3rd time in Cádiz, still love it!

Tarifa

A monkey on my noggin... no bigs

3. After our escapades in Spain, we headed to Portugal to visit Lagos and Lisbon from May 2-4. I was really excited to see Lagos because I've heard it's absolutely beautiful. Kate and I have already been to Lisbon with ISA, but it was nice to be on our own this time. 

boat cruise through Ponde de Piedade

After swimming in the ocean. Incredible experience.

Paradise

lovin' life

Lisbon

This week I have been enjoying the week off of school to enjoy Feria, a crazy party in Sevilla. All the girls dress up in beautiful flamenco dresses and the guys in classy suits. Everyone dances the Sevillana (a type of flamenco) and drinks rebujitos. It's lovely and I happen to live 2 blocks from the craziness. Go me! I'll post more about it later. For now, I'm going to enjoy my last week in Sevilla!