Sevilla en la Primavera

You know it's spring when there are puffs of pollen flying in your mouth. When your body just isn't used to "good" weather. When you walk outside and instantly get a tan by the friendly south Spain sun. When you drink 40 oz of water in a 2 hour class. When biking is bliss. When you get walk over to Cien Montaditos and drink tinto de verano with friends. And finally when you come home to fresas con azúcar y nata for dessert.

I have nothing to complain about.

Plus, my mom and brother will be here tomorrow to enjoy it all with me!!! The 3 musketeers reunited!

P.S. My name is Kristina and I have an obsession with Spanish doors and patios, but doesn't this just scream spring?!

Happenings

Hi friends!

Sorry I haven't been frequenting my bloggy blog, but I've been in a "take it all in" mood lately. Or maybe I've just been lazy and slacking at my documentary skills. Either way, sorry I haven't been here lately!

Recap on what's been going on:

March 24-26 was Barcelona
We left EARLY (5:30ish) on Thursday morning to get to our 8:30am flight that was suppose to be our 8:30pm flight, but because I can't operate military time, it was in the AM. Whoops. Looking back I'm glad make that mistake because we had more time in Barcelona and that's always a good thing.

Barcelona was one of my favorite trips thus far. The city has it all! I was excited to be on our "own" in the city. We planned all the sights to see, where to stay, and how to get from point a to point b. It's fulfilling to see hard work prosper. Not that I don't love the trips ISA plans for us, but it was nice to just be Katelyn and me in the city and not 7347879 of us wandering around.

On Friday morning we ventured on a walking tour recommended by our hostel (The Yellow Nest ROCKS!). This was by far my favorite part of the weekend. We walked through the old Gothic quarter of the city and saw the art school Picasso attended, historical sights during the Guerra Civil, and other places I would know nothing about if our guide hadn't told me. I love knowing the histories behind places. Bliss.

La Sagrada Famila

Mmm oranges at the market

Next, March 25-26 (Friday and yesterday) was Córdoba and Granada. Córdoba was a little bit of a blur for me because of some woman issues (yes, it's that time of the month), but beautiful nonetheless! We were only in Córdoba for a matter of hours, but it was great!

Flowers in Córdoba

Granada was beautiful as well. We went to a flamenco show Friday night, which was an awesome experience! Flamenco is so darn passionate. After our flamenco show we were free birds! My amigas and I went out and got some drinks because in Granada when you get a drink, you get a FREE tapa. Yes, it's true, the best things in life are free. We also indulged and got kabobs. Oh my yum. I got a kabob with lamb and beef. It was heaven.

On Saturday, ISA set us up with a 2 1/2 hour guided tour through the Alhambra. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress constructed during the 14th century by the Moors. "Alhambra" is literally translated to "red" in Arabic because of the redish color bricks. It is breathtaking! Meant to be it's own city with a wall guarding it, it used the technology of the snowy Sierra Nevada to bring fresh water down the mountains and to the city. It still operates this way today. It was peacefully conquered by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492, so it is preserved beautifully.

When my mom and brother visit this THURSDAY (!!!) we are going back over the weekend for a tour. I'm very excited to go back and visit more of the city.

Workin' it 

La Alhambra

Posing in the hedges

Now that I have caught you up on the past two weekends, I can focus on the present. This week I am anxiously waiting for my mom and brother to arrive on Thursday. I'm so excited to show my mom the city she spent time in college and how much it has changed. For those of you who don't know, my mom spent 9 months in Sevilla when she was in college. It is the reason I wanted to come discover Sevilla myself! We have a packed week and are planning on going to a Betis game, Granada, Cádiz, and celebrating my mom's birthday on Friday! So excited!

Lastly, I am realizing how much time I have left here in Sevilla. Only about 6 weeks left. I still have a trip to Morocco planned and the adventures when Kate's dad and Gpa. I am excited to return home and reflect on my trip, but also a little weary about the return of school and reality... we won't talk about that just yet!

Whew! Well to wrap things up, I have to share that God has been laying growth and patience on my heart lately. He is constantly opening doors for me to test and stretch myself and I am so thankful for these opportunities. I listened to Rob Bell's sermon on Ecclesiastics this morning and it coincided exactly with what Pete and I had a conversation about last night. Before I left, I prayed for clarity in my life and I have continued that prayer here in Sevilla. I see that God is opening doors in my life and bringing me more and more clarity everyday. I never doubt that prayer changes things.

Sorry about the long post, I will be more diligent about posting on a weekly basis.

Besos!

Growth

Traveling helps me grow. It pushes me in directions I would not typically wander down. It settles me and stirs me at the same time. The odd mix of these emotions give me a sense of balance.

These are just a couple fragments that I took from my journal after watching Eat, Pray, Love last night. It is true that traveling opens our eyes and hearts to new people and new ways of life. I love the process of traveling. Of taking yourself out of a comfortable situation and forcing yourself to come accustomed to another culture. I feel like I have grown an immense amount since being here in Sevilla. It is not necessarily because the things I do during the week, but the initial fact that I packed up my belongings and made the first move to come abroad in the first place.

Steps in a journey are underrated in my opinion. I think the steps that lead to a major journey are the highlight of that journey. The process your heart goes through when traveling and the patience and understanding gained in hard situations are all part of small steps to the larger journey.

When I think about this, I think about when my dad would say, "Life is series of short stories." I think the same in traveling and in long journeys. Life is a journey, a collection of steps made in different directions. Making the right steps and allowing yourself to grow is so important in traveling and especially in life.

These past couple weekends I have traveled to Paris and Portugal with some Sevilla in the middle. These weekends have been a whirlwind. From the culture in France, to the culture in Portugal and back to Sevilla has been so fun and dynamic to experience. I am so greatful to have the opportunity to travel to different countries while I am here.

This past weekend, ISA took us to Lisbon, Portugal. Imagine San Francisco and it's hilly streets and cable trollies. Lisbon is similar. It even has a bridge that was constructed by the same company (American Bridge Company) as the Golden Gate. Lisbon is the second oldest city in Europe after Athens, Greece. 85% of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755. There still remains a part of the city that was saved during the earthquake called Alfama. It is the oldest section of the city.

Another great section of the city is called Barrio Alto. It is on the high point of the city with an elevator lift connecting it to the lower part of the city.

Lisbon is beautiful and colorful. Take a look for yourself:

Santa Justa elevator lift to Barrio Alto

This Thursday Katelyn and I are headed to Barcelona bright and early. We will be there until Saturday night. We have a list of places we want to visit. This will be our first solo trip and we're both pretty excited to be on our own! Pray for safe travels. 

I'll leave you with a quote from Elizabeth Gilbert from Eat, Pray, Love

"In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you." -Elizabeth Glibert

Paris

Number 768 on my bucket list = Paris. CHECK! 

I really don't have a bucket list, but if I did I could check off going to the lovely city of Paris. 

I saw Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. I'd say I got to know Paris quite well in the 3 days I was there. 

As Kate and I returned to Sevilla last night, it was strange to say that we were home. Sevilla is now our official home. We have traveled away from it and returned to it. I missed its small charm and familiarity. It's strange how the concept of home can change like that. I don't mind it at all. I would love to call Sevilla home. 

While we were in Paris we stayed with Katelyn's friend from CRU who is living there for the year. Hannah graciously let us stay with her and was our tour guide for the weekend. Because of her, we got around the bustling city with ease. Thanks Hannah!!!

All in all, Paris was a dream. I never thought I would be able to see its sights and learn its history. 

Hope to see you again Paris!

Update on Life

Life is good.

That's really all I need to tell you in this update, but I will elaborate. 

I am leaving for Paris tomorrow night. Yes, you heard right. PARIS. When else do you say, "Oh, I'm going to Paris for the weekend?" I am definitely getting my travel fix. This is how weekends in March look;

1. Paris

2. Lisbon 

3. Barcelona

4. Córdoba & Granada  

Example #1 that life is good complete. Check.

On to example #2. 

Cien Montaditos. This is a resturant chain in Spain that has 1 euro Wednesdays. Kate and I went there tonight and spent a whopping 6 euro on 2 jars (yes, jars) of tinto de verano, 2 montaditos (small sandwiches), chips, and ice cream. 

Example #3. 

This was a short week. I didn't have school on Monday and I am not going to 2 classes tomorrow because our trip to Paris. Shortened school week= awesome. Enough said. 

Example #4. 

I'M IN SPAIN!

I have to keep reminding myself of this fact. The fact that I live in Spain, know the bus routes, that people keep asking me directions thinking i'm a native, and that I go to school in a 500 year old building. Can someone pinch me?

Finally, example #5. 

God is good. Katelyn and I listened to a sermon on Sunday from Crossroads. It was so refreshing to hear the Word and talk about the ways we were convicted. I feel as if God has been right along with me throughout this journey of emotions and changes. I am grateful for His constant presence and trust in His ways completely. It's so refreshing to give up control to the Mighty One. 

Can you see why life is so good? 

Here are some pictures from my long weekend:

Dryers in Spain

Some tintos in Cádiz

beach in Cádiz!

Betis game

Betis' newest fans!

Tell me how life is good for you!

Me Encanta Sevilla

Today is awesome for a number of reasons:

1. It's close to 75 degree and sunny.
2. I went to Blanco today and did some shopping.
3. I only have 1 class.
4. Kate and I got our Sevicis!! (In case you're wondering, Sevici is a wonderful thing that let's you use bikes all over the city for 25 euro a year. There are different stations where you pick up and return them. You can use 1 for 30 minutes. They come complete with bells, baskets, and lights!)
5. We're meeting some girls for Bible study tonight and are attending our first; 6. flamenco show tonight.

Could life get a little better? I don't think so!

A beautiful thing.

Look at all those beauts!

ME! With my new Blanco shirt on.
 I asked an cute, old man to take my picture this time, instead of my self timer. 

So, how is everyone? Leave me a comment. I like hearing from you! I also like knowing people are reading this!

Sunday Funday

Wake up at 11am

Tea, fruit, and toast for breakfast

People watch and sun bathe on a bench on calle Asuncion 

Tomar un cervesita (have a beer)

Chat with Alvaro at lunch (Our mama's grandson. He is 12.)

Plaza de España con amigas en el tarde (Plaza de España with friends in the afternoon)

This is exactly how my day looks so far. Not too bad, huh? 

Although my immune system is battling a fierce cold right now, the vitamin d from the sun and the vitamin c from my orange (oh and of course my cervesita OBVIOUSLY helps too!) will help  perk me up for the afternoon. 

Not too worried about being perky today because things are going to be chill. Totally fine with that. 

All and all, Sevilla is sunny and I am no longer angry at the rain.