Sevilla!

Day 1

Super-speed European train
Our train to Sevilla!

On Sunday, May 26, we embarked on our first overnight excursion to colorful Sevilla. Early morning we walked to Estacion de Atocha, where we took a train through the countryside to the city. We were all astounded at the sheer size of the train we were going to take – there are simply no trains like this at home! As the train began to make its way to our destination, we were amazed by the landscapes; it almost seemed surreal. Filled with naps, music, and excitement, the train ride took approximately two hours; after which, we made our way to our hotel. We were all eager and excited to be in Sevilla, it being our first overnight excursion, but we were also excited about other things such as the luxurious rooftop pool at our hotel. Although the pool seemed like such a good idea after a long trip, we decided to explore the city!

The futuristic-looking Las Setas de la Encarnación structure, which is beige with rounded edges and looks almost like a cubic mesh material.
Las Setas de la Encarnación

Our first stop was La Plaza Mayor de Sevilla. In the Plaza you cannot miss the architectural parsol, a wooden structure built and positioned in a strange way in the middle of the plaza, yet so modern, mixing in well with old Seville. The structure is popularly known as Las Setas de la Encarnación, or the Mushrooms of Incarnation. The building is home to the Antiquarium, Central Market, an open surface for public events, and two terraces, giving one of the best views of the city’s plaza. We were excited to look at the view, but unfortunately the entrances were closed, so for many of us this is now something to include on our bucket lists Picture of one of the student's hands, which is making a "Hang-ten" sign, with their thumb and pinky fingers extended, and the rest pulled in to their palm. On the student's wrist is a braclet, which has white block beads which spell out "Sevilla"for a future trip back to Seville. We continued exploring the city, attentively looking for a place to have lunch. As we entered our second week in Spain, many of us were missing food from home, although Spanish food is always exquisite. Luckily, we came across L’Oca Guiliva, an Italian restaurant, where we had massive amounts of pasta and other delicious plates. It was great to reminisce something from back home, but we were ready to continue enjoying the Spanish lifestyle. 

Group photo of the students and professors in Sevilla
Can you tell we’re happy to be here?

We made our way back to the hotel to get ready to meet Prof. Lokos and Prof. Iso, where we would go visit the Plaza de España and see the theatrical performance, Arte, at Teatro de Lope de Vega. As we made our ways back, many of us stopped to buy some souvenirs, ice cream, or coffee. All sugared up, we arrived back to the hotel, where we rested for a while before our next few stops in beautiful Sevilla.

Later that night, we met outside the hotel for an evening stroll and show. Our first stop was Plaza de España – the plaza is located in the Parque de Maria Luisa, where the architecture and scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Mixing elements of the Renaissance , Moorish (Muslim), and more classic Mediterranean styles, the Plaza evoked a sense of intense wonder and awe. As we walked around and took in its beauty amidst the setting Spanish sun, we found ceramic murals, commemorative alcoves for each province, and incredible plaster work. The Plaza also consists of buildings along its edges, the Vicente Traver fountain, and bridges over the moat. 

Panoramic image of the Plaza de España in Sevilla, Spain
laza de España is truly a magical place. The pictures we captured are amazing, and they still don’t do the place justice!

A black horse drawn carriage being drawn by a black horse, jaunting through the picturesque tan and gothic looking Plaza de Espana

Fountain in the middle of a plaza with a rainbow passing through its streams of water
As if the fountain wasn’t picturesque enough, we captured a photo just as a rainbow was soaring over the water. Yes this real life!!!

Image showing the blue, white, and yellow ceramic features of the Plaze de Espana, which are decorated with flowers, geometric patterns, and filigree

After a few photos, we continued to our next stop, Teatro de Lope de Vega, which conveniently is located only a few minutes away from the Plaza.  On the schedule for the night was Arte. Written in 1994 in French, Arte has since been translated and performed in 35 different languages. The show centers around Another group picture!three friends, one of whom buys a white painting for an exorbitant amount of money. Their ensuing taunts, laughter, and commiserations show how one small event can be used to explore and provoke the essence of human relationships. While, as audience members, we shared that emotional journey with the characters, we were all enchanted and delighted by the frequency of our laughter, and so Arte has definitely become a favorite. After an exciting play, we were ready for a nice dinner together. We settled in a restaurant near the Guadalquivir River, where we ate adobo, solomillo al whisky, brochetas de pollo, croquetas de gambas, and many other delicious foods. Afterwards, we waddled our way back to the hotel for the night, walking and singing down the streets of Seville with our bellies full and spirits high. We can’t wait to see what day two in Seville has in store for us!

Day 2

Day two was just as packed as our first, though thankfully we were able to sleep in a little before the fun began! At 11 AM we were off to visit the famous Real Alcázar de Sevilla, one of the most expansive complexes in Spain, and perhaps one of the most visited historical sites in the world. Even today, the upper levels of the Alcázar remain as the official residence of the royal family when in Sevilla, making it the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe, as its construction began in the 14th century! We spent over two hours making our way through the upper and lower levels of the palace, taking in all of the beauty and history within the intricate details of the walls, doors, patios and gardens. To think it has been preserved over so many lifetimes is truly astonishing!

 

One student walking through the lush and green gardens of the Palacio Real in Sevilla. There are plam trees, cubic looking coarse shrubs, and orangey-red clay or plaster colored gothic fountains

Another fountain at the Palacio Real, in front of a wrought iron open door which leads to a garden behind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For lunch, the ten of us stopped at an authentic Spanish restaurant, where we embraced the Spanish tradition of ordering a variety of smaller dishes, or tapas, and sharing them as a group – patatas bravas, croquettes and tortilla have come to be a few of our favorites 🙂 We are finally starting to get this lifestyle down, and we’re loving it! With full tummies we were recharged and ready to take on the breathtaking Catedral de Sevilla, trekking 35 floors to the top of the cathedral’s bell tower, la Giralda. The view was SO worth it!

The very gothic-looking entrance to the Catedral de Sevilla. There is a statue in front of an angel , who holds a bushel of wheat, and a flag with a banner and what looks like a shield. The catedral itself is huge - it's nearly 16 stories tall!
The Catedral de Sevilla is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, whose construction was completed in the early 16th century. It stands today as the largest cathedral in the world!
Interior shot of one of the daises of the cathedral
Here’s a peak inside!!

Gold, textured wall and beautifully ornamental main altar in the cathedral. There is a table at the altar with flowers and figurines. In the gold and grand wall behind it are carved images and figurines or major saints and people in the Catholic religion.

After a “go-go-go” two days, we were thrilled to be able to head back to the hotel and enjoy some pool time before dinner. Seville wiped us out! Next stop: Granada! But can it top Seville?!

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