I have been absolutely loving my time here in Seville. The city is so beautiful and there is always something to do. Today my peers and I got the opportunity to learn about the Moorish influence in Seville, through a lecture taught to us at the stunning University of Seville.

The lecture we witnessed delved deep into one of the most captivating chapters of Seville’s past – the Moorish influence. As we sat in awe, our minds were transported to an era where the vibrant Moorish civilization flourished in this very city, leaving behind architectural marvels, intricate art, and a legacy that continues to shape Seville’s character to this day. From the awe-inspiring Alcázar to the majestic Giralda tower, Moorish heritage is displayed on every corner of Seville. It was a privilege to dive into the depths of Seville’s past, and it left us with a profound appreciation for the rich culture that defines this enchanting city.

After the enlightening lecture, I embarked on a voyage through the city’s bustling streets. As I zipped down the charming alleyways on my newly rented electric scooter, I stumbled upon a plethora of clothing stores that were screaming to be explored. Seville’s fashion scene is a vibrant tapestry of styles, ranging from traditional Spanish attire to modern designs. What was meant to be a leisurely shopping excursion turned into a whirlwind of temptation, as I was surrounded by too many good pieces to choose from. Inevitably, I ended up indulging in more than I had planned. The clothes were too good to leave on the racks. Despite the slight dent in my wallet, the experience was undeniably worth it, as I walked away with clothing that will remind me of the lovely city of Seville.

Reuniting with my classmates after my shopping run, we set off on a captivating tour of Seville’s Arenal neighborhood. This vibrant neighborhood offers a glimpse into Seville’s dynamic culture and storied past. Our journey through Arenal culminated in a visit to the iconic Plaza de Toros, the home of Spanish bullfighting. Stepping into this historic arena, I was immediately struck by the weight of its cultural significance. While bullfighting remains a controversial tradition, deeply rooted in Spanish culture, it was impossible to deny the artistry and ritualistic nature of the spectacle. As we listened to our guide recount the history and intricacies of bullfighting, I couldn’t help but marvel at the passion and tradition that surrounded this age-old practice, even as I grappled with its ethical complexities. Our tour of the Plaza de Toros provided a great insight into an integral aspect of Spanish heritage.

After bidding farewell to my classmates, I embarked on a solo adventure, seeking out an attractive eatery in the charming streets of Seville. There, I indulged in a delicious burger crafted from “Carne de Ternera,” which translates to veal in English. This tender meat, sourced from young cattle, boasted a rich and savory flavor that left me utterly delighted. Accompanying the burger were a generous serving of crisp French fries, a hallmark of Seville’s culinary scene. There’s something truly special about Sevillian fries – perhaps it’s the locally sourced potatoes, or the meticulous attention to frying them to golden perfection. Whatever the secret may be, each bite was a symphony of crunch and flavor, elevating my dining experience to new heights. To cap off my lunch, I indulged in a heavenly slice of carrot cake. Every bite felt like heaven, a testament to Seville’s culinary prowess and ability to delight the senses at every turn.

After savoring every last bite, I dove into a different experience by attending a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class at Gracie Barra Sevilla. As a practitioner of this martial art back home, I was curious to see how they did things in Spain. Stepping onto the mats, I was welcomed with open arms by the friendly instructor and fellow practitioners. The class was nothing short of exhilarating, with each technique executed with precision and passion. What truly stood out, however, was the sense of community that spread across the mats. Despite being in a foreign country, I felt right at home, bonded by our shared love for Jiu Jitsu. The experience was a testament to the universality of martial arts and the camaraderie of Jiu Jitsu.

Since I worked up an appetite on the mats, I ventured out once again exploring Seville’s culinary delights. This time, I found myself drawn to a taco joint, lured in by the promise of authentic flavors. The tacos were nothing short of phenomenal, bursting with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that danced on my taste buds. What’s more, the affordability of the meal was a pleasant surprise, reaffirming Seville’s reputation as a city where one can indulge in exquisite meals without breaking the bank. At the end of my meal, I retired for the night, with dreams of tacos and the vibrant streets of Seville swirling in my mind.

Today fell nothing short of incredible. Having been to Andalusia a few times before this study abroad I have previously been exposed to two key aspects of the Andalusian culture flamenco and Semana Santa (Holy Week), but today I got to deepen my knowledge of these amazing things. We started our day by heading over to the Triana Market where inside the farmer’s market there was a small theater which was preciously occupied by two food vendors. The theater manager explained to us that they decided to add this unique theater in the market because they believed flamenco was just as integral to the Andalusian Spanish culture as was fresh, tasty food.

Flamenco In Disguise
Many of you may be wondering what flamenco is and what makes it so special to Spain. Flamenco is a style of Spanish music that originated in Andalusia (Southern autonomous community in Spain) and is usually consists of three elements: a guitarist, a singer, and a dancer, although it can also be just the musical part of it as well. It has roots of the Moorish musical traditions, folkloric traditions and was heavily influenced by the Gistanos (gypsies) with traces back to the late 18th century. The gypsies had mostly an oral culture where stories and folkloric songs would be verbally passed on to the new generations. Flamenco started off as a form of art commonly practiced by the poor as they expressed their struggles and overtime it evolved to also describe the happiness in life. It is often accompanied by rhytmic clapping with open hands for louder sounds and closed hands for softer sounds to match as well as rhythmic foot stamping the beat of the music making it an exquisite, complex art.
I remember my first time in Seville five years ago where I had the opportunity to experience a fascinating flamenco show that included all three elements followed by a flamenco class. Looking back, I can tell the type of flamengo was tango, a cheerful type of flamenco which also included castanets played by the dancer. Without today’s lecuture on flamenco, I wouldn’t have understood what components make up certain types of flamenco and the structure of this beautiful art. Today I had the incredible opportunity of learning that there are over a dozen different types of flamenco ranging from a melancholic type to a upbeat, cheerful type and that each element can be done separately and still be considered flamenco. In today’s flamenco show that was what we experienced, the dancer solo first with the castanets followed by the dancer with the singer, then a guitar solo. Next, we had the chance to see the guitarist with the dancer and to end the show, the three elements were combined demonstrating the full flamenco experience that we often discover all over the beautiful, lively city of Sevilla. Futhermore, I was impressed with the complexity and highly adaptability of this expressive form of art. The dancer, singer, and guitarist all communicate nonverbally through llamadas demonstrated by the dancer.

Semana Santa
Sevilla is the city in Spain with the most famous and unique Semana Santa celebration. Semana Santa is a catholic celebration in which they celebrate through traditions that commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Each day of Holy Week it’s celebrated with special traditions, such as processions on the streets, bringing olive branches to the church and silencing of the church bells from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday and it ends with the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. Processions go around the city have two adorn floats, one of the Virgin, and another one that it’s kind of like a scene from the Christ’s Passion and each of the 70 brotherhoods carry two of the floats with the most special ones given to the brotherhood with the most seniority. The floats are carried by 40 men on their shoulders called the costaleros where they slowly pass by the streets accompanied by music. The brotherhoods have a very strict guideline of the clothes that they wear which look like its from the KKK but in reality, it has nothing to do with it. The uniforms are meant to make everyone unrecognizable and the purpose of it is to pay for the sins of the committed by all the catholics. The darker the uniform the more serious the sins and the lighter the color the happier and more cheerful are the brotherhoods shown through music and handing out gifts. I was surprised to find out that these celebrations can take up to 14 hours a day and that the brothers may even walk barefoot carrying the floats. Overall, I was very impressed with the Semana Santa preparations and celebrations it is an event that the catholics take very seriously. Unfortunately, we will not be here during the Semana Santa celebrations, but I hope to witness this incredible event in the future.

After learning about the Semana Santa celebration I headed towards Restaurante Casa Cuesta where I ordered a tapa of carradilla (slow-roasted pork cheek) in a Pedro Ximénez sherry sauce which was TO DIE FOR. Additionally, I also went to another restaurant called Las Golondrinas where I ordered a puntas de solomillo (grilled pork loin) served over a piece of toast and fried potatoes which was incredibly tasty and cooked to perfection, I HIGHLY recommend. Seville, thank you so much for all the new knowledge, incredible food, and amazing memories, you will be dearly missed.

Exploring Flamenco & Semana Santa: Two Pillars of Andalusian Culture

Today was nothing short of incredible. Having visited Andalusia a few times before this study abroad, I was already familiar with two key aspects of Andalusian culture: flamenco and Semana Santa (Holy Week). However, today provided me with the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of these amazing traditions.

We began our day by heading over to the Triana Market, where, inside the farmer’s market, a small theater was ingeniously nestled between two food vendors. The theater manager explained that they added this unique feature to the market because they believed flamenco was just as integral to Andalusian Spanish culture as fresh, tasty food.

**Flamenco In Disguise**

Many may be wondering what flamenco is and what makes it so special to Spain. Flamenco is a style of Spanish music originating in Andalusia, characterized by three elements: a guitarist, a singer, and a dancer. However, it can also solely be the musical aspect. With roots in Moorish and folkloric traditions, heavily influenced by the Gitanos (gypsies) since the late 18th century, flamenco started as an art form among the poor, expressing their struggles. Over time, it evolved to encompass the spectrum of life’s emotions, from hardship to joy. Rhythmic clapping and foot stamping accompany flamenco, creating an exquisite, complex art form.

Reflecting on my first time in Seville five years ago, I recall experiencing a captivating flamenco show that included all three elements, followed by a flamenco class. Looking back, I recognize the flamenco type as tango, a cheerful variation incorporating castanets played by the dancer. Today’s lecture expanded my understanding, revealing over a dozen different types of flamenco, each with its unique characteristics. In today’s show, we witnessed the dancer solo with castanets, followed by the dancer with the singer, a guitar solo, the guitarist with the dancer, and, finally, the amalgamation of all three elements, providing a comprehensive flamenco experience throughout the vibrant city of Seville. Moreover, I was impressed by the complexity and adaptability of this expressive art form, with nonverbal communication through llamadas demonstrated by the dancer.

Semana Santa

Seville boasts the most famous and unique Semana Santa celebration in Spain. This Catholic event commemorates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, with each day of Holy Week marked by special traditions. Processions, bringing olive branches to the church, and the silencing of church bells from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday culminate in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. Processions feature adorned floats, depicting scenes from Christ’s Passion, carried by the 70 brotherhoods. Each brotherhood carries two floats, with the most senior receiving the most special ones. Costaleros, 40 men carrying the floats on their shoulders, slowly traverse the streets accompanied by music. The brotherhoods follow strict guidelines for their uniforms, designed to make them unrecognizable, symbolizing the collective responsibility for the sins committed by all Catholics. The darker the uniform, the more serious the sins; the lighter the color, the more cheerful the brotherhood, as expressed through music and gift-giving. Surprisingly, these celebrations can last up to 14 hours a day, with brothers sometimes walking barefoot while carrying the floats. Although we won’t be present for Semana Santa, I hope to witness this incredible event in the future.

After learning about the Semana Santa celebration, I headed towards Restaurante Casa Cuesta. There, I ordered a tapa of carradilla (slow-roasted pork cheek) in a Pedro Ximénez sherry sauce, which was absolutely divine. Additionally, I visited Las Golondrinas, where I ordered puntas de solomillo (grilled pork loin) served over a piece of toast and fried potatoes. It was incredibly tasty and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend both establishments. Futhermore, I got lunch, a bunch of tapas, which included flamenquín, batatas bravas, jamón ibérico, queso payoyo, tortilla de batatas, and chicharrones at Bar Santa Ana. Later, I went for a stroll in the Plaza de España on a sunny afternoon. Seville, thank you for the new knowledge, incredible food, and amazing memories; you will be dearly missed.

What do flour, water, and yeast have in common? They are three individual ingredients that are great on their own but when combined together make the most fresh and delicious bread. This is exactly what the different pieces of Flamenco are like when they come together.

Today was day five in Seville, and we had the privilege of seeing a Flamenco show. Now when they say don’t judge a book by its cover, they mean it, don’t judge a book by its cover. In the first few moments of the performance, we saw the Flamenco dancer dancing alone with the use of her castanets. Her dancing was really good, however, I personally got sick of the repetitive castanet clicks. I assumed the whole performance was just going to be her dancing and using her castanets. That is where I started to get a little worried because I truly did have high expectations for Flamenco and that was not meeting it. We then heard the singer, who notably had a great expression on his face when singing, which I did enjoy. It overall gave the performance more feeling and expression. Unfortunately, it was still not exactly what I was expecting. The guitarist came on stage and performed a solo. I personally really enjoy guitar so this is where things started to take a turn for me. 

The show then transitioned from each individual “piece” of Flamenco to a combination of two “pieces.” First, the dancer and singer performed together, then the guitarist and dancer together, and finally, the guitarist and singer together. Hearing each pair perform was a very interesting and unique blend of rhythm, melody, and expression. It felt like the rising action of a fictional novel, which eventually built up to the climax: all three performers coming together in harmony. 

I was truly stunned when I heard all three performers. At this point, the whole show exceeded my expectations. When the three Flamenco performers joined, the room was filled with lively noise, covering every inch of the theater. Sounds from the guitar, dancer, and singer blended together so smoothly in a manner that sparked a sense of joy and excitement. It was truly a thrilling show that left everyone amazed by how well they worked together.

During the performance, I couldn’t help but notice how the singer and guitarist kept a close eye on the dancer, making sure they matched her moves perfectly. It showed how well they worked together and how much they depended on each other’s roles.  As the dancer danced, the singer’s voice followed along in perfect harmony, and the guitarist played in sync with both of them, making the whole performance feel seamless and cohesive. Seeing this showed me the importance of a cohesive and commutative Flamenco team. If the guitarist was not paying attention to the dancer, he most certainly would have fallen forward or behind her. The same goes with the singer. It was clear that all three of them were in tune with each other, creating a wonderful show for everyone to enjoy.

The costumes worn by the dancer were truly stunning and added so much more excitement to the performance. At first, she wore a more basic black dress which was not my personal favorite. I felt like there was little movement to the dress and the color black made the dance feel like more of a drag. The change into a vibrant red skirt paired with a white blouse and an embellished red hat elevated the visual appeal. I loved how her flowy skirt had lots more movement than the previous dress. It made the dance that much more appealing. The final dress was a gorgeous pink dress with red polka dots paired with a short red vest and flower hair pieces. The bright colors and flowy fabrics of a dancer’s costumes make Flamenco that much more interesting to watch. Both the colors and consistent movement of fabrics catch the eye in a way that is truly a work of art. 

After the spectacular Flamenco performance, we then went to a Flamenco school around the corner where Professor Patricia Lozano taught us about each aspect of Flamenco. We first learned about the three different types of “feelings” in a Flamenco performance. First, the Flamenco mode which she explained typically creates more of a mad mood and might even make some people frown. Then, there is the major mode which creates a very sweet, happy feeling and typically makes people smile. Finally, we have the minor mode which is not as deep as the major mode and typically creates a sad feeling. The guitarist is the one who can create these feelings, or modes, to which we heard a student play each of them. 

Professor Lozano had one of her dancer students come to show us some Flamenco dances. If there is one thing that truly shocked me this entire day, it was this girl’s ability to dance. I was even more shocked when I later found out she was only 17 years old. Professor Lozano also had one of her singer students come to complete the entire Flamenco performance. 

We then went into the different parts of Flamenco and how each part can be interchanged depending on the dancer. The Salidas marks the introduction or greeting, often involving a short piece by the guitarist and singer. Following this, the 1a Letra begins the lyrical aspect of the piece. The Falseta is where the guitarist showcases their skill through a solo melody or short composition. Transitioning back to more lyrics, we have the 2a Letra. The Escobilla is a segment dedicated to the dancer, composed of intricate footwork and accompanied by rhythmic claps. No singing is heard during the Escobilla. Finally, the Cambio closes off the Flamenco performance, starting in one style and seamlessly transitioning to another, often with an increasing tempo but the same rhythm. Together, these components form the structure of a Flamenco performance.

Today, I got to see Seville as the land where the aroma of spices mingles with the echoes of ancient cathedrals. Before setting off to begin today’s activities, I had breakfast at Mas Carpone restaurant which is a popular brunch place quite close to the Student residence. I ordered a macchiato and bollo bread with creamy roasted tomato spread, similar to the one at Einstein Bagels at UML.

The day started off with a stroll through the neighborhood with beautiful blooming sights and the fresh wind that kisses your face with every turn. I was excited for the cooking lesson today as I consider myself a food enthusiast (without the cooking part), but it was important to first know the history behind the foods that are grown in the roots of Sevilla. Luis, our instructor, began with a lecture explaining the influences of Roman, Greek, and Jewish cuisines on Spanish dishes. Foods like bread, wine, olive oil, wheat, cheese, and spices are among some of the things that were imported into Sevilla that have now become crucial parts of meals eaten today. On the menu today was Al boronia, Codfish with garbanzos, and Torijas.

Al boronia is similar to the Ratatouille dish, very refreshing dish made of peppers, tomatoes, celery, and eggplant. For the main course, we had codfish with garbanzos (chickpeas) and spinach, topped with a boiled egg. Lastly, we had torijas which is Spanish French toast, soaked in cinnamon and lime infused milk. With the helping hand of some students, the meals were so tasty – my favorite was the torijas. The lesson was educative, and we got to witness how the complexity of dishes in Seville, have different elements from various parts of the world.

It was then time for us to visit the location I had been anticipating for a long time –La Catedral de Sevilla. From the detailed architecture to the careful placement of light, and reflections of gold, the views are truly breathtaking! Our tour guide, Pilar, guided us through the largest cathedral on the planet, that was once a mosque. There were so many places to look at, and every side of the building had an important reasoning for its design and layout. The composition of the building sends an invitation to the never ending urge to look up above, and reflect on the mysteries of faith and art. Pilar walked us through some historical meanings and events of the cathedral, and then we headed for the tower of Giralda which was about 34 levels to the top. I nearly gave up on the eighth level, but the thrill to witness the beautiful views of Seville that motivated everyone made me want to go as well.

After climbing those levels at the cathedral, we needed an energy boost. We went to a local gelato place called Amorino as we discussed the idea of visiting Las Setas De Sevilla (The Seville Mushrooms), and other plans for the rest of the day. We made reservations for the Las Setas visit at 6:45 pm. As we started walking to the place, some of us grabbed souvenirs and gifts for family and friends from tourist shops we found on our way. I have not bought anything just yet, but I am eyeing some items I might purchase later this week.

After the sunset, we wanted a place to eat before heading back to the LIV Residence. The suggestion of El Rinconcillo was taken into account and we headed there. When we arrived at the restaurant, there was a long line of people standing outside, waiting to be seated. In fact, there were no seats, and this was my first time eating while standing up. When we got a table to stand by, I noticed the blend from the locals and tourists together, and the well preserved ancient interior design and atmosphere. I had the croquettes and they were amazing!

I am very glad I made it on the Seville trip on my last semester as a Senior, and every part of the days past and anticipating for those ahead, I can say it is worth it. Although I have three days left, I plan on making the best out of my time, and enjoy my best vacation yet!

Coming into this trip, I did not realize how much I would miss it before it was even over. Our second full day was filled with excitement, exploration, and endless joyful moments. The day started off early at around 9 AM, when I went to visit a local café just around the corner from our stay at the API Student Sevilla Center, where I enjoyed a café con leche and one of the local favorites, tostadas con jamon y queso), starting off the morning just right.

Next up was a cooking lesson with our man of the hour, Luis! Shortly after arriving at the API center, our group got to learn about the vast history of Spanish cuisine. Luis demonstrated great knowledge, teaching us about the different aspects of the culture of Spain, and how cultures from many parts of the world slowly became integrated into the country’s foods. It was so interesting seeing all the different concepts and techniques that came together to create such complex and diverse dishes.

After our lecture, we got to put our newfound knowledge to some good use. Luis introduced us to some brand-new foods including Albornia, Torrijos, and Garbanzos con Bacalao. My favorite for sure was definitely the Garbanzos con Bacalao, a rich Moorish-originated dish including Garbanzo beans, Spinach, hard-boiled egg, and salted preserved cod fish. Some of the students in our groups were definitely put to work, integrating their amazing cooking skills to create our lunch for the day.

After our lesson, it was time to head over to the Catedral de Sevilla, Seville’s very own famous cathedral. By far one of the most amazing experiences, and for sure is a must for me to visit once more before the end of our trip. After meeting up with our tour guide Pilar, we got to explore the deep history of the Cathedral, seeing all of the amazing architecture in its glory. The vast intricacy within every single corner of the Cathedral was truly remarkable, and although we did a quick wrap-around, discovering and appreciating every small aspect of the Cathedral could have genuinely taken hours and hours on end. We got to also walk up the tower of Giralda, which by the way has 32 levels. Were most of us out of breath? Yes. Was it worth it? 1,000%

After our visit was over, some of us visited a local gelato place, where we sat down and enjoyed the views of the cathedral while conversing about plans for the rest of the day. After deciding, most of our group made reservations to visit La Setas (“The Mushrooms”) De Sevilla. Before heading there we walked along the northern part of Sevilla, visiting some local tourist shops and gathering up souvenirs to take back to our loved ones. Ended up with my 3^rd tote bag of the trip!

Next up? La Setas. After seeing a quick short film inside of the main part of the building, we headed up to the top where we got to see the full view of the city. As the sun set, it got super quiet and then I realized that all of us were just taking in the view. From the lit-up churches to the view of the cathedral, and the streets filled with people, words cannot describe the beauty of Sevilla. Amazing photo opportunities there for sure, we took some really great ones.

The next stop was dinner. Visiting Seville’s oldest tapas bar, El Rinconcillo, was genuinely an experience. Super-fast-paced, where you could truly feel the energy of the locals and tourists combined together. Ending the night, we got to ride the scooters around the town to head back to the dorms. The scooters have become my favorite mode of transportation, even though it took a bit of time getting used to it for most of us. Every time anyone wants to go somewhere my first instinct is to recommend taking the scooters! After arriving at LIV, we all headed back up and called it a night around 11pm.

As someone who has never been out of the country before, I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am that I can have this experience in Sevilla. The city is alive, having something new to do and try around every corner. Although we have only spent about 2 full days in Seville, I have genuinely enjoyed spending time with everyone in the group, and being able to experience this with them is truly incredible. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us for the rest of the week.

Today March 4, was a great Day in Seville, Spain. We started by having a cuisine lecture on the cuisine of Spain by Luis. We learned about the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Celts, Jews, Gypsies, Islam, and the Jews’ influence on the gastronomy of Spanish cuisine today. Around 11:15 am we began our journey by walking to the API center where we met Luis. Luis taught us about how the geography of Spain was a determining factor for many regions and cultures to move into Spain. Furthermore, all these cultures brought in different techniques of agriculture, spices, and food preparation.  For example, techniques for preserving fish in salt and olive tree cultivation that was influenced by the Phoenicians. Another example is the influence of Islam on “The Silk Road” where spices, silk, and paper were traded.

Moreover, we learned that Arabs brought new ways of cooking and lots of new produce and condiments which influenced the Andalucian cooking we see today.

Most importantly we were able to get a full taste of Spain’s cuisine in person. Today’s menu involved delicious plates like Alboronia, Garbanzos con Bacalao, and Torrijas.

     The Alboronia o pisto Andaluz, which is also known as ratatouille, is said to be a dish of Jewish-Muslim origin, which has a transcendental and multicultural aspect. The rich flavors give away the Moorish origin with red peppers, eggplant, onion, and celery.

 We also had, Potaje de Vigilia, de garbanzos with cod fish, spinach, and boiled eggs.

     Furthermore, we had a great and delicious desert very known and common in Spain; Torrijas (Spanish French toast), which consists of bread dipped in boiled milk with lemon peel and cinnamon stick. It was accompanied by cheese and jam paste.

In the same way, we didn’t only get a cuisine taste. But most importantly a taste of its most important culture and history, Catholicism. Today we visited the Cathedral of Seville. We explored and observed its complex, beautiful, and stunning structures. It’s one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, and the fourth-largest church. Its architecture is heavily Moorish, Christian, Catholic, and some Greek influence. The paintings, sculptures, woodcarvings, and architecture illustrated a mix of Gothic, renaissance, Basque, and Islamic styles.

Moreover, we observed how the cathedral retold Jesus and the Virgin Mary’s story through paintings.

This art shows the retailing of Jesus’s life from birth to crucifixion/resurrection.

While this picture shows the great art and detailing of the glass windows, which are found all over the cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, we could observe some tombs of important figures in history, for example, Christopher Columbus. The picture on the right shows where there are about 150 grams of Christopher Columbus’s bones.

This picture shows where the holy water for baptism is conserved. Baptism for Catholics is very important since symbolizes the sacrament of regeneration through holy water into a new life.

     Reflecting on the adventures and journeys we had today, it was remarkable to experience and learn physically more in-depth the history and culture of Seville, Spain. Starting the day with an exquisite cuisine, full of flavors and different techniques of cocking brought me back to home. My family is from Galicia, Spain, the foods are cooked in slightly different ways and there are different cuisines, but the flavors are still there. It all became a flashback. Moreover, seeing how everybody else enjoyed the food warmed my heart, and wished more people were able to experience such great cuisine. Equally important visiting the Cathedral raised questions as to how back then with the technology and little knowledge they had, something so glorious was made. It could have been manpower, or something else, but to that question, there’s not a clear answer. All that has to be done is to soak in the beautifulness and merge deep into its history. Overall, the day concluded, and everyone was able to enjoy and learn more about Spain’s culture and history and how it has impacted how we see things today. My day concluded with walking around Seville’s streets having delicious mint chocolate chip gelato with my friends and having a great conversation, getting to know each other more and more. In summary, I’m thrilled for it to be tomorrow already and see what the day brings!!

Today marked the first full day in Seville. We started with a bike tour of the city with our API director named Juan. This was truly the best way to start the day, and the trip as a whole. We navigated around the city on the bikes, immersing ourself into the busy streets of Seville. On the bike tour we quickly passed by Cathedral de Seville, Plaza Nueva, and Plaza de Toros de Sevilla, just to name a few of the many places we saw. The bike tour was so freeing. Feeling the sun, taking in the city and seeing it all really helped me feel much more familiar with where I am, gain a better understanding of my surroundings, and take notes on places I want to go back to and explore more in depth. It felt like every corner we turned there was another beautiful landmark waiting for us. I found myself picking my jaw up off the floor a couple of times, and constantly saying “wow this is so beautiful” at everything we saw. This bike tour was truly amazing, and has left me beyond excited to see more. 

One of the places we passed through was Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España. This area reminded me a lot of El Retiro Park from my past study abroad in Madrid. Maybe it was the boats and the water or the calming nature and people relaxing, but I absolutely loved this park. There were lots of flourishing plants, sunshine, and everyone outside in the nature, enjoying the atmosphere. It felt drastically different from being at home. In contrast to being at home, people here are outside enjoying life the way it should be. I really admire this aspect of the culture here especially. Everything is taken at a slower pace, and it feels like you really take in life and everything it has to offer. In fact, as I was reflecting on this and felt really inspired BOOM a dove flies into my face while I’m riding my bike. I guess you could say I got to experience the wildlife here very up close. 

Next we stopped for lunch. We wandered around until we came upon Restaurante La Bodeguita. I had some croquets and pinchos de pollo, which were very delicious. I successfully motioned for la cuenta, then went to a nearby cafe to get an affogato, but must’ve ordered it incorrectly because I received something very different. My Spanish must be a little more rusty than I thought. After, we headed toward the Alcázar of Seville. Saying the Alcázar was beautiful would be a huge understatement. All of the intricate architecture and blooming gardens felt like I was in a completely different world. We were guided by our tour guide Pilar, where she took us through and taught us about the history and facts about each area. I learned this is where the royal family stays when they are in Seville, so they block it from visitors coming while they are staying there. We also took some time to stop and feed the peacocks and ducks. It was a very fun moment, and cool to see a peacock so up close, and then the duck bit my leg. Animals 2, Sarah 0. 

As we continued to walk through the Alcázar, we stopped and saw the beautiful orange trees. Curiosity got the best of us and we actually tried one, despite being warned, and it was very sour. However, my mindset for this trip, is when in Spain it’s all about trying new things. Based of trying new things, this brings me to our welcome dinner. We went to La Vinería de San Telmo and tried Patatas Bravas, quinoa salad with avocado and salmon, as well as many other dishes and various delicious cakes for dessert. It was a great way to end our day and connect with the other students while trying these new dishes. Afterwards, we set out to find some Sherry. We ended up trying Tío Pepe, which I recognize from the sign in Puerta del Sol in Madrid. It was definitely an experience, not my favorite but I am glad to have tried it. 

Overall, being in Seville has been a great experience, and it has only been the first full day. It has me excited to continue to try new things. I truly love the culture here, and always envision myself coming back, and maybe living here one day. I cannot wait to see the rest of what Seville has to offer, and know that there are more beautiful places around each corner. Everyday and every turn presents new possibilities, foods to try, sights to see, and memories to make. 

Today was an amazing day in Seville. Our first full day in the city, we took a bike tour around, toured the Alcazar, ate amazing food, and drank amazing drinks. Starting in Puerta de Jerez, we took off on our bikes. Weaving in and out of crowds of people, we made our way to the Plaza de Toros, one of the most famous bull-riding stadiums in the country. After admiring from the outside and learning some interesting information about the history of bull riding from our API guide, Juan, we headed down to the river, biked along the bank, and ventured over to Maria Luisa Park. One of the most heavenly parks I’ve ever seen, it was lined with orange and coconut trees, making for a beautiful bike ride all the way to the Plaza de España. The semi-circular structure with an enormous water fountain out front seemed to be something straight out of a fairytale.

This also marked the end of our bike tour as we went off to enjoy lunch on our own (for me, this meant a pizza margherita and a glass of sangria).

After lunch, we ventured over to Real Alcazar, one of the former palaces of the Spanish Monarchy. Following our tour guide, Pilar, we traveled back in time to the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries as we looked through the piece of art that this palace was constructed to be. We even got the opportunity to feed some peacocks (which is a sentence I never thought I would be saying in my entire life).

With dinner scheduled for later in the evening, we all dispersed after this tour to discover the city for ourselves. Wandering the streets of the Seville center as the sun was setting was truly a magical and transformative event.

Being abroad has this amazing capability of showing you what it means for a city to have “life”. Being in Lowell you see the college “life”  but you don’t get the experience of people gathering for an afternoon cappuccino on the patio or walking the park with their kids. It’s just not the way of life in the US. Being here has shown me already how much more freeing life is and how much people here enjoy going about their everyday lives. At one point, we just stopped and sat for a few minutes, observing the people around us meandering around, walking at a pace that at home would be considered unbearably slow, simply just enjoying their lives…it was mesmerizing. After our wandering came dinner. At home, I am one of the most picky eaters you may ever meet in your entire life. However, I have a rule – when abroad, I have to try almost everything put in front of me at least once, so for dinner, I did my very best and actually surprised myself with how far out of my comfort zone I went to try almost all of the different foods presented to us. The first round was hummus with pita bread. Again, being one of the most picky eaters in the entire world, I had never had hummus before tonight, and although I was not a huge fan of it and did not go back for seconds, I still put myself out there and tried it. Next was an ensalada con salmón. A salad made with what looked like quinoa, tomatoes, lettuce, and raw salmon, I could not pull myself to venture out of my comfort zone for this, but everyone at the table was raving about it, finishing four full rations before the meal was over. Up next was patatas bravas, essentially potato wedges dipped in a spice sauce and topped with sour cream. These potatoes were amazing. Not normally one to handle spice well (at all), I did not let the word “spice” prevent me from trying some and I am so glad I went for it because they were truly delicious. After the patatas came the pollo. The small, fired chicken niblets were one of the best foods I’ve had so far. A fact that I’m sure almost everyone here with me could agree with as I am pretty sure all four baskets of pollo were gone within a matter of minutes. Next was the ribeye. A beautifully cooked beef salted to perfection and served with more patatas, I could not have asked for a better dish to finish the dinner. Lastly came desert. The waiters served us a variety of cheesecakes, all beautifully made and plated in a way that made my mouth water before they even hit the table even though I was so full from the dinner already. Taking a bite of the chocolate one was like taking a bite of heaven itself and I wish I could relive that moment over and over for the rest of my life.

However, all good things must come to an end and so must the day. Before turning in for the night, we stopped and had a drink at a local bar and began talking about how we can make the most of the rest of our time here. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the week takes us.

In this study abroad course, UMass Lowell Honors College students will explore the city of Seville and region of Andalucia as part of HONR 3200: The Story of Spain.