As much as I love traveling Europe, I can't help but feel excited simply staying in Sevilla for two weeks. Who wouldn't though, Sevilla is a vacation in it of itself. I got back from Italy on the Saturday before Easter, which was the final day of Semana Santa. Semana Santa is huge in Sevilla and hard to explain because we have nothing like this in the States, but it was definitely cool to see a "paso" as I walked home from the bus station. People carry giant floats with "La Virgen" and everybody marches through the city to the beat of drums. They wear these tall pointy hats (no relation to the Klu Klux Klan) and celebrate their Catholicism.
"Un Paso"
Easter Sunday, Emma and I went to church in the Catedral, which was so cool. I'm not a really religious person, but to be able to sit in on mass in Spanish in one of the largest cathedrals in Europe was pretty cool.
Easter Sunday outside the Catedral
Beautiful day for Easter!
It gets more beautiful every time I walk by
Emma's family arrived late Sunday and came to our host family's house for lunch on Thursday. I got to help my host dad cook Paella before their arrival! It is actually quite simple, and was SO GOOD. I'm glad I got to see one of the biggest Spanish traditions in the making. I had a fun time interpreting my host dad's recipe into Spanish while he tried to explain and demonstrate the steps. I can't wait to try and cook it for my family when I get back; I hope it will be as good!
Salud!
This past weekend was the first weekend Emma and I have been here since February, which is hard to believe. March was completely consumed with travel (not complaining) so we were excited to cross off another thing on our bucket list this Saturday. Our host sister (the oldest) owns a bar here in Sevilla, named "La Fina" after her mom, Fina, and we've always wanted to go. Our parents took us there and we enjoyed tapas and cervezas like one big happy family :) Our family consists of two girls (only one pictured below on the left) and one boy who lives in Granada, all of which are in their 30's.
Emma, María (oldest daughter), Eloy (dad), Fina (mom), and María's co-worker
On Sunday, Emma and I decided to continue checking things off our list and went to a fútbol game! Funny story actually, we were told that if we go to the game halfway through, we could buy cheaper tickets (tickets are upwards of 40 euros, about $53) so we arrived at halftime in search of the ticket office. We asked a random security guard where the office was and he told us we were too late. But we didn't take no for an answer...
We asked again and he pointed where to go. As we walked around the other half of the stadium still not finding it, we asked another random man in a nice suit where we could buy tickets. After telling us we were beautiful Americans, he gestured toward a side door and told us to just go in! A crowd of security guards stared at us, but let us in as if we were celebrities with VIP access. We practically walked onto the field we were so close, it was unreal. After freaking out for about five more minutes we finally took our seats (that we found) and cheered right along with the rich Spaniards who sat around us. Go Betis!
Best day ever.
Betis won!
To complete my week of Sevillian activities, our program took us to a bullfight last night. I am NOT a fan. I am not a person with a weak stomach or an Animal right's activist by any means, but I could not handle the show. I witnessed one bull (there are multiple within the two hour show) and after 20 minutes I had to leave. It was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen and it literally made me nauseous watching them torture the bull. I still cannot understand how people enjoy watching something like that for entertainment, it was just so sad. The crowd was practically silent the entire time, except when the bull got stabbed and then they would cheer. It was eerie and just messed up. I'm glad I can say I saw a show, but I would never go to one again. Poor bulls!
Opening ceremonies of the show. The horses are later involved in the torturing of the bull, another part I could not stand. Poor horses had to be in the middle of the fight. Thank goodness they wore armor.
Note the spears in the bulls back, they are individually stabbed by various bullfighters. One main bullfighter instigates the bull's anger and makes him fight to his death. Not a pleasant thing to watch. Also note the bull's tongue hanging out in agony.
Aside from the gruesome bullfight, this past week has been one of the best. I am so glad I did not choose to travel these two weeks in April because there is so much to see and do in Sevilla. The weather is beautiful (like always), people are everywhere, and Fería de Abril is right around the corner. I'm not discussing how little amount of time I have left here, instead I'm going to take advantage of every minute and enjoy my time as a Sevillian. You can sleep when you're dead right?
¡Olé!
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